Family behind Toronto’s iconic peameal bacon sandwich awarded Key to the City

Two members of the family that put Toronto on the map with a sandwich were just awarded the key to the city.

The names Robert and Maurice Biancolin may not immediately stir recognition among every Toronto resident, but their business most certainly will.

After their father took over St. Lawrence Market’s Carousel Bakery in the late 1970s, the Biancolin family took the city’s food scene by storm when they added one simple and quintessentially Toronto item to their menu: the Peameal Bacon Sandwich.

Using, at the time, Peameal bacon (which, we’ll have you know, was invented in Toronto) cured in-house by Maurice and Robert’s father, the sandwich quickly became a staple for folks across the city, thanks to how quickly and affordably it can be made and, before too long, the Peameal Bacon Sandwich began attracting global attention.

Of course, Carousel Bakery isn’t the only business in Toronto — or in St. Lawrence Market, for that matter — that serves the sandwiches, but it did happen to receive a significant amount of attention, appearing in the pages of The New York Times and on an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s The Layover.

When Robert and Maurice’s father retired, the brothers took the business over, continuing one of Toronto’s most droolworthy legacies for the past several decades.

Now, though, the time has come for Robert and Maurice to retire, handing the torch over to new ownership who, they’re confident, will keep the legend and legacy of Carousel Bakery alive — but not before the Biancolin brothers get some well-deserved recognition for all they’ve done for the city.

On Tuesday, July 15, Robert and Maurice were awarded a Key to the City, presented by Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, for their significant contributions to Toronto’s cultural landscape.

“Under [Robert and Maurice’s] leadership, Carousel Bakery became a culinary destination recognized far beyond city limits, receiving accolades from some of the world’s most well-known chefs and featured in media across the globe,” reads a release from the City of Toronto about the honour.

Fittingly, the ceremony took place right in the heart of St. Lawrence Market, beside Carousel Bakery.

For Robert and Maurice, being awarded the keys to the city was about as great a send-off as they could hope for, tying a particularly pretty bow on their tenure as they prepare to leave the business behind at the end of July.

“It is an honour that reflects the legacy we’ve been proud to build at the St. Lawrence Market, a place that holds deep meaning for us,” say Robert and Maurice.

“We’ve been fortunate to serve Toronto residents and visitors to this great city for nearly 50 years. The Key to the City will always be a reminder of our hard work, dedication, and a meaningful nod to our famous peameal bacon sandwich, one of the most well-known in the world.”

Carousel Bakery is located at St. Lawrence Market (93 Front St. E.).