In the heart of our community, one family-run establishment has been serving up deliciousness for 35 years.
The Villager featured Bedrock Cafe 10 years ago to honor their 25th anniversary in business. At the time, Mary and Guy reflected on what it was like to start their journey and the difficulty juggling parenthood of two very young children plus the demands of the restaurant. It was clear they had fond memories of their humble beginnings and their strong sense of values helped them grow to where they were at the time in 2014.
The torch has now been passed and their son Peter has taken on a pivotal role in ensuring that this local gem not only survives but thrives. Mary and Guy are still very much involved and present at the restaurant continuing to support their family business.
Bedrock has been a part of Peter’s journey his entire life. He recalls fond childhood memories of helping out, from doing dishes to answering phones at just ten years old, and playing soccer with his Dad while waiting for pickups. His father started the business as a donut shop before pivoting to pizza. “It was important for him to stand out,” Peter said about his father’s decision. The change in direction was not only a smart business move but one which allowed them to follow their passion and their culture; after all, what Italian family doesn’t have pizza running through their veins?
As a long standing business in our community, many of us agree that their food is some of the best in the area.
In recent years, Peter has undertaken greater responsibilities within the cafe. His goal? To unify and modernize operations while maintaining what makes Bedrock unique. “It involves cataloguing prep techniques, refining recipes, and standardizing procedures,” he explains.
Each week, hundreds of pizzas are prepared, showcasing what truly goes into creating each tasty masterpiece—from handmade dough that undergoes careful fermentation to fresh ingredients topping every pizza. Peter shares that preparing dough isn’t as simple a task as people think; it’s about timing and technique which creates that airy texture everyone loves.
“Making food right takes time. You can tell when it’s done correctly.” he says.
The Schembri family feel deep gratitude towards customers who have supported them for over three decades: “Without our community, we wouldn’t be here celebrating 35 years.”
So next time you’re heading up Highway 11, make sure to stop in, order some food and chat with the Schembri family. You won’t be disappointed!
