Flavorlicious bridges food allergies
Stephen Coleman, The Emporia Gazette
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Nate Jobe grew up wanting to be a baker. He spent time with his grandmother learning the tricks of the trade and making food from scratch. Years later, after marriage and children, his desire remains, but with a twist.
“About a year ago we found out my wife, our 5-year-old and our 2-year-old all have different food allergies and intolerances,” Jobe said in an e-mail interview. “Which made me want to bake even more.”
Once Jobe’s family had identified their allergies, then came the next step: finding what they could eat.
“We started trying out the specialty foods at stores and found out that they taste pretty horrible,” Jobe said. “So I set out to make everything that I could that was safe for everyone to eat, but at the same time make it taste better than the regular food. It has taken a little over a year to get my recipes for everything to where I like them to be.”
The Jobe’s have turned this revelation for their family into Flavorlicious, a bakery out of their home which aims to serve a unique clientele.
“We understand the everyday struggles of food limitations and restrictions,” Jobe said. “We also understand how hard it is to learn how to use the different flour combinations to make breads and cakes in a way that tastes flavorful. Hence the name Flavorlicious, because most gluten- and dairy-free foods take some getting used to, and we feel our products are a combination of flavor and deliciousness.”
The couple offers a variety of cookies, muffins, breads, brownies, cupcakes and special occasion cakes from their home at 218 S. Cottonwood.
Jobe also has a booth at the winter Farmer’s Market, but that has hardly limited their reach.
“I researched and I have found no other bakery or any place in Kansas that you can find what we have to offer,” Jobe said. “We even have people from other states driving down to pick up orders from us.”
Flavorlicious can cater to nearly any type of food allergy. A mission statement found on their facebook page reads: “Flavorlicious offers all-natural, organic and delicious alternatives free from the common allergens such as wheat, gluten, dairy, casein, yeast, lactose, and peanuts.”
Having to be sensitive to numerous allergies in his household has given Jobe an awareness of similar needs in his customers.
“When I talk to people about their orders, I will talk to them about their allergies. I will make their order and tailor it to them and their allergies.”
Jobe also is in the early stages of starting a support group for people who are allergic to common food ingredients so they may share ideas and experiences in order to help each other out.
Eventually, Jobe hopes to have a separate building for the business, but for now, his home will do.
“I started it to so that I would be able to help others who have food allergies and intolerances so that they can eat and enjoy food just like everyone who doesn't have to worry about allergies.”
If you have other questions or would like to place an order, you may contact Flavorlicious by phone at 340-0083 or via e-mail flavorlicious00@yahoo.com.