Ouderkirk and Taylor

When restaurateurs Mark Rodford and Jeff Sample opened the doors to Ouderkirk and Taylor on December 13, 2007, it seems they had two things in mind: keep it fresh and keep it local. Now, almost two years later, that vision has not been compromised, and their popularity throughout the community proves that. As a lover of food, their practices, beliefs and product selection were a great discovery for me when I entered through their doors in search of fine foods, and it is my hope that your experience with this artisan foods shop will prove just as rewarding and long lasting.

As with most things in my life, I happened across O & T only by random circumstance. Overwhelmingly tempted and obsessed by thoughts of a posh tapas platter to keep me company during one of those beautiful rain storms a couple weeks back, I finally gave up the fight and sought out to build something delectable. But when my fridge turned up little more than some orange cheddar and a jar of pimento stuffed olives (both of which I normally have no qualms of binging on) my craving wasn't quite fulfilled and so I ventured once again to the downtown core where a sandwich board promoting fresh baked breads and Canadian cheeses drew me in.

The moment I stepped foot into the store I was taken away by the aroma of those fresh baked goods, the vision of an endless row of olive oils, vinegars and condiments and, down at the far end of the shop, a beautiful glass display case, loaded with artisan cheeses from around Canada.

Like a kid in a candy store I was pressed up to the glass, drooling with the giddy satisfaction of not knowing which one of those wonderfully hand-crafted wheels of cheese would be coming home with me. And just like a child, I anxiously awaited my turn in line, only when it came I could barely muster more than an embarrassing "tee-he-he."

Still on the fence with what lay in front of me, I was given samples of a few varieties of Canada's finest, before finally settling on Quebec's Le Baluchon, a wonderfully aromatic, fruity and somewhat salty, aged for 60-days cheese that fit my palate just so. Needless to say, my tapas plate rounded out well with this crowning little treasure, delicately sliced with my pear, apple and prosciutto combination, and my craving was met with a true sense of elation.

Since that day I have been back to Ouderkirk and Taylor numerous times, trying something new with each visit. The staff have made it simple and easy for me to understand and enjoy whatever I buy, offering their knowledge and pairing suggestions no matter what I'm in the mood for, and, sometimes, helping to set the mood for me. I've overindulged on their daily bread selections, dined sinfully on their aptly named "Best Ever Brownie" and envisioned my pantry's growth, with oils, mustard's, spreads and a pear and vanilla butter that will invariably become a staple in my kitchen. Still, with all that they have to offer, they have managed to keep their ingredients locally sourced whenever possible.

There is no doubt that Mark and Jeff and the rest of the knowledgeable staff at Ouderkirk and Taylor have built a lasting foundation. Whether you're hosting a wine and cheese dinner party, looking to quench a savoury craving, popping in for a fresh deli lunch (sandwiches and entrees available Mon-Fri) or, and probably most enticingly, packing alfresco for an afternoon picnic, they will find what it is that you crave, desire and need. Keeping it local, fresh, new and delicate, Ouderkirk and Taylor has brought the candy store back to my world.

Ouderkirk and Taylor

(named after two great-grandparents in honour and tradition of proud Canadian food)

31 Wyndham Street North

Guelph, Ontario

The inevitable afterthought:

It should be mentioned that these guys are not new to the food and restaurant scene. If you step outside the doors of O & T and walk about two feet down the road you will come to The Cornerstone, a vegetarian restaurant and pub that always seems packed. You can count on me checking it out soon.