a family of 3 in a bright kitchen, sitting at the kitchen table topping a homemade pizza, with the young child sprinkling on the cheese as the mother and father hold bowls of toppings.

Epicure’s Closure: Honouring a Canadian Culinary Icon and Exploring New Spice Alternatives

February 12, 2025

The recent closure of Epicure, the beloved Canadian spice and meal solutions company, has left many home cooks, food enthusiasts, and ambassadors scrambling to stock up and searching for alternatives. After nearly three decades of providing high-quality, health-conscious products, Epicure announced its closure on January 24, 2025, citing financial challenges. This sudden shutdown has created uncertainty for thousands of Epicure ambassadors, who built businesses around these products, while loyal customers now face the challenge of finding replacements for their go-to spice blends and seasonings. Beyond individual kitchens, the closure also impacts North Saanich’s local economy, as the community loses a major employer. For many, this truly marks the end of an era in home cooking.

Honoring Epicure’s Legacy

We want to take a moment to honour Epicure’s incredible impact. Founded in 1997 by Sylvie Rochette with a mission to make healthy home cooking easier, Epicure grew into a Canadian success story. Based in North Saanich, BC, Epicure provided jobs and opportunities while supporting a vast network of independent ambassadors— who introduced these products to families around the world with passion and dedication.

A group of people in a bright kitchen, preparing food together. One person holds a clipboard, another flips through a cookbook, and various fresh ingredients like apples, peppers, and leafy greens are spread across the counter. The scene captures a sense of community and shared cooking experiences.

Epicure wasn’t just about spices; it was about community and clean eating. From their gluten-free blends to their time-saving meal kits, Epicure helped make home cooking healthier and more convenient.

To the ambassadors who built businesses around their passion for food, and the customers who relied on their products: We see you. We respect you. And we hope you’ll find joy in your next entrepreneurial adventure.

With Epicure’s closure, many are asking: What’s next? How do we continue cooking with bold flavours and clean ingredients?

a pan with pasta being held by it's handle and a sprinkle of spice coming down on top. The background is dark with a little steam coming from the pan

Finding New Flavourful Paths

While no one can truly replace what Epicure brought to the table, there are other ways to explore flavours and elevate your home cooking. At From Lex’s Pantry, we’re inspired by many of the same values that made Epicure so loved: quality ingredients, bold flavors, and a commitment to making cooking enjoyable. We’re not claiming we’re the perfect substitute for Epicure. Instead, we’d like to offer an alternative for those looking to try something new. Our small-batch spice blends and seasonings are handcrafted with care and designed to inspire creativity in your kitchen.

What Makes From Lex’s Pantry Different?

✅ Small-batch craftsmanship – Every blend is hand-mixed in small batches for maximum freshness.
✅ Clean, Natural ingredients – No fillers or artificial additives, no gluten, no nuts, no dairy. Just things you will recognize and enjoy.
✅ Custom options – Need something salt-free, sugar-free or extra spicy? We’ve got you covered.
✅ Versatile seasonings – Our blends aren’t just for one dish—use them across multiple recipes for endless possibilities.

If you’re looking for a new go-to for bold, clean flavours, we’d love for you to explore our handcrafted spice blends.

A display of From Lex’s Pantry spice blends in brown kraft pouches, neatly arranged on a wooden stand. Bold black text above reads, “Missing Your Favourite Epicure Blends? We’ve Got You Covered!” against a soft green background.

Need Help Finding the Right Alternative?

We know that long-time Epicure fans are searching for specific replacements. That’s why we’ve created a guide to help you find From Lex’s Pantry alternatives for Epicure blends.

➡️ Check out our Epicure Alternatives Guide here

Explore Our Blends

If you’re ready to try something new, we’d love for you to explore our spice collections. From smoky BBQ rubs to versatile dip mixes and globally inspired seasonings, our handcrafted blends are made with quality ingredients and bold flavors.

💡 Discover your next favourite blend at From Lex’s Pantry. Let us know what flavours you’re looking for—we’d be happy to help you find the perfect match!

Lex at the Market Booth at Allan Gardens - A smiling woman with long grey hair in a braid stands behind a market stall filled with neatly displayed spice blends in brown kraft pouches. The stall is decorated with small pumpkins, and a sign in the background reads “Friends of Allan Gardens.” The setting is a greenhouse with natural light filtering through the canopy.

👋 Meet the Maker!

Meet Alexa Clark, aka Lex, the founder of From Lex's Pantry. Growing up on an organic farm, Lex's passion for food began early, selling organic veggies at the Saint John City Market at just 5 years old. By 12, she was working alongside her father in professional kitchens, gaining experience from "front of the house, back of the house, and from farm to fryer."

She completed a BMath at the University of Waterloo, then founded one of Canada's first exclusively New Media focused talent agencies in 1997. Her tech career subsidized her culinary adventures, allowing her to explore fine dining and dive bars alike.

Returning to her culinary roots, Alexa became a food writer and best-selling author. She created and published the best-selling CheapEats Restaurant Guides for Toronto and Ottawa. As a professional culinary critic and judge since 2002, she's always on the lookout for bold flavors and clean ingredients.

This passion led her to create small-batch, handcrafted spice blends, seasonings, marinades, and BBQ rubs. Lex's unique blend of precision and culinary expertise, ensures each blend is meticulously crafted for maximum flavour and versatility. Her journey from farm to tech to food critic to spice maven showcases her adaptability and enduring passion for the culinary world.

Ready to discover your new favorite spice blends?

Don't miss our comprehensive Epicure Alternatives Guide! We've carefully matched our From Lex's Pantry blends to your beloved Epicure favourites, ensuring you can continue creating delicious, healthy meals with ease. Click here to explore our Epicure Alternatives Guide and find your perfect flavour match today !

At From Lex’s Pantry, every spice blend is crafted with care, quality ingredients, and a whole lot of flavour. With Epicure closing, now’s the time to explore new options—handmade in small batches and packed with taste.

🛍️ Find us at markets or shop online anytime!