News

The Post Newspaper article

Wow! Last week saw the above article featured in The Post newspaper. Response has been overwhelming and I'm so proud of my beautiful clients Fred & Maureen Pawle. They opened their hearts and their home to us and we spent a lovely couple of hours discussing the products and how it has revolutionised the way they eat. A big thank you to MercyCare as well for diving in with me. For any enquiries to see if the products can be claimed under your home care package please call me on 0407 907 104. Otherwise you can find us at :

Shop 8, 7 Station street, Cottesloe

903a Canning Highway, Applecross

www.csibon.com.au - for home delivery.

Thank you for shopping local! N

Southern Plus

A new care provider has now joined the fold - Southern Plus. A little below about this company......

Aged Care

Jaw dropping what is being talked about at the Royal Commission into Aged Care at the moment. Maggie Beer took to the stand this week to describe what is being served as food for just $7 per day per customer. It made me shudder to think how little effort is being put into the sector.

Recently I have been given the opportunity to supply food to the following care providers :

• Silver Chain
• Mercy Care
• Melville Cares
• Comfort Keepers
• Home Instead Senior Care

Every month these are increasing as the number of care providers share my belief in a wholistic approach to care given to senior citizens. They care and are listening to their customers needs and requirements.

Connection through food.

This is a huge passion of mine. I truly believe that connecting over a meal, whether it be a bowl of soup or something more sophisticated makes you feel better. Less alone, more positive, happier! It's so simple and yet why is it so hard to achieve?

I believe that we need to give them an option. Perhaps this option fit the mould previously but I don't believe it necessarily does anymore. A modern approach to meal preparation, ingredients and flavour is what is required to truly shake up the system. Food with flavour, food that they used to cook but can't necessarily cook for themselves anymore.

By 2057 there will be 6.1 million Australians living in aged care. That could be you. What will you be eating?

If you know of anyone who is being looked after but the above care providers, put them in touch and we can help with beautiful meals delivered straight to their door. Call me directly on 0407 907 104.

Australia Day Long Weekend - Meat Pies

I love a good meat pie.

Last year whilst getting things ready for my 6 year old's birthday party I had some left over bolognese from my lasagnes. I quickly filled some puff pastry with the bolognese, a touch of béchamel and tasty cheese, popped a pastry lid on and baked in the oven. The end result was a puffy, meaty, cheesy delight - perfect for a party, so light and fluffy and great for pie lovers big and small!

With Australia Day looming why not come in and pick up a few for that ultimate Aussie indulgence. They are $1.50 each or 8 for $12.00. Order now at natasha@csibon.com.au or online www.csibon.com.au for home delivery and of course, come in and pick up in store at either Cottesloe or Applecross.

I'm super proud to be Australian. We are the luckiest people on earth. Don't miss out!

Happy New Year!

Let's start at the very beginning. I wish you all the very happiest of new years! What did you all get up to? Are you still away? Do you feel refreshed?

I had the longest break I have had in about 4 years since starting this business. I was really exhausted at the end of 2018. It was a huge year for me and the business. It saw my first steps into retail by opening 2 stores. The first in Cottesloe and the second in Applecross as well as launching new products, increasing my wholesale distribution, training new staff, my first ABC interview, new kitchen, etc etc. All very fulfilling but all encompassing. I usually have several panic attacks while on holidays worrying about how am I going to pay rent, wages, bills while growing my business. I'm sure any of you out there owning your own small business or any business can relate?

So I made some new years resolutions. Let it go! Leave the worry behind and focus on delivering a great product and nurturing my customers whilst listening to their needs and desires! Easy right? Let's see how I go with that. Maybe you can share some tips with me to keep me on the straight and narrow!

I would like to thank you all for following me in this journey. What I have gained in experience is invaluable. If it all fails tomorrow I'm super proud of what I've achieved. Plus I have met the most wonderful and inspirational people on this path. I truly love my customers, they are the best people in the world!

