Romanticize Your Routine with an Ontario Charcuterie Board
Written by Bec McFadden.
Here’s how to create a cozy night in with a Charcuterie Board from one of these 5 Ontario Makers.
As we find ourselves in the middle of winter, it’s really time to hunker down and hibernate. For me, winter has long been the season of rest, relaxation and recovery - and with Hosting Season behind us, I want nothing more than to spend my evenings cozying up on my couch with my partner and our kitties.
Something to know about me is that I am both a creature of habit and a sucker for a special moment. Reconciling those two sensibilities means that I tend to create special moments within my routines. One of my favourite ways to do this is to make a fancy mocktail (sometimes a cocktail), serve it to myself in one of the “good” glasses and host myself. It may be an average weeknight, but I’m making a moment out of it.
When the winter starts to set in and I feel called to preserve my energy, I find myself gravitating towards a dinner of charcuterie to go with my fancy beverage. I pull out my favourite cheeses and cured meats, along with a baguette and a couple of delicious spreads. Without fail, I bring out my favourite board - a piece by artisan Jon Black, purchased several years ago on a trip to Nova Scotia. Obviously, the board is beautiful, but more than that, it fills me with a sense of pride that it was made by hand - another curated piece of my home that tells a story with each use.
If you’ve been looking for a way to bring a bit of spark back into your winter, then I would highly suggest a bit of routine romanticizing. And if you could use a special charcuterie board to help you do so, you’re in luck - I’ve rounded up a list of 5 Ontario Artisans making Charcuterie Boards with the details on how to get your hands on them.
Maker: Country Charm Woodworking
Why I love it: Country Charm Mike doesn’t believe that any piece of wood is too odd. By using resin, each board he creates becomes a piece of art. Broken wood is mended, knots are filled and each reclaimed piece gets a new life.
Medium: Ontario Wood & Resin
Price: $65 - $100
Location: Merrickville, ON
How to Buy: In person at markets, or by emailing
Instagram: @Country.Charm.Mike
Contact: mike.vincent@ripnet.com
Maker: Roots to Table
Why I love it: Jason and Charlene Katzenback created Roots to Table with the idea that sharing a meal creates community and connection, no matter a person’s background. Not only are the boards beautiful, but they were created with the intention to bring people together. “A Roots to Table board is more than a surface for serving food; it's a conversation piece, a symbol of hospitality that intertwines people in a tapestry of shared experiences and joy.”
Medium: Ontario Walnut & Maple
Price: $50 - $100
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, ON
How to Buy: Website or Etsy
Website: rootstotable.com
Instagram: @roots_totable
Contact here.
Maker: Lorne Sheridan
Why I love it: I met Lorne at a market, the 3 Dimensional design of his work catching my attention immediately. He told me about end-grain boards - they’re more durable for chopping than other boards, with less risk of cutting the board itself. The work is a bit more intricate, especially with his 3D designs, and his passion was evident.
Medium: Walnut, Cherry & Maple
Price: $75 - $250
Location: Rideau Lakes, ON
How to Buy: In person at markets, or by emailing.
Contact: lornepfs@protonmail.com
Maker: Burnt Bark
Why I love it: Nicole is a wood burning artist based in Ottawa, Ontario. I was drawn to her beautifully burnt boards at a Market this past holiday season. When asked about where she sources the boards, she told me that she uses “liberated thrift boards” that she sources secondhand. I was tickled by the phrase and concept - not only are her beautiful boards reclaimed, but they are liberated from the prospect of becoming trash and given new life.
Medium: Reclaimed Wooden Boards
Price: $30 - $50
Location: Ottawa, ON
How to Buy: In person at markets, or by sending an Instagram message.
Instagram: @burnt.bark
Maker: Birkenheuer Design
Why I love it: Using custom blends of locally sourced and premium exotic woods, Declan creates uniquely stunning boards. Each board is truly one of a kind, featuring striking design motifs. As an added touch of care, Declan ensures that any specific considerations for particular wood types are explained in each product listing, so buyers can be sure they are choosing the most suitable board for their lifestyle.
Medium: Local and exotic wood varieties
Price: $50 - $450
Location: Brantford, ON
How to Buy: Website
Website: birkenheuerdesign.ca
Gift one to a loved one or treat yourself. These are something special.