The month of June and the beginning of summer herald the season when gardens are full of fresh, crunchy vegetables that make us want to create colorful and nutritious salads.
Although olive oils and balsamic vinegars are by far only reserved for garnishing salads, we are still taking advantage of this moment to introduce you to a local company that offers a superb range of extra virgin olive oils and tasty balsamics.
Let Catherine, founder of Olives et gourmandises, tell us about her company and her products.
COMPANY SHEET
Company Name : Olives and delicacies
Year of foundation : 2014
Location : Saint-Georges-de-Beauce
Owners : Catherine Veilleux and Sabrina Paré
Gourmet shop:
How did you come to create your company?
Catherine:
During my travels in Europe, I discovered what real good olive oil was, its great taste, but also its many health benefits. I quickly understood that this food was an essential in the kitchen and that it could help us stay healthy while adding an exceptional flavor to our dishes. I fell in love with olive oil as one can fall in love with the world of wines. I finally wanted to introduce this wonderful product to Quebecers.
Gourmet shop:
Which of your products is the most popular?
Catherine:
Tuscan Herb Olive Oil is our most popular product. Its exquisite flavor, which pairs well with both meat and vegetables, is a delight to everyone.
Gourmet shop:
And you personally, what is your favorite product?
Catherine :
I love blood orange olive oil . It's an explosion of flavor in your mouth. This oil is very versatile, it can be used as a marinade for chicken or as a vinaigrette for a fruity salad. It's also excellent in cakes and muffins.
Gourmet shop:
Do you have any unusual or particularly tasty suggestions for using your products?
Catherine :
I like to replace the butter on my popcorn with buttered olive oil. I get the flavor of butter and the health benefits of olive oil.
Just like I love to spice up my breakfast potatoes with bacon olive oil .
And when I want to make a dairy-free garlic butter, I simply mix garlic olive oil , butter olive oil , and lemon olive oil , and add herbs or parsley depending on my mood. It's so tasty!
Gourmet shop:
Basically, your products do not come from Quebec, but you still collaborate with local artisans.
Catherine :
Indeed, we know that olives are not grown in Quebec, however, we collaborate with local artisanal businesses. We have created a smoked olive oil in collaboration with Les As du Fumoir de Bury and a garlic flower olive oil thanks to a partnership with Ferme A. Toulouse , a company from Beauce, our region.
We greatly appreciate these collaborations.
Gourmet shop:
Olives et gourmandises is mainly known for its olive oils and balsamic vinegars, but you also offer other products.
Catherine :
We are constantly adding new products to our range, including two salad dressings. We have also created a collection of house spice blends which are very popular.
Gourmet shop:
Olives et gourmandises celebrated its 10th anniversary last month. Congratulations! We hope you will continue to offer us your excellent products for a long time to come.