William Cadieux is the founder of Wise by Nature, a local company founded in 2019. Having always had a passion for food, the time spent in his grandfather’s garden and his mother’s kitchen sparked a real fascination for gastronomy. This interest even led him to open his own restaurant and learn about new trends and revolutionary solutions in the restaurant world.
During a visit to the food innovation fair in Paris, he discovered a fascinating technology: freeze drying, also known as cold drying. This technique involves removing water from fruits and vegetables to obtain a light, dry and stable product that retains its nutritional values. With the goal of combating food waste and helping the restaurant industry, William founded Wise By Nature.
We spoke to him to find out a little more about his background, his business and his delicious products.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your passions?
I am a passionate restaurateur, a true foodie, and my love for gastronomy developed since I was 17 years old when I started my career in the restaurant industry. This passion eventually led me to open my own restaurant. After graduating from the Institut de Tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec, I had the opportunity to take a trip that truly ignited my passion for exploring the world. Additionally, entrepreneurship is a deeply rooted value in my family. In short, my interests are essentially a mix of restaurants, gastronomy, travel and entrepreneurship.
What does your company offer?
We offer a variety of products on our website, both pure, such as freeze-dried fruit granules, and variations, including smoothie blends. In our offer, our six instant smoothie recipes made from real cold-dried fruits are very popular. We also offer granules made from eight freeze-dried fruits that can be added to various drinks, desserts, salads or poke bowls for a unique flavor.
Personally, I like to use our products in different ways. For example, to refine a tuna tartare, adding mango granules creates a taste explosion. On the other hand, when it comes to breakfast, I appreciate the simplicity of a bowl of oatmeal topped with our freeze-dried fruits, a quick and delicious way to start the day right.
Who are your products aimed at?
Our products are incredibly versatile and suitable for both private individuals and restaurateurs. Their adaptability makes them attractive to a wide audience as everyone can use them according to their needs and preferences. However, we believe our offerings are particularly beneficial for catering professionals. Before the pandemic, we were proud to serve several restaurant chains, cafes and spas focused on breakfast. We provided them with a practical and cost-effective solution for making smoothies without having to store perishable and refrigerated foods in large quantities. Although our products are now available to everyone, we would like to turn our attention back to our long-standing partners in the catering industry.
What benefits can we get from using your products?
My company’s mission is to make the consumption of fruits and vegetables more affordable and, above all, to counteract food waste. Using cold drying has many benefits, including extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables while preserving their nutritional value. This saves time, space and protects the planet because this method is extremely environmentally friendly.
In fact, we believe these benefits are particularly beneficial for restaurateurs. Our products are characterized by easy transportability, immediate availability and long shelf life, giving culinary creations an original touch.
What is the origin or meaning of the name “Wise By Nature”?
In reality, the company name has two different meanings. First, the word “Wise” means “reasonable” in English, but is also a common expression in Quebec to express that a person makes a wise decision. “by Nature” then reminds us of the products that come from nature and that we use. Our name therefore symbolizes the idea of using nature consciously and sensibly.
Wise by Nature is an excellent local company and we wish them much success for the future!
Written by Marie-Lou Pillin