Spring Fever!

Today the thermometer jumped into the 70's on a Saturday and I was thrilled to throw open the windows, throw off my shoes, and get moving! After a few months of depressing economy news, unemployment (my part time job expired in December), and cold weather keeping the dogs, baby, husband and I cooped up, today was a rebirth. Tomorrow is supposed to be just as warm; it's great for getting the creative juices flowing, especially with the extra hour of sunlight we'll gain tomorrow! Zouga has been hibernating a bit, with me getting our books in order and Kether picking up some extra shifts at Laurey's, her other "job". We're thinking of growing bigger still but have some business deals to iron down in order to do so. The website is next......I hope.

February ...

It's been pretty quiet for us the past month. After the rush of the Christmas season we've taken some time to reflect on which direction to take our business. We've been puttering along, working on the never-ending red tape of running a business, getting our taxes done, developing a business card and sample package; as well as how to package and sell our delicious product. The economy is nutso right now, with many many people losing jobs, restaurants closing left and right, and no end in sight to the "global financial meltdown". All more the reason for people to indulge in something sweet and chewy, to cheer them up and warm their discontented spirits. Buy Zouga!

The birth of Zouga....

Once upon a time Kether was pregnant with twins, (really it's only been two years, but that seems like forever ago)... and she was craving nougat, the kind she remembered eating with her relatives in France. Alas, she couldn't find any here in Asheville ; she had to send for it from the old country when she was just a (insert witty French term for little girl/tot). She called me, (I was pregnant as well) waxing poetic about the chewy nut and honey confection. She couldn't get enough! Or maybe it was the twins who couldn't?
Only one yummy bite later and I was hooked too! After many, many home batches later, we took the plunge in December, moving into the incubator kitchen here in town where we can produce nougat for the masses! We're really excited about joining 1000 markets, developing our store, and finding our adoring fans.

Cherry Almond and Salty Peanut

were clearly the big hits during the Christmas rush so we'll be keeping them around for awhile. Kether and I are working on a new flavor for Valentine's Day and also another product with the nougat that will hit a lower price point. We're brainstorming for the next two weeks to come up with a chocolatey bite-sized confection that will make us proud!

Back into the kitchen!

We hadn't planned to produce any more nougat before Christmas but thanks to our standing orders and very sucessful day at the City Market yesterday we're headed back to Blue Ridge Food Ventures to make more salty peanut and cherry almond Zouga nougat! !

We'll be at the City Market today

the last market of the season, to sell Zouga nougat together! Tomorrow we'll be back in the kitchen to make more cherry almond and salty peanut nougat because we are selling out faster than we expected! 2009 looks like it's gonna be the year of the nougat.

The BIG mixer rocks my world.