← Notes from the studio
April 2, 2026 · 5 min read

Six spring pairings we're testing right now

Notes from the studio kitchen on what tastes like April in Ottawa.

Every March we lock the studio door for a week and taste. Here are six pairings that made the shortlist for Spring 2026 bookings.

  • Vanilla bean + rhubarb + sumac. A soft base with two sour notes that don’t overlap.
  • Coconut + passion fruit + toasted brown butter. The kind of finish that makes a guest ask what the third flavor is.
  • Carrot + orange blossom + candied ginger. For celebrations that lean toward the Mediterranean side of West Africa.
  • Dark chocolate + hibiscus + smoked salt. A wedding-cake filling built for a room full of people who don’t usually agree on dessert.
  • Lemon zest + thyme + honey. The one we recommend for a bridal shower on a Sunday.
  • Red velvet + tamarind + roasted pistachio. The most divisive pairing on the list, and easily the most requested at tastings.

Come to a consultation and we’ll pour tea and disagree politely about which is best.