5 questions to Mélody Roussy-Parent
1. What motivates you? Why did you create Melody's Canada?
I have lived in Munich since 1998 and have the vision of building a bridge between Canada and Germany. So after graduation, I decided to create my little oasis with authentic products from Canada. I met the manufacturers, carefully selected their products and gradually learned how to import these products to Germany. In addition, I am also interested in cultures, haute cuisine and enjoy doing sports to recharge my batteries. Now I can say that I am a passionate entrepreneur who believes in the power of creative thinking and who, as a teacher and former manager in the area of property rights, likes to exchange ideas with people. The resulting business idea therefore has many exciting sides and I am very pleased that I can live out this passion.
2. For me, the taste of Canada is...
Canada's taste is as diverse as its landscape. I am thinking of the excellent scallops from Atlantic Canada, as well as the beef tenderloin from Alberta. Our ancestors also gave us delicious traditional dishes, which we prepare especially on holidays. I'm thinking of tourtière, cipaille, clam chowder, fishcake, etc. — of course, Quebec maple syrup is one of the most important ingredients for many dishes. Last but not least, there are many interesting wineries in British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia, where you can also enjoy a glass of Vidal, Baco Noir or ice wine on site.
3. Who would you like to have with you as a dinner guest? And which Canadian-inspired dish would you serve?
I grew up on the Saint Lawrence River. So I would serve fresh snow crab with a light salad with camelina oil and a dry hydromel (honey wine) or vidal.
I would like to invite Josef Hader as a dinner guest if he would make his way from Austria to Canada. Together with Canadian film producer Denis Villeneuve and Canadian presenter and globetrotter Geneviève Borne, it would be a fantastic feast.
4. What is your most important Canadian memory?
I have a lot of memorable Canadian memories. One of them is when I took part in a Summer Language program at Manitoba University in Winnipeg and we went from Winnipeg to Jasper by bus over a long weekend. The trip took 17 hours and we were able to observe the varied landscape from the prairies to the Rocky Mountains. It was fantastic!
5. Do you have a favorite product in your portfolio?
I have carefully selected all products and are the best for me, both in terms of quality and taste. They must remind me of my home country and have a story, because both the products themselves and the producers represent our Canadian treasure. I am a passionate entrepreneur and a true gourmet who wants to share this enthusiasm with other creative people
