Oh My Dressing!
Published:Thursday | August 1, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Krysta Anderson, Gleaner Writer
From the success of their flagship product, the vinaigrettes line, Spring Vale Enterprises decided to broaden their culinary scope going back to the drawing board to come up with their very own salad dressing line. The Spring Vale's Oh My Dressing had its official launch at the Jamaica Manufacturers' Association last Tuesday and Food was there to witness and give support to this innovatively palatable venture.
Spring Vale Enterprises is a Jamaican food and beverage manufacturer and distributor that has been in existence since last year, and so far they have been receiving positive reviews. The family-owned company came out of the sheer need to have a distinctly Jamaican product of the highest quality that could withstand and compete in the local regional and international market.
Managing Director Sandra McLeish told members at the launch how the idea manifested itself into reality, "In 2011, a non-Jamaican friend from New York visited our home and remarked that she wanted something new and exciting and distinctly Jamaican to eat. We went into the kitchen and whipped up some sorrel vinaigrette and she loved it. In fact, her reaction was so intense that it got us thinking," she announced. She continued by noting that Jamaican supermarkets did not really have any Jamaican-made dressing, and this was the drive behind the production and introduction of the salad dressing.
What makes the product so unique is the fusion of authentically Jamaican flavours coming alive, dancing delightfully on your taste buds as you indulge. The quality is not only seen in the product itself, but also in its packaging, showcasing a more sophisticated side of our island. "This product could sit on any shelf, both locally and abroad, as the creative blends offer both high shelf and high flavour appeal," remarked McLeish.
The three-in-one salad dressing, sandwich filler and condiment comes in three flavours: June Plum-Lemon Grass and Basil, Mango-Ginger, and Guava-Rosemary. They continue the tradition of products made in Jamaica because of the use of locally grown and freshly sourced produce, which are also found in the vinaigrettes flavoured guava, sorrel, June plum, and spicy mango.
The flavours are strong and tasty enough to be utilised in meat and vegetable meals as savoury enhancements. Spring Vale's hope is for their product to become an everyday dressing. Each dressing is available in an eight-ounce plastic squeeze bottle, and all three are a healthy alternative to the heavy meals, as they have zero trans fat, no MSG, and are gluten free.
Both the vinaigrettes and the salad dressing are available islandwide in major supermarkets and local grocers such as Lees, Hi-Lo, Sovereign and MegaMart, among others. Spring Vale Enterprises also has big plans to head straight to the top, expanding to the international marketplace.
Special Treat
As a treat, specially invited guests were able to partake of the salad dressing in a meal. The meal consisted of grilled chicken breast and fish, served with pasta salad and tossed salad. The vinaigrette was used to prepare the chicken breast as a glaze to bring out the guava flavour, and was topped with the Guava-Rosemary salad dressing. For the fish, the June Plum-Lemon Grass and Basil dressing was used as a topping. The pasta salad saw the utilisation of the Mango-Ginger dressing while the tossed salad combined all three dressings to really bring out the fruit flavour.
Here are the comments from a few guests about the product:
At all levels, the salad dressings are very good. I love the packaging love the fruit flavours. I'm proud of the company. These products are comparable to the international products. Anything innovatively Jamaican, we are behind them 100 per cent.
- Colin Porter, JBDC
Salad dressings were excellent, now I can actually start eating salad dressings. After tasting June plum flavour, I was impressed. The label is catchy, the product very great. I hope other entrepreneurs will follow suit and take steps in producing high-quality local products.
- Councillor Karl Blake - KSAC Representative for the mayor, Greenwich Town division
Mango-Ginger flavour was exceptional. Normally, I don't like dressings. I hardly buy them and I hardly use them. This is definitely something I would buy at the supermarket. What I like about the product is the fact that they are made with fruits and flavours that I can relate to. It will encourage me to incorporate vegetable in our diets, as I can now consume them in a more delectable way. Spring Vale Enterprises is a young company, and to come out with a product that is international, from packaging to the product itself, is an exceptional feat.
- Kamesha Turner, JMA
Salad dressings were excellent. I'm very proud of them for fitting in the whole theme of Brand Jamaica. It's not only about our sports and our music, but it's about food as well.
- Michelle Smith, Chocolate Dreams and board member of JMA.