Every successful partnership involves some give – and take.  When Pastry Chef Gord Austin’s chocolates went disappearing from the Wickaninnish Inn’s kitchen during Leah’s Night Audit shifts, two chocolate lovers united.

The couple founded and operated Chocolate Tofino, the little chocolate shop that could (and still does), selling it in 2010.   Leah and Gord then built their new, energy-efficient home with yet another compact workspace:  a 100 square foot cake studio for their newest venture, Tofino Cake Studio.  With toddler Gemma by their side, they craft a selection of cakes, cupcakes and specialty items (including last-minute wedding cakes) that have made their way beyond Tofino via word of mouth.  Using primarily organic and local ingredients, chocolate that is organic and fair trade, and offering sugar-free, vegan, and/or gluten-free options, one can only agree that these are “cakes you can feel good about” says Leah.

The Austins have a history of treading lightly on the earth;  They cultivated relationships with Costa Rican fair trade cocoa growers in their time at Chocolate Tofino, and continue to live simply as much as possible.  Leah is an accomplished gardener, frequently using homegrown edible flowers to adorn cakes.  Her blackberries, huckleberries, mint and other herbs add genuine West Coast flavour to Gord’s creations.

You might see Leah about town delivering cupcakes – with flavours including vegan and organic chocolate with lavender or blackberry buttercream  – to Green Soul Organics or the Tofino Tea Bar.  Meet the Austins and their sweets at the Tofino Public Market, running every Saturday from May 18 to September 28, and get a taste their special offer for Feast Tofino.