Baking connections that last
For Mohamand Elmir, food has always been about more than flavour, it’s about connection. As Director of The Flute Bakery, he has built a reputation for pairing quality ingredients with genuine hospitality, creating memorable experiences for the Canberra community.
Looking back, what’s been a defining moment in your career or business journey so far?
One of the most defining periods of my career was owning and running businesses during COVID-19. It was an incredibly challenging time, but it also showed me the strength and heart of the Canberra community. Watching customers go out of their way to support local cafés, ordering takeaway when they couldn’t dine in, and checking in on how we were coping was humbling and inspiring. That experience reinforced why I do what I do and how powerful community connections can be.
What drives your passion for your business?
I’ve always been driven by a desire to bring quality food and produce to people. There’s something deeply satisfying about taking beautiful, fresh ingredients and turning them into something memorable for our customers. Knowing that every dish we serve represents our values — quality, consistency and care — keeps me energised and excited to come to work each day.
Who or what has been your biggest influence in your journey?
My parents have been the biggest influence on me. As migrants, they started their own business here in Canberra and I grew up watching their determination, resilience and creativity. Seeing them work tirelessly to build something from the ground up, and then watching how much the community embraced them, taught me what’s possible when you combine hard work with heart.
How do you define success, both personally and professionally?
For me, success is simple but powerful: working hard, never compromising on using the best quality ingredients, and building genuine relationships with our customers. If people walk away feeling welcomed and my team feels proud of what we’re creating together, then I know we’re succeeding.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever been given is that relationships are everything. In hospitality, ingredients matter, but it’s the relationships — with suppliers, customers and our team—that really sustain a business.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self to take those risks and be brave, because you never know what’s around the corner. Some of the best opportunities in my life have come from stepping outside my comfort zone, and I wish I’d embraced that mindset even earlier.
