Montreal: Pastry shop Le goût du palais CHEZ MIMI | A Beautiful Inspiring Story

Montreal – Behind her warm smile and her beautifully decorated cakes, Marie Émilie Sambom, affectionately nicknamed Mimi, embodies perseverance, passion, and the spirit of entrepreneurship. Since 2014, she has been at the head of the school Le goût du palais chez Mimi Ink, a unique establishment in Montreal that trains pastry enthusiasts from here and elsewhere.

Founded nine years ago, the school offers five specialized modules: French pastry, bakery, cake baking, cream decoration, and fondant decoration. Students learn to create sugar flowers, wedding bouquets, and even impressive tiered cakes.

“It’s a 100% practical school. After only three months, a student is able to make pastries, decorated cakes, and prepare for the job market or self-employment,” explains Mimi, proud to have already trained more than 200 students from Quebec, Canada, and even France.

The establishment, equipped with numerous professional machines, also offers catering services and has a multipurpose hall, Espace 2M, for events such as weddings and birthdays. Mimi has also launched online sales of catering products, a sector that is rapidly expanding.

Originally from Africa, Marie Émilie Sambom did not initially envision a career in gastronomy. “In my country, I wanted to teach fashion and sewing. But when I arrived in Canada in 2000, I realized that this field was difficult to access,” she recalls.

She then chose to train in pastry and international cuisine before founding her school. Her goal: to offer immigrants, people on social assistance, and enthusiasts the chance to train quickly in order to start a business or find a job.

The journey was not simple. Having become a widow in 2003 and a single mother of seven children, Mimi had to balance family responsibilities with professional ambitions.

“It was difficult financially and personally. People often told me that with so many children I wouldn’t succeed. But I knew it was possible: with a small loan, you can make a big profit,” she confides.

Driven by unwavering determination, she took business management courses, developed a business plan, and multiplied her working hours. “I wanted to share, to teach, to give back what I had learned. Despite the obstacles, I held on.”

For Mimi, her school is more than just a place of learning: it is a space of diversity, a bit like the United Nations, where students of all origins come together. She calls on authorities to invest more in immigrant training, which she considers an essential tool for their integration and success.

Her message to newcomers is clear: “Never give up. Look for information, ask for help, be patient and determined. With work, everything is possible.”

Today, Le goût du palais chez Mimi is a symbol of success and resilience in Montreal. Between her students, her children whom she raised successfully, and her school, which has become a true hub for pastry lovers, Marie Émilie Sambom embodies a generation of entrepreneurs who transform challenges into opportunities.

“I am proud of myself and proud of my children. My story proves that with determination, courage, and hard work, one can achieve their dreams,” she concludes, smiling, in front of a table adorned with flowery cakes.