8 foodie-approved gift ideas from Canadian small businesses

These local food-related gifts will surely bring joy to food lovers this holiday season 

By: Madeline Liao

(Dzenina Lukac/Pexels)

With the holidays fast approaching, many of us are scrambling to find the perfect gift for our loved ones. Gift shopping can be difficult, especially if you don’t know what to buy and where to look. Luckily, there are plenty of small businesses right here in Canada that can help you check things off your shopping list. Here are some potential gift ideas from Canadian businesses that may be just the thing that the foodie in your life is looking for.

1. Fruit syrups from Summerland Sweets 

Based in Summerland, B.C., Summerland Sweets carries a variety of fruit jams and syrups sourced fresh from the Okanagan Valley. Other products also include fruit jellies and nut brittles, which all make for sweet treats. The company is family-owned and the products are made right in their production facility in Summerland. Their assorted gift packages would make for an excellent present and can pair nicely with some Christmas morning pancakes. If you’re in the Summerland area, pay a visit to their facility to see their process (and enjoy some ice cream while you’re at it).

2. Mini six-pack pepper sauces from Spice of Life

Spice of Life is a small, Toronto-based business that carries handmade hot sauces and preservatives. Their products use natural, locally sourced ingredients and are free of artificial flavourings. With a large selection of flavours, Spice of Life sauces could be a fitting gift choice for someone who likes every meal with a little bit of spice. If you’re not sure which flavour to go with, the six-pack of pepper sauces can serve as a trial for the recipient to find their favourite.

3. Loose-leaf teas from Cup of Té

Cup of Té is a Black-owned online tea retailer based in Toronto. Founded by former gymnast Taylor Lindsay-Noel, the company “take[s] pride in the quality and unique blends of [their] products while ensuring that each tea is hand selected, organic and ethically sourced.” When you shop from Cup of Té, a portion of proceeds goes to mental health awareness causes. Check out their gift ideas page for products like the iron cast teapot set or matcha whisk bundle that could make a tea lover happy in the cold weather.

4. Barrel-aged whiskey maple syrup from Wabanaki Maple

One thing this Canadian gift guide definitely needs is barrel-aged maple syrup from Wabanaki Maple, an Indigenous and women-owned company located in Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), N.B. They work to preserve the environment and Indigenous communities, and invite customers to “discover a piece of history and a taste of culture in every bottle.” Their whiskey maple syrup is a twist on traditional maple syrup culture from the Indigenous Peoples of the First Nations and is perfect for the winter. Each bottle is made using techniques that have been preserved through generations.

5. An Indigenous cuisine cookbook by Shane M. Chartrand with Jennifer Cockrall-King

This cookbook, tawâw - Progressive Indigenous Cuisine, is a great gift idea for the foodies who are also (aspiring) cooks. The book follows Chartrand’s culinary journey from childhood to adulthood — from learning to hunt and raising livestock to working as a professional chef, making this work transcend the scope of just a cookbook. It shares the meaning of cooking, eating and sharing food in Indigenous homes and communities.

6. Astrological sign resin coasters from Hando Meido Studio 

These custom star sign coasters can be a fitting gift for the astrology-obsessed friend on your list. Each coaster is handmade and can be personalized with the recipient’s name, so every time they drink their morning coffee or tea, they can save their table from stains in style. The Etsy shop, HandoMeidoStudio, ships from Toronto and offers free delivery in Canada. Check out their page for more handmade coasters and other crafty products.

7. Cookie gift box from Craig’s Cookies

With over 40,000 followers on Instagram, Craig’s Cookies is a popular Toronto destination for those with a sweet tooth, and cookies are certainly a practical gift idea for a foodie. There are over 100 cookie flavours to choose from at Craig’s, which can be overwhelming for even the biggest of cookie lovers. Luckily, the store offers gift boxes that are neatly wrapped up for any gift exchange. Those in the Greater Toronto Area can also pick up their order at a store location to avoid shipping delays — Craig’s Cookies can be found in The Village, Parkdale, Leaside, Leslieville and at Yorkdale Mall.

8. Chocolate bundle from Chachalate

A gift guide simply cannot be complete without chocolate. Chachalate is an Asian-owned chocolate company in Toronto that produces vegan chocolate. Their products come from ethically sourced cocoa beans and are all made from scratch, producing a “naturally fruity” flavour. Chachalate’s chocolate bars contain only two to five ingredients, making them a healthier alternative to mass-produced chocolates. The “build your own bundle” option is a great choice for a gift, especially if you’re finding it hard to choose from all their flavours.

New food options available for commuters as Union Food Court opens

By Severina Chu

Commuters now have a variety of new and tasty meal options with the opening of the Union Food Court at Toronto’s Union Station.

Part of the Union Station revitalization project, construction for the food court was first approved in 2009 and originally scheduled to be completed by 2015. Several delays later, the food court finally opened in late November of 2018.

It is located on the lower level of the GO York Concourse and offers 10 new food retailers and seating for up to 600 people. Many of the food vendors offer meals that cost $15 or less which allows students to grab a bite to eat before class, work, or on their way home.

