Two Manitoba business owners brushed shoulders with the film and television stars in a whirlwind weekend in L.A.

"It was pretty incredible, it was five hours of non-stop talking to people... movie stars, casts from different shows," Winkler-born Chef Peter Fehr explains, adding a number of celebrity chefs were also in attendance at the Luxury Gifting Suite event.

Fehr of Gourmet Inspirations served up his signature Manitoba sauces to Hollywood elite on Saturday prior to Sunday night's annual Oscar award gala.

He notes he spoke to over 150 celebrities including Keiko Agena, best known for her role as Lane Kim on Gilmour Girls, as well as Kevin Sorbo, a household name after his TV role of Hercules.

Many even came inquiring about his sauces.

"There were times people right in front of my booth were like, "where is this whiskey sauce I need to try?" It was fun to see celebrities had talked to other celebrities," Fehr says.

Many Canadian stars also gravitated to Gourmet Inspirations's booth.

"They loved it," Fehr says. "Or they had significant others or family that were Canadian and would say "oh I have to take a picture and send it to my family.'"

A common reaction to hearing "Manitoba" was either "I love the Winnipeg Jets" or "You're from "Winter-peg?'"

Colleen Dyck, Owner/Founder of Niverville-based GORP Clean Energy Bar joined Fehr as well.

Despite complications with shipping her product to L.A, Dyck was able to get GORP bars into the hands of attendees.

"I was so freaking out," Dyck says. "It was a big crazy adventure."

She notes many were interested in GORP's focus on healthy ingredients.

"They were impressed with the ingredient label," Dyck says. "It kind of confirmed there is a market for us in the states."

 

Dyck with singer and actress Beverley Mitchell who starred in the series 7th Heaven