LISA Ryan began dabbling in raw desserts last winter.
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She made them for her family and friends and the staff room at Bandiana Primary School, where she was a teacher, before she found there was a wider demand for them.
A vegetarian and runner, Lisa started nine canaries to supply vegan-friendly raw desserts – free of refined sugars, dairy, soy and gluten – to Border customers.
She said the response was overwhelming to her tasting boxes and individual desserts.
“People were looking for something different, healthy people were looking for options as were coeliacs,” she said.
After a 10-year teaching career, Lisa has taken leave now until the end of the year to focus on building the business.
Having worked on the raw desserts from her Lavington home before and after school and on weekends, Lisa has shifted her operation to the Seaton Arms Motor Inn kitchen in Albury.
“I have been busy trying to meet demand,” she said.
“But I have always loved making desserts even as a kid growing up on the farm at Kyabram.”
Lisa said the inspiration behind the business name came from a birthday gift from her husband Ben and their children Ethan, 15, and Alex, 13, of nine canaries.
“They sing, they’re happy, I get pleasure out of listening to them; it’s about enjoying the simpler things in life,” she said.
Nine canaries will be at the River and Wren Boutique Markets at Wagga on April 29.
What's your favourite dish?
Anything with potatoes; they’re my biggest weakness. Hot chips, mashed potato, anything potato.
What are the staples in your pantry?
Nuts; medjool dates; plant-based sweeteners; coconut milk and cream.
What's the biggest product discovery you have made in cooking?
Plant-based ingredients are amazing; you don’t need flour, butter and milk to make something delicious.
What's your secret vice?
Work
What is your recipe standby?
Snickers Slice; it’s very simple but so popular.
What is your most unforgettable meal and where?
Miss Amelie in Wodonga for my birthday in March. I had a beautiful walnut and beetroot ravioli.
What's your favourite cooking utensil?
Blender
What did you have for dinner last night?
A big bowl of vegetables with grilled sweet potato, passata sauce, cheese, avocado and sour cream.
What are you drinking?
Water and tea.
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