Our roots
It’s a family business
Our roots go back to 1945, when we opened our first bakery in Jamaica. When our family started moving to Canada in the 1970s, we had to adapt to this new country—so we did what we do best. We set out to recreate the taste of home for Toronto’s growing Jamaican and Caribbean community.
In 1981, we opened the Patty King Bakery in Kensington Market. Back then, the Market was the heart of our community, with several other patty bakeries and Jamaican businesses thriving in the neighbourhood.
But times weren’t always easy. We were caught in the middle of the “patty wars” of the 1980s, when the federal government tried to force Jamaican businesses to call our beef patties “pies,” because to them, only burgers could be “beef patties.” They didn’t understand the important role patties played in our culture—a delicious, affordable snack that can be eaten any time, anywhere.
Our community fought back and won. Jamaican patties—beef, chicken, vegetable—have been an essential part of the region’s food scene ever since.
Today, no trip to Toronto is complete without eating a patty. Or three.
Where can I buy Patty King patties?
If you can’t make it to our bakery, we’ve got you covered.
Find our Jamaican patties in school cafeterias, snack bars, variety stores and subway stations all across the GTA.