Some of you might notice that quite a number of the businesses featured on this blog are food based. I have noticed this too. And as the blog expands, my waistline is keeping up.
A few weeks back Pauline Clarke contacted me requesting a write-up and this morning I ventured to Mount Avenue in Dundalk to meet with Pauline and sample some of the cookies (Koo Kee - geddit ?) she had to offer.
Pauline explained that her love of baking started at an early age and that she worked in the food manufacturing industry before her family came along. This experience has been invaluable in getting her own business up and running. The food industry is highly regulated and Pauline has applied and indeed been licensed by the HSE among others for food production at home. The Koo Kee packaging has also had to be certified and all ingredients and food values are included on the packaging. The inside knowledge she had was instrumental in helping her get through the miles of red tape, before she was in a position to offer her KooKees to the public.
The inspiration for Kookee came after
spending each Saturday morning baking cookies with her 3 children. Having given
up a career to become a full time mum to her
eldest son, who was diagnosed with a form of Autism, each Saturday became a
ritual baking day, to involve all 3 children in a fun family task. After many
weeks and lots of cookies, Pauline and her children started giving them as gifts
to family and friends, and soon the friends started asking for some speciality orders,
and offered to pay. Eureka !!
Over the next few months Pauline perfected
her recipies after deciding that this would be a wonderful way to care for her children and turn her hobby into a business.
So in 2009 she registered Kookee and
tried out her products at farmers
markets and craft fairs. As interest grew Pauline contacted the Louth County
Enterprise board who helped her get ready to launch her business.
Now in 2012 Kookee is going from strength
to strength with 9 varieties including Gluten and Wheat Free. There is also an innovative new dry mix range which can be
adapted by the consumer to be Gluten and Wheat free that are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
"Our products range from Freshly baked cookies, Frozen uncooked dough for
restaurants and deli counters and an easy make dry mix so you can create your
own cookies at home. Our ingredients are locally sourced, and
are of the highest quality. At Kookee we continuously try our own
recipies and ensure that each and every one delivers a taste sensation".
Pauline's aim with KooKee is to bring quality and taste
together to create an Irish Brand that stands the test of time.
Pauline would like to mention her husband and family, without whose support and enthusiasm she wouldn't be able to continue to go from strength to strength.
The Koo Kee range is available in a number of local cafe's and restaurants throughout the region and anybody interested in these should contact Pauline via her website www.kookee.ie or on her Facebook Page
Kookee is a family run Artisan business
established in 2009, specialising in high quality cookies.
If you would like your business featured on the
LoCo Happenings blog, please get in contact with us
by phone 087 2557754
by email locohappenings@yahoo.com
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