Why I Love Them:

When I moved to Waterloo Region, I learned that there was a unique, cultural food experience I had no idea existed. Some people call it “Food that Schmecks” after a famous cookbook, and I think it’s an incredible culinary gift. Mennonite and German settlers came to this area almost 200 years ago, and they’ve developed a regional food I’ve enjoyed sharing with others. One of my very favourite sources is a gem of a specialty foods store, Kitchen Kuttings.  It is a go-to, not just because they have delicious international cheese, local summer sausage, treats and preserves – but because the ladies who own it are so brilliant. Isn’t it good to buy products you love from people you genuinely like and want to support?

Our family did a fun sampling party of some of our favourite Kitchen Kuttings treats – available locally in Waterloo Region or online for order across Canada! (A friend in the US even sent me a Kitchen Kuttings gift basket for my 40th birthday!) This is a  great idea for: a picky foodie friend or relative that appreciates unique, Canadian-produced gifts. They make fantastic gift baskets and treats (I’ve given away dozens of packages of their fudge and jars of their jam), and also make entertaining simple.

Their special-recipe summer sausage is something I really recommend for gifting – especially for men. They tend to go crazy for it. We have one west-coast family member who I know I can always gift it to, and one friend who slices off huge chunks to eat right away. In store, they’re able to vacuum seal it so that we can ship it easily. Foodie note: we tried the local Kellson’s maple mustard on the summer sausage and it was INCREDIBLE.

Here’s a quick roundup:

Best gifts for ordering online: Summer sausage, old-fashioned nut brittle, fudge, pickled beets (Mennonite husband approved), preserves, a custom basket or box of shippable food items (call & they will put something together for you that fits you perfectly)
Best gifts to pick up: A gift basket stuffed with all sorts of goodies from the store. Make sure it includes that maple mustard and a bit of summer sausage! Oh, and some of the chocolate Fraktals & Martin’s apple chips (our wee girl DEVOURS the apple chips).
My entertaining favourites: Feige’s Asiago dip (we always have a jar in the fridge), caramelized onion cheese & smoked gorgonzola, cut in the exact amount I want for a cheese board. Add a tiny jar of preserves to your board to make it more flavour-rich. (Blueberry jam / Canadian gouda is my new yummy invention.)
Don’t miss: The house-made cheese ball. It’s a can’t-go-wrong staple.

And, if you go in, say hi to the ladies for me.

How to buy:

Visit Kitchen Kuttings‘ website (submit orders to them by email), or drop in to their shop in Elmira, ON, to purchase any of the food items featured above!

~ Ellen

P.S. Did you get the first gift? It’s a quick recipe guide to my personal, super-easy, sweet & salty Christmas Recipe Favourites! All of these are on heavy rotation at our house over the holidays, and they’re super easy. Download it for FREE now by subscribing here: