Who is Esther Gould?

Every Jewish family had someone who baked Mandelbroit. It was a tradition. Mandelbroit says family, home and hand-made with love. There are a million versions of Mandelbroit. Some are very old school (made with traditional ingredients) and are some more modern (made with cornflakes or rice crisps). Esther Gould made hers the old-fashioned way.

When Esther’s mother passed away in 1930. Esther became the head of the household. She cooked for her father and her young brothers. She found a recipe in the Naomi Cookbook for Mandelbroit. She tried the recipe and it was awful. So, she changed it and changed it and changed it. She worked with the recipe until she felt it was right.

No longer coarse, Esther Gould's Finest Mandelbroit Cookies are delicate, rich in flavor, low in sugar, have no trans fats and are all natural. They are often described as a cross between shortbread and biscotti.

All through her marriage and the growth of her own children Esther Gould baked Mandelbroit. Everyone loved it. Her husband Joseph Gould, lawyer and Alderman for the City of Toronto and subsequently a Member of Parliament, always wanted her Mandelbroit served when entertaining dignitaries in their home. People often told Esther that she should go into business selling her Mandelbroit.
Whenever Esther Gould was asked for the recipe, she gave it willingly and freely. However, no one could recreate her unique taste. That is until her daughter Corinne Gould began to make Mandelbroit. Having spent years at the side of the master, Corinne learned all the subtle nuances of making Esther Gould’s Mandelbroit Cookies.

Corinne Gould’s friends and family began to request Esther Gould’s Mandelbroit at their special functions. Often Corinne was asked, "Can you make it with hazelnuts instead of almonds. My son is allergic or can you make it nut free." "I love lemon. Have you ever tried lemon and poppy seed or how about chocolate?" And so, a variety of new flavours were created. But the basics remained the same.

As an artist and jewellery designer, baking cookies was the last thing Corinne ever thought she would do. But in the early 90’s when jewellery was out of favour in the fashion industry, Corinne began to bake cookies and serve them at her exhibitions. Her clients kept coming back for more. Once again, the words "You should go into business." were heard.

In 2002, with Esther’s blessings, Esther Gould's Finest was born. Corinne and her husband Jack Orsi began to sell their Mandelbroit at the St. Lawrence Market. For 4 years they tried many different flavours until they decided upon flavours that were just perfect. During those years they developed quite a following. Often mistaken for biscotti the phrase "Better than Biscotti™" became their trademark.

Esther Gould lived to the age of 95. Her beloved husband, Joe, passed away when she was just 48 years old. She carried on. She raised 3 children. She lived a full, productive, happy life. She proudly watched a business develop and grow, always surprised that her recipe had become so loved by so many. She was a remarkable woman with wisdom and strength of character. She was loved by many. Her legacy and her cookies continue to bring wisdom and delight.

 

Today, Esther's daughter Corinne continues the tradition of making Mandelbroit following the same recipes and baking methods that her mother used. 
As an artist and jewellery designer, baking cookies was the last thing Corinne ever thought she would do. But in the early 90’s when jewellery was out of favour in the fashion industry, Corinne began to bake cookies and serve them at her exhibitions. Her clients kept coming back for more. Once again, the words "You should go into business." were heard.
A selection of decadent Dessert Sauces has been added to the product line as well as custom gift baskets and cheesecakes. 
Esther Gould's Finest products are sold at gift shows and online.