MUNCH - Laura's Gourmet Granola

Daily Candy

Don't take crunchy advice from errant hippies; take it from us. These rolled oat ($8) come with a hint of salt that adds the perfect savory touch of perform well drenched in milk with yogurt. New flavor AppleLicious joins honey roasted peanut, pumpkin pecan, and vanilla almond. "Read More"

Gary Richards, a San Diego resident, has been hired as brand and marketing director

SDU Tribune / October 4, 2010

Gary Richards, a San Diego resident, has been hired as brand and marketing director at Laura’s Gourmet Granola, a chef-created, artisan granola company based in Arizona. He will be responsible for managing the brand’s direction, image and distribution throughout the U.S. Before joining the company, Richards successfully launched and grew several globally recognized brands and has worked in marketing and advertising.... / Read the complete article PDF: "Gary Richards, a San Diego resident, has been hired as brand and marketing director"

Mustard adds bite to global dishes

AZ Central / September 17, 2010

Mustard is so much more than a strip on a hot dog.

This ancient condiment adds a pungent bite to sauces, chicken, roasted vegetables, fish, pork and beef. Added to marinades and salad dressings, mustard doubles as an emulsifier, preventing oil and vinegar from separating.

"Mustard's both a wonderful condiment and ingredient. It's convenient and, with very little work, perks up so many different foods," said Laura Slama, chef-owner of Celebrated Cuisine, a Tempe catering company.

"If you love the flavor, why limit mustard to a sandwich?"..... / Read the complete article: "Mustard adds bite to global dishes"

Breakfast at Your Desk: Pumpkin Pecan Granola

Gourmet News / September 13, 2010

Good morning! Doesn’t a bowl of crunchy pumpkin pecan granola sound nice on an almost-fall September morning? I recently tried a bag of some really delicious granola, and I wanted to tell you about it.

I recently tried a sample of Laura’s Gourmet Granola. I’m a huge pumpkin fan, and I loved the Pumpkin Pecan flavor, which had a great spicy fall flavor. Laura’s granola is made by a chef (her name is Laura Slama) with all-natural ingredients—nothing weird or artificial. "Breakfast at Your Desk: Pumpkin Pecan Granola"

"Popular Plates Presents Comfort Food: Laura’s gourmet granola, which flavor are you?"

Chef-made granola company launches website, opens for e-commerce

e-News / September 9, 2010

Laura’s Gourmet Granola, a chef-created, artisan granola company based in Arizona, launched its new website, www.laurasgourmet.com. The website’s e-commerce capability marks a significant step in the company’s growth, by streamlining orders and making the four widely popular hand-crafted granola varieties available nationwide.

The site, which blends granola recipes, nutrition information, a newsroom and an online store supports the company’s goal for national distribution.... / Read the complete article PDF: "Chef-made granola company launches website, opens for e-commerce"

2.0 Minutes with Laura Slama

Phoenix Business Journal / May 14, 2010

Laura’s Gourmet LLC, based in Tempe, bakes and distributes Laura’s Gourmet Granola. What is one of your business goals for 2010?

2010 is the “year of the oat.” We plan to increase distribution to include the East Coast, and nearly double last year’s sales of 12,500 pounds.

How have you changed your business strategy to reflect current economic conditions? My strategy already lends itself to the current economy: building mutually beneficial relationships locally, never compromising quality and keeping communication open with customers. I also have become more active in social media... / Read the complete article PDF: "2.0 Minutes with Laura Slama"

"Laura's Gourmet Granola First Time Exhibitor with NASFT Fancy Food Shows"

Laura’s Gourmet expands distribution

Phoenix Business Journal / May 14, 2010

Laura’s Gourmet LLC is expanding its reach in metro Phoenix, with its granola products now being sold at Oakville Grocery and Queen Creek Olive Mill, and served in various dishes on the T. Cook’s menu.

The retailers are carrying all four flavors: Vanilla Almond Crunch, Pumpkin Pecan Crunch, Honey Roasted Peanut Crunch and AppleLicious Crunch.

Queen Creek Olive Mill blends the Vanilla Almond Crunch into its Corantina, also known as the healthy Elvis sandwich.

“Local supporting local is key to the success of artisan producers right now,” said company owner Laura Slama. “The support I’ve received from local gourmet retailers and chefs is incredibly encouraging. It also amazes me what these extraordinary chefs are creating with the granola.”

T. Cook’s at the Royal Palms Resort & Spa has incorporated the granola into cookies, salads, breakfast recipes and soup garnishes, said Executive Chef Lee Hillson.

Since Slama began selling her granola in 2004 in Tempe, distribution has expanded to specialty retail stores throughout the Southwest and the nation. Last year, her company sold more than 12,000 pounds of Laura’s Gourmet Granola.

"Laura's Gourmet Granola Expands with Cereal Bar in Dallas, TX"

Homemade-granola business is thriving

Arizona Business Gazette / April 22, 2010

A couple of hours in a movie theater proved to be life-changing for Valley chef and Laura’s Gourmet owner Laura Slama. In 2001, after 14 years in the high-tech sales industry, the company Slama worked for shut down amid the dot-com bust. To take her mind off the situation, she went to see “Tortilla Soup,” the story of a Mexican-American chef who creates elaborate dishes that serve as glue that holds his family and friends together.

Slama enjoyed working in restaurants throughout high school and college and had dreams of running her own restaurant. The file was a wake-up call.

“I had an epiphany. I thought, ‘How come I’m not doing this?’” the Ahwatukee Foothilils mother of two recalled... / Read the complete article PDF: "Homemade-granola business is thriving"