After taking on Hollywood earlier this year, a rising star in the cooking world, Peter Fehr, and his award winning sauces have received a new accolade.

Fehr and his company Gourmet Inspirations was recently included in Food In Canada magazine's Top Ten new food companies to look out for in 2017.

"It was definitely a huge honour," Fehr says. "It's affirming to have this recognition and just goes to show I have done something right."

He notes with the brand recognition growing online orders have increased. More stores inside and outside Manitoba have come calling about stocking his products.

Looking back, he never dreamed of reaching this level of exposure.

"It was definitely a dream five years ago," he says. "I knew making and selling sauces wouldn't be easy, there's a million and one sauces out there, but... I figured if I don't pursue it I'll forever kick myself for not trying."

He notes the movement towards buying local products has grown, not only among consumers but distributors as well. More and more distributors have a mandate to carry a certain percentage of locally produced products.

"I have definitely seen there is room for the niche products in the marketplace," Fehr says.

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