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The secret of freshly baked bread lies in its scent and feel, explains Babette Baars, the head of marketing and media for Marché® Restaurants.

“You can smell and taste the difference,” she says.

Marché® originally opened its Toronto doors in 1992, but took a hiatus from 2004-2010. This year proves, however, to be quite a growth period with the upcoming reopening of its main Restaurant at the Brookfield Place location and the expansion of two bakeries: one on the building’s concourse level and a second location at the Bay Adelaide Centre in mid-June.

The restaurant renovations will accommodate 560 patrons, while its downstairs counterpart offers a seating area exclusively designated for guests. Since 1983, this European-style eatery has succeeded in nine countries, including Indonesia and Singapore, and has certainly made its mark in Canada.
 
“Marché® is such an up to date concept [here]. We have plans for 10 or more locations in the next few years,” says Baars.

But what does Marché® pride itself on the most?

“The freshness,” says Baars. “The problem with food right now is that everyone says [their products] are ‘fresh.’ People have to see and taste what’s true. Freshness is in the quality and it’s transparent [as] we produce our food ourselves in front of people.”

Just some of Marché® advantages are the hand-squeezed orange juice; a salad bar exclusively offering seasonal produce; sandwiches; and soups that are 100% naturally made, without mixtures or additives.
 
“When possible, we [also] use organic food and smaller suppliers,” says Baars, who continues to explain that every location maintains uniqueness. “Switzerland is different from Slovenia… the basics are the same, but the product is never exact because of each location’s suppliers.”

The restaurants are cozy and welcoming and the waft of Marche®’s delicious fare permeates from the buffet—everything from foccachia and the Swiss pasta, Spätzli to home made pastries and chocolate mousses.The Brookfield Place overhaul and a new bakery addition promise to provide Toronto with healthy and hearty choices, keeping customers coming back to fine, quick cuisine—not fast food.

 

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