Grace&I was established by Mina & her business partner, true foodies at heart devoted to sharing extraordinary gourmet products handcrafted to perfection in small batches. They love to create new exciting, enticing, and delightful products for other fellow foodies.
Tell us about your product/company/service.
True culinary Artisans devoted to small batch originals. Our distinct touch is infused in creating extraordinary collections of Fruit+Nut Press boards, Turshi Condiments, and Seasonal Preserves; all of which are made with predominately locally-sourced ingredients and our promise to sharing naturally-healthy gourmet foods. We are committed to maintaining our mark of sophistication and exclusivity. Similarly, we have incorporated high standards as a business with Green Certification and dedicated supporters of Local Farms+Markets and those raising awareness about living well & eating organic.
I am most proud of our dedication to create, our excitement to share, and our genuine promise to excellence, both in product and in service. I love the mixing of historical tradition+innovative passion together to create outside-the-box unique products. The best part is sharing them with others, followed by a smile and "Ooh WoW, Ooh that was Awesome! You got to try this." And again shared with others.
What do you hope to accomplish through providing quality products?
A lasting memory. A connection.
Do you personally know the farmers that produce your products?
We know most of the local farmers and/or farms where we select our produce from, some of which we hand select the fruit ourselves! One of the growers we work with from the Santa Monica Farmer's Market is Scott Farms from Tulare, CA (Organic varieties of plums for our Plum+Barberry Turshi, Organic Plum Preserve, and we dehydrate slices of the plums for the Fruit+Nut Press). Another is Peacock Farms -Peppers and Mixed Baby Eggplants for our Roasted Eggplant Turshi and products that have peppers. We also use organic carrots, celery, cauliflower, and herbs from local growers at Jaime Farms of Ontario, CA. Organic apples from Fair Hills Farm of Santa Ynez. Organic figs based on what we can find from Garcia Organic Farm in Fallbrook, CA. Several fruits are not native to the United States and are not grown locally yet, we always do our best to source the best and freshest selection.
Is there anyone else on your “team”?
The golden touch of my mother, the meticulous detail of our devoted Artisan, the innovative hands of our Le Cordon Bleu chef, and growing team of highly skilled crew.
How often do you come out with new products? Are you working on anything new?
Creating new products comes through inspiration, through an experience that sparks a dedication. We are excitedly working on a new Fruit+Nut Press Collection which we can't wait to debut in 2013.....it's totally awesome!
How did you get into this “line of business”?
Food has always been, is, and always will be a central part of our family.
What did you do before this
Designing men's clothing.
What was the spark that led you to working with food?
It was in a single moment. A moment when I felt the incredible potential of creativity, the underlying presence of tradition, and the sweetness of sharing it with others, all at the same time.
Where do you find the inspiration for the products/flavors you select for your portfolio?
My mother. She has a golden touch like none other. She has taught me every taste I have known since birth. There are certain moments, certain aromatic foods and particular flavors that bring memories of home, of laughter, of love, of grace.
What do you see as the biggest benefit (s) you offer to your retailers and consumers?
Truth. The beauty and uniqueness of what you see is truly what you experience when eaten or shared with others.
Of all the millions of food products you could have specialized in, why these?
Because each is truly a work of art. Handcrafted to perfection. Each uniquely memorable when shared and unforgettable when experienced.
