Business

Tis The Seasoning is Always in Season

Published

7 years ago

June 15, 2017

BY: DELLIA RISMAY

It’s a struggle many of us have faced at one time or another: you’ve had a long, exhausting day at work, and you’ve finally arrived at home, ready to prepare a quick, delicious meal for yourself or your family. But just the thought of dicing, cutting, and chopping up fresh ingredients makes you even more tired. Well, you can put your knife and cutting board away, because Tis The Seasoning is here to help!

Tis The Seasoning is the brainchild of Susan Amres, a Property Administrator, and mother of four. Her inspiration for the product came from her household’s busy lifestyle, and the steps she would take to have dinner prepared for everyone each evening. However, Susan eventually realized that there was an opportunity to have all of her family members involved in the process. “Selfishly, I would rush home and make the meals, and then I realized my kids didn’t share that passion because they thought it was just a lot of work to cut up all the stuff to get it ready. So, then I got the idea that I’ll cut all these onions and garlic, and all the seasonings and prepare it, and freeze it, so that when it’s time for them to cook, then they can just pop it out of the freezer into the skillet and they’re ready.”

With her Guyanese roots, Susan says some of the inspiration for Tis The Seasoning also comes from her West Indian background. “When we prepare meals, we do not just use powders and salt. We actually have fresh onions, garlic, pepper, thyme. Everything is cut up fresh, every single time. And that is what I’ve done here, except I’ve put it in a recipe…it has all these wonderful ingredients together, and no matter what you’re cooking, it’s a great base,” she says.

Time-saving, ease, convenience, and delicious flavors are what Susan and her husband, who does the company’s printing, aim to provide to their customers. Susan says that by using Tis The Seasoning, she can have a meal ready in as little as twenty minutes, shaving off 70% of her meal preparation time. In a world where twenty-four hours never seems to be enough to get everything done, Tis The Seasoning aims to add a little bit more time back into your day. Instead of chopping away, you simply open up your freezer, grab a pack, and you’re on your way.

Susan’s home isn’t the only place she’s had kitchen experience: she was a caterer in the past, and she has also taken a culinary course at George Brown. She was enrolled in a pastry chef program, where she made ‘Cake Boss’ style cakes. “The customers loved it,” she recalls, “but I wasn’t getting the satisfaction that I needed because my passion really is savory meals. That’s when I switched to spending more time preparing meals. And not just any meals. It must taste great, it must be good food and it must be nutritious. So, based on all of that, I came up with this idea that I’m going to make this product that’s going to be easy to use by everyone, including children.”

Those with younger children who are eager to help out in the kitchen are, understandably, often hesitant to allow them to get too involved in the food preparation process. Sharp knives and grating boards can be a safety hazard for little ones. Instead of having to shoo them out of the kitchen so they don’t get hurt (and potentially dampen their enthusiasm about cooking), Tis The Seasoning’s pre-chopped ingredients make it easy, safe, and fun for them to get involved.

While Tis The Seasoning is great for the whole family to use, Susan understands that it would be particularly appealing to young adults, who know the importance of healthy eating but often do not have the time to prepare a home-cooked meal. On the occasion that they do have the time, she wants them to know that Tis The Seasoning can be a healthier choice than the average seasoning method. “There’s lots of seasonings on the shelf in West Indian stores. You can have a whole row…but those ones on the shelf have fillers. They have corn starch and preservatives that keep them on the shelf. This does not. This is one hundred percent all-natural,” she says.

Wondering how the seasoning mix stays fresh if there are no preservatives involved? It’s all thanks to the combination of a special blend of ingredients, and a flash-freezer. “There’s olive oil in there, and lemon juice,” she explains. “They’re natural preservatives. You can make a pickle, you can marinade stuff in olive oil, it stays for a long time.” In the commercial kitchen where Tis The Seasoning is made, the all-natural seasoning is flash-frozen and sealed.

In line with her philosophy of creating a product that is as healthy as possible, many of the ingredients that go into the mix are locally grown. In fact, Susan grows her own peppers and thyme right in her backyard. She gets onions and garlic at her local grocery store, and she always insists on using organic ginger; nothing else will do. “I find that the flavor is more intense…organic ginger is really small, very skinny, but it has a really strong flavor,” she explains.

Tis The Seasoning can be found at select West Indian grocers, such as Charlie’s West Indian food, located in Mississauga, G. Prasad Caribbean & Oriental Specialty Foods Inc. in Etobicoke, and ASA Meat & West Indian Bakery, in Brampton. And as if the product itself wasn’t convenient enough, if you’re in the GTA, you can also get it delivered straight to your door. Orders can be placed via Facebook, email, the company’s website, or by phone.

