Company Quickfacts
- Victorian Epicure Inc., and our catalogue division, Epicure Selections®, is a 100% Canadian–owned and operated, woman–led company.
- Victorian Epicure Inc. was founded in 1991 in Victoria, BC, by Sylvie Rochette.
- In 1996, we created our catalogue division, Epicure Selections®, following a party plan direct sales model to distribute Victorian Epicure’s™ quality products.
- Victorian Epicure Inc. and Epicure Selections® offer the finest quality food products, using the best ingredients available in today’s world market.
- With an initial offering of 4 spice blends, Victorian Epicure Inc. now manufactures and markets more than 190 top quality spice blends, recipe selections and professional quality cookware.
- Victorian Epicure Inc.’s Home Office production and distribution facility occupies 80 acres of designated Land Reserve property on Vancouver Island.
- Victorian Epicure Inc. and Epicure Selections® are deeply committed to Corporate Social Responsibility. We are a proud member of Imagine Canada, a non-profit organization promoting the interests of Canadian charities through corporate philanthropy.
- Created in 2007, The Epicure Foundation™ is a non-profit charitable division dedicated to enhancing the lives of Canadians through education and poverty relief, with a primary focus on supporting community initiatives and organizations working to improve food security in Canada.
- The Epicure Selections® website www.epicureselections.com features company and product information, an extensive searchable recipe database, a shop online function and information on how to locate a Consultant, host an Epicure Tasting Party™ or pursue a rewarding career with Epicure.
- Our growing Epicure family now includes and benefits more than 6,000 Consultants, over 160 Home Team Members and thousands of Hostesses and Customers across the country.
- With no quotas, territories or glass ceilings, our Consultants can and do earn an annual income of up to $260,000* with their Epicure businesses.
- Epicure Selections® is the largest Canadian direct sales company in Canada.
* Earnings are calculated using the average monthly minimum and maximum income at each level multiplied by 12 months, excluding Leaders not meeting their monthly criteria. In 2007, an Independent Epicure Consultant earned an average of $138.98 per month.
Our Milestones
1991 — In the Beginning. Sylvie Rochette begins a spice blend company, Victorian Epicure Inc., to distribute a unique line of 4 products at local markets and trade shows around southern Vancouver Island.
1997 — Birth of Epicure Selections™. Our catalogue division follows a party-plan direct sales model to distribute Victorian Epicure’s™ (VE) 7 dip mixes, 9 spice blends, teas and accessories.
1998 — Our Growing Family. Independent Epicure Consultants attend Epicure Selections® first annual National Conference in Victoria, BC. Epicure Selections® introduces the Hostess Program and cookware in addition to 14 VE spice blends.
1999 — Team Epicure. VE’s Home Team begins participating in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s Run for the Cure. Epicure Selections® introduces a bimonthly newsletter to keep Consultants informed and recognize their achievements.
2000 — Sowing the Seeds. Epicure Selections® introduces fundraising folders for Consultants to raise money for local charities. VE products obtain Kosher certification and the product line grows to 19 global seasonings. Epicure Selections® includes cookware products in the Hostess Program.
2001 — Celebrating Success. Victorian Epicure Inc. recognizes 10 years with an ever-expanding product line. Epicure Selections® celebrates four years in direct sales with our first Consultant incentive trip to New Orleans.
2002 — Building on Great Taste. Epicure’s family of Independent Consultants continues to grow. The fifth National Annual Conference moves from the kitchen table to the boardroom. Epicure Selections® becomes a member of Imagine Canada, a non-profit organization that promotes the interests of Canadian charities through corporate philanthropy.
2003 — Through the Grapevine. Epicure buys 80 acres of designated Agricultural Land on Vancouver Island’s Saanich Peninsula for VE’s Home Office production and distribution facilities. We plant our first crop of 3,000 Pinot Noir vines. Epicure introduces the Thunderbird pin, recognizing our new Unit Leaders for their courage, perseverance, loyalty and grace.
2004 — Beyond Borders. Sylvie Rochette volunteers her services in Madagascar with Dentists without Borders and sponsors a large local family. Epicure Selections’® charitable contributions increase to 3.52 per cent of pretax profits. Epicure vineyard flourishes and VE product line expands. Home Office adds a second shipping and distribution warehouse. Epicure Selections® introduces the Caring and Sharing Award to recognize exceptional contributions of our Consultants.
2005 — Reaping what we Sow. First grape harvest. Epicure Selections® launches the Make Poverty History campaign, distributing bracelets and matching Consultants’ November Food Bank contributions. Epicure Selections® increases charitable contributions to 5 per cent of pretax profits. Sylvie expands aid in Madagascar, sponsoring a medical dispensary for an entire village.
2006 — Cultivating Abundance. Epicure’s family of Consultants grows. VE product line expands and transitions to an exclusive line of VE cookware. Epicure Selections® offers three full catalogues per year along with nation-wide Product Launches. Epicure Selections® launches the Share your Abundance bracelet campaign to support the Canadian Association of Food Banks. Epicure Selections® reaches a new record for charitable contributions and sponsors our eighth child through World Vision.
2007 — Taking the Lead. Victorian Epicure Inc. and Epicure Selections® formally launch the Corporate Social Responsibility program, ensuring we conduct business with social and environmental accountability. Home Office implements a comprehensive recycling and waste management program and begins several species and ecosystem restoration projects on our property. Victorian Epicure Inc. announces Epicure Foundation™, a charitable division dedicated to supporting community initiatives through funding and in-kind donations. Epicure Foundation™ launches our first annual Community Initiative National Grant Program. Epicure Selections® celebrates its 10th Anniversary.
2008 — The Gift of Epicure™. Epicure Foundation’s™ Community Initiative National Grant Program allocates more than $40,000 in funding and in-kind donations to grassroots food security initiatives across Canada. Victorian Epicure Inc. launches Epicure Services division to best meet the needs of our growing Epicure family. The Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce recognizes Victorian Epicure Inc.’s commitment to offering an outstanding work environment with the 2008 Employer of the Year Crystal Award for Business Excellence. Epicure vineyard hosts FarmFolkCityFolk Society’s annual Feast of Fields event to educate the public about local food sources.
Today — Soaring Success. The Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce again recognizes Victorian Epicure Inc.’s outstanding business achievements and commitment to providing an exceptional work environment with the 2009 Business of the Year and 2009 Employer of the Year Crystal Awards for Business Excellence. Victorian Epicure also won the Business of the Year (76+ employees) at the Victoria Chamber of Commerce 2009 Greater Victoria Business Awards. Now, with more than 190 VE spice blends and cookware products, over 6000 Independent Epicure Consultants nationwide and more than 160 Home Team Members, we look back on our milestones with pride and look forward to future contributions to the lives and communities of Canadians with confidence, commitment and excitement.
“From a payroll of one – me! – the Epicure family has expanded to include and benefit countless Canadians. I am so proud of the incredible contribution our family is making to lives and communities across Canada!” — Sylvie Rochette, President and Founder
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