Lok Yee Bakery is a small, Comox Valley-based business owned and operated by Diana Chan, a passionate baker and second-generation Chinese-Canadian. Growing up in Vancouver, Diana was immersed in the rich food culture of her heritage, surrounded by the comforting flavours of authentic Chinese cuisine. However, when she moved to the picturesque Comox Valley, Diana found herself longing for the distinctive baked goods she had grown up with, particularly the Hong Kong-style treats that were a staple of her life in Vancouver. This longing sparked the idea to create something special in her new community.
Enter Lok Yee Bakery. Diana, a self-taught baker, decided to channel her passion for food into filling the gap she had noticed in the local food scene. With a deep love for baking and self-taught skills, Diana embarked on this venture on a bit of a whim. She began experimenting with recipes, crafting the same fluffy, savoury, sweet buns and pastries she had missed from childhood. Soon, the idea blossomed into Lok Yee Bakery, a place where she could share her culture through food while introducing Comox Valley residents to the authentic flavours of Hong Kong-style baked goods. Diana’s goal was simple but powerful: to bring more authenticity and diversity to the local food scene.
What began as a personal craving has now become a beloved part of the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market. Lok Yee Bakery offers a range of Diana’s favourite Hong Kong-style buns and cakes, all made with care and attention to detail. Her treats stand out for their authenticity, with each bite evoking the traditional flavours she cherished growing up. Diana has brought a taste of Hong Kong to Vancouver Island, creating a space where food connects culture and community.
At the heart of Lok Yee Bakery is a commitment to authenticity, local support, and community engagement. Diana not only strives to craft authentic Hong Kong-style baked goods but also prioritizes supporting local farmers and producers. She sources local ingredients whenever possible, incorporating pasture-run eggs and freshly harvested green onions from nearby farms. For Diana, it’s essential to build connections within the local food ecosystem, fostering relationships that contribute to the community’s sustainability. By using locally sourced ingredients, she ensures that her bakery’s success is intertwined with the well-being of the local economy.
Since starting Lok Yee Bakery a few years ago, Diana has become a regular vendor at the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market. The market has provided a platform for her to share her food, culture, and passion with the wider community. Beyond selling her baked goods, Diana views the market as a hub for community building, where farmers, artisans, and small business owners come together to support one another. She often credits her fellow market vendors for their encouragement and support, which has been invaluable during the early stages of building her business. Starting a small business is no easy feat, and for Diana, the challenges of marketing and finding her audience have been some of the toughest hurdles. Social media has been a key tool in helping Lok Yee Bakery grow its presence, though it requires constant effort to create engaging content that reaches her audience.
Ultimately, Diana’s goal is to use food as a medium to celebrate her culture, uplift cultural diversity, and foster cross-cultural understanding. Through Lok Yee Bakery, she has created not only a business but a bridge between her Chinese heritage and her new home in the Comox Valley. Her baked goods offer a taste of Hong Kong, but more than that, they tell a story of tradition, passion, and community.
During the 2024 BC Farmers’ Market summer season, Lok Yee Bakery could be found in the Hatch + Hype tent at the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm. You can find out more about them and where they’ll be next on their socials. We wish them continued success!