The Union Food Court offers food from local vendors around the city. While commuters can still buy from familiar chains like McDonald’s, Tim Hortons, and Pizza Pizza, they now have the option of choosing healthier and more culturally diverse meals. Here’s a closer look at what’s on the menu.

Loaded Pierogi

In its newest Toronto location, this retailer serves the traditional Polish dumpling dish with a twist. Customers can get pierogies, either fried or boiled, loaded with various meat and vegetable toppings.

One of Loaded Pierogi's vegetarian options, Baba's Classic ($9) is topped with caramelized onions, sour cream, and green onions. (CanCulture/Severina Chu)

One of Loaded Pierogi's vegetarian options, Baba's Classic ($9) is topped with caramelized onions, sour cream, and green onions. (CanCulture/Severina Chu)

Bangkok Buri

Inspired by the street food served in Bangkok, Bangkok Buri serves traditional Thai cuisine with a modern influence. The menu includes noodles, rice, and salad dishes, as well as gluten-free and vegetarian choices.

Roywoods

Known for being an authentic taste of the Caribbean, this established Toronto business has now made its way to Union Station. They are well-known for their jerk chicken, which they offer either in a platter meal or on a sandwich with Jamaican coco bread.

The jerk chicken sandwich ($10) is served on Jamaican coco bread and comes with a beverage. (CanCulture/Severina Chu)

The jerk chicken sandwich ($10) is served on Jamaican coco bread and comes with a beverage. (CanCulture/Severina Chu)

Paramount Fine Foods

Paramount Fine Foods is serving up authentic Lebanese cuisine, including classics like shawarma and falafel served in a wrap, on rice, or on salad. The Union Station location also offers fresh bread and house-made sweets.

Scaccia

A family-owned and operated Italian restaurant in Toronto, Scaccia has expanded its brand to a quick service location. The scaccia, a stuffed flat bread from Sicily, is made with various combinations of meats, vegetables, and cheeses that makes for the perfect meal on-the-go.

Scaccia has a wide range of good eats, from hearty meat and cheese sandwiches to lighter vegetarian options. (CanCulture/Severina Chu)

Scaccia has a wide range of good eats, from hearty meat and cheese sandwiches to lighter vegetarian options. (CanCulture/Severina Chu)

Shanghai 360°

Shanghai 360° serves dishes typical of northern Chinese cuisine. With familiar Chinese takeout favourites such as fried rice and dumplings, the Union Station location also offers a noodle bar with your choice of noodle and soup base.

Sushi Shop

Despite the simple name, Sushi Shop is not your traditional Japanese menu. Here you can get sushi in creative forms, such as burgers, tacos, and burritos, along with unique flavour combinations.

The Union Food Court is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.

Chicken Fingers of Toronto: Top 3 Con-Tenders

By Kelly Skjerven

You know that feeling you get when you go out to eat and hate almost everything on the menu? I have always been a picky eater, and I have a pro tip for you: chicken fingers are my holy grail (unless you’re vegetarian of course, in which tofu nuggets are great). I’ve always been a picky eater, so chances are I’m ordering chicken fingers almost any time I go out to a bar or restaurant. After my many travels as a chicken finger connoisseur, I've come up with a list of three bars and restaurants that have Toronto’s tastiest tenders!

1. Duke’s Refresher + Bar

Photo: Duke's Refresher + Bar

Photo: Duke's Refresher + Bar

The atmosphere of this bar is amazing. Great music is always blasting, the drinks are delicious and the chicken fingers are of the highest stature. One day, I told my friend I was craving greasy pub fingers and we set off on a journey. We were in the downtown core and I had always wanted to try Duke’s, as it was recommended to me on countless occasions. I was not disappointed, to say the least. The menu describes the meal as “fresh, never frozen and breaded to order” and I believe it. The breading was so flavourful, and the chicken is so tender that the breading fell off of the meat completely.

2. Fran’s Restaurant and Bar

You can never go wrong with Fran’s. Or chicken fingers. Fran’s serves up some classic deep-fried chicken fingers whose flavours are only amplified when dipped in tangy plum sauce. There’s also an option to have them tossed in different sauces such as barbeque, honey garlic, hot and extra hot, which are an awesome way to vamp up your meal!. Whatever your preferred eating approach, you’ll definitely be licking the plate clean.

3. Imperial Pub

Photo: Kiara Julien

Photo: Kiara Julien

Last but not least, the ‘campus’ pub. Imperial is a great place to kick back after a long of day of lectures and labs. They’re known for offering up some of the best comfort food, such as burgers, nachos, fish and chips and much more. Their chicken fingers are the perfect amount of greasy that you’ll want to soak up after a long day. You can get them with golden-crisp fries or on a combo platter which also includes mozzarella sticks, onion rings, fries and a cheese quesadilla. You might want to bring a few friends to share with you if you’re going to opt for the platter, or eat it all on your own, no judgement here!

All three of these restaurants are perfect spots to satisfy any fried chicken craving. With individual elements that make each place’s chicken fingers unique to their menu, it’s hard to pick just one to go to! I hope you give all three of these diners and pubs a try, you’ll thank me when you’re fighting the urge to lick your fingers after.

This piece was edited by Sukaina Jamil.