A seasoning mix that focuses on flavor, can be used in everything from roti to chow mein, is preservative free, and can be delivered directly to your home? That’s the Tis The Seasoning experience. As Susan says, Tis The Seasoning is “ready when you’re not!”

Related Topics:business feature local seasoning support

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Technology

How Toronto’s Caribbean Community is Leading in Digital Innovation

Published

1 week ago

April 16, 2024

TOCaribNews

Toronto’s Caribbean community is making significant strides in the realm of digital innovation, reflecting a vibrant and dynamic force within the city’s tech sector. This burgeoning influence spans across various sectors, including technology incubation, digital education, and entrepreneurship, underscoring a profound impact on Toronto’s digital economy.

Fostering a Culture of Innovation

The Caribbean community in Toronto is actively contributing to a culture of innovation that is pivotal for the city’s future advancements. Through collaboration with local and international businesses, startups, and academic institutions, this community is part of the driving force behind Toronto’s position as a hub for innovation. The city is home to over 70 incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces, offering programs that support startups in technology, manufacturing, food production, fashion, arts, and music.

Central to this ecosystem is the MaRS Centre, one of the world’s largest urban innovation hubs, which houses entrepreneurs building Canada’s next generation of growth companies. Toronto’s impressive tech industry, supported by giants like Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, Google, and Facebook, benefits from the diverse talents and innovative spirit of the Caribbean community.

Digital Education and Entrepreneurial Spirit

The Toronto Caribbean community’s commitment to digital education and entrepreneurship is evident through initiatives such as the Toronto Reference Library. This hub invites users of all ages and skill levels to explore digital creation, offering activities and workshops on topics like 3D printing, graphic novel book clubs, and crafting circles. Such programs are crucial for fostering a culture of lifelong learning and innovation, enabling community members to acquire and refine digital skills.

Contribution to the Digital Economy

In the rapidly evolving digital economy, Toronto’s Caribbean community is not just a participant but a trendsetter. This is evident in the diverse range of digital services thriving in the city, including sectors such as life sciences and healthcare. The community’s innovative spirit contributes significantly to the city’s standing as a leading North American tech hub, with a vibrant biotechnology cluster and a comprehensive network of hospitals, research institutes, business incubators, and venture capital organizations. Also, initiatives like the Caribbean Digital Summit and The LEGUP Wealth Symposium featuring leaders from Caribbean governments and the tech industry, exemplifies the community’s active engagement and leadership in digital transformation and governance on a broader scale.

The real-time table games in Canada exemplify the wide array of online services prospering under this innovative umbrella. This digital sector benefits from the technological advancements and entrepreneurial drive within the Caribbean community, illustrating the diverse impact on Toronto’s digital landscape.

Toronto’s Caribbean community is playing a pivotal role in shaping the city’s digital innovation landscape. Through a commitment to education, entrepreneurship, and collaboration, this vibrant community is contributing to Toronto’s reputation as a global hub for technology and innovation. The synergy between the Caribbean community and the broader tech ecosystem in Toronto is proof of the power of diversity in driving progress and creativity in the digital age.

Technology

Jamaica’s Back-to-Back CONCACAF Gold Cup Final Appearances

Published

2 months ago

March 11, 2024

TOCaribNews

Jamaica, a small island in the Caribbean, may not be one of the first countries that come to mind when you think of soccer. However, in recent years, the Reggae Boyz have been making waves. And following the underdog stories unfolding at the current African Cup of Nations, the Jamaicans may well feel that success is just around the corner.

2024 – A Big Year For International Football

In the Ivory Coast this winter, AFCON has been making waves following the stunning early exits of almost every heavy hitter. The likes of Algeria, Tunisia, and Ghana all bowed at the group stage, while Egypt and Morocco followed them in the round of 16.

But it isn’t just Africa that has a continental competition taking place this year. Both the 2024 European Championships and Copa America will take place, tournaments that online sports betting sites have made England and Argentina the favorites to win, respectively. Caribbean involvement will have to wait until next year when the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup gets underway, and Jamaica will be hoping to channel their success from years gone by into action.

2015

The 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup was held in Canada and the United States, with Jamaica competing against some of the best teams from North and Central America. Despite being underdogs in many matches, the Reggae Boyz managed to make it all the way to the final. Inspired by the performances of former Premier League wingers Jobi McAnuff and Gareth McCleary, the Caribbean outfit defeated the highly-rated Costa Rica to top Group B.

