Chef Profile
Nami Tamai
Osaka, Japan
Born in Osaka, Japan, Nami Tamai graduated at the top of her class with a scholarship from the prestigious Osaka Tsuji Culinary Institute. With over a decade of experience in both Japan and Canada, she has honed her craft in some of Toronto’s finest patisseries, including Mon K Patisserie and Duo Patisserie.
In 2022, Nami launched an online shop specializing in shock-frozen cakes. She also provided plated dessert design consultation and wholesale production for restaurants, further showcasing her expertise in pastry innovation.
With the creation of Knot Bakery, Nami brings a fresh perspective to Toronto’s baking scene, blending French and Japanese techniques to craft unique flavors rarely found in the city. Her vision is to offer premium baked goods made with high-quality ingredients, catering to customers who appreciate refined and innovative pastries.
CityNews Interview
Nami founded the online dessert shop 「Ito Desserts and Gifts」, specializing in Japanese-French shock-frozen mini cakes. Our creations gained media attention, and we were featured on CityNews Toronto, where we showcased our signature cake flight and plated desserts on TV.
Ontario Starter Company Plus Grant Recipient
Knot Bakery is proud to have been part of the 2024 Starter Company Plus program. Through this opportunity, we received a $5,000 grant to help launch our business. We are grateful for the mentorship, guidance, and connections we gained, which have been invaluable in shaping our journey.
