Entrepreneur Chris van Ouwerkerk is getting plenty of bites for his tasty product.
The owner of Jercules: Fine Beef Jerky, says his product has become a hit since its launch in the summer.
The 29-year-old law student says all five unique flavours seem to have caught on.
"It's been very rewarding to hear reviews and have comments getting back to me on the quality and marketing of the product,'' he says.
The business is a result of van Ouwerkerk's nearly 10 year experience in the meat industry, as well as a friendship struck while working as a butcher in Vancouver.
"I actually worked alongside a guy from Moncton who made jerky, he took me under his wing and showed me the process,'' he says.
"From there I came home, tried out a few recipes I had been thinking of and ran with it.''
Van Ouwerkerk developed the business over the course of a year before launching. It was at this time that he made a commitment only use locally sourced ingredients when available.
"Operations began around the start of July and since that point we have purchased just over 1,000 pounds of Prince Edward Island beef,'' he says.
"In addition to that we use plenty of recognizable local ingredients like Upstreet Craft Brewing beer, J.J. Stewart Root Beer, and Amiel's Island Fire to name a few.''
Jercules is available at certain markets, events and online at www.jercules.ca, as well as in Charlottetown at Upstreet Craft Brewing, Hunter's Ale House and The Factory Cookhouse.
Entrepreneur Chris van Ouwerkerk is getting plenty of bites for his tasty product.
The owner of Jercules: Fine Beef Jerky, says his product has become a hit since its launch in the summer.
The 29-year-old law student says all five unique flavours seem to have caught on.
"It's been very rewarding to hear reviews and have comments getting back to me on the quality and marketing of the product,'' he says.
The business is a result of van Ouwerkerk's nearly 10 year experience in the meat industry, as well as a friendship struck while working as a butcher in Vancouver.
"I actually worked alongside a guy from Moncton who made jerky, he took me under his wing and showed me the process,'' he says.
"From there I came home, tried out a few recipes I had been thinking of and ran with it.''
Van Ouwerkerk developed the business over the course of a year before launching. It was at this time that he made a commitment only use locally sourced ingredients when available.
"Operations began around the start of July and since that point we have purchased just over 1,000 pounds of Prince Edward Island beef,'' he says.
"In addition to that we use plenty of recognizable local ingredients like Upstreet Craft Brewing beer, J.J. Stewart Root Beer, and Amiel's Island Fire to name a few.''
Jercules is available at certain markets, events and online at www.jercules.ca, as well as in Charlottetown at Upstreet Craft Brewing, Hunter's Ale House and The Factory Cookhouse.
