Caribbean food gift ideas in Canada for Christmas 2026

The best Caribbean food gifts in Canada this Christmas are ones a home cook will actually use. Maureen Simon Foods, a family-run B.C. business founded by a cook from Trinidad and Tobago, makes jerk and coconut curry sauces and frozen Rolliis, all made in Canada, starting at $5.59.

Canada News Media was not paid for this article and earns no commission on these products. Product details, prices and photos came from the company and its publicist, Vive Social + PR. We have not taste-tested the products.

Prices above are those supplied by the company’s publicist, who says they apply nationwide. The company’s own online shop lists the sauces at $7.99, so check the price where you buy. Store stock varies by location.

Who is Maureen Simon?

Maureen Simon immigrated to Canada from the Caribbean and brought the cooking she grew up with. Her publicist describes the company as a story of immigration, entrepreneurship and turning those flavours into a Canadian food business.

“These recipes raised me, shaped me, and carried me all the way from Trinidad and Tobago to Canada,” she says on the company’s website.

This year the business took a large step beyond its B.C. base. Its Rolliis line launched in 7-Eleven stores across Canada, as trade publication CCentral reported in August.

“Launching in 7-Eleven stores across the country is a huge step forward for our business, and we’re thrilled to introduce even more Canadians to the flavours we grew up loving,” Simon told the publication.

Which Caribbean sauce makes the better gift?

It depends on who is cooking. The jerk sauce suits someone who likes the barbecue or the oven, since jerk is traditionally a marinade for chicken and pork. Walmart’s Canadian listing describes it as a medium-heat sauce and marinade.

The Caribbean Coconut Curry Sauce is the safer choice for a family table or anyone who is cautious about heat. The company describes it as made with coconut milk and Caribbean spices, with a mild touch of heat. On its site, the company points to plant-based and gluten-free options across its range, so read the label if you are buying for someone with a dietary need.

The appeal for a gift is that neither needs a shopping list. A person who has never made a curry from scratch can still put one on the table on a weeknight, and that is the company’s own pitch: “big, bold Caribbean flavour, made easy.”

What can you cook with them?

Tucking a recipe card into a gift makes a $6 bottle feel far more thoughtful. The company publishes its own recipes online, and three stand out for the holidays.

Its curry mac and cheese bakes macaroni with coconut curry sauce and a blend of cheeses, an easy side for a potluck. Its stewed jerk chicken simmers chicken or beef with jerk seasoning and is usually served with rice or bread. Its curry prawn stir-fry is a quick dinner in a creamy sauce with coconut milk and tomatoes, served with rice or flatbread.

Are Rolliis a good holiday food gift?

Rolliis are better as a host gift or a party plate than something to wrap and mail, because they are sold frozen and have to stay that way. Each is a seasoned filling in a flaky, pastry-style roll, and CCentral reported they take 12 minutes in an air fryer.

That makes them useful for the busy stretch of the season. Bring a box to a holiday gathering, or stock the freezer of a student, a new parent or anyone who could use an easy meal in December. The Veggie Coconut Curry is the option for vegetarians.

How do you build a Caribbean food hamper?

Start with both sauces and a pantry staple or two, such as a bag of rice, a can of coconut milk or a good loaf of bread for mopping up the sauce. Add a wooden spoon or a serving dish, plus a printed recipe.

At the publicist’s listed prices, the two sauces come to $11.18, and adding one 4-pack of Rolliis for someone you will see in person brings it to $23.17 before tax. Add a bottle of rum or ginger beer if it suits the person, and you have a gift that feels generous without a large bill.

For more ideas, see our guides to gift ideas for a home cook and gift ideas for someone who has everything.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I buy Maureen Simon Foods in Canada?

The sauces are sold at Walmart and Whole Foods Market, and Rolliis at 7-Eleven and Whole Foods Market, according to the company’s publicist. The company’s where-to-buy page also shows other retailers, and products are available through Instacart.

Are Maureen Simon Foods products made in Canada?

Yes. The company’s publicist says all products are made in Canada. The business is Canadian-owned, family-run and based in B.C.

How much do the sauces cost?

The company’s publicist lists them at $5.59. The company’s own online shop lists them at $7.99.

How do you cook Rolliis?

CCentral reported they take 12 minutes in an air fryer. Follow the directions on the package.

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