For Lillian Aladejebi, the journey to building her pastry business began not with a business plan, but with a simple act of faith.
What started as a way to raise funds for a church mission trip has grown into Atitia Pastries, a family-driven business that blends the bold flavours of Nigeria with the diverse influences of Toronto and the welcoming spirit of Atlantic Canada. Today, Lillian’s pastries tell a story far deeper than food — a story of culture, resilience, and the power of family.
A Sweet Beginning
In 2016, Lillian needed to raise money for a church mission trip. Like many entrepreneurs, she turned to the skill she knew best: cooking. Drawing on recipes rooted in her Nigerian heritage, she began making traditional Nigerian pastries to sell within her community.
The response was immediate.
After successfully raising the funds for her trip, Lillian realized that the gatherings surrounding the food had become just as meaningful as the pastries themselves. Soon, she began hosting small cultural gatherings in her family home — what she affectionately called a “drumming café.”
Here, guests could enjoy Nigerian pastries while sharing in family drumming sessions, conversation, and culture.
“We would use all the proceeds from the event to go to our local mission at our church,” Lillian recalls. “Ever since then, we’ve done a yearly drumming event — except during the COVID years.”
These gatherings were more than social events. They were spaces where community, culture, and generosity came together.
Turning Passion Into Business
Over time, Lillian continued refining her recipes, experimenting with both savoury and sweet pastries while sharing them with friends, family, and guests at her gatherings. By 2022, she felt confident that her creations were ready for something bigger.
That year, Atitia Pastries officially became a business.But like many entrepreneurial journeys, the road forward was not without challenges.
Shortly after launching the business, Lillian was involved in a car accident that forced her to pause operations while she focused on recovery. At the same time, she continued balancing life as a full-time mother raising her children.
Yet, resilience runs deep in the Aladejebi household.
As her children grew older, they naturally found their place in the family business.
“We have teenagers now,” Lillian says with a smile. “They’re all part of it because everyone does a little bit of something in the background to make sure it’s running smoothly.”
A Name Rooted in Family
Even the name Atitia reflects the deep family connection at the heart of the business.
The name is formed from the first letters of each family member’s Yoruba name, with Lillian and her husband’s letters at the end and their children — including their late daughter — anchoring the middle.
For Lillian, the name is more than branding; it is a tribute.
“If you’re looking for diversity,” she says, “I think it’s important to look at the family first because no one is the same. We’re all different, even if we live under one roof.”
That philosophy carries through everything she creates.
For Lillian, Atitia Pastries is not simply about selling food. It is about honouring family, preserving tradition, and celebrating the idea that many different stories can come together to create something beautiful.
The Taste of “Naija Fusion”
Lillian describes her cuisine as “Naija Fusion” — a reflection of her identity as a first-generation Canadian with deep Nigerian roots.
Growing up in a Nigerian household in Toronto, she learned that culture lives in everyday moments: the language spoken at home, the values passed from one generation to the next, and the food shared around the table.
But Toronto itself — one of the most diverse cities in the world — also left its mark on her cooking.“That’s the best part of the fusion,” Lillian explains. “You have the influence of Nigeria, Canada, and the friends I grew up with — like my Jamaican friends. It was just very diverse. I grew up in a very diverse environment in Toronto.”
Those influences now appear in her pastries, where Nigerian flavours meet new ideas inspired by the multicultural communities she has been part of.
Learning and Adapting
As Atitia Pastries grew, so did the learning curve. Serving a diverse customer base meant understanding new preferences and dietary needs.
“We had a vegetarian option,” Lillian explains, “but because it wasn’t vegan, I had to do some research to adapt it so it could cater to that audience too. And that has been well received.”
Customer feedback continues to shape her work — whether it’s requests for more spice, appreciation for the balance of sweet and savoury, or curiosity about the cultural roots of each pastry.
Every interaction helps Lillian refine her recipes, ensuring that each bite reflects the love, resilience, and cultural fusion that defines her journey.
A Community Connection
One of the most rewarding parts of running Atitia Pastries has been connecting with people across Nova Scotia through local markets and community events.
“You never know who you’re meeting,” Lillian says. “It could be an executive from a major company, a housekeeper, or a teacher. You just never know.”
Because of that, she believes in always showing up with her best foot forward.
“And that comes from presentation,” she explains.
From the welcoming smile she greets customers with, to the careful arrangement of pastries that draw visitors to her table, every detail reflects her commitment to hospitality.
It’s a small touch that leaves a lasting impression — and a reminder that behind every pastry is a story of culture, family, and determination.
For Lillian Aladejebi, Atitia Pastries is more than a business.
It is a living expression of heritage, community, and the belief that food — when shared with intention — can bring people together in the most meaningful ways.
