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Culinary Collective is an import and distribution company promoting traditional foods from around the world. The Collective offers a shared logistic system for small gourmet food producers and importers who aim to preserve traditional food systems and encourage environmental responsibility.
Each Collective Company is guided by shared responsible business principles and a set of product criteria.
For more information on becoming a Collective Company, contact us.
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Culinary Collective (formerly Power-Selles Imports) was established in 1998 by Pere Selles from Catalonia, Spain and Betsy Power from Salem, Massachusetts, when the two moved to Seattle and realized that the selection of quality foods from Spain was next to nil.
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Since our initial boot-strapped start up, Culinary Collective has expanded to become a premier importer of gourmet cultural foods.
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We believe that it is important to live responsibly to improve the health of our environment and our communities. Our business is founded on this belief. We work solely with small producers that are locally rooted and integral to the health of their communities. Our products are all natural and fairly sourced. Learn more about our responsible business principles and practices.
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We are strong believers that we work to live, not live to work. We like to get out there and experience life. We incorporate travel into our business lives by visiting our suppliers on a regular basis. And we encourage our customers to join us on these trips.
We also attempt to get off the beaten path, to open our eyes to the many amazing cultures and peoples that inhabit Mother Earth. In 2007 we turn our attention to Latin America in search of the food and culture of our southern neighbors.
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Monse & Pere at the Parador in La Vera, Spain
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Betsy Power, co-founder and idealist, always dreaming up new ways to "save the world." Her background in architecture and community-based development has been put to good use in the product sourcing and development department. Co-founder of Wiser Business, Betsy is a proponent of responsible business practices at a national level.
More on Betsy at: www.powerideas.org
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Pere Selles, co-founder and a native of Barcelona, started his career in the food business in the Spanish restaurants of Chicago. When he and Betsy moved to Seattle in 1995, he discovered that the city was devoid of Spanish cuisine, and made it his personal quest to remedy the situation. Pere loves the outdoors and is an active tri-sport competitor! He finished his first Iron Man in Arizona, April 2007. He lives in Lyons, Colorado with Mica, Piro and Tux.
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Marion Sproul, brings over 20 years of experience in the food business and a real passion for foods of the world and for the people who produce them. She has served on the board of the Portland Slow Food convivium and is a member of the American Cheese Society. When she grows up she wants to live on a farm, grow vegetables, make cheese AND most importantly have a REAL tractor...
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Our dearest Monse Alonso, the queen of imports, has recently gone on maternity leave to raise her two children. We are looking forward to her return, if the family will share her! She is originally from Monterrey, Mexico and her mix of Mexican and Spanish blood must account for her special talent in working with our suppliers regardless of Spanish speaking origin! Monse is a mother, a photographer, and an avid traveler.
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Helen Stewart, our Logistics Manager, is the hub of our office, overseeing order processing and the warehouse . With an extensive background in office and facility administration, she keeps everything in ship shape. When not juggling her many work hats, Helen enjoys gardening, cooking, traveling, jazz, and spending time with her family and granddaughter.
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Nancy Redman is not only an extremely organized and detailed bookkeeper... We are convinced she must be slightly psychic. Stuff just gets done even before you thought to ask for it! With a local chef/restaurateur for a husband, a love of food and cooking is a family pastime for Nancy. |
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Brenda Crow, our retail sales manager, has spent her adult life in the pursuit of great food. With degrees in Spanish and culinary arts, her road to professional gourmand has had several stops; in the buying department of a beloved specialty food retailer, selling truffles and caviar to Bay Area chefs, elbows deep in dough, crafting croissants for one of San Francisco’s finest bakeries and most recently, selling quality game meats to Portland’s best restaurants. She credits two years of tasting and traveling through Spain as her introduction and inspiration to good food. She couldn’t be happier that her two greatest passions have collided.
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Gavin Haugen, our logistics assistant, is a self-professed news junkie, always keeping up on current events. And his never ending search for the perfect cup of coffee keeps him on the go. When not working, Gavin can be found performing with his band, the Guns of Nevada, around the Seattle area.
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Lourdes Reichert, our new import manager, is originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, home to lively Mariachis and quality tequila, both of which she enjoys thoroughly. Lourdes left Mexico in 2000 in search of adventure. She has lived in both Canada and the US, learning about new cultures, experiencing new foods, and enjoying new friends. As import manager, Lourdes meshes well with our vendors from both Spain and Latin America, understanding their language and their unique way of doing business. Lourdes is an avid cook, dancer, traveler and crafter of jewelry.
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But of course, none of this would be possible if it weren't for the unconditional love of our animals! Piro (short for Vampiro, the vampire, due to his chewing on our ears), is a Maine Coon Cat – and the love of our lives. I'm sure all you cat lovers will understand. For the rest of you... you don't know what you're missing!
 Tux – the black and white wonder cat from Ecuador. Yup! Betsy couldn't resist a kitten in need. After years, Piro is just starting to warm up to his little sister.
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Mica is half Newfoundlander and half something else. Although he is super sweet, the cats are none to happy....
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And we can't forget Peanut - our newest addition - she oversees our Portland sales office and keeps Marion on her toes.
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Pere on one of his TEN coffee breaks during a typical day |
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