More than 1,000 entrepreneurs from across Canada are having a massive picnic on the front lawn of the Fairmont Empress Hotel on Aug. 11 as part of Epicure Selections' annual national conference. Epicure is the Saanich Peninsula-based company founded by Sylvie Rochette that supplies spices, seasoning mixes, gourmet food and cookware to more than 14,000 private sellers from coast to coast. The company employs 150 at its headquarters and is the largest Fed Ex shipper in Western Canada. Rochette, who started the company selling dips at farmer's markets from the back of her station wagon, and CEO Amelia Warren will kick off the conference on Aug. 7. They will launch new products, hand out awards and take part in a fun walk for charity to mark Epicure's 15th anniversary.
