One of a Kind Foodie Picks
When participating in the age old tradition of shopping for the foodies on your list, going to the grocery store and buying one of those pre-packed gift baskets is not going to win you the “best gift ever” award. In fact, it may get you on the naughty list next year.
We kicked off the season telling you of our top artisan food picks on CHCH Morning Live and our artisan gift blog. We are now moving the attention to our favourite show of the year, the One of a Kind Christmas Show. Since you may not have Saint Nick on your contact list, we are here to share our top foodie picks from the show. Grab some milk and cookies, settle in, and check out our delicious picks for the foodie on your list.
Studio 50 – NEW ARTISAN (Q26)
Studio 50 gets the award for our favourite new find at the show. We were blown away by the statement pieces that Steve and Kim put together, taking once boring objects such as a mortar and pestle, knife block, and vessels into showpieces of concrete art. This is as one of a kind as you get. You must buy one or more of their products for a unique gift for the foodie on your list.
Tealish (H43)
Coffee lovers beware. Tealish and their variety of hangover helping, waist shrinking, and taste bud satisfying teas make a great gift. We would rather warm up with a cup of Tealish tea than brave wearing another ugly Christmas sweater. Much rather.
Odile Chocolat (G27)
Everyone knows that advent calendars are more fun than they are tasty. Odile is one of our favourite chocolatiers in the province. We recommend you check out Odile’s unique truffles, but good luck saving them until Christmas day!
Cassis Monna & Filles (F32)
Whether you’re thinking “what’s cassis?” or “score! Cassis!” this variety of jams, syrups, and condiments is sure to tickle the tongue of refined and amateur foodies alike. One of our favourite product lines at the show, we stock up every year and will be stuffing the stockings and feeding the faces of our clients with all of these delicious goodies.
Jacqueline Poirier – 6 Day Vendor (N32)
This is the gift for the food lover that has it all. Combining food and art has never been so tasty. Whether going for a custom made piece of your favourite food, a self portrait of you and a memorable dish, or, one of her amazing prints that run the gamut from Martha Stewart to waffles to real you will want to eat the plate, this is one of the most unique gifts you can pick up for the special foodie on your list.
Cubit’s – NEW ARTISAN (C54)
We love the Etsy section of the show, and, we love it even more when we find a good foodie pick. Our pick this year is Cubit’s. A Toronto company providing ethical seeds for edible gardens. You can now grow sustainable, healthy, and delicious organic produce using organic, rare and heirloom seeds in your urban garden. Gift ideas can run the gamut, from seed packets that can be included with your holiday cards to a full monthly subscription where the urban gardener on your list can receive 1-2 seed packs a month. We can now get working on that urban garden on our studio terrace!
Abeego (V23)
This gift is one that’ll keep on giving! A unique all natural food wrap, Abeego is made with beeswax and can be reused for at least a year if handled properly. You won’t only rest easy that the chef in your life will be able to help save the planet, but they’ll be able to save you some leftovers easily.
Love My Local – NEW ARTISAN (R13)
On our artisan food blog, we featured an amazing charcuterie/cheese boards with a live edge that were a statement piece in any room. While those may be hard to land, at the OOAK, we discovered a whole other statement board that is readily accessible. We just love the concept of these boards. You can now serve your spreads on your favourite province or country. Canadian geography has never been so cool. Think you know your provinces? We dare you to piece together a Canadian map one board at a time.
La Nougaterie (F30)
All it’s life, nougat has played a supporting role. Help it step in to the spotlight with a variety of out of this world bars and bites. Paired in a basket with flavoured marshmallows, sweet tooth fiends will rejoice!
Organics and Gold (G55)
Instead of rolling down your car window to ask for ‘grey poupon,’ you’ll be rolling up your window so you don’t have to share Organic Gold mustard. Pretzels, hot dogs, and sandwiches will go from okay to gourmet in one smear.
Nutra-Fruit Cranberry (F24)
The holidays don’t have to be all gingerbread and cavities. These plump, sweet cranberries will compliment salads, trail mix, and even a big turkey dinner. Of course, you can get them chocolate covered too.
The One of Kind Christmas Show runs until December 7th. We will definitely be back several times, including their late night shopping night on December 4th, with plenty of perks including free parking, coat check, DJ, and bar, after 5:00 PM.
Don’t forget that sharing is caring. Have a friend that is going to show? Share our foodie picks with them and be the envy of your foodie friends. Don’t forget to connect with us while you are at the show and let us know your favourite picks on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. What are you waiting for? Get shopping!
Photography and blogging partially contributed by Eva Lampert.