The Perfect Marriage

Provisions Food Company

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Lori and I share a common ground.  We were both involved in the food and wine industry prior to starting our businesses.  I spent my hospitality career in the front of the house (as a server/manager) and Lori spent her time in both the front and the back of the house (she wore many hats, as you will soon read in the interview below).

Our pasts still play a role in our present.  I spent over a decade in the food and wine industry. During that time I gained a true appreciation for how and why a Chef plates his/her food, and that appreciation has translated into the work I make today.  I consider how my tableware will be used in the hands of the person holding it, and how the chef (professional, or non) will use my work as a canvas for their presentation. 

That is why Lori and I always say Provisions and shed are "the perfect marriage." Lori has created a business and product that represents all that she has pursued in her past life. Provisions is what Niagara is all about it.  It's about local ingredients. It's about creating an experience with the food and wine on your table.  It's about appreciating the finer things in life.  

If you haven't had an opportunity to try any of the many delicious Provisions products: jellies, fruit pastes, pickles, and shortbreads (sweet & savoury), this coming weekend is your chance! Provisions is guaranteed to enhance your holiday entertaining needs.  Come speak with Lori and her team to get suggestions on pairings, and excellent stocking stuffer ideas. 

Here's a quick interview I had with Lori:

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Why did you start Provisions?
I wanted to combine all the skills and experiences I had gathered being in the food and wine industry and channel them into a business that I could call my own. I love food and wanted to provide the wineries with yummy treats for their visitors that paired well with wine.

How long have you been in business?
Six years in February! So much hard work and so many challenges along the way, but I would not want to be doing anything else.

What did you do before this?

• I wrote the Harrow Fair Cookbook with my sister in 2010.
• Wrote food articles for the local newspaper.
• Managed a cheese store in Niagara on the Lake.
• Recieved a biology degree from Brock.
• Worked in restaurants and catered for local wineries.
• Did a stint in a vineyard.
• Managed a kitchen garden.
• Lots of cool stuff...lol!

Where do you source your ingredients?
For our condiments we are able to buy fruit directly from farmers in Niagara. I love visiting the farms to pick up the fruit. For other key ingredients like cheese for the shortbread, we try to buy high quality Canadian cheeses. We want you to know instantly what flavour we are going for, so big flavour is important.

What’s your best seller?
The savoury Shortbreads and the Fruit & Wine jams. The red pepper jelly seems to have a cult following as well.

Can you recommend one of your favourite pairings with a Provisions fruit paste?

• ​​Pear and Riesling jam with blue cheese is a dynamite combination!
• Cherry and Merlot jam with aged cheddar.
• Red pepper jelly and brie… I could go on!

Any final thoughts for the folks who will be visiting you at the shed & Friends Christmas Open House?
I am so grateful for the support and friendship I find with other makers in our community… so any chance I have to be a part of an event like this is wonderful!

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Visit Provisions website to see a full product listing ☟

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