Enjoy a hint of pumpkin spice from Stephanie

Stephanie, who spent much of her early years in Brussels, has set up Artisan Pumpkin Spice Blend, a small business to produce and market her innovative pumpkin spice that’s she is making in her home kitchen approved to hygiene standards for food production. She’s another fine example of Northern Ireland’s developing cadre of ambitious kitchen table entrepreneurs.

She’s demonstrating that pumpkin spice is a quintessential and warming spice especially for autumn and winter and isn’t just for Halloween and the pumpkin pie so popular in the US. The new spice is based on her own blend which she’s been using for some considerable time and can be used to add distinctive flavours to food at any time of the year.

“My focus is on fresh spice because it’s so much stronger that others which have been on the shelves for months,” continues Stephanie.

The success of the pumpkin spice, which is already on sale in many delis in Northern Ireland, has encouraged the enterprising and energetic sole trader Stephanie, a mother of two young boys – Maximilien (8) and Sebastien (1) – to start looking for separate premises to develop and make the fresh spice and other products in her plans.

Married to Ciaran, a consultant histopathologist, Stephanie was encouraged by a close friend to turn the pumpkin spice she used in her dishes into a commercial product. Her pumpkin spice is the first ground in Northern Ireland.

“I had taken time out from a career in administration at Ulster University when I was expecting Sebastien and was also searching for worthwhile work I could also do at home,” Stephanie explains. “I’ve always loved cooking and entertaining – before Covid-19 of course – and was encouraged by a close friend to think about developing an artisan business to sell the unique pumpkin spice I use to enhance the flavours of a variety of dishes such as pies, drinks and other desserts. The fresh spice is so versatile and is great for stews, pasta, with oven roasted vegetables, popcorn, rice pudding and warm milk.”

She subsequently sought advice and assistance from Foodovation, part of the North West Regional College in Londonderry, which has a tremendous record of helping start-up and smaller enterprises to turn smart food ideas into products for consumers here and abroad.

Stephanie continues: “The team at Foodovation was very knowledgeable and supportive in helping me take the necessary action to prepare the spice for a wider marketplace. It’s a tremendous facility for start-up and other smaller food enterprises.”

What Stephanie has created is a potent blend of fresh spices with pumpkin including cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger which is available in recyclable paper bags featuring an eye-catching label created by top local designer Janet Miller of Kiso Arts in Portrush.

“I wanted labelling that would help to catch the attention of shoppers and so decided to seek Janet’s help. Janet has created a fabulous image for my spice product. It’s a delightful and colourful work of art and calligraphy thant’s already attracting very positive feedback from retailers and shoppers here,” she adds.

Stephanie’s passion for good food was also shaped during her 18 years spent growing up in Brussels, the Belgian capital which has become one of Europe’s food

hubs. Several Belgian eateries including Hof van Cleve in Kruishoutem in Flanders have been listed among the world’s Top 50 Restaurants.

“I lived in Belgium until I was 18. I went to school and college there before qualifying for university and a place at Ulster University in Coleraine. Stephanie, who has family links with Northern Ireland subsequently graduated with a degree in Leisure and Event Management. And it was in nearby Portstewart that she met Ciaran Flynn, her husband-to-be, who was then a medical student at the university. They set up home in Portrush after marriage. “We both love the location and the community in Portrush,” Stephanie explains.

“There’s also now an impressive group of local food entrepreneurs keen on collaborating with each on various initiatives. Taste Causeway also does much to help smaller companies particularly in terms of marketing opportunities. I’ve visited markets such as the monthly event in Coleraine which attracts a broad range of artisan producers.”

Stephanie developed a successful career in event management with several local councils including Causeway Coast and Glen and Belfast which brought her into contact with many artisan food producers. “I’ve been inspired by the host of artisan entrepreneurs now developing in many parts of Northern Ireland especially in the Taste Causeway region. Their stories are hugely encouraging,” Stephanie adds.

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