A legend in Vancouver's food industry circles, Linda Meinhardt has always been an innovator.
Starting from scratch, Linda Entered the food industry by home-baking cheesecakes for Vancouver's best restaurants. This led to Linda's own catering company and gourmet food store called Delectables on 10th Avenue. Venturing onwards, Linda became co-owner of a then little-known operation on First Avenue in Kitsilano named the Bread Garden. With vision and dedication, Linda helped drive the Bread Garden's success, growing it from one to ten locations. During the same time frame, Linda also opened the Gallery Cafe & Catering, at the Vancouver Art Gallery, which quickly gained a reputation as one of the finest caterers in the lower mainland. However, always seeking new challenges, Linda left Bread Garden and Gallery Cafe in 1994 and began to investigate the potential concept of what would become Meinhardt in 1996.
An expert in food trends, Linda is viewed as a forerunner in the food business.
She is always on the leading edge and constantly aware of what is working in North American and Europe. The specialty food business is her life and the Meinhardt name is synonymous with the finest in food culture.
A high energy, charismatic individual with a strong vision, Linda has established a high profile reputation in the Canadian food industry over the past sixteen years. Recognized by Canadian House & Home, Canadian Living, Vancouver Magazine, Northwest Palate Magazine, the London Sunday Times and frequently cited in Canadian newspapers as one of the leading visionaries in the food business, Linda is applauded in the media for her 'big scale thinking' and 'non-conventional business approach.' Her energy, her expertise and her presence are evident in every inch of Meinhardt.
With the Meinhardt concept, Linda was the first to leverage the 'small indulgences' trend, which continues to grow even in the current down economy. She is a trend forecaster, able to determine in advance what the market needs.
Linda believes that Meinhardt can serve the marketplace by being highly innovative in its offerings, level of product knowledge, the quality of its products and the high level of customer service.
Linda has cultivated a lifestyle image for the store that has resulted in the creation of the 'Meinhardt Brand', a reflection of Linda's personality, style and attention to detail. From the name of the buidling to the high-end house brands and internationally recognized products inside the store, Meinhardt is a premium brand with powerful equity in the grocery and specialty food business.
Customer loyalty, store volumes and critical acclaim herald the fact that meinhardt has achieved its objectives. Our continued success can be attributed to Linda's vision and consistent excellence in all things 'Meinhardt'.
Linda is brilliant in the kitchen. Watch her closely in the store. She makes wonderful things happen!