Celebrating an Incredible Milestone for Our Bakery, Teaching Kitchen and Community
We are beyond excited to share some wonderful news with our Blue Spoon Atelier family.
Blue Spoon Atelier has been named the 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year at the Carleton Place & District Chamber of Commerce Business Awards of Excellence. This recognition is an incredible honour and a moment we are proud to celebrate with everyone who has supported us along the way. The Business Awards of Excellence recognize the entrepreneurs, businesses and community leaders whose dedication, innovation and service help Carleton Place and the surrounding area thrive.
Winning this award is much more than receiving a trophy. It reflects the relationships we’ve built, the community we’ve become part of, and every customer who has walked through our doors.
What the Business Awards of Excellence Represent
The Carleton Place & District Chamber of Commerce Business Awards of Excellence celebrate local businesses that make a meaningful impact through leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation and community involvement. Each year, the awards recognize businesses and individuals who help shape the future of Carleton Place while contributing to its vibrant local economy.
To be recognized among so many outstanding local businesses is both humbling and inspiring. We are grateful to be part of a community that believes in supporting local entrepreneurs and celebrating their success.
Meet Chef Burcu Gencer, PhD
Blue Spoon Atelier was founded by Chef Burcu Gencer, PhD, whose passion for food goes far beyond baking.
With a background in Agricultural Engineering, a PhD in Agricultural Economics, professional culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu and education in Functional Nutrition, Chef Burcu has created a place where delicious food, lifelong learning and wellness come together.
Her vision has always been simple:
Create food that nourishes people while creating experiences that bring them together.
That vision has become the heart of Blue Spoon Atelier.
More Than a Bakery
Blue Spoon Atelier was created to be more than a place to buy fresh bread or enjoy a cup of coffee.
Every day, we bake artisan breads, pastries, cakes and wholesome treats using carefully selected ingredients and traditional techniques. We also prepare nourishing meals, fermented foods and beverages, and seasonal specialties inspired by quality, freshness and flavour.
Beyond the bakery, our Teaching Kitchen welcomes people of all skill levels to discover the joy of cooking. From artisan bread and sourdough workshops to international cuisine, kids’ cooking classes and hands-on culinary experiences, we love sharing knowledge that inspires confidence in the kitchen.
For us, food has always been about bringing people together.
Proud to Call Carleton Place Home
When Blue Spoon Atelier opened its doors in downtown Carleton Place, we hoped to become part of this incredible community.
What we found was so much more.
We’ve met families who stop in every week, customers who have become friends, visitors discovering our bakery for the first time, and students who return for another cooking class because they enjoyed the experience so much.
Carleton Place is a town that truly supports local businesses, celebrates entrepreneurship and values community. We are grateful to live, work and grow here, and we are proud to contribute to the vibrant downtown that makes this town so special.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Journey
This award belongs to everyone who has supported Blue Spoon Atelier.
To our loyal customers, thank you for choosing local.
To our workshop participants, thank you for learning and creating with us.
To our dedicated team, thank you for bringing passion and care into everything you do.
To the Carleton Place & District Chamber of Commerce and everyone involved in the Business Awards of Excellence, thank you for this incredible recognition.
Every loaf baked, every meal prepared, every class taught and every conversation shared has helped shape Blue Spoon Atelier into what it is today.
Looking Ahead
Receiving the 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year Award motivates us to continue doing what we love.
We’ll keep creating artisan baked goods made with care, offering hands-on cooking experiences, exploring healthy and flavourful recipes, and welcoming everyone through our doors with warmth and hospitality.
We’re excited for what’s ahead, and we can’t wait to share the next chapter with our amazing community.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, Carleton Place. This honour means the world to us.
