It's been 10 years since Ann Brady founded Toast Breakfast and Lunch. The Canadian/Irish fusion menu plus the delightful staff that make each patron feel right at home is a winning recipe for success. Since 2015 she and her team have grown the brand to three locations, while every year since opening, receiving the Readers’ Choice and/or T8N awards for the best brunch spot in town.
“Toast has become part of an amazing community. This community support has allowed us to be successful,” shares Brady. She also credits the success to, “hard work and an amazing team who take immense pride in what we do.”
"We are not a franchise,” Brady adds. “We opened our first restaurant 10 years ago. We have since opened two more. Everything is cooked to order. Allowances are made for customer requirements. We strive every day to ensure you have an amazing dining experience. We offer regular and dark roast coffee and also offer decaf. Our servers (several of whom are Irish) always have time to chat and make you feel welcome.”
The restaurant industry has had many challenges over the years, and Toast has not been exempted.
“Toast is blessed in that we have survived any challenge thrown at us. We started in a new country and learned very quickly how different things are. We survived the Covid shutdowns. We believe we are stronger now than ever and always ready to take on whatever life throws at us.”
Giving back is an important value for Toast, and this is shown in the support of St. Albert Food Bank, youth athletics, the local hospital, and the firefighter’s annual rooftop campaign.
To celebrate 10 years of delighting patrons with delicious, seasonal, locally focused meals, Toast did a series of gift certificate draws.
“A huge thank you goes out to my managers, who keep everything running smoothly and take enormous pressure off me,” adds Brady. “Also, to the whole Toast team who impress me daily with their loyalty and their hard work to keep us on top of our game. I am immensely proud of the T8N and St Albert Gazette awards. We hope to continue being successful in the St Albert community for many years to come.”
In celebration of International Women’s Day, what is her advice for women entering the restaurant field? She says simply and impactfully, “Go for it!”
