The Savvy Gourmet

Producers in the Spotlight – Maison Ferber (France)

Jams created by “The Jam Fairy” are sensational! Expensive, yes.

But for Christine Ferber, this is what you should expect if you use only fresh fruits of the highest quality, create subtle blends and combinations of ingredients, and employ methods of preparation that can extend over two and even three days for certain jams.

Her recipes can be found in many gourmet books published in several languages. It thus comes as no surprise that Christine Ferber has acquired an international reputation and received prestigious awards.

If you have time and patience, you can follow her recipes at home. For those who prefer to rely on this famous chef, pleasure is guaranteed.

"Farber...is one of France's leading patissiers...innovative flavor combinations and pristine ingredients yielding pure flavors." - The Art of Eating, April 2005

Producers in the Spotlight – La Chaiseronne (France)

Founded in 1980, La Chaiseronne is a butcher shop and delicatessen in Normandy, France. From the outset, La Chaiseronne was a pioneer in offering consumers complete transparency by providing both the name of the breeder and each animal’s pedigree.

Now with 25 employees, La Chaiseronne continues its commitment to product traceability, quality control and sustainable development, and follows the requirements of ISO Standards 9001:2008 and SD 21 000 (Sustainable Development).

Old-style products made with modern technology and quality control.

Producers in the Spotlight – Sociedade Agrícola do Conde (Portugal)

The centuries-old Quinta Vale do Conde property is located in the upper Douro region, district of Bragança, northern Portugal.

Ancestral traditions combined with modern technologies result in the production of an exceptional olive oil.

The aromatic characteristics and quality of this olive oil have been recognized in some of the most prestigious international oil competitions all over the world.

Awards

2011. Gold Medal - 1st prize, Mario Solinas Award – Spain.

2011. Honours with distinction in the Intense Fruity category, 7th China International Exhibition Olive Oil & Edible Oil – Shanghai

2010. Gold Medal, XI Olivomoura (Moura) – Portugal.

2010. Gold Medal, Prestige at Terra Olivo Award – Israel.

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Producers in the Spotlight – Cluizel (France)

Since 1948, Cluizel has been one of the rare chocolate manufacturers to process cocoa beans himself. Cluizel creates exceptional chocolates in its Normandy (France) workshops, employing 240 people.

Strong relationships established over the years with cocoa planters have reinforced his position as a cocoa expert, thus ensuring clear traceability for his chocolates.

Cluizel chocolates have won several prestigious awards in international competitions. For example:

2011. Golden Bean award for the Noir au Café chocolate bar, Academy of Chocolate Awards, United Kingdom.

2011. Bronze medal for the Noir 85 % chocolate bar, Academy of Chocolate Awards, United Kingdom.

2010. Winner of the Confectionery category for the Bio Los Anconès 67 % chocolate bar, 22nd Edition of the Soil Association Organic Food Awards, United Kingdom.

2009. Silver Medal for the Grand lait 45 % chocolate bar, Academy of Chocolate Awards, United Kingdom.

2008. Gold Star for the Grand lait 45 % chocolate bar, Great Taste Awards, United Kingdom.

Producers in the Spotlight - Gourmet Sauvage

New products, new formats, new packaging, and an improved website – Gourmet Sauvage has a new look!

These delicious wild products are inspired by Native American traditions and are always of very high quality.

And it’s all still under the direction of the man with the green thumb, Gerald Le Gal.

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.

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.

Producers in the Spotlight - Nielsen-Massey Vanillas

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, a family-owned and managed business, has been producing premium pure vanilla products since 1907. Its facilities are located in Waukegan, Illinois and Leeuwarden, Netherlands.

Nielsen-Massey is ISO certified and is audited annually by the American Institute of Baking, from whom it has received Superior ratings every year since 1990. All their products are kosher certified, gluten-free certified, and organic certified (since 1998).

Nielsen-Massey uses an exclusive cold extraction process to slowly and gently draw the delicate and distinctive flavour from the vanilla beans.

Producers in the Spotlight - Plantin SA

Established in the heart of Provence since 1930, the Plantin firm provides top quality truffles and wild mushrooms to discerning customers all over the world.

Plantin produces a remarkable selection of fresh and preserved truffles, dried morels, chanterelles and porcini, as well as a wide range of oils and vinegars flavoured with black truffles, white truffles or porcini.

Ari’s comments: Plantin is renowned for its top-quality products, now available to OGourmet at very competitive prices in a large assortment of truffle products.

For truffle lovers in Canada and the U.S. and enthusiastic cooks keen to discover truffles, OGourmet canned truffle products are just the thing.

Producers in the Spotlight - Caramoomel

Caramoomel Products was established in 1990 by Antonia and Alex Dudka. Since then, daughters Catalina and Anne have jumped on board to make up the rest of the team.

Their family heritage and love of natural foods have been the inspiration behind their mouth-watering artisan spreads and sauces. Most of the fruits and vegetables used to make Caramoomel spreads are grown on their own farm in Kelowna, British Colombia.

Caramoomel is certified as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE). Antonia and Catalina Dudka, shareholders of the company, were selected as honourees by the Global EXEC Women magazine for the 2009 Canadian International Women of Influence Award.