MILDRED PIERCE GROUP OF COMPANIES

Mildred Pierce (the movie) is a classic American film noir, made in 1945, adapted from the book of the same name by James M. Cain and starring Joan Crawford. The story is really of a woman and her relationship with her daughter, but when Mildred is forced to accept a job as a waitress after her husband deserts her it becomes a restaurant story, at least in part. Donna Dooher and Kevin Gallagher have always enjoyed the clichés and innuendo in the film and when an expansion of their catering business Avant-gout, allowed additional space to create an intimate restaurant, they called it Mildred Pierce. Mildred opened her doors on March 8, 1990 which, by coincidence, was the forty-fourth anniversary of Crawford's academy award for best actress as Mildred Pierce.

Several years later, Donna opened the Cookworks Studio for hands-on cooking events and corporate team building. The Food Network soon selected Donna to star in a network TV series based on her ground-breaking hands-on cooking classes. The show continues to air in syndication around the world.

Both businesses were extremely successful and lead Donna and Kevin to dream about other adventures so at the end of 17 wonderful years at 99 Sudbury Street they set their sights on Liberty Village and began to build Mildred's Temple Kitchen.

As the Mildred Pierce Group evolves, the commitment to good quality and affordable prices in a relaxed and comfortable dining atmosphere remains most important. Mildred's Temple Kitchen at 85 Hanna Avenue in Toronto is the first of many new ventures for the Mildred Pierce Group. Kevin Gallagher and Donna Dooher are the sole proprietors of Mildred's Temple Kitchen and the Mildred Pierce Group. Donna is also the Executive Chef.