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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-04-05, Page 13Wednesday, April 5, 2006 Exeter Times–Advocate 13 Garlic Box brings flavour to Hensall By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF HENSALL — "The next couple of years will be exciting and we're perched for growth. 2006 will be the year for the Garlic Box and we're ready," says Garlic Box owner Jackie Rowe who recently returned from a trade show in England with a prestigious award as well as a world of opportunities for growth. Rowe was at the Food and Drink Expo March 19-22 in Birmingham, England which is one of the United Kingdom's most important exhibi- tions for promoting food and drink products and ser- vices. As well as contacts for business oppor- tunities, Rowe came home with the International Taster Award for her horseradish garlic. It is the first inter- national award the company has won and Rowe said she is honoured to receive it. With the Garlic Box looking at the international mar- ket, Rowe said the award is a nice thing to go into it with. The Garlic Box produces a range of garlic products including preserves, sauces/dressings, condiments and sea- sonings. It was founded in 1998 as a mail order catalogue company as part of Perth Garlic Farms. The garlic industry suffered for the next few years due to weather conditions and being unable to compete with low cost Chinese imports but the industry is slowly recovering. Rowe said the United Kingdom market is complex and the company Garlic Box owner Jackie Rowe holds a few of her products as well as her International Taster Award, which she won recently at a food and drink exhibition in England for her horseradish garlic. (photo/Pat Bolen) wants to understand it before trying to sell there. "It's ethnically diverse...there's areas we can't com- pete and we have to specialize." Rowe said people in the United Kingdom are "food- ies" who look for quality and are careful about the food chain of prod- ucts they consume. "You can't just throw it in there and expect it will go," said Rowe. It has been a steady expansion for the Garlic Box, "from a table top to a million dollar company," accord- ing to Rowe, who says she has taken a slow and steady approach. Just after return- ing from England, Rowe attended a consumer show in Toronto last week which she said is a high calibre show with well informed consumers. Rowe said "the wellness genera- tion" understands the merits of garlic as "a value added food" that can be used with any cook- ing style especially the slow cooking trend that is grow- ing in popularity. She said the busi- ness introduces products twice a year with many of the ideas for prod- ucts consumer dri- ven. Some product fields are crowded and Rowe said the Garlic Box doesn't do items just because they are popular. She said the most popular product of the business for five years is a garlic mashed potatoe sea- soning that a chef advised her not to make. "It's a feather in our cap." she says. A recently intro- duced product is Ultimate Garlic Steak Splash, which is a liquid seasoning in a squirt bottle which Rowe said adds "layers of flavour" and has been well received. The company has three full time staff in Hensall who Rowe said drive the business. "They're incredi- ble and they make it happen." Rowe said she is looking at expand- ing the business but wants to build up sales before making the expenditure. "I'm absolutely surprised it has gone this well." Rowe said the company is balanc- ing expansion against ensuring the quality of the prod- ucts she sells. "The bigger we get, the more the food safety responsi- bilities get tougher...I'm letting it grow naturally but I have a distance vision." The Best Deal in Toronto From just * 1,o p g Stay at Toronto's newest Luxury All Suite hotel For more information visit us at www.onekingwest.com or call toll free at 1 -866 -470 -KING (5464) Ask about our Lord of the Rings package! The Suites at 1 King West 1 King Street West, Toronto, ON MSH 1,41 *Rates are subject to availability, based on double occupancy, and valid on studio suites only. Premiums apply to upgraded suites Varna residents enjoy lots of fun activities By Joan Beierling VARNA CORRESPONDENT VARNA -The community of Varna roll out the red carpet and welcomes, Jocelyn Dawn Smith, daughter of Kim and Everett and granddaughter of Don and Lorraine Taylor and Ralph and Marianne Smith. Congratulations all around. Welcome also to the new villagers: Rick and Lori Behnish and their children Josh, Kendall and Rachael. The Crokinole Club met for their season wrap-up. Side A champs for the night were Joe Fulop, 50 points, Conrad Sitter 43 points and Ivan McClymont 3 points. Side B win- ners: Bernice Reid 54 points, Marg Hayter 53 points and Ralph Stephenson 52 points.. The Club will gather for supper at the White Carnation Apri111 at 6 p.m. The Stanlee Seniors are advised that their next meeting is April 13, 2 p.m. at the Complex. The Varna Goshen Time & Talent Auction was a roaring success due to the combined efforts of many. A special thank you to everyone who came out to make it wonderful evening. Thanks also to band mem- bers, Blaine Stephenson, Bill Linfield, Ken de Vries, Cam Laurie - for an informal group they sounded great! Thanks to Sandra Wolliston for singing despite technical diffi- culties - the mark of a true per- former! Thanks to The Carry On Cloggers giving us a taste of what's to come with their Reel Movies, show April 9 at Blyth. And thanks to Bob Heywood - as always a job well done! The annual canoe takes off April 9, for information please call Jim Kirton 223-7103 or Sandra Turner 263-5350. Sunday's worship service was at the Varna Church. The choir enjoyed their new chairs, thanks to the Stewards and the prompt work of Doug Reid. Brenda Consitt lit the Christ candle calling the congrega- tion to worship and Pastor Elly spoke to the children about deci- phering instructions or having someone show you the way as did Jesus in his teaching. The children will be part of next Sunday's Palm parade using their enthusiasm and marching band instruments to commemorate Jesus, joyful entrance to Jerusalem. The Palm Sunday service will be at the Varna Church at 10:30. Annual meeting for Hurondale Women's Institute onApril 26 Submitted by Bev Campbell EXETER - On Wed., March 29, 12 members of Hurondale WI and one guest met at the Huron Restaurant for lunch. After much enjoyment and laughter, the group proceeded to the home of Mabel Hern for the actual meet- ing. President Fern Dougall read a poem and then opened the meet- ing in usual form with the Institute Ode and Mary Stewart Collect. The roll call on signs of spring followed. A few dates of interest to the group were discussed. The District Annual is May 18 at the Legion Hall in Grand Bend. Huron WI will be hosts for the District Picnic on Tues., July 4, here in Exeter. The meeting was turned over to June Stewart for the programme She started with a poem and an article on "Spring Cleaning". Mabel Hern gave a very thought- ful composition of the motto "Life without friends is like a garden without flowers". Helen Webber introduced the guest speaker, Alma Langford, who is always so entertaining. Alma spoke on "How I knew it was spring when I was a child". Her recollections of tapping maple trees, gathering eggs for hatching and seeing the first flowers brought back many happy memories to the group. Helen Webber thanked Alma with a gift of appreciation. June Stewart closed the programme with a poem. The next meeting will be the annual meeting starting at the Huron Restaurant at 5 p.m. on Wed., April 26 before going to Marian Dougall's home. The afternoon ended with a social hour and refreshments. Gail Baker Esthetics 496 Main St. Exeter 235-0835 $5 OFF PEDICURE $5 DONATED TO MORRISON TRAIL COUPON MUST BE REDEEMED BY APRIL 29 Have a Pedicure in APRIL/06 to receive a $5 discount and we'll donate $5 to Morrison Trail Limited Space Available CALL NOW!