Alayne Brisson has always been an entrepreneurial free spirit and her latest business effort is no different. Rosy’s kitchen is the direct result of the pandemic, and the health of Alayne, her husband, as well as their nine and 13-year-old daughters.
“My family and I are all gluten free. Over the past 10 years, I have been baking from home and I found out there is a real shortage of gluten-free products available in Oxford County, especially with dairy and egg free options. In talking to more and more people in my networking groups, I realized it was a good opportunity to help fill a void.” She also became ill several years ago and had some health issues due to food sensitivities. “I went to a naturopathic doctor to have some tests done. My kids from birth, I noticed they were having issues, so the doctor also helped them. My mom, sister and nieces also have the same sort of sensitivities,” she added.
The bakery was not on the horizon, however, until the pandemic hit. “COVID really made me pivot. I was hosting photography tours and doing photography workshops and travelling. The sector is competitive, and I didn’t know how long it would be until I could travel internationally which is what my goal was. I couldn’t sit on my hands any longer. I had been thinking of starting a bakery for a while, so I took the opportunity.” She added that being her own boss provides her with independence most people don’t have. “Being your own boss. I think it gives me freedom on having time with my family in setting that work life balance. I also like the challenge of overseeing something.” Alayne and her husband are both involved in charity work, and she has also taken on the role of chair at the Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre.
For the moment, it is a one-person operation, but Alayne is getting some support and offers to help. “Right now, I am doing it all by myself. My mom has owned a tearoom in the past, so she has been very helpful. My husband and I have also been business owners for the last 15 years as well, but I do have some friends lined up who want to help. My oldest daughter has also asked me when she can start working in the bakery.” Alayne and her husband started Objective Engineering in Tillsonburg but have since moved it to Ingersoll.
The name for the bakery really seems to be destiny. Rosy was Alayne’s childhood nickname and the property now occupied by the kitchen was formerly called Rose Farm. Rosy’s Kitchen is offering cookies, cakes, muffins, tea biscuits and some different bread options. “I’m also doing baking mixes so people can bake at home, things like frozen cookie dough and pancake mix,” said Alayne. There is currently no storefront so customers will need to pre-order, and she is thinking about adding other gluten free products. Along with filling orders from the general public, she added that her products will be available for wholesale to different retailers. “Wholesale is new to me so I have been trying to figure it out, but I have had so much interest, I thought I would give it a try.”
While she wants to serve Oxford County and the surrounding areas first, she does have bigger plans. “I want to see it grow to the point where I can ship across Canada. I don’t think I’ll put my products in grocery stores because I’d need to add preservatives to them. I want to keep it fresh with a local feel.”
Rosy’s Kitchen is located just outside of Ingersoll in Zorra Township. For more information on Alayne’s delicious offerings, visit her website: https://www.rosyskitchen.ca.
