- Story by Hans Tammemagi Photography by Don Denton

West Saanich Road is the quintessential thoroughfare of Vancouver Island, winding delightfully through shady stands of towering Douglas firs bordered by farms with sheep and horses, and passing the occasional roadside stand, where hand-printed signs advertise local flowers, eggs and vegetables.

At the northern end of this bucolic road, I turn onto the driveway that leads me to , the local company that creates recipes for healthy, nutritious dishes, using its own seasonings and sauces, and sells meal kits, food and cookware throughout North America.

Nestled in the backcountry of North Saanich, the Epicure property, including headquarters and warehouses, sits on a 30-acre farm.

Inside the large main building, Amelia Warren, the energetic CEO, explains that Epicure, with about 250 employees, is one of the largest private firms on Vancouver Island. Its dishes are easy to prepare and taste delicious, yet are fast, affordable and香蕉视频直播攎ost importantly香蕉视频直播攈ealthy and nutritious.

香蕉视频直播淥ur motto,香蕉视频直播� she says, 香蕉视频直播渋s 香蕉视频直播楪ood food. Real fast.香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈��

Obviously, the formula works, and Epicure香蕉视频直播檚 business has doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In describing a few of the company香蕉视频直播檚 hundreds of seasonings, sauces, meal kits and cookware香蕉视频直播攁s listed in its catalogue and website, alongside recipes and appealing photos香蕉视频直播擜melia says Epicure香蕉视频直播檚 products break down to about 80 per cent food products and 20 per cent cookware used for preparing the dishes.

I get hunger pangs just looking at the scrumptious photos.

Amelia香蕉视频直播檚 belief in her products is demonstrated as she describes the family dinners she is making this week. Each is Epicure-based and includes items like rotisserie chicken, donair and Greek salad.

香蕉视频直播淚 love Epicure dishes because they香蕉视频直播檙e healthy, tasty and easy to make,香蕉视频直播� she says.

A team of 10香蕉视频直播攊ncluding chefs, nutritionists, dietitians and food scientists香蕉视频直播攊s devoted to creating about 60 new products each year.

香蕉视频直播淭hey香蕉视频直播檙e well-qualified, but most importantly they香蕉视频直播檙e free thinkers, who love going outside the box,香蕉视频直播� explained team leader Crystal McGregor,Epicure香蕉视频直播檚 VP of products.

Ingredients are sourced from around the world香蕉视频直播攕ome seasoning mixes contain 17 herbs and spices香蕉视频直播攁nd quality is crucial. Amelia is closely involved, tastes all the dishes and her approval is necessary to bring a product to market.

Crystal has several favourite creations, but the Super Hero Breakfast Cookie stands out.

香蕉视频直播淢ost people skimp on protein at breakfast. Hence, this recipe was created, featuring our awesome protein blend. I love that you can eat a cookie for breakfast and feel good about it.香蕉视频直播�

Amelia speaks highly of her mother, Sylvie Rochette, who founded Epicure. Sylvie was well ahead of the food-curve, making nutritious easy-to-prepare dishes in the early 1990s. She created sauces and spice blends and sold them to friends and at farmers香蕉视频直播� markets; she was so successful, she decided to expand and, in 1997, selected direct sales as her sales method. This means her products are sold香蕉视频直播攍ike Tupperware or Avon香蕉视频直播攖hrough consultants, who have a stake in the success of the company. Epicure has been charging ahead ever since.

Amelia, who took over as CEO in 2010, says, 香蕉视频直播淢y mom is a hard worker and very courageous. It was a bold step to enter into direct sales without any previous experience in the channel. She isan extraordinaryentrepreneur.香蕉视频直播�

Today, none of Epicure香蕉视频直播檚 products are found in stores, even though, thanks to their ease of preparation and innovative tastes, they would sell well. Epicure香蕉视频直播檚 香蕉视频直播渃onsultants香蕉视频直播� hold cooking classes online or in people香蕉视频直播檚 homes that are effective, popular and successful.

Crystal is enthusiastic about the direct-sales marketing method.

香蕉视频直播淲e want to inspire good and help people,香蕉视频直播� she says. 香蕉视频直播淥ur consultants can start their own entrepreneurial business for less than $200, be their own boss, and earn as little or as much as they want. It香蕉视频直播檚 wonderful to know Epicure is also building leaders and giving consumers an opportunity to buy locally, supporting local business!香蕉视频直播�

Epicure is located in North Saanich. Amelia grew up in Victoria and believes 香蕉视频直播渢his is one of best places in the world to live.香蕉视频直播�

She enjoys hiking and immersing herself in the beautiful nature of Vancouver Island. She has a two-year-old daughter, and her husband, Kyle Vucko, the co-founder of Indochino, also works in the business.

Amelia香蕉视频直播檚 caring and compassion form a vital part of Epicure, which helps its clients live healthier lives and gives to less-advantaged people in many ways.

香蕉视频直播淢y favourite program,香蕉视频直播� she says, 香蕉视频直播渋s our Buy One, Share One program. For every mac and cheese sold, we donate one meal to Feeding America or Food Banks of Canada. Last year we donated just over 750,000 meals.香蕉视频直播�

Leaving, I hear chickens clucking and I pass an organic vegetable garden. Turning onto West Saanich Road, I香蕉视频直播檓 pleased that this vigorous, innovative company, tucked away in our own backyard, is bringing health and nutrition to North America.

This story originally ran in PEARL, the magazine for Sidney and North Saanich, British Columbia.