ENCAS is a startup specialized in gourmet and vegan sweet bites. Our products are named after a destination and are an invitation to a “Sweet Escape” through different flavors from all over the world. ENCAS products are free from gluten, dairy, grains, preservatives and refined sugar, and the preparation method is limited to preserve the nutritional value and quality of ingredients.
At ENCAS we do not count calories, with taste and beauty at the forefront, we measure health benefits of natural, delicious sweet indulgences.
What or who is the inspiration behind your start-up?
I founded ENCAS last year. I’m French and I grew up loving desserts such as creme caramel and mousse au chocolat, and I felt extremely unsatisfied with vegan snacks and gluten free sweets that were available in the market, which I found to be bland tasting and uninspiring. The experience was not comparable to that of eating an ice cream or indulging in a macaron for instance. Worse yet, I realized that many ‘free from’ ranges were filled with additives. So I came up with the vision of a gourmet, vegan and natural range of products: ENCAS was created! Tasty and beautiful my perfect sweet treat!
Tell us why your business is the “best thing since sliced bread”
There is clearly a gap in the market for gourmet and chic products, which at the same time look beautiful, taste delicious and are generally made of natural and healthy ingredients. And that is exactly what we are creating! ENCAS is a new segment: Vegan Chic.
Eating healthy is usually linked to fitness and boho, but we believe that it can also be fashion, elegant and chic. There is a growing trend of eating a more natural diet, and we are confident that it can be delicious, gourmet and elegant as well.
We created also a new category of products that didn’t previously exist. Our Carré is a square indulgence mixing natural ingredients into three different layers: a crunchy biscuit base, a mouth-watering filling and a crackling chocolate top. So it’s not an energy ball, not a bar, not a cookie, not a chocolate, but a bit of all of them in one!
Who is your hero in the business – the one that you aspire to be?
Like many healthy foodpreneurs and bloggers I would say Deliciously Ella. She was really an inspiration for so many foodistas of my generation. She describes her mission like “making vegetables cool” and she did it!
Ella initiated a new movement, making veganism and plant based diet trendy but cool with easy recipes using natural ingredients in a creative way.
What is your favorite item on your menu and why?
It really depends on my mood, recently, actually ever since Ramadan I’m in love with the Middle Eastern flavor of the Rose and Pistachio (called Beautiful Istanbul), other days I’m crazy about the orange and Ginger (Stop to Zanzibar). When I want a little snack that is more indulging and comforting to me, I’ll pick New York, New York! (Caramel and Peanuts). Finally, when I miss my days exploring and surfing in Bali, I’ll crave the Magical Bali Carre (Coconut and Dark chocolate). A Sweet Escape for everyday of the week!
What (lessons) have you learnt along the way that you would like to share with other foodpreneurs?
Dubai is an amazing city to start new projects, there are lots of opportunities, especially in the healthy food industry. But starting a food business is not easy, and a lot of costly permits and licenses are required to operate, which is difficult to support by entrepreneurs and new startups. Some things are also more complex than one would expect, and take much more time than expected. I’m learning every day but I would say the most valuable lesson I have learnt so far is to be patient…
Where can we find you?
www.encas.me
Instagram: encas_sweet_escapes Facebook @encas
You can also find us stocked at :
- Panifico – DIFC Dubai & Media City Dubai
- Gourmet Deli – Amwaj JBR Dubai
- Besupernatural – Galeries Lafayette Dubai
- Icons Coffee Shop – Cayan Tower & DWTC
- Blanc D’Ivoire – Al Wasl Road
- Greenheart Organic Farms – Online and opposite Arabian ranches