Celebrating 34 years of flavour, community and heart with Sheila Whyte, the visionary behind Ottawa’s beloved Thyme & Again
By Janet Wilson
Walking into Thyme & Again Creative Catering & Take-Home Food Shop, a beloved neighbourhood gem in Wellington West, visitors are greeted by the comforting aroma of fresh food, the hum of laughter and cappuccinos being made. Upstairs at The Nest, a chic loft-like event space, customers linger over light meals and coffee, soaking in the warmth of the space.
Sheila Whyte, the legendary entrepreneur behind it all, finishes a client call in her second-storey office. Whether catering for royalty, corporate clients or three generations of loyal families, Sheila’s passion remains unwavering.
“We’re super busy, which is great news,” she says. “Being part of the Ottawa community has always been really special. We strive to make sure our clients feel comfortable and appreciated. It’s a wonderful blessing to be part of someone’s life.”
Sheila launched Thyme & Again in 1991 with her manager, Rose Goyette, and one cook in a modest 500-square-foot space in Hintonburg—where Bridgehead coffee shop now stands. Inspired by the entrepreneurs and authors behind one of her favourite cookbooks—The Silver Palate Cookbook—Sheila believed a tiny gourmet take-home food shop and bakery could thrive in Ottawa.
“I said to my husband, we need at least 500 square feet. But we outgrew it within two years. Starting out, you really don’t know what you don’t know.”
Since then, the business has moved three times along Wellington Street before settling into its current landmark location in 2003. In 2018, Sheila expanded with a second 5,000-square-foot location on Carling Avenue next to Produce Depot.
She reflects fondly on the early days—learning on the fly and leaning on a series of mentors, including influential music promoter and broadcaster Harvey Glatt and his wife, Louise, and pioneering businesswomen and community leaders Grete Hale, Gay Cook, Barbara McInnes, Diana Kirkwood, Natalie Stern and Shirley Westeinde.
“I remember when Gay ordered tea sandwiches. I thought, ‘How hard could it be?’ She came back the next day with bread to show me how to prepare it the proper way. We’ve been making them ever since.”
Sheila’s journey began while studying Western civilization and literature at the University of Western Ontario, supporting herself by working for a catering company. After graduation, she returned to hospitality in Ottawa to pay off student loans. In 1991, she bought the small catering company she worked for, driven by a vision for a strong take-home food shop.
Over the decades, Thyme & Again has become one of Ottawa’s leading event catering companies, serving weddings, bar mitzvahs, corporate lunches and charity galas. It is also the preferred caterer at top venues like the National Gallery of Canada, Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa Art Gallery and Ingenium, to name a few.
“We’ve built relationships through food. Some things have remained constant. We’ve catered to two or three generations of clients. Catering is about 40 per cent of our business, depending on the season.”
Thyme & Again offers seasonally inspired menus, reflecting the freshest ingredients and flavours of the moment. Signature dishes include elevated comfort foods such as smoked salmon and Green Goddess dips, chicken pot pies, tourtière, frozen entrées, fresh soups and indulgent desserts—like the renowned lemon squares and cranberry white chocolate scones. For birthdays, customer favourites include the Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Cake, Lemon Thyme Cakelette (featuring lemon curd, vanilla cream and lavender tuile) and the Grand Marnier Poppyseed Cake.
A life seasoned with purpose
Sheila’s impact extends far beyond food. A passionate philanthropist, she’s deeply involved in causes such as food insecurity and women’s support. She’s worked with the Parkdale Food Centre, Cornerstone for Women, the Ottawa Mission food service program and currently chairs the Algonquin College culinary advisory team. She’s also enjoying her work with the Britannia Woods Community Services Food Pantry, serving youth in the Carling Avenue community.
“Food and water security is a global concern. It’s appalling that in the capital of Canada, so many people still need help.”
She’s supported the Ottawa Jazz Festival, Arts Court, the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, Great Canadian Theatre Company and is a founding member of The Royal Ottawa Women for Mental Health Campaign. Sheila received the Ottawa Businesswoman of the Year Award in 2004 and was awarded the Order of Ottawa in 2015.
With about 65 staff across both locations, Sheila credits her team for the company’s success, including longtime manager turned accountant Rose, executive chef Devin Marhue and pastry chef John Alexander, who played a key role in rebuilding a strong kitchen and bakery team after the pandemic.
Sheila’s family-first philosophy is woven into the company culture. Her sons, Teagan, 25, and Adam, 21, often attended events growing up. Her husband, Clayton Kennedy, a retired paleontology technician, remains her biggest supporter.
On a perfect day off, Sheila enjoys coffee in the garden with Clayton, gardening, kayaking and hosting family and friends for wine and a barbecue. In winter months, she curls up with a good book and takes winter hikes along the Ottawa River with pockets full of bird seed.
The holidays are a busy time at Thyme & Again, with traditional fruitcakes made in July and full holiday menu offerings at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Between 200 and 300 full turkey dinners are sold during each of these holidays.
Born in Montreal and raised in Ottawa, Sheila’s roots run deep. Her legacy is one of flavour, generosity and connection. “No two days are ever the same. I love my job and the community element. It’s taken on a life of its own,” says the plucky entrepreneur.
“I want to be remembered for creating a kind and inclusive business for our team, customers and community. I’m just one person—the success is all the ambassadors who’ve worked here over the years.” thymeandagain.ca
