Just after Christmas last year, Ottawa chef Johnny McEvoy, known for his creative pizzas, lost his beloved dog Rudy. Rudy had been his best friend for 13 years and even inspired the name of his business, Rude Pizza. To cope with his grief, McEvoy turned to baking, making three or four batches of cookies daily and giving them away to neighbours.
From Grief to Gourmet Cookies
McEvoy's cookies are far from ordinary, reflecting his adventurous culinary style. He is known for pizzas topped with kimchi, which earned him first place in the creative pizza category at the 2026 Restaurant Canada Pizza Competition. His cookies feature bold flavor combinations like chocolate miso gochugaru (Korean chili powder), sourdough toast and butter, and ube (purple yam) with white chocolate, lime, and coconut.
Unique Flavors That Work
The chocolate miso gochugaru cookie is a standout, combining miso's umami with the subtle heat of gochugaru. McEvoy explains, 'Miso makes almost everything better,' and the chili powder adds a gentle kick that enhances the chocolate. The sourdough butter cookie cleverly mimics the taste of buttered toast, while the ube cookie offers a tropical twist.
Despite their unconventional ingredients, these cookies are expertly crafted. They boast a perfect chewy texture, balanced sweetness, and flavors that intrigue without overwhelming. McEvoy himself prefers the chocolate miso version, calling himself 'a very simple person.'
Where to Find Them
McEvoy's cookies are available at his pizza pop-ups, announced via Instagram, and exclusively at Ahh!!! Coffee in Hintonburg, priced at $5 each. The coffee shop, opened in early March by Kyle Ratchford, shares McEvoy's penchant for eccentricity, making it a fitting home for these next-level treats.
