Where thereB次元官网网址檚 smoke, there could be a cure.
For Colin Stann, it turns out smoking is good for his health, and his business.
Considering the challenges of his battles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Stann initially had little desire to start a business before he launched Heathen Smokehouse from his Langford home in February.
StannB次元官网网址檚 first foray into culinary pursuits began in his teens at an EarlB次元官网网址檚 Restaurant in Calgary.
B次元官网网址淚 started as a dishwasher,B次元官网网址� said Stann. B次元官网网址淚 worked my way to kitchen leader and EarlB次元官网网址檚 put me through an apprenticeship program. I worked as a chef in Calgary and then Victoria before I decided to get out of cooking because of very little pay for long hours.B次元官网网址�
Stann did a career 180 and attended the Justice Institute of B.C. to train as a Correctional Officer. He worked at Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre, a provincial institution in Victoria for a couple of years before he got on federally with Corrections Services Canada, working at Kent Institution, a maximum-security facility on the Lower Mainland. B次元官网网址淚 worked mainly in the most dangerous units with the most challenging offenders.B次元官网网址�
Stann moved back to Victoria and worked at William Head Institution in Metchosin from 2011 until he was diagnosed with severe PTSD in 2019.
B次元官网网址淚t was a culmination of many, many things rather than one specific incident,B次元官网网址� he explained. B次元官网网址淵ou see violence on a daily basis. I was undergoing a number of different treatments and looking for something during my struggles.B次元官网网址�
He inadvertently found what he was looking for after his wife gave him a smoker for his 45th birthday in August of last year.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been therapeutic in terms of PTSD,B次元官网网址� he said regarding his efforts smoking foods with a variety of woods, including cherry, mesquite, applewood, and hickory. B次元官网网址淚t renewed my love for cooking and has helped a lot with depression. It keeps my mind occupied, and itB次元官网网址檚 something I really look forward to.B次元官网网址�
Stann decided to share packages of his smoked Gouda and cheddar, chicken, ribs, salmon, and Montreal-style beef brisket as Christmas presents for friends and family and was pleasantly surprised by the response.
READ ALSO: Pandemic doesnB次元官网网址檛 stop the PARTY program for Island students
B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 seriously consider starting a business at first,B次元官网网址� Stann said. B次元官网网址淭he restaurant industry in Victoria is extremely competitive. As word spread and more people approached me, I decided to put together a business plan. Not a lot of businesses specialize in custom smoked products.B次元官网网址�
His Montreal smoked brisket is in brine for seven days, smoked for six to seven hours, then cooled overnight before itB次元官网网址榮 steamed and packaged.
B次元官网网址淚 use a dark rum and maple glaze for the salmon,B次元官网网址� Stann noted. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 unusual, but itB次元官网网址檚 getting rave reviews from all of my customers. I use my own recipe for all my rubs and spices.B次元官网网址�
Business is growing rapidly, mostly through word of mouth and the time he spends at the Victoria Public Market. B次元官网网址淥nline ordering is really taking off,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 shipping to people across Canada. itB次元官网网址檚 really helped me interacting with people as well. A lot of people with PTSD have contacted me on social media about my product. ItB次元官网网址檚 very rewarding when someone reaches out.B次元官网网址�
Check out heathensmokehouse.com for more information.
rick.stiebel@goldstreamgazette.com
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