We recently connected with Tony Bradshaw and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tony, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I was born in Barbados and moved to Toronto when I was in my early 20s. I was lucky to have great role models. My parents had tremendous pride about their jobs, they worked very hard and gave me great advice as I was starting out with my first jobs. Also, the elders in my community worked very hard to put food on the table and keep the lights on. As a teen, I had an hunger to work and did anything, from door to door sales, working at a tour company in the day, then at a grocery store at night. I realized from very early that no one was coming to save me, so I had to work hard to get what I wanted in life.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a passionate hospitality leader, entrepreneur, and chef inspired by both tradition and innovation. My journey has been shaped by a commitment to excellence, from managing world-class restaurants to building dynamic food ventures. Today, that passion drives the growth of Bashy Patties, a premium Jamaican patty brand I proudly run with my son, Kadeem.
After moving to Toronto, I joined the team at 360 – The Revolving Restaurant at the CN Tower. Over six years, I advanced from the reservations department to Restaurant Manager. During this time, I was selected for a prestigious wine connoisseur course in Bordeaux, France, and completed my Certificate in Hospitality & Restaurant Management at Toronto Metropolitan University.
I later joined Morton’s of Chicago Steakhouse, leading the service program for their Toronto opening before becoming General Manager of the Vancouver location. When Service Inspired Restaurants launched Canyon Creek Chophouse, I was chosen to lead the flagship downtown location on Front Street. There, I grew annual sales from $2.5 million to $4.8 million, introducing innovative marketing initiatives like a concierge partnership with local hotels and the concept’s first-ever social media program. These efforts earned the restaurant recognition as one of TripAdvisor’s Top 100 restaurants and the #3 steakhouse in Toronto, while solidifying it as the company’s official training hub for new General Managers.
Although much of my career thrived in fine dining and steakhouses, I’ve always been drawn to the vibrant flavors of Caribbean cuisine. In 2016, I took the leaped and opened Street Shak Caribbean Kitchen, a fast-casual concept in Toronto’s Queen Street West district. After three successful years, I sold the restaurant but retained its lucrative catering arm.
The pandemic shifted corporate dining habits, prompting a new venture—Bashy Patties, a brand redefining the humble Jamaican patty with bold fillings, fresh ingredients, and handcrafted perfection.
Today, Bashy Patties is scaling across three key revenue streams: events and catering, frozen retail, and wholesale distribution. We’ve expanded into farmers’ markets, premium food festivals like the Rose Picnic, and select retail partners, all while building a loyal following for our five signature flavors: Classic Beef, Jerk Chicken, Coconut Curry Chickpeas (vegan), Oxtail, and Mac and Cheese. Each patty reflects our commitment to quality, Caribbean heritage, and culinary creativity.
With Kadeem as my business partner, Bashy Patties is not just a family business—it’s a brand on the rise, bringing authentic Caribbean flavors to new markets while staying true to our roots. Our next chapter focuses on expanding our production capacity, increasing retail presence, and forging strategic partnerships to bring Bashy Patties to even more customers who crave premium, handmade Jamaican patties.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Success in business often hinges on the ability to reevaluate and pivot – embracing change not as a setback but as an opportunity for growth. This mindset has shaped my journey, from leading world-class restaurants to launching entrepreneurial ventures like Bashy Patties.
At the heart of it all is human dynamics – the ability to provide clarity on the why, set and manage high expectations, and cultivate high-performing teams driven by shared goals. Great hospitality is never accidental; it’s the result of thoughtful leadership, consistent standards, and a deep understanding of both team and guest needs.
Anticipating our guests’ needs is what transforms a transaction into an experience. Whether it’s a perfectly crafted patty or an elevated dining moment, the details matter. It’s this singular focus on hospitality that has guided me throughout my career. From opening new restaurants to building new teams, I’ve remained a student of food and beverage, always seeking ways to deliver exceptional experiences.
Creating something truly memorable for our guests requires more than great food. It’s about the people, the atmosphere, the service, and the intention behind every decision. With Bashy Patties, we’re not just selling Jamaican patties – we’re sharing Caribbean culture, hospitality, and craftsmanship, one bite at a time.
My advice to anyone new to the business would be to embrace change as an opportunity, when things are not going as planned. Lead with clarity by setting clear expectations and empowering your team. Anticipate needs by focusing on the small details that elevate service. Stay curious, keep learning, and surround yourself with people who challenge you. A great product gets attention, but a great experience earns loyalty.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m looking for collaborators/partners with a strong entrepreneurial drive and deep expertise in scaling businesses – especially in food and beverage. I want partners who understand the balance between growth and authenticity, bringing skills in areas like business development, retail distribution, marketing, and operational excellence. Ideally, these are strategic thinkers who share our passion for quality, hospitality, and Caribbean culinary traditions, and who are ready to help elevate Bashy Patties to the next level while preserving its premium essence.
They can send me an email at [email protected] or DM at @bashy.ca on instagram.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bashy.ca
- Instagram: @bashy.ca
- Linkedin: Tony Bradshaw
- Twitter: bashy.ca
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
