Issue #026: The Magic Word
Now for something completely different.
THE WHOLE THING IS A SUBSCRIBER HOLIDAY DEAL!!!
Read on for sweet, sweet Holiday Specials, just for you. (Okay, and one for next week, too, because it’s December after all.)
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…
Well it's happened. December is upon us. And while we are so excited for this time of the year, it’s also an insane few weeks for us! Dan is on logistics and retail, making sure we have everything you will need in store and on time. I’m on retail and production of all deliciousness with Nicole, including the tonnes of fish I need to cure, brine, and smoke.
As I was saying to our last class of 2024 the other evening, you would think that after business has been around for 10 or more years, they would just rinse and repeat the same thing when the holidays roll around. But that's never been the case for us. Every year we change something, tweak something or turn it on its head or do something completely different. This year, mostly due to you, our subscribers, we've decided to follow the ‘something completely different’ route.
The Times
Some years our staff has been comprised of many part-timers who prefer to keep multiple jobs and stack their calendars. Holiday mercenaries if you will.
At the moment we are a very lean staff of full-timers, which actually presents a fun challenge at the holiday. This year you'll see family (hi Ned!), friends and some store regulars working the till as we attempt to have enough staff to provide you the best experience for our busiest season. Plus, Dan and I are planning on being behind the counters non-stop… Well, I will be once the 1500 POUNDS of fish has been cured and smoked, and Dan will be once all of the store orders are packed (insert laughing hysterically bordering on insane emoji here). Honestly, we think it's going to be a lot of fun.
December Magic
It’s hard to believe it’s been just over a year since we launched our subscriber-only newsletter! We’re incredibly grateful for your ongoing support and feedback we’ve received from this amazing community — it truly means the world to us.
To show our appreciation, we’re excited to offer you early access and exclusive lower pricing on a selection of holiday favourites. This offer is available until December 7th and online only, so don’t miss out!
If you can’t commit this early, don’t worry—our stores will be fully stocked and open with extended hours throughout the holiday season.
Please note: A $15 handling fee will apply to orders placed for pickup or delivery between December 19 and December 31 simply because we do not have the staff to accommodate prepping everyone's orders ahead this year. However, this fee will be waived for orders over $150....
Spotlight on one of our best Hooked Holiday Experiences:
Smoked Fish (Fishcuterie) Boards
For those seeking an artisanal spread, a smoked fish board is IT.
We take our smoked fish SERIOUSLY. I cure, brine, smoke a full two to three days per week to keep up and take tremendous pride in my craft. Just imagine: a thinly sliced pile of our double-smoked steelhead salmon, wedges of hot smoked trout, and long slices of our salmon pastrami, all beautifully presented on a wooden board. Accompanied by caper cream cheese, our house pickled vegetables, and Blackbird crackers… Nothing says you love your people like a Hooked Smoked Fish Board.
(And insider pricing? What’s not to love?!)
So what are you waiting for?
THE MAGIC WORD (aka password) is:
HolidayFeast
Cooking Classes make great gifts!
Stay tuned - our next semester of classes IS coming, and I will have them out to you this week.
The Big DEAL -
And because we have to close this thing down, it’s a throw back recipe!
Remember Holiday Dumplings? Well, we love them and we heard you did too.
(The recipe is here!)
Get your 21/25 Selva Black Tiger Shrimp for $5 off per pound on December 6th and 7th in our stores!
Did you make some dumplings? Tag us in your Instagram stories! We love seeing what you’re making.
Have a question on a burning topic? Send us an email to questions@hookedinc.ca to get your question featured in an upcoming Issue.
*Our stores: Hooked in Leslieville, Hooked in Kensington Market, South Kingsway Hooked. Does not include our cousin store, Hooked on the Danforth.