Mates on Crates Feat. Haidee Hart
G’day,
Those in the know, know where to go.
We’re excited to have just launched our latest episode of Mates on Crates, featuring Haidee Hart, Chef and Co-Owner at The Woodshed on Salt Spring Island. The Woodshed began as a literal woodshed in early 2020, evolving from a humble, honesty-based soup stand into one of Salt Spring’s most beloved food hubs. Today, it sits at the heart of a vibrant community alongside world-class producers, offering deeply seasonal, ingredient-driven cooking rooted in the island’s land and waters, with everything from rustic soups and baked goods to elevated West Coast Mediterranean dishes.
Haidee Hart is a self-taught chef whose journey has taken her from cooking for family and guests on a working farm to staging at renowned kitchens like Chez Panisse and Quince. Having spent nearly two decades at Stowel Lake Farm, cooking with ingredients grown steps from her kitchen, her philosophy is grounded in locality, seasonality, and community. Alongside her family, who are all deeply involved in The Woodshed, she has built a business that reflects a life lived close to the land, with a natural instinct for hospitality and an ability to turn simple ingredients into something deeply memorable. It was a pleasure to sit down with Haidee to chat about her journey from farm life to global kitchens all of her favourite spots.
Each time we do a Mates on Crates interview, our guests share up to twenty of their favourites with us. For each episode, only a handful of those favourites make it into the final two minute cut. In order to highlight all of our guest’s favourites, we are happy to share the full list of favourites right here.
See the FULL LIST of Haidee Hart’s Favourites:
Bakery: Francis Bread
Brunch: Cassette
Hidden Gem: South End Sausage, Café Flora
Last Meal That Blew Them Away: Fresh oysters from the beach
Patio: Cassette
Pizza: True Love Pizza
Take an Out of Town Guest: Francis Bread, Mavericks, Salt Spring Kitchen, Cassette, Ruckle Park
Winery: Kutatás Winery
Thanks for joining us, Haidee!
Head to The Woodshed on Salt Spring Island for a truly special, ingredient-driven experience rooted in local farms, family, and community. While there, be sure to try the coq au vin paired with a crisp Chablis or a local Pinot Gris, which are Haidee’s favourites.

