“This has been her plan since she completed chef school,” Sharron explained. “We weren’t ready to retire that long ago.”
Moody said when she graduated from culinary school at Assiniboine Community College in 2011 she asked the Fikkerts’ what their plans were for the future. Although they were not interested in selling at that time, the Boissevain native kept a mental note and was able to move forward in the past year.
“In the end, I wanted to be back at home with my family and friends I had known for years,” Moody explained. “Baking is my go-to. It is my therapy in a way.”
After graduating from high school in Boissevain, Moody went to university for a year, but could not focus in the classroom. She wanted to be in the kitchen, working at what she did while attending school. Her grandmother was an inspiration for her. After culinary school, she worked for a time in town, at Veva’s and in the health centre. She later went north of Fort McMurray in Alberta for a year and a half as a baker and helper. Moody ended up in Edmonton, spending seven years at Vi’s For Pies, serving as a manager. She moved back to Boissevain in late 2021.
“I feel I am more ready for this than I was 10 years ago.”
Moody said she was fortunate to have the Fikkerts’ take her on as an employee so she not only could learn the business, but also get herself back out into the community.
The Fikkerts’ said they have gifted their recipes to Moody, which she feels will be a great foundation to build on.
“I definitely will be continuing some of their traditions,” Moody said, “and I will be bringing in a few of my own as well.”
She is looking at bringing in some items like baguettes and bagels. Moody loves sourdough and her sourdough starter “Bowser” should be well fed in the future.
With the Fikkerts leaving at the end of the week, Moody said she would be getting help from her family at least to start. Her parents Al and Corinne will be regulars there, with her sister Kat helping from the social media standpoint.
“It will be all hands on deck for my family.”
There will be a closure period starting next week as Moody does some renovation work to the front and the back. They will be shut for at least a week and maybe longer as the work is completed, although she said she would still deliver to her wholesalers.
Ron Fikkert said he still plans to get up early even though he does not have to start the morning baking. Sharron wants to get to BC in time for the apple picking this fall. Although it is time to move on, they have always appreciated the support they have received from the community, and the people will be what they will look back on fondly.
“You always miss the customers,” Ron said. “There are projects to do, people to see, places to go.”
Moody is looking forward to starting Boissevain Bakeshop up, and making the moves that need to be made in the future.
“In the long term, I don’t want to put myself in a box,” Moody explained. “I want to hear from the community what they want.”

by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff