Friends of Edité: Kate Taylor Martin, Founder of nutbar
Meet Kate Taylor Martin, the visionary behind Toronto’s beloved nutbar, my go-to for on-set catering and the perfect spot to fuel up and get to work. Not only does Kate have impeccable taste when it comes to integrating beautiful food and fashion – but also in how she approaches life itself. Whether it’s curating a menu that nourishes the body and soul or putting together a wardrobe that feels effortlessly chic, she always seems to get it just right. With an eye for quality and an intuitive understanding of what feels good, Kate’s style and philosophy offer a glimpse into a life lived with intention and creativity.
Photographed by: Kayla Rocca
Describe your style:
I have certain formulas that I loosely follow but I also like the fluidity of style and the seasons of style as it relates to my life. I wouldn’t say I’m overly feminine but my style is soft – things that make me feel good ending up looking the best. I would say there is an element of classic and minimal, but I also love a bit of interest (pops of colour, unexpected textures or more novelty shapes keep things moving forward).
“Our tastes just end up being a reflection of ourselves – our experiences, preferences and judgments – so it’s obviously inherently subjective. But I do think it’s hard to have good taste without having a clear point of view.” — Kate Taylor Martin
Who has been your biggest style influence?
My mom is the most effortlessly chic person I know. She is so low maintenance but looks good in everything. She knows exactly what she likes, buys it, and wears it to death.
What are your wardrobe staples?
Button downs and sweaters. Babaa sweaters are heaven, T.Line makes the best white basic button downs, Frankie Shop makes my favorite oversized blue pin striped one and I invested in a Lisa Yang cashmere button down sweater (best of both worlds) this season that I haven’t taken off.
What is your style philosophy?
To be open and enjoy fashion but not to force it.
Who or what inspires you?
The world’s most cliche answer but how can you not be endlessly inspired by nature? The colours, the textures, the wisdom and the lessons about life and interconnectedness and resilience. I read Braiding Sweetgrass this year – a beautiful exploration of Indigenous wisdom, nature and human connection – which has left such a deep reverence for all that nature has to teach us.
What was your connection to wellness growing up?
I’m not sure I explicitly had one. “Wellness” wasn’t talked about back then the way it is now. But we did grow up in a household that by default prioritized things that made us feel good – lots of activity and movement, a home cooked meal every night (the biggest gift my mom gave us!), and a lot of paying attention to moments of beauty and awe. I didn’t know it at the time but all of this was definitely laying a foundation for my job now as founder of nutbar which aims to help people feel good through nourishing food and spaces.
“I’m really driven by a desire to put something good out into the world.” — Kate Taylor Martin
Where did your interest in food and cooking come from? How has your relationship with food evolved over the years?
I really became obsessed with making and creating recipes when I enrolled in the Institute of Nutrition because all of a sudden food took on a whole new meaning. I started to think of it as nourishment and medicine and realized how incredible we can feel when we pay attention to how we’re fuelling ourselves. It became so fun to combine some of the world’s most nutrient dense superfoods in a way that made them delicious and satisfying.
Building a successful business is one thing, but holding onto that momentum is different. What do you think has been pivotal to the continued success of nutbar?
I think brand trust and integrity is more important than ever. Customers are savvy and they can sense when you’re saying something just to say it. I started the company with a goal of having an unwavering commitment to quality and we’ve never strayed away from that even when it was much easier (and much cheaper!) to. Over time, our customers have really come to know they can trust that we are what we say we are. That, and I really believe that our food just makes people feel really good. And feeling good is addictive.
“I started the company with a goal of having an unwavering commitment to quality and we’ve never strayed away from that even when it was much easier (and much cheaper!) to. Over time, our customers have really come to know they can trust that we are what we say we are.” – Kate Taylor Martin
How would you describe your food philosophy? What are some of the driving factors behind your approach to food?
As a general rule, I tune out all the marketing messages and pair it down to the basics: a focus on real, whole nutrient dense foods. But I’m not rigid about food and food rules. I know what makes me feel good and so for the most part have a great foundation, but I also really love an indulgent meal and treat when I feel like it.
What are your core leading principles when it comes to making decisions?
One of my most important filter questions when making a decision is, “what is fact and what is opinion?” And once I’m clear on that, I always try to come up with more than two options so I don’t get stuck in binary thinking. I make the best decision with the information I have, knowing that there often isn’t a “right” and “wrong” answer and that as more information comes, things may change.
What excites you about the future?
The future of our world feels very heavy these days. But for the things I have (some) control over, everything feels like it’s going to be ok. I feel so clear about nutbar’s mission and I’m so ready for us to hit the next level. And for me personally, I love the fullness and purpose of my days right now, running a business I love and mothering my three babies (ages 3, 5, 7).
What are some of your self-care rituals?
How much time do we have?
I do all of the things. I started a morning routine during Covid when my kids were little and daycares were shut down. I was desperately trying to keep my business alive, and didn’t have one minute to myself during the day. So I woke up earlier than I ever had – at 5am – to carve out time to fill my own cup. To have pause in the day, take care of my nervous system and allow myself time away from a reactive state. No exaggeration, it changed my life. And I’ve kept up the whole morning routine for almost five years now.
Most days it looks like: I wake up around 5am and immediately go into the shower which ends with 2min of cold water. Not only does this come with a host of physical health benefits but more than that it’s strengthening my mental health, my resilience and my willpower. Then I do some combination of dry brushing, gua sha and a lot of spine work (I love the quote “you’re only as young as your spine is limber”). I meditate and then I come downstairs to make my morning matcha which is liquid gold: ceremonial grade matcha, nutbar’s organic housemade nutmilk, barmilk, collagen, reishi and magnesium. It’s a slow release of jitter-free, clear, calm and focused energy.
It’s night and day different from waking up to “MOM!!”
What are your beauty, fashion, self-care, and supplement favorites?
Living Libations makes the most beautiful natural products. The Seabuckthorn oil and body lotion are heaven. It is a daily treat. I also swear by Skinceuticals CE Ferulic face serum. THIC oil is the ultimate anti-frizz, non greasy hair oil. I recently jumped on the May Lindstrom Youth Dew bandwagon and wow – worth the hype.
I go to bed and wake up with a few drops of the grounding and calming smell of Sanae pure cedar essential oil.
My favourite makeup for a good glow right now are Jones Road’s Miracle Balm and NudeStix’s Dewy Barrier Hydration Stick.
I rotate my supplements but daily non negotiable is lemon water on an empty stomach first thing (before my matcha) and vitamin d3 especially in the winter!
The best books I’ve read this year are Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer and The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion (HOW did it take me this long to read!?)
Where are your favorite shopping destinations?
Let me tell you that having a very close friend open up the world’s chicest clothing store really helps make me look cooler than I actually am. Highly recommend Absolutely Fabrics if you’re looking for an exciting and fresh fashion experience.
For a very elevated but cool daytime look, Narwhal in Summerhill is the best. Also owned by a friend (!) Syd Berchtold, this little neighbourhood gem always nails exactly what people are looking for at the moment and has the best community feel.
I'm a big fan of high/low mix - what is your fave high and low item in your wardrobe?
The other night I wore a light purple oversized vintage men’s Versace blazer with my favourite bag ever purchased – a slouchy gold chain purse my Mom’s friend bought me from Banana Republic when I was in grade 10.
What is your most embarrassing/cringe style era?
In first year university my go-to bar look was a Raptors jersey, mini pleated white skirt, boxing boots and a page boy hat…
If you could, what advice would you give your younger self?
STAY OUT OF THE SUN.
Kate’s newest Nutbar location is set to open on January 25th, 2025 in the heart of Midtown Toronto. Located at 2592 Yonge St, just north of Eglinton and south of Lawrence.