Kat Gellerman has been in the food business for a long time, both in restaurants and supplies.
The business is changing constantly, and staying on top of changes is one of the strategies behind her new shop, ChefSense Supplies, in downtown Courtenay, on Vancouver Island.
One trend she notes is new products that help cut down on waste, such as a straw from Germany that is edible, produced from apple pulp and wheat.
BԪַIt tastes like fruit leather,BԪַ she says. BԪַIt lasts in your drink for about an hour and 15 minutes, till it gets to the consistency so you can eat it.BԪַ
Other examples of these kinds of compostable or biodegradable products include straws made from corn or cutlery made out of sugar.
BԪַThereBԪַs always new businesses popping up that are doing something different,BԪַ she says. BԪַPeople are always looking for different alternatives.BԪַ
As evidence, she says after one month in business, not a single customer has asked for a foam product, and she has probably only given out two dozen bags because people bring their own.
BԪַI really like that,BԪַ she says. BԪַPeople are really with it here.BԪַ
These provide just a few examples of ways people are rethinking how they eat and cook, from the sources of their food to the implements they use to how they dispose of leftover waste.
BԪַThings change in the industry. Everything is used. A lot of stuff in the kitchen is so versatile. People use it for more than just what itBԪַs intended for,BԪַ she says.
Gellerman is putting together online shopping for customers in the near future (chefsense.ca), saying most chefs like to shop that way because they are busy people. ChefSense Supplies delivers three days a week to Campbell River and three days a week in the Comox Valley area.
Her Facebook page is www.facebook.com/ChefSenseSupplies/
mike.chouinard@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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