Happy 2019 everyone!!

 

 

 

 

https://www.csibon.com.au/pages/contact-us

NEW SPRING SUMMER MENU

Tuesday saw the launch of 3 new products in store and online. We've got heaps of new items arriving for Christmas so we will keep you posted here, through Instagram, Facebook and both Cottesloe and Applecross stores.

The first cab off the rank was the new C Si Bon Fragrant Fish Curry. I am a great lover of curry and can eat it any day of the week. Definitely in my Mauritian blood. This is a subtle curry with a little heat and heaps of flavour. We've blended kaffir lime leaves with fresh coriander, green chillies, spring onions, garlic, ginger and lime juice to create a fragrant base. To this we've added coconut milk and poached the seafood until it's just cooked. Serve this with fluffy coconut rice or jasmine rice with extra fresh coriander. So good!

Next in line is our new Duck a L'Orange. Duck is my favourite thing to eat when I'm feeling indulgent. We placed the confit of duck on a bed of scalloped royal blue potatoes that were steamed and then smothered them with an orange sauce made using fresh orange juice, ginger, brandy and thyme. Just pop in the oven until the duck is good and crispy. It falls off the bone and is delicious served with a endive salad or steamed green beans. Simply heaven!

Last but not least is our Christmas Stuffed Chicken Thighs. This conjures images of snow covered fields in the French countryside and a crackling wood fire burning in the living room. We sautéed onions, garlic, thyme, bacon, pine nuts, mushrooms and porcini mushrooms with truffle oil before stuffing into the chicken thighs, wrapping in prosciutto and then drizzling in olive oil and baking until golden and crispy. Serve with our gorgeous C Si Bon Potato Gratin or Cauliflower Gratin and a green salad or steamed greens.

 

New retail hub opening 9th August 2018

As promised, I told you I would let you know that tomorrow is a new day, C Si Bon opens the doors to a new kitchen and retail hub in Applecross! I'm really excited to do this as it means everyone south of the river now has a better opportunity to get their hands on our unique products. It is definitely a work in progress, the front gets painted on Friday, signage is limited, freezers haven't arrived BUT lunch will be served from 11.45 and we will be starting with our sensational Coq au Vin with mash and green beans. You will also be able to take home our gorgeous frozen meals from our stocks in the kitchen so bring a bag and buy up! Address is 903a Canning Highway, Applecross. See you there - tell your friends too!!!

New kitchen and....

I think I have felt the cold the most this winter. I've lived in the snow, Europe, America etc but have never I felt this cold! 

Thankfully I have so many options to choose from in-store to chase those cold blues away. I've watched people run into the shop through thunderstorms and rain to get their hands on something warming and delicious. It's been a bonding experience!

Behind the scenes, we have recently moved kitchens. The guys at Clancy's Fish Pub in Applecross on Canning Highway have been incredibly accommodating and have offered me a kitchen to work from.  We moved in a few weeks ago and it's fantastic. They understand that I am small with the potential to grow. It's been a real pleasure working with people who understand where I am at and who support other local businesses. Incredibly refreshing and I can't thank them enough.

The bonus about it is that there is a shop front that we will be opening up this week!

I will be able to run things a little differently from there. As you know we offer samples on all products daily at our Cottesloe boutique. This is an integral part of our brand and ethos. I feel it's important to try before you buy and it also allows us to educate you as to how to serve the products and the get the most out of them. Boeuf Bourguignon can be served in a myriad of ways, it's up to us to show you how. More bang for your buck!

The Applecross store will be open for lunch daily. Each day we will serve one dish from the range in a different way. You can either buy it hot or take a frozen meal home with the awareness of what you can do with the product. I will update all details on my website and Instagram, Facebook as soon as the doors are open. Be sure to pop by and tell your friends who live south of the river about it.  Exciting times!!

