Q & A with Maverick's Donut Company

Maverick’s Donut Company came about through a collaboration between the partners of two well-known local restaurants, and has made doughnut lovers in Ottawa stand up and take notice.   I had a chance to ask them some questions to Dominic Santaguida, the owner of the business, via e-mail recently, and here's what he had to say, as dictated through his partner Stacey:

FRANKLIN on FOOD: Is it the pastry or the toppings that makes the perfect doughnut?
STACEY SANTAGUIDA: That is of a personal choice, some people like plain donuts, and others like them all dressed up.

FRANKLIN on FOOD: What is it that makes Maverick’s stand out from the other specialty bakers in Ottawa?
SS: First, we are simply a donut shop. we serve beverages, but only donuts, no pastries etc.

FRANKLIN on FOOD: Was it hard to come up with the ideas for your signature doughnuts?
SS: We tried a few different things but really narrowed in down very quickly to the six we currently have with the plan to expand our signatures to many more.

FRANKLIN on FOOD: What was the creation you thought would be in the sweet six but wasn’t?
SS: A key lime donut, we will bring it back in the summer months to test out its popularity then.

FRANKLIN on FOOD: If you could take over a Tim Hortons for a week, what changes would you make, and why?
SS: We would not like to take over Tim Hortons for a week, as their operations are not at all like ours. We do fresh in house donuts only. No sandwiches, breakfast meals, soups or meal type things. We are strictly donuts and coffees/drinks. We aren't a chain either... Nothing wrong with Tim's, just not the same business.

FRANKLIN on FOOD: Other than doughnuts, what’s your go-to sweet treat to eat?
SS: Actually donuts are one of my most favourite things, but most of all I love apple fritters, which we are in the process of perfecting and getting onto the menu.