Today we’d like to introduce you to Corinne Ouelhadj Engel.
Hi Corinne, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Thank you for stopping by, and welcome to the world of Madeleine & Co.! First things first! Let me introduce myself. I’m Corinne Engel Ouelhadj, currently residing in our beautiful and sunny Miami Beach, FL – home of my company, Madeleine & Co. Born and raised in Lyon, the worldwide renowned Capital of French Gastronomy, I was predestined to master Culinary Arts.
Around the young age of ten, I started getting busy in the kitchen, helping my mother, who was always proudly cooking our fresh meals from scratch. The love for food runs deep in my family; when I was not assisting my mother, I spent quality time with my grandfather, who taught me his knowledge about his garden’s fruits and vegetables and how to cook them.
Fast track to my early 20s, and here am I, inaugurating my first restaurant – it was a real epiphany: my passion became my job! After a few years of taking care of my family (I am the proud mother of a beautiful daughter and two amazing sons!), I came back to my passion. This time, I was opening my own coffee shop near Paris, France.
This experience has probably been one of the most enlightening of my life so far, as I learned all you could possibly know about coffees and teas of the world, and how to pair them in an unforgettable and fulfilling experience for all our senses. Writing a whole new chapter in our life, my family moved back to the US in 2008. Crazy times, if you recall… However, my passion and love for cooking and baking had never been more vital—one project started growing in me: Madeleine & Co.
For the next years, I then focused on mastering the art of jams, preserves, candies, and fruit jellies! Yum! Along the way, I met Jean-Paul Gaucher, Jam and preserve MasterChef, for whom I would forever be grateful for his teachings. Our shared love for sophisticated products led us to host masterclasses to spread worldwide our knowledge and passion to a new generation.
Put it all together, and here we are! Madeleine & Co. is the result of my life’s journey; my commitment to sharing my love and passion for culinary delicacies. Using only highly selected ingredients, I proudly propose a final product with French Gastronomy’s refinement, bringing you the quality that only fresh and homemade can provide.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My passion for my profession has always made me determined, without this passion I could not have overcome the obstacles. As a woman and mother of 3 children, there are choices to be made.
Also going abroad is a long way to adapt to the market, but also very rewarding. I was determined, and I worked a lot. With seriousness, work, and perseverance as well as the support of his family, I was able to overcome all the obstacles. But it is not a long calm river.
As you know, we’re big fans of Madeleine & Co. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My brand is Madeleine & Co and my brand logo has a meaning for me: Madeleine is the first name of my Grandmother and Co for Corinne, the lion because I was born in Lyon and I am Leo Zodiac sign. I am the vice world champion of jam (rewarded in 2019), as well as many competitions awards.
I make Jams and Jellies in traditional copper Jam Pans, I choose the best fruits, and I work on the cut of the fruit as well as the consistency of the jams in order to obtain the best balance. I’m also Jam’s teacher at Alain Ducasse school in France. I’m also launching an organic chocolate spread in a few weeks. I am also a Pastry Chef; I like baking traditional French pastries and event cakes.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
You need to be aware that all the processes are taking a long time to open a commercial kitchen to produce, you have to be patient and also have the necessary fund to support it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/madeleineandcofl?igshid=ZDdkNTZiNTM=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeleineandCoFL?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinne-ouelhadj-engel-99491b1a1
