Bernie Beigne’s Giannarkakis visits his former elementary school in TMR

As part of the Cycle III ( Grades 5 and 6) Global Planning Grid, Dunrae Gardens Elementary School in TMR  welcomed back graduate Dean Giannarkakis to talk to students about his success as an entrepreneur on  March 31.  His father and business partner John joined him.

Mr. Giannarakis is a proud EMSB graduate, having attended Dunrae Gardens, Royal West Academy in Montreal West and St. Pius X Career Centre. The latter served as a catalyst behind his love for cooking and the eventual debut in 2021 of Bernie Beigne. The donut shop was an instant success and in four years it continues to attract clients from all over the island. “Bernie” is an ode to its location at the corner of St. Bernard and Clark in the Mile End.

The Global Planning Grid in the primary sector includes a section on the knowledge of the world of work. With that in mind Principal Despina Michaikis felt that having someone like Mr. Giannarkakis share his road to starting a successful business as an excellent fit. “A good donut is a feel-good food,” says Mr.  Giannarakis, the shop’s head chef. “It’s a guilty pleasure. You can be two years old or 82 years old, everyone leaves with a smile on their face.”

While this may be Mr. Giannarakis’ first foray into the pastry world, he is no stranger to the culinary field. He has spent the better part of his life in restaurant kitchens owned and operated by his father, aunt and uncle, from whom he credits his “old-school work ethic.”

As for  St. Pius X Career Centre,  Mr. Giannarakis said:  “I honed my skills at Pius. It was very structured and professional. I learned all the techniques and the science behind cooking. It opened my eyes.”

Mr. Giannarakis still thinks back fondly on a national culinary competition he took part in while at Pius, which garnered him and the school a second-place overall finish.

“We were a team of three that headed to Toronto, accompanied by three chefs from the school,” recalls Mr. Giannarakis. “It was a Masterchef-style event with each group being given a different recipe. We made a chicken and waffles dish and paired it with a beer. One of the judges was a sommelier and he appreciated that. It was my first real taste of competition. It was a really great experience.”

 Bernie Beigne is located at 23 Bernard St. Ouest (corner Clark) in the Mile End. The shop is opened Wednesdays to Sundays from 10 am- 6pm or until supplies last. You can follow them on Instagram at @berniebeigne.

About the English Montreal School Board
With a youth and adult sector population of more than 35,000 students, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is the largest English public school board in Quebec. Established on July 1, 1998, when the province created new boards along linguistic lines, the EMSB network consists of 73 schools and centres. For more details, visit the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca