A lot more often than not, when we talk to ourselves what is for dinner following a long day, we end up resorting to takeout or brief-repair sandwiches with regardless of what we have readily available in the fridge. It is in no way best.
Vancouver’s latest plant-dependent foods startup Komo Ease and comfort Meals is on a mission to alter this approach with its range of feel-superior, wholesome food items made for sharing though at the same time strengthening our relationship to the world.
The corporation, which released in a North Vancouver catering kitchen in March of this 12 months, thinks plant-centered having is the future. And magical moments of sharing food stuff with loved ones is what motivated Komo from the beginning, with the brand’s identify evolving from the Spanish phrase “como” (take in) and the Japanese word “komorebi” (daylight filtering as a result of leaves).
It helps make feeling, then, that Komo is led by 3 lifelong foodies with a deep passion for the operate they do: Jeffrey Ma, a food items scientist and item innovator Frédéric Gagné, a plant-dependent chef with a wealth of world expertise and Adya Djoko, a meals operations pro who has been in the industry for above 13 many years.
Prior to joining forces at Komo, the crew spent the past ten years either working with plant-centered foodstuff or residing a plant-centered lifestyle by themselves.
“We know that a extra plant-ahead eating plan is improved for men and women, [the] world, and animals,” Ma tells Day by day Hive. “However, adopting this can be complicated.” The Komo crew confronted worries when incorporating much more plant-primarily based foods in their possess life.
This integrated a absence of plant-based possibilities primed for advantage, a lack of healthful and tasty vegan foods without additives, and also a absence of shareable plant-dependent meals out there at stores. As a outcome, with Komo, they are providing foodstuff that not only look at all of these containers but flavor exceptionally great, also.
“Vegan foods should not signify missing out on delicious, hearty meals,” says Chef Gagné. “We aim to provide this as a result of our consolation classics made plant-based. We aim to make dinnertime simple.”
Though Djoko admits “it’s been a wild ride” given that Komo entered the industry, particularly with no the ability to offer samples of their items to probable shoppers, the organization has already released 3 prepared-to-bake from frozen classics.
This contains a lasagna created with cashew bechamel, tomato lentil ragu, and tofu ricotta a chick’n pot pie with an olive oil pie crust, cashew product, and soy curls and a shepherd’s pie showcasing Yukon gold garlic mash, pea lentil crumble, and mushroom onion gravy.
Every little thing is 100% plant-centered and manufactured from scratch — from the ‘cheezy’ cashew bechamel to the olive oil pie crust to the tofu ricotta. (Comprehensive disclosure: we experimented with just about every of these dishes and can ensure they are well worth your time. Consider ooey-gooey richness and belly-filling goodness.)
“Food always tastes superior when sharing. All our merchandise are built for these foodstuff-sharing moments,” notes Ma. Image “family-dimensions and multi-serving options” to fundamentally make evening meal and all the things about it inconvenience-absolutely free.
In June, Komo went on to launch its gluten-cost-free, plant-based Meal Helpers, frozen and completely ready-to-warmth, with a BBQ taco filling with enoki mushrooms, pink lentils, and a house-designed BBQ sauce, and a bolognese sauce starring walnuts, cremini mushrooms, and lentils in a prosperous tomato sauce.
Sustainability is essential to Komo, and when the organization started off, the group commenced doing their possess product or service deliveries regionally and advertising directly by means of their web site.
“Our household-sized meals are significant, and freezer space at suppliers is frequently challenging for new manufacturers to be accepted,” explains Ma. “We also resolved to market on the web for the reason that it gives us a probability to know our customers and get suggestions from them about our products and solutions.”
When it comes to the substances made use of in Komo food items, Djoko states it’s sometimes complicated making sure offer. “We’ve noticed shortages of mushrooms, garlic, [and] tofu and have had to operate out to several regional grocery stores to seize the elements. Having said that, we’re fully commited to cooking with fresh new, healthful components in all the things we do.”
The team’s dedication to their operate has led them to pop up at local farmers’ marketplaces, and most not too long ago, transition from the catering kitchen wherever they launched to a more substantial commissary kitchen area in Vancouver.
“We’re tremendous grateful for the guidance from the community group in supporting our new plant-based mostly food stuff startup,” says Chef Gagné.
The startup a short while ago released its membership provider, so everyone can get plant-primarily based consolation food items delivered to their doorway on a regular basis — that means there’s always a little something delicious to location in the oven for busy nights, potlucks, and almost everything in among.
“In the up coming couple months, we aim [to] increase into more shops, so our products are a lot more conveniently obtainable throughout Canada,” adds Ma.
Komo solutions are presently available at The Vegetarian Butcher and The Juice Truck (Key Avenue area) in Vancouver, Larry’s Industry and United Strangers in North Vancouver, Invested Grounds Coffee Roasters in Surrey, and on-line via komocomfortfoods.com.
To understand a lot more and follow the Komo journey, test out the startup on Instagram.