How an Edmonton donut shop became a go-to for sweet treats in Alberta

In our opinion, you can never have enough donuts. With treats of all shapes, sizes, and flavours, there’s a reason why they’re so loved by so many. For Edmonton-based Doughnut Party, focussing on the deep-fried goods was a no-brainer.“Donuts are just fun. People really love them,” says Simon Underwood, co-owner of Doughnut Party.Speaking to Dished shortly after the opening of the brand’s fifth Alberta location in Calgary’s Marda Loop neighbourhood, Underwood said Doughnut Party had grown larger than he ever could have imagined.FROM THE FARMERS MARKET TO STORESAfter travelling and seeing just how many specialty donut shops there are worldwide, Underwood and business partner Matthew Garrett noticed that the scene was missing in YEG.“We felt in Edmonton at the time, there just wasn’t anyone doing that so we thought we’d try ourselves,” Underwood explains. Starting as a farmers market concept in 2012, Underwood and Garrett got to work, and it soon became clear that focusing on donuts was the right call, with its offerings consistently selling out.While Doughnut Party aims to create the perfect balance between wild flavours, interesting combinations and the classics, one thing that’s immediately noticeable about its donuts is the sheer size of them.The supersized donuts might now be a signature of the brand, but according to Underwood, it was a bit of a happy accident.“When we ordered our first donut cutter, it was bigger than the normal one. And then we built our whole business around making these really big, fluffy, pillowy donuts,” he adds. After several years of selling at the farmers market, Underwood and Garrett opened the first brick-and-mortar Doughnut Party location in Edmonton in 2017 and never looked back.The brand was able to expand even further last year, opening its first YYC outpost in Inglewood.FINDING INSPIRATIONWhen visiting a Doughnut Party location, guests will be greeted by its signature bright pink branding, its adorable logo and cases filled to the brim with stunning donuts, all of which are made from scratch. “We start at 4 a.m. to get them ready for when we open,” Underwood says. As well as creating an aesthetically pleasing array of treats, Doughnut Party looks to try out more unique flavour combinations for its offerings while sourcing its ingredients locally.The menu changes monthly, and while there are plenty of returning favourites, Doughnut Party is all about experimentation, with inspiration coming from anywhere and everywhere. “Matthew will find [inspiration] in a cocktail menu. He’s always combing food blogs and looking at other desserts. Sometimes, he just comes up with them,” Underwood says. “I always want to see what twist we can do on the classic,” Underwood adds, such as the spot’s Sour Cream Old Fashioned donut, which is dotted with colourful sprinkles. Some of the Doughnut Party bestsellers include the Bernadette, a glazed donut with a hint of lavender and rosemary, a drizzle of chocolate, and sea salt, or its Birthday Suit, a “naked” donut with whipped cream and sprinkles.However, the brand certainly isn’t afraid to try out some more controversial flavours, trialling one of its most unique offerings around the Calgary Stampede last year. “The most polarizing one we’ve done... was a Dill Pickle Fritter Donut. You either really loved it or you just could not stand it,” Underwood adds. Doughnut Party’s latest outpost just opened in YYC’s Marda Loop neighbourhood to plenty of love from Calgarians, and hopefully, more locations are on the horizon. Underwood told Dished that while they’d love to open another location in Calgary, they’re taking their time with it. “We really like to move into a neighbourhood and be a part of the community. We weren’t expecting to find the spot in Marda Loop quite so quickly, but we’re so happy to be here.”DOUGHNUT PARTYAddress: 11980 104th Ave. NW, EdmontonAddress: 9610 76th Ave. NW, EdmontonAddress: 7906 B 104th St. NW, EdmontonAddress: 1125 9th Ave. SE, CalgaryAddress: 2205 33rd Ave. SW #109b, CalgaryInstagramStill hungry? Discover Dished Edmonton on TikTok You might also like:- How this Calgary burger restaurant remains popular after opening over 55 years ago- Tim Hortons is bringing back some fan-favourite spring sweet treats across Canada- Team behind a popular Edmonton wine and sake bar is set to open a new Italian concept in the city

In our opinion, you can never have enough donuts. With treats of all shapes, sizes, and flavours, there’s a reason why they’re so loved by so many. For Edmonton-based Doughnut Party , focussing on the deep-fried goods was a no-brainer.

