Dominique

October 2021, By Anna Gray

Dominique is one of our dedicated volunteers who spends her Monday afternoons helping us sort rescued food! But when she’s not here, you can find her upcycling rescued produce to make delicious ferments, like berry vinegar! Dominique started Scratch Fine Foods about 8 years ago, originally as a catering company, but within the last year and a half, she’s made the jump to focusing solely on jarred fermented foods. 

Dominique has been a chef for nearly 12 years but found her passion for ferments when she began to experiment with living cultures. With recent research showing the connection between gut health and mental wellbeing, folks are realizing that taking care of your gut can have a positive impact on your mental state. Products that Scratch specializes in, such as  Kimchi or Garlic Sauerkraut,  benefit your gut flora, digestion and taste great!

Dominique spends her weekends at the local Farmers’ Markets where she has formed connections with many of the local farmers who often find they have surplus produce at the end of the weekend; and that works great for Scratch Fine Foods... What sets Scratch apart from other fermented goods, is that they are made from rescued produce. Sustainability and locality were two major pillars for Dominique while creating her business, she understood the power her products could have on transforming food waste into delicious and nutritious goods. 

When asked what her favourite Scratch product is, Dominique says her ‘go-to’ is the fermented chili paste, which is created from the normally discarded peppers from making her hot sauce. The fermented chili paste is double fermented and packs a punch! 

We love to support other local businesses that are tackling the massive issue of food waste, and Scratch Fine Foods is one of them! If you are looking for flavourful and innovative fermented products, check them out at your local farmers’ market or online.