That set up a meeting with Haiti in the quarterfinals, and a goal from former Derby County man Giles Barnes was enough to secure a narrow 1-0 victory. In the semifinals, they met a much fancied United States in front of 70,000 raucous fans at the Georgia Dome. But they weren’t intimidated, racing into a two-goal lead before clinging on for dear life in the second half and eventually running out 2-1 victors. Unfortunately, they were ultimately downed 3-1 by Mexico in the final, but not before they had captured the hearts of North America.

2017

Two years later, in 2017, Jamaica once again found themselves in the final of the tournament. This time around they faced the reigning champion Mexicans in the group stage, holding them to a goalless draw. Victories against Curacao and a draw with El Salvador were enough to seal their spot in the knockout round however, they headed into the latter stages as an unfancied side once more.

In the quarterfinals, the Jamaicans duly brushed aside Canada thanks to goals from Shaun Francis and Romario Williams. That set up a meeting with Mexico once again, and this time around, they would have their redemption. Fullback Kemar Lawrence scored the only goal of the game in the 88th minute, leaving El Tri stunned and sealing the Reggae Boyz’ spot in the final.

There, they faced off against the hosting United States at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California – home of the San Francisco 49ers. The Jamaicans were hoping to repeat their heroics of two years prior and come out on top, however, this time around it was the Stars and Stripes that ran out victorious. With the contest level at one goal apiece, Seattle Sounders striker Jordan Morris popped up with an 88th-minute winner to secure the victory.

Business

Victim Services of Durham Region invites Ontario schools and youth to Youth Violence Prevention Symposium

Published

2 months ago

February 24, 2024

TOCaribNews

BY PAUL JUNOR

Victim Services of Durham Region (VSDR) is committed to educating and informing young people with the knowledge and education they need to make informed decisions regarding critical issues that affect their lives.

In order to fulfill its mission, it will be hosting its annual online Youth Violence Prevention (YVP) Symposium. It will take place over a two-week period on Monday, February 26^th and Friday, March 8^th, 2024.It will be geared to Grades: 7, 8 and 9 students who will be able to access it using the online learning platform, Learn Worlds.

VSDR has been active over the years in the Durham Region where it has provided a range of services to help those affected and impacted by crime, or sudden tragedies. It is the only one of its kind that offers specialized services and support 24/7, 365 days per year to these individuals.

Their vision is to have a safe community where people are supported, empowered and thriving. The press release states that they provide trauma-informed, anti-oppressive crisis intervention services, including emotional support, safety planning, and financial assistance. In addition, there are translation services available in over 300 languages to those who need them. Case management services are also available, which assist individuals to bypass bureaucratic roadblocks with available:

subsidized housing, income support, medical and police services.

VSDR provides tailored support to survivors and witnesses of all crimes; 85% of its clients have experienced gender-based violence, including: survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.

Some of the programs VSDR offers are:

Crisis Response
System Navigation
Victim Quick Response Program
Human Trafficking Prevention/Intervention
Youth Prevention Workshops
Professional Training
Hotel Staff Training

The symposium will consist of accessible online modules that will be broken down into educational content, specific videos and in-class activities that are grade specific and align with curriculum targets. The six modules per grade are:

Consent & Healthy Relationships
Human Trafficking
Online Safety, Cyber Bullying and Image Sharing
Teen Dating Violence
Gang Violence & Peer Violence
Empowerment & Self-Care

The following are aims of the symposium:

Protect and empower young people.
Engage with issues like human trafficking, consent, healthy relationship, sextortion, teen dating violence, gang awareness, and cyber safety.
Provide insights on vulnerabilities and risk factors through activities and presentations.

Through partnerships with schools and educators it has been possible to:

Provide interactive online modules, games and videos.
Focus on learning in a safe setting.
Information on where to seek support provided on the event day and beyond.

Since 2020, the annual Violence Prevention Symposium has made a significant impact in the lives of young people as its program evolves from just focusing on Anti-Human Trafficking to issues that reflect emerging youth trends.

Some of the Impactful Results are:

Youth knowledge increased from 35% to 97%
Over 300% decrease in the number of youths educated since 2020
48 disclosures received in 2023 as a result of symposium education.

VSDR is anticipating great things from the 2024 symposium. They will continue to adapt and adjust the programs and services they deliver in light of the changing landscape and rapidly evolving world of teenagers.