Cottesloe Shop has expanded

I can't believe that it's been 5 months since opening our doors in Station Street in Cottesloe. It is heartening to see so many people discovering the joy of restaurant quality frozen food. I've been a tireless advocate of the category for 4 years as I could always see the potential and it is just wonderful to see it making a difference in people's lives on an every day basis.

Initially starting with a 2 door freezer and half the shop, we have expanded to 4 doors, taken over the entire space and added new meals such as our beautiful C Si Bon Lamb Shanks, C Si Bon Cassoulet, C Si Bon Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie, Meals  For One Range, C Si Bon Vegan Tagine, C Si Bon Spiced Rice and more!

We have also started selling The Little Bakery biscuits and slice range. The Little Bakery is run by 2 sisters who make everything from scratch, by hand, daily and the quality of these products is fantastic. These are the perfect morning or afternoon treats or make lovely gifts for friends. There are gluten free options available too which is even better! Keep an eye out for special occasions such as Father's Day as we will have gift wrapped boxes of cupcakes and cakes available for Dad.

A short while ago we also started selling glorious sour dough baguettes, demi-baguettes, corn bread, macarons, pain-au-chocolate, croissants, chocolate twists, mashed potatoes and green beans all imported from France. Needless to say they are flying off the shelves due to their incredible quality and convenience! I am an absolute passionate foodie and the quality of these products is exceptional. The French have been perfecting the frozen food category since the 1930's with companies like Picard leading the charge. Their patisserie skills are world class, honed, tried and tested. I always want to have exceptional products in my store that reflect my brand values so it's a great start to expanding our offering to you. After all, C Si Bon is always striving to be innovative and a category leader in the frozen food category.  

Follow me on Instagram @csibongourmet or on Facebook "C Si Bon Gourmet" to keep abreast of new releases, to see what's in stock and to get ideas about how to serve our products.

Thanks again for all of your support and for buying my meals. I love what I do and it's a great pleasure to keep doing it!

SILVER, SILVER, SILVER!!!

So proud, yet again, to be awarded Silver Medals for the following products at this years RASWA Premium Produce Awards :

C Si Bon Raspberry Eton Mess

C Si Bon White Chocolate Mousse

C Si Bon Dark Chocolate Mousse

The raspberry eton mess came about because as a child my aunt in England had the most glorious vegetable and fruit garden. During those long, sunny days we would go and pick raspberries straight from the bush. With our haul we would then go and whisk English clotted cream with a little icing sugar and pair with meringue. This is such a beautiful English summer dessert, especially when using fresh fruit. Those memories I will cherish forever and I couldn't help but turn those positive moments into a frozen treat for you all the enjoy! The raspberries give the dessert a little bit of a tart edge so that it is beautifully balanced with the cream, sweet meringue and a touch of icing sugar. All gluten free and no additives or preservatives of course!

Chocolate mousse is my all time favourite indulgent dessert. But, you have to use the finest couverture chocolate to make it extraordinary. Yohann, my chef, and I played around with ideas and this recipe was one he used to make in France. We also candy a pecan nut to garnish. This frozen dessert is definitely dinner party worthy. It's smooth and silky, dark and intense. The white chocolate version also requires using the finest white chocolate with minimal fat content to ensure that it isn't too sickly sweet. Don't get me wrong, this packs a punch in the sweet stakes but it is manageable!! Topped with a praline of hazelnut this is also dinner party worthy. You and your guests will swoon.

As with all of my products these are free of additives, preservatives with the added bonus of being gluten free. We try and source things locally but sometimes we will use imported ingredients to ensure that it is the finest quality. I don't want to ever compromise on quality or flavour as this is what differentiates my products from other store bought meals and desserts. 

As usual, this would not be possible without my team of dedicated professionals. Everyone surrounding me does such an amazing job of keeping this little start up moving in the right direction! I couldn't do it without them and the fact that they share my vision makes the day to day really enjoyable and fun. Anything is possible.I truly believe that.