The Savvy Gourmet

OGourmet now Ships to the USA!

As of July 20, OGourmet has been accepting orders to be delivered to any address within the territory of the United States. This might seem to be a simple affair, but it in fact required very significant efforts to modify our on-line transaction systems to meet the requirements of U.S. federal authorities.

But the results are impressive! As soon as the system is informed that a client wishes to send an order to the United States, only products that can be shipped to the USA are displayed, and prices are automatically adjusted to include any applicable custom fees. As simple as that!

To meet the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA Prior Notice) and U.S. Customs, all documents are created in real time, without any additional intervention from the client.

For the moment, shipments are made via Canada Post and the United States Postal Service. In a few months, other courier services will be added.

Roasted Walnut Oil from La Tourangelle (US)

La Tourangelle handcrafts this roasted walnut oil by strictly following a 150 year-old traditional process.

Slowly roasted to perfection, expeller-pressed and lightly filtered, this oil adds a rich walnut taste to salad dressing, pasta, grilled meat, fish or baked pastries. It is also the perfect bread dip.

Ari’s comments: La Tourangelle walnut oil is the best of what we should expect from this delightful type of oil. An excellent quality-price ratio!

Producers in the Spotlight - La Tourangelle

The production of gourmet oils is a time-honoured tradition in France. Originally, each village had a mill which roasted and extracted the oil from nuts gathered by local farmers. These delicious oils were used in hearty rustic fare and were also found in Paris' finest restaurants.

La Tourangelle is one of just a handful of these remaining mills that keep this tradition alive. Through a partnership with one of the oldest and most respected French artisan oil mills (Huilerie Croix Verte in Saumur, France) and California Oils Corporation, La Tourangelle has succeeded in recreating the spirit of a traditional French oil mill in Woodland, California.

Hand-crafting a wide range of delicious artisan oils in California and France, La Tourangelle distributes an exclusive line of premium quality oils in many countries around the world.

Fig and Olive Raincoast Crisps from Lesley Stowe Fine Foods

These crisps combine the salty taste of Kalamata olives with the sweet flavour of succulent Adriatic figs. Try these fig and olive crisps on their own or with soft cheeses such as goat cheese, brie or triple crème.

Ari’s comments: It may seem a strange combination, but the sweetness of figs goes so well with the fruitiness of olives.

Producers in the Spotlight - Lesley Stowe Fine Foods

Lesley Stowe is a Parisian-trained chef who began her own catering company more than 20 years ago in Vancouver.The store’s success, combined with Lesley’s ability to predict and capitalize on food trends, resulted in the creation of raincoast crisps - a revolutionary snack food beyond compare.

Lesley Stowe Fine Foods produces one-of-a-kind artisan crisps that are all natural and made with care using the finest quality ingredients.

Ari’s comments: All Lesley Stowe's crackers are a combo of sensory experiences. First, the appearance: a complex and very attractive mosaic of colours that reflect the content of nuts and dried fruits. Second, the "crunchy" sound at the first bite reflects the freshness of the product. Then, an exquisite blend of flavours and aromas to complete the whole experience.