PHOENIX (May 2010) – Laura’s Gourmet Granola, a chef-created, artisan-crafted granola company, has expanded its presence in the Southwest, adding a resort and two gourmet retailers to its lineup.
Produced by Chef Laura Slama, the artisanal granola will now be sold at Oakville Grocery and Queen Creek Olive Mill in Arizona, and served in various dishes on the T. Cook’s menu created by nationally known Chef Lee Hillson. These purveyors join Fox Restaurants, AJs Fine Foods, Central Markets and Whole Foods, among others.
The retailers will carry all four flavors, which currently include Vanilla Almond Crunch, Pumpkin Pecan Crunch, Honey Roasted Peanut Crunch and AppleLicious Crunch. Queen Creek Olive Mill blended the Vanilla Almond Crunch in their “Corantina,” known as the healthy Elvis sandwich, and T. Cook’s has found various ways to include it on the menu.
“Local supporting local is key to the success of artisan producers right now,” Chef Laura said. “The support I’ve received from local gourmet retailers and chefs is incredibly encouraging. It also amazes me what these extraordinary chefs are creating with the granola.”
“We’ve incorporated it into our cookies, salads, breakfast recipes and even soup garnishes,” said Executive Chef Lee Hillson, T. Cook’s at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa. “Since Laura’s granola has such a natural and fresh taste, it lends itself to diverse recipe combinations.”
“When choosing products for our store or menu, it has to be local, and it has to be fantastic,” said Perry Rea, master blender and owner of Queen Creek Olive Mill. “Laura’s granola hits the mark on both accounts. The fact that she also uses our oil (as a chef) continues the farm to table theme and giving back to other local producers.”
Since Chef Laura began selling the granola in 2004, distribution has expanded to specialty retail stores throughout the Southwestern United States and shipment has increased to various markets across the nation. Distribution continues to grow each year and Chef Laura’s kitchen is in constant production, so much so she enlisted more help to manage the exponential growth and continue brand expansion throughout the country.
About Laura’s Gourmet Granola
Laura’s Gourmet Granola, an artisan granola company out of the West, was launched in 2004 by celebrity Chef Laura Slama. The company originally began selling Vanilla Almond Crunch to local retail stores, but soon added three additional flavors to accommodate demands. Today the granola is distributed to specialty retail stores throughout the Southwestern U.S and shipped nationwide. Chef Laura is a high-honors graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Scottsdale Campus, is the owner and Executive Chef of Celebrated Cuisine, providing cuisine and hospitality to corporate and private events, and currently serves as the Le Cordon Blue Scottsdale Chapter Alumni President and an Alumni Executive Leadership Board President. For more information, visit www.laurasgourmet.com.





