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prospective retailers . Their enthusiasm for selling a locally made product propelled him forward . In March 2019 , Larry launched Frères Jacques , producer of Tony ’ s Pâté .
Today , Tony ’ s Pâté is sold at a dozen specialty food stores and St . Norbert Farmers ’ Market , where you will find Larry selling direct to shoppers . Tasting it triggers nostalgic memories of family dinners for many samplers , like it does for him . Parents share rave reviews it gets from their children enjoying a smear of it on a cracker . “ I love meeting people ” states Jacques . When sampling scenarios were disrupted during the pandemic , Larry found a solution by prepackaging samples to preserve his ' try before you buy ' experience .
This small company belies the production this sole proprietor has managed to achieve to keep up with demand . Everything gets done in a commercial kitchen in Riverview of about 900 square feet . Only a grinder , a convection oven and vacuum sealer are needed – along with determination and grit . Production is time consuming and labour intensive .
A typical production day starts at 6:30 am and can easily run twelve hours . Larry starts by chopping onion and garlic before shifting to chopping and
grinding meat . Only a few easily pronounceable seasonings are added to his main ingredient , including cultured celery powder to cure and preserve the pâté for a 7-day shelf life . In a twelve-hour day , 100 lbs of pork are turned into 175 bricks of pâté . He chuckles , “ it is a real labour of love !”
For the holiday season , production increases and volume doubles to 200 lbs each week , translating into one half tonne of pork processed per month . From hauling heavy boxes loaded with groceries to chopping , grinding and baking the meat , Tony ’ s Pâté is the product of one man , except for the help of his wife on packing day .
Larry ’ s exuberance is paying off . A decadent smoked trout spreadable pâté added in 2021 is intended to pair with the pork on a board – and it is winning fast favour . Most sales now include both pâtés .
What does the future hold ? Expansion is in the works as he prepares to launch a vegetarian mushroom option . Enlisting more stockists is high on his priority list too .
As the charcuterie craze continues , Larry sees the hospitality sector as a viable area of growth . Not every restaurant is equipped to make its own artisanal pâté and his is poised to be the perfect solution .
Embrace Winter !
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Select from our exclusive collection of shearling coats and jackets for men and women , as well as hats , slippers , mitts , gloves , boots and much more for all the snow lovers in your life .
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1 . Children ’ s mitts ... from infant to youth 2 . Hats for outdoor adventures 3 . Men ’ s and women ’ s mitts 4 . Slippers to kick around the house 5 . Earmuffs ... fun and warm 6 . Shearling coats and jackets 7 . Shearling boots
ciao ! / dec / jan / two thousand twenty-two 45