The perfect beignet checks all the boxes. Whether you’re nostalgic for the tastes of New Orleans or looking for a way to switch up a breakfast routine, the fried treats with their cloud-like interior make everything better.
Husband and wife duo Heidi and Micah Stampley of Fayetteville, Georgia, want to make it easier for households across the country to get their hands on the famed New Orleans snack.
The couple, originally from New Orleans, got their culinary start opening their Cajun and Creole cafes, Orleans Brews and Beignets Coffeehouse and Café, in 2017. “Food has always been a part of our lives. We grew up around food and cooking with incredible cooks in our family. Louisiana's known for their food and so that's really where it started. But we started hosting little gatherings here in our home, and our friends would always comment on our food and our cooking,” says Micah, who is also a renowned Gospel singer and songwriter.
When cafe patrons began to ask about the beignet mix, with some driving as much as three hours to pick up an order, the Stampleys knew their recipe was one to share with the world.
Commitment to Being the Best
With that, the couple dug into the research to figure out how to get their homemade product packaged and ready for consumers. In early 2019, they partnered with a packaging company out of Mississippi and their Orleans Foods beignet mix was officially released in November 2020.
“There was definitely a learning curve. I didn't have anyone guiding or mentoring me and it was a lot of work. I would spend hours and hours a day trying to troubleshoot. You really have to be committed to your product and make sure you're ready for what it takes,” says Heidi, who also believes that if you’re committed to your product, that makes it easier to sell it.
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Micah is a firm believer in the need for dedication and faith. “You don't have anybody looking over your shoulders tell you the clock in and clock out. You have to be self-motivated. If you're going to be successful, you have to be self-motivated. You have to get up in the morning, you have to force yourself to do things when you don't feel like it and if you're faithful and committed to it, you'll win.”
More Than Beignets
As delicious as they are in their simplest form, freshly fried and topped with powdered sugar, the New Orleans natives believe beignets are more than just a one-trick pony. “You can use the mix for making regular breakfast items like pancakes and waffles. We also do a beignet breakfast sandwich which is basically just beignets and in between, you have bacon, egg, cheese and then you top it with powder sugar. There are so many things you can do to take it to the next level. You can really get creative,” says Heidi.
The duo hopes to one day expand their offerings to reflect the savory range of Creole and Cajun food served at their cafes, like shrimp and grits, étouffée and seafood gumbo. For now, they’re content to have their product available nationwide.
As a new brand, the Stampleys are currently focused on building the foundation for their company and bolstering their reputation; they know that fans are a bit more discerning when it comes to Cajun and Creole foods. “You know, people don't want a fake. They want to make sure it's authentic,” Heidi shares.
“It's a dream come true when you hear people saying they're making it at home, sharing it with their families. We love feeding people.”
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To learn more about Orleans Foods, visit https://orleansfoodsltd.com/. Their mix is available at Walmart.com and as well as their website. Be sure to give them a follow for updates on Facebook and Instagram.
