A record-breaking $50,000 prize was awarded to Evelyn’s Sausage Kitchen Wednesday at the St. Anne’s Centre, capping off an incredible evening at the 10th Anniversary of The Pitch.
Hosted annually by the Elgin Business Resource Centre, this ‘dragon’s den-style’ event pits 5 finalists against each other as they make their “Pitch” for the grand prize.
Heather Harris, a proud mom and part owner of Evelyn’s Sausage Kitchen, was able to convince the four judges, Carolyn Krahn, Jacob Baribeau, Matthew Robert, and former winner Tanya Buttinger, that Evelyn’s plans for a major expansion was most deserving of the cash and in-kind prizes.
Known for their flagship products such as Polish coil, pepperoni sticks, beef jerky, fresh made sausages and more, the family run meat processor and retail shop that’s been the cornerstone of Shedden for over 30 years, has outgrown their space.
Harris explained to the crowd what the prize money would help them accomplish.
With the purchase of a new plot of land on Talbot Line in Shedden to do just that, the Harris family is currently preparing to break ground on phase 2, which involves building the actual facility. The grand prize will help them offset the initial investment of that new property.
The other four finalists, A Place in the Woods (Cathy Kostendt), Field of Greens CSA Farm (Calvin Clapdorp), Long Dog Design and Apparel (Robin Kicksee), and Maximum Diesel (Sarah and Justin Smout), each received $250 in cash.
Evelyn’s Sausage Kitchen join previous winners Raw For Pets, Dogs on 3, The Ice Box, Streamliners Espresso Bar, Shebaz’s Shawarma, Wildflowers Tea, Century Chocolates, and Smart Dental Hygiene.
Written by: K. Freeman
