Okanagan made, Maritime roots

UMAMI Dressing, Dip and Finishing Sauce, known until recently as the “cider vin”, was actually created by Chef Justin Best, Stephanie’s brother and Joanna’s husband. Justin encountered this style of dressing several years ago and has offered it on his menus to rave reviews ever since. Every so often, Justin and Joanna would casually discuss making and selling the cider vin themselves, but with a growing family and busy working lives it never happened.

Stephanie and her family moved from New Brunswick to Kelowna in 2014 and the three born and raised Maritimers were reunited.  With children of similar ages and spouses who worked long and irregular hours, Joanna and Stephanie spent a lot of time together and shared a lot of meals.  With the “cider vin” now a staple on the menu of a very popular local establishment, it didn’t take long for talks about bottling and selling it to resume.  In April 2018, the cider vin was offered for purchase for the first time as UMAMI Dressing Dip and Finishing Sauce.

UMAMI is currently sold by several Okanagan retailers as well as a select few in the Lower Mainland. Plans to expand availability throughout BC are underway as are the release of more exciting products from the UMAMI Crave the Fifth brand.