Maison Orphée: A Family Dream Turned into a Successful Reality

Which of your products is a must-have in the pantry, in your opinion?

Without a doubt—our mustards! Add them to veggie dips or sauces for dipping your fondue meats. Use them in sandwiches, on grilled vegetables, or in stews. A good turmeric-infused yellow mustard goes everywhere and adds a ton of flavor.

What sets your products apart?

At Maison Orphée, all our products are made from high-quality fruits and seeds. We also choose our partners carefully. Everyone who works with us, directly or indirectly, is skilled, dedicated, and highly qualified.

As for our Quebec-made oils, which made our reputation, they are cold-pressed. This process doesn’t involve preheating; the seeds are pressed at a temperature that varies depending on their oil content and hardness. It’s done at a slow speed, because pressing too quickly generates heat, which lowers the quality of the oil. It’s a patient process where attention to the raw materials and details makes all the difference in taste and nutritional quality.

You have a beautiful family succession story. Twelve years ago, you and your sister Élaine took over Maison Orphée from your father, Florent Bélanger. But it wasn’t exactly planned…

Indeed, when he bought Maison Orphée in 1992, it was his project. We joined the company a bit by chance and only for the short term. But we enjoyed it—and we stayed! Over time, we worked in almost every role. By the time our father brought us in full-time in 2005, we were well established in our roles and really knew the business. We were lucky—he trusted us and let us continue what we had started. He worked with us to structure Maison Orphée for the future and guided the succession project. With his support, we became full owners in 2010. He has never regretted it.

Do you have a childhood food memory to share?

We owe a lot to our father. The joy he took in experimenting with new recipes on weekends when we were little left a lasting impression. He put a lot of heart into it, and we always loved it. In the summer, our mother would make submarines that we ate on the patio after hours of playing in the pool or in the woods behind the house. They were loaded with ham, mustard, and a thick slice of cheddar. This love of good food still guides us every day.

How would you describe yourselves as entrepreneurs?

Élaine and I couldn’t be more different. My sister, who studied law, is an excellent manager who can read complex situations with a lot of perspective. She’s reliable, highly responsible, and thorough. I, on the other hand, studied translation and business administration. I have a strong curiosity—about people and about things. I’m creative and like finding solutions. Above all, I’m an optimist.

We are different, certainly, but complementary. You can tell we were raised together because we share the same values. What unites us is our sense of responsibility and our curiosity.

What’s coming up for Maison Orphée?

For over two years now, we’ve been proud to be B CORP certified. (Note: B CORP certification recognizes companies that are inclusive, fair, and responsible, while measuring their social and environmental impact.)

We approached this certification honestly, to concretely measure our efforts. That way, we can better celebrate our successes and target the work that still needs to be done.

We always want to improve, but we know we create great products and offer good jobs. This certification is proof of that. We want to continue working in that direction.

We’re also starting to think about succession—finding the right people and training them properly takes time.