Chabichou

Three years ago, Charles Bougouin was sitting behind a computer in a suit and tie, reporting daily to his 9-5 marketing job in Paris, France. Today you can find him behind the counter at one of Toronto’s favourite food emporiums, slicing cheese and wearing something much more comfortable. And he couldn’t be happier. “Before I came to Canada, I worked in food retail, on the corporate side.” Bougouin recollects, “Unfortunately, I was laid off. But it allowed me to move to a new country to seek a different experience.”

Shortly after arriving in Toronto, Bougouin found a Craigslist ad seeking a new manager for Chabichou, a boutique cheese shop located in the Harbord Street neighbourhood. Bougouin jumped at the opportunity, figuring it was an excellent role to utilize his skills, share his knowledge of French food and culture, and “improve my English,” he smiles. Two years later and it’s safe to say that Bougouin has hung up his hat (and tie) on the corporate world. “I have absolutely no regrets.” Bougouin affirms, “from meetings and sitting at a computer all day, to selling cheese to happy customers…I’m so happy where I’m at now. This started as something unexpected, to one of the best jobs I’ve had in my whole life.”