“Donuts are just fun. People really love them,” says Simon Underwood, co-owner of Doughnut Party. Speaking to Dished shortly after the opening of the brand’s fifth Alberta location in Calgary’s Marda Loop neighbourhood , Underwood said Doughnut Party had grown larger than he ever could have imagined.

From the farmers market to stores Charlie Hart/Dished After travelling and seeing just how many specialty donut shops there are worldwide, Underwood and business partner Matthew Garrett noticed that the scene was missing in YEG. “We felt in Edmonton at the time, there just wasn’t anyone doing that so we thought we’d try ourselves,” Underwood explains. Starting as a farmers market concept in 2012, Underwood and Garrett got to work, and it soon became clear that focusing on donuts was the right call, with its offerings consistently selling out.

While Doughnut Party aims to create the perfect balance between wild flavours, interesting combinations and the classics, one thing that’s immediately noticeable about its donuts is the sheer size of them. The supersized donuts might now be a signature of the brand, but according to Underwood, it was a bit of a happy accident. “When we ordered our first donut cutter, it was bigger than the normal one.

And then we built our whole business around making these really big, fluffy, pillowy donuts,” he adds. After several years of selling at the farmers market, Underwood and Garrett opened the first brick-and-mortar Doughnut Party location in Edmonton in 2017 and never looked back. The brand was able to expand even further last year, opening its first YYC outpost in Inglewood .

Charlie Hart/Dished Finding inspiration When visiting a Doughnut Party location, guests will be greeted by its signature bright pink branding, its adorable logo and cases filled to the brim with stunning donuts, all of which are made from scratch. “We start at 4 a.m.

to get them ready for when we open,” Underwood says. As well as creating an aesthetically pleasing array of treats, Doughnut Party looks to try out more unique flavour combinations for its offerings while sourcing its ingredients locally. The menu changes monthly, and while there are plenty of returning favourites, Doughnut Party is all about experimentation, with inspiration coming from anywhere and everywhere.

“Matthew will find [inspiration] in a cocktail menu. He’s always combing food blogs and looking at other desserts. Sometimes, he just comes up with them,” Underwood says.

“I always want to see what twist we can do on the classic,” Underwood adds, such as the spot’s Sour Cream Old Fashioned donut, which is dotted with colourful sprinkles. Some of the Doughnut Party bestsellers include the Bernadette , a glazed donut with a hint of lavender and rosemary, a drizzle of chocolate, and sea salt, or its Birthday Suit, a “naked” donut with whipped cream and sprinkles . Charlie Hart/Dished However, the brand certainly isn’t afraid to try out some more controversial flavours, trialling one of its most unique offerings around the Calgary Stampede last year.

“The most polarizing one we’ve done...

was a Dill Pickle Fritter Donut. You either really loved it or you just could not stand it,” Underwood adds. Doughnut Party’s latest outpost just opened in YYC’s Marda Loop neighbourhood to plenty of love from Calgarians, and hopefully, more locations are on the horizon.

Underwood told Dished that while they’d love to open another location in Calgary, they’re taking their time with it. “We really like to move into a neighbourhood and be a part of the community. We weren’t expecting to find the spot in Marda Loop quite so quickly, but we’re so happy to be here.

” Doughnut Party Address: 11980 104th Ave. NW, Edmonton Address: 9610 76th Ave. NW, Edmonton Address: 7906 B 104th St.

NW, Edmonton Address: 1125 9th Ave. SE, Calgary Address: 2205 33rd Ave. SW #109b, Calgary Instagram Still hungry? Discover Dished Edmonton on TikTok.