Moncton bakery owner celebrates 35 years with 220-foot flatbread

Thirty-five years in business is a long, long time.

What better way to celebrate than with a long, long sandwich.

Fancy Pokket owner Mike Timani has decided to create a 220-foot long flat bread to celebrate the anniversary on Friday afternoon.

Timan said this was a last minute decision, but he wanted to do something special to mark the milestone.

"I started to think and I said, 'What can I do?' And then I thought of this flatbread. But I don't know if it's going to work," said Timani.

Fancy Pokket created a 220-foot long flatbread to celebrate its 35th anniversary. (Source: Derek Haggett/CTV News Atlantic)

To make sure it would work, Timani and his team at Fancy Pokket did a test-run last week.

"I made a trial. I figured if it worked, then I'll make it happen. So we did it," said Timani. "I'm not sure, but it could be more than 220 [feet]."

Fancy Pokket created a 220-foot long flatbread to celebrate its 35th anniversary. (Source: Derek Haggett/CTV News Atlantic)

After the massive flatbread was rolled out over 39 tables, the bread was cut to make individual sandwiches. Lettuce, tomatoes, turkey and mayonnaise were added and the wraps were rolled up for a special delivery.

Blair Hyslop, co-owner of Mrs. Dunster's Bakery in Sussex and friend of Timani, was amazed by the accomplishment.

"If you asked me, 'Who do you think would ever do a 220-foot flatbread sandwich, my first instinct would be Mike Timani," Hyslop said.

Originally from Lebanon, Timani moved to Toronto in 1976 and worked in the food and beverage industry for several years.

He eventually moved to Moncton and started his own bakery.

Fancy Pokket created a 220-foot long flatbread to celebrate its 35th anniversary. (Source: Derek Haggett/CTV News Atlantic)

According to the company's website, Fancy Pokket is Atlantic Canada's largest producer of pitas, tortilla wraps, bagels and of course, flatbreads.

“I remember 35 years ago when Mike Timani started Fancy Pokket and to see how far he’s come and how far he’s grown, this is incredible,” said Hyslop. “He’s been a great friend to us over the last 10 years as we’ve started to build Mrs. Dunster’s and so we really respect the work that he did. It’s incredible what he’s done. He’s one of the great New Brunswick success stories.”

Last year, Timani received the Order of Moncton for his achievements in business and his work in the community.

Fancy Pokket created a 220-foot long flatbread to celebrate its 35th anniversary. (Source: Derek Haggett/CTV News Atlantic)

He's won multiple business awards over the years and has used his success to help newcomers to the city get established in the region.

Timani helped many Syrian refugees get settled in Moncton in 2015 and 2016 when many of them left their country due to the civil war.

Fancy Pokket created a 220-foot long flatbread to celebrate its 35th anniversary. (Source: Derek Haggett/CTV News Atlantic)

He's also supported Moncton's hospitals, school breakfast programs, food banks and other organizations.

Moncton Mayor Dawn Arnold said Timani has been a huge employer, particularly for newcomers to the city.

“He has given back in so many different ways. Through our multicultural association, the New Brunswick multicultural association. he’s bee a real advocate for giving people a leg up in our community,” said Arnold.

All of the flatbread sandwiches created on Friday were donated to the nearby Harvest House Atlantic Shelter and Community Centre to help the homeless.

"We're going to help the community,” said Timani.

With Friday’s event all wrapped up, Timani said he would consider doing something like this again.

“Yes, and I think next time it will be a little bit different. Probably will be more than double the size,” said Timani.

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