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!

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.

First Press Release!

"We're selling the nougat at Laurey's in Asheville and she announced our arrival in her nKether, our recent sous chef (remember, she left because she had twins?) is off and running with a new venture: handmade nougat candy. She and a friend, another new mother, have a new candy-making company. The candy is made in our local "value added" facility (not in their home kitchen).I tried their nougat at a party and REALLY liked it! These little square puffs melt away like soft a wisp of a cloud. Take a bite. Drift. Float. Dream. You COULD go to France to try the candy made in Provence. Or, if you don't feel like traveling right now, just come here. Zouga Nougat. Cool.

Thank you Laurey!

So much to do,

not nearly enough baby free hours to work in. Tomorrow we'll finish printing our labels, Thursday we go back to the kitchen to package the rest of the first batch of nougat as well as meet with someone to review our business plan, and Sunday we'll go back to start on batch two. Whew! We've got orders to fill, thank goodness, and we'd love to get our Zouga in stores in town by the middle of the week.

It's really that good.

Okay, you can't even imagine how much nougat we've eaten over the last few months. Yet I can't stop eating the walnut raisin Zouga. Kether sent me home with the scraps from the first batch, tiny bite size noogies, if you will, and I've actually put them out of sight to stop myself.

We started the time consuming, labor intensive process of handcutting and hand packaging the first batch of nougat. We packed a ton of samples and about 50 bars on our first go round. Plus more than a few Christmas presents. We'll go back Monday to finish?!

searching for really good nougat?

Maybe your online search for nougat led you here?
Maybe you've had an irresistible craving for nougat like you ate in France, sampled in Italy, or remember Grandma serving every year at Christmas? Whatever led you to us, we here at Zouga believe we are the next best thing. We just have to complete the dream and get the nougat to you.

The first four batches have been made: salty peanut, cherry almond, walnut raisin, and cranberry pumpkin seed. We just have to cut the product, package it, and label it. This first batch will mostly stay local, being placed in stores in Asheville, and sold to wonderful supportive friends and family. The proceeds from this batch will help us develop our online store and purchase high quality ingredients, locally, whenever possible. We're developing this blog to chronicle our journey. Look for us very soon in Asheville, NC, at Creme, Laurey's Catering, Chef Cargo, and Kress Emporium.