- 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害羞草研究所攎ost importantly害羞草研究所攈ealthy and nutritious.

害羞草研究所淥ur motto,害羞草研究所� she says, 害羞草研究所渋s 害羞草研究所楪ood food. Real fast.害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟

Obviously, the formula works, and Epicure害羞草研究所檚 business has doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In describing a few of the company害羞草研究所檚 hundreds of seasonings, sauces, meal kits and cookware害羞草研究所攁s listed in its catalogue and website, alongside recipes and appealing photos害羞草研究所擜melia says Epicure害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檚 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.

害羞草研究所淚 love Epicure dishes because they害羞草研究所檙e healthy, tasty and easy to make,害羞草研究所� she says.

A team of 10害羞草研究所攊ncluding chefs, nutritionists, dietitians and food scientists害羞草研究所攊s devoted to creating about 60 new products each year.

害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檙e well-qualified, but most importantly they害羞草研究所檙e free thinkers, who love going outside the box,害羞草研究所� explained team leader Crystal McGregor,Epicure害羞草研究所檚 VP of products.

Ingredients are sourced from around the world害羞草研究所攕ome seasoning mixes contain 17 herbs and spices害羞草研究所攁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.

害羞草研究所淢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.害羞草研究所�

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害羞草研究所� 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害羞草研究所攍ike Tupperware or Avon害羞草研究所攖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, 害羞草研究所淢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.害羞草研究所�

Today, none of Epicure害羞草研究所檚 products are found in stores, even though, thanks to their ease of preparation and innovative tastes, they would sell well. Epicure害羞草研究所檚 害羞草研究所渃onsultants害羞草研究所� hold cooking classes online or in people害羞草研究所檚 homes that are effective, popular and successful.

Crystal is enthusiastic about the direct-sales marketing method.

害羞草研究所淲e want to inspire good and help people,害羞草研究所� she says. 害羞草研究所淥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害羞草研究所檚 wonderful to know Epicure is also building leaders and giving consumers an opportunity to buy locally, supporting local business!害羞草研究所�

Epicure is located in North Saanich. Amelia grew up in Victoria and believes 害羞草研究所渢his is one of best places in the world to live.害羞草研究所�

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害羞草研究所檚 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.

害羞草研究所淢y favourite program,害羞草研究所� she says, 害羞草研究所渋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.害羞草研究所�

Leaving, I hear chickens clucking and I pass an organic vegetable garden. Turning onto West Saanich Road, I害羞草研究所檓 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.