Atlantic Association of CBDCs | New Brunswick Association of CBDCs | CBDC Westmorland Albert
Success Stories
 Culinary Wines Inc.
The Sweet Smell of Success in a Bottle
Nothing brings back fond memories faster than the aroma of a delicious dish shared with family and friends. So many of the best moments in our lives are linked to the food we have shared with others and no one knows this better than Joanne and Rheal Caissie, the owners of Culinary Wines located in beautiful Shediac, NB.
However, their ‘wines’ are completely different from those found in bottles at your local liquor store outlet. Culinary Wines are liquid seasonings that are fermented like wine, but instead of using grapes, they use fresh herbs and vegetables, add yeast and let Mother Nature work her magic. Perhaps best of all (besides the truly amazing taste sensations their products provide), all of Culinary Wines seasonings are salt free, fat free, sugar free and contain no artificial flavourings which is a big bonus for those who are consciously making an effort to eat healthier.
Culinary Wines offers three distinctly different liquid seasonings sure to please the most discerning palate. Chile Pepper & Herbs is perfect for those who like to add a touch of heat to diverse dishes such as fajitas, Chinese/Schezwan style cooking, or Cajun based creations. Garlic & Herbs is delicious when added to Italian recipes, steaming or sautéing seafood or chicken, and is a great addition to any dish when you like a hint of the wonderful combination of fresh herbs and garlic incorporated into your food. Once you use their Onion & Herbs liquid seasoning to add some freshness to soup bases, barbequed potatoes or chicken dishes, it will definitely become a staple in your pantry, as will the use of any of their wines simply because the fabulous flavours they add to any meal is endless.
Joanne and Rheal first started experimenting with the creation of liquid seasonings after they opened their first business, Brew Chez Nous, in Shediac, NB. They offered samples of these cooking wines to close friends, relatives and customers of their ‘you-brew’ operation, and their creations received rave reviews from everyone who sampled them. They soon realized that they wanted to branch out and create more than just a few bottles here and there for their own personal use, and that’s when they turned to their local CBDC.
“We have utilized the services provided by the CBDC Westmorland Albert on more than one occasion,” says Joanne. “The building we were currently using for Brew Chez Nous was definitely in a bad location and not very conducive for traffic flow for customers. When we decided we wanted to expand and pursue our passion for creating these culinary seasonings, we again turned to the CBDC and asked for their help to finance the purchase of a larger, more visible area. We also needed additional capital to market our products, as well as purchase raw materials, additional inventory and equipment. Since we’d only been in business for a year, traditional banks weren’t able to provide us with the money we needed to take our business to the next level,” states Joanne. “Fortunately for us, the CBDC saw the viability of our product and arranged for us to receive the needed cash to create Culinary Wines.”
“I’m proud to say that we’ve gone from a single person operation, selling in a less than prime location, to creating 2 full time positions as well as 4 part-time personnel and doubling our sales. Plus our Culinary Wines are now sold through large distribution channels such as selected Sobey’s stores, Co-Op, local fish markets, specialty boutiques and also through the Simply for Life™ boutique. We even have 3 private label customers in central Canada. There is no way we could have done this without CBDC’s support,” Joanne enthusiastically states.
“They understand the challenges that face small manufacturers and were a great help to us, not only in assisting us to secure financing for the purchase of our building and equipment, but in providing us with on-going training and education. The courses that we have participated in through the help of the CBDC, have made us better entrepreneurs today, and we will carry this knowledge forward in our business for years to come,” says Joanne. “I encourage any new business owner to contact their local CBDC and see what resources are available to them before they take the plunge into being a business owner.”
The demand and accolades for their products keep piling up, from winning the 2006 Young Entrepreneurs to taking Second Place at the annual Blues & BBQ Festival, Parlee Beach in Shediac, NB, in August 2007. One of their ‘raving fan’ testimonials hails from Chef Guy Mitchell, US Celebrity & Guest Chef at the White House, who stated, “I have tried the products from Culinary Wines and recommend them for all restaurants. It’s the best product out there.” Chef Stefan Mueller, Executive Chef at the Delta Beausejour in Moncton, NB, had this to say: “Using Culinary Wines gives us the opportunity to make dishes with innovative flavour combinations. The wines have a unique taste and are fun to experiment with.” You can find out more about these fabulous liquid seasonings and discover some delicious recipes from Culinary Wines by visiting their website at www.CulinaryWines.ca.
Plus keep an eye out at your favourite grocery store for their latest addition to the Culinary Wines line-up late this summer, as they plan to launch yet another new liquid seasoning to their flavoursome trio, namely Citrus and Herbs.
If the sweet smell of success from the other three liquid seasonings is any indication of the winning combinations that Joanne and Rheal have created so far, their newest addition is sure to be a big hit among gastronomic lovers everywhere.
Bon Appétit!
Copyright Marlene Oulton © 2009
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