By Chris Jaster
Business has been good for Howard Wong since he purchased Currah’s Bakery last year, and it may get better because of one publication.
Howard’s Bakery was included in the 40th edition of Where to Eat in Canada, a book that has a large network of editors who anonymously test restaurants throughout Canada to find the best eats in the nation.
The review of Wong’s bakery, however, is a “temporary further-reports-needed” entry according to Nicholas Macklem of Oberon Press, the company that publishes Where to Eat in Canada. Currah’s Bakery was in the guide for the past 20 years and the editors didn’t feel it was fair to make a decision whether to keep it in the book during Wong’s first year of ownership.
Although it’s tough to get an entry into the dining guide, and tough to keep it in there — the book states “Nobody can buy his way into this guide, and nobody can buy his way out” — Wong thinks he’s doing enough to keep Howard’s Bakery in the book.
“I think I do fairly well. I’ve actually added more things to my menu and things like that. I don’t think I have to change,” said Wong, who added wraps and salads to his lunch menu since buying the place. “As for the baking and everything, I haven’t really changed a whole lot of that. We have made some different products also, but I’ve heard nothing but good compliments on it.”
Wong would like to have his bakery get in the 41st edition of Where to Eat in Canada, especially since it would be on his own merits and would not be from riding the coat tails of Anne and Carson Currah, former owners of the bakery.
“This was a shock and an honour to be mentioned in it. I hope we can live up to the reputation and keep it going,” he said.

Howard and Roxanne Wong display some of the pastries available at their bakery. Howard’s Bakery was listed in the 40th edition of Where to Eat in Canada.       Photo by Marcia Love