Introducing Gridley's Culinary Collection: Where Good Food Meets Great Scents

When people think of Gridley's, they usually think of handcrafted soaps, bath bombs and beautiful fragrances.

Food probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind.

But in many ways, food is actually where this whole journey began.

One of my favourites - The Egyptian Tree Onion

Years before I ever made my first batch of soap, I fell in love with cooking.

When we bought our first home, I was completely immersed in the world of food. I planted herb gardens, experimented with recipes and discovered just how much fresh ingredients could transform a meal. I loved stepping into the garden to gather fresh herbs for dinner, creating my own infused oils and herb salts, and even experimenting with edible flowers. It wasn't just about cooking—it was about celebrating the scents, flavours, and beauty of plants. 

Harvesting Calendula during a Herb-to-Home Garden Soapmaking Workshop

Looking back, it's no surprise that those same passions eventually blossomed into soapmaking.

While soap and food may seem worlds apart, they actually share something important.

Scent.

Our sense of smell plays an enormous role in how we experience flavour. A warm loaf of bread, fresh basil picked from the garden, maple syrup poured over pancakes or citrus zest grated into a recipe—all begin with aroma.

Creating soap taught me to appreciate fragrance in an entirely new way, and that same appreciation has only deepened my love of exceptional food.

That's why I'm so excited to introduce a new corner of Gridley's.

Welcome to the Culinary Collection

Rather than trying to stock everything, I've chosen to curate products that I genuinely enjoy and would happily recommend to friends around my own kitchen table.

Every item will be:

• 100% vegan
• Carefully selected for quality
• Made by passionate producers
• Something I proudly use in my own home

Think of it as a collection of my personal foodie favourites.

Our First Product: Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup

What better way to begin than with one of Canada's most iconic foods?

These aren't flavoured syrups.

They're authentic Canadian maple syrup aged in oak barrels that previously held whisky, bourbon, rum or tequila.

The syrup slowly absorbs subtle notes from the wood, creating rich, complex flavours while remaining completely alcohol-free.

Each variety develops its own unique personality:

• Whisky – warm oak, vanilla and caramel
• Bourbon – rich vanilla, toasted oak and brown sugar
• Rum – caramel, molasses and gentle spice
• Tequila – earthy oak with a bright, distinctive finish

The differences are subtle enough to appreciate, yet distinctive enough that everyone seems to have a favourite.

This Is Just the Beginning

The Culinary Collection will continue to grow over time with more carefully selected vegan products that celebrate great flavour, craftsmanship and the joy of sharing good food.

After all, whether I'm making soap or serving dinner, the goal has always been the same:

Create something that brings people joy.

I hope you'll enjoy exploring this new side of Gridley's as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to life.

Happy tasting,

Michele
Gridley's Creative Bath & Body