WRITTEN BY JORDAN KOSSUTH
Photo by Ashley Wierenga
Behind Luxe Artisan Preserves is Dr. Kimberly Slaikeu, a creative at heart with a background that extends far beyond the kitchen – over 25 years in the healthcare field.
COOKING WITH A PHD
Growing up in Milwaukee and then making the leap across Lake Michigan, Dr. Kimberly Slaikeu has held state and nationally recognized positions as an Assistant Professor (Grand Valley State University), nurse executive, clinician, published author, and certified life coach. All this, and she still found time to do what she loved – entertaining guests. She’d been a flavor connoisseur since the age of 6, spending hours in their urban garden with her grandmother (“Big Mama”) harvesting produce and designing recipes with the supervision and support of her grandmother. So obviously, when playing host to friends later in life, she just had to create a stand-out signature dish that her guests would remember only ever having at her place.
She can remember finding herself short on time to prepare for one such gathering, with just a few ingredients on hand – some cheese, crackers, and blackberries. After picking some fresh basil from her patio, she quickly put together a charcuterie board, with a freshly made blackberry and basil jam as the feature. This innovative thinking served as the inspiration for Luxe Artisan Preserves, a business that officially started in the fall of 2019.
This was a time of change for Kimberly. She was celebrating the life and legacy of her mother, who had just transitioned from earth after living courageously with cancer for 7 years. Kimberly wanted to honor her legacy by showing up as her most authentic self in full capacity and sharing more of her creative side with the world. She also aims to stand as a shining example of a strong Black woman for her own daughter, Reaghan. Kimberly jokes that her daughter is an old soul (currently 9 going on 67 years old) who shares her mother’s creative passion, sophisticated palate, and love for cooking.
“I’m her first mirror, which is very important to me - I can’t sit here and tell her she can be anything she wants to be and not be aligned with that myself... I want to show her the possibilities – what can happen if you dare to believe in yourself, overcome your fears, and life live with courage and consistency.” – Dr. Kimberly Slaikeu
Photos by Steve Czerniak Photogrpahy
GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN
What’s in a name? When it comes to Luxe Artisan Preserves, both name and logo reflect the founder’s own core values and intentions to “go against the grain” – taking a centuries-old traditional product and infusing them with a modern and minimalist flair. The result? A collection of thoughtfully hand-crafted preserves that are an extension of your favorite foods in a variety of ways.
There’s no doubt that Kimberly is an artist in the kitchen, and that aesthetics are important to this brand. In looking for a space to cook creatively and energetically, Kimberly couldn’t envision herself closed off from the happenings of the outside world in a dark, windowless kitchen. She works out of the Downtown Market Incubator Kitchen, benefitting from the large windows and views of their gorgeous greenhouse.
The transition from healthcare to food was one of ease, having already decided on a focus in health promotion. Her products align with these beliefs, and each of Luxe Artisan Preserves are gluten free, vegan, and made without the use of additives, preservatives, or commercial pectin. Pectin is found naturally in all fruits and is what allows a jam to “gel”. Fruits with a thicker rinds or skin generally have a higher pectin content, leading to a stiffer texture and appearance when preserved – creating a unique, all-natural texture for each of the Luxe offerings. They are preserved naturally with organic cane sugar, which is processed without the use of bone char (also known as natural carbon – a much more affectionate way of saying crushed animal bones), to maintain a vegan-friendly standard.
Photos by Steve Czerniak Photography
PRESERVING LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS
Luxe Artisan Preserves is a one-woman show – a brand built and efficiently run entirely by Kimberly – though she is sure to partner with local farmers and vendors to source high-quality ingredients for these small-batch preserves.
Her flagship creation, Blackberry + Basil + Brandy, is made with blackberries infused with fresh basil, and finished off with Long Road Distillers hand-crafted apple brandy made from Michigan apples. Spirits from this West Michigan based distillery also make an appearance in her Cherry + Rose + Liqueur.
And did you know that preserves pair well with live music? Visit GR Noir Wine + Jazz Bar to find out which rotating Luxe flavor is featured now on their charcuterie board!
MAKE IT SIMPLE & MAKE IT YOUR OWN!
The Luxe Family has continued to evolve over time – from customers with an intended use for the products in mind, to new foodies and amateur chefs who just aren’t sure what do with it. When thinking about preserves, traditional uses like on a charcuterie board, or spread on your morning toast or a PB&J often come to mind. All great options – but the strength in this product comes from its simplicity and versatility, making Luxe Artisan Preserves the perfect finishing touch on your dinner creations.
Kimberly emphasizes that creativity in the kitchen doesn’t have to mean cooking intricate and wildly different meals every night. Choosing a base like salmon or chicken and marinading with a different Luxe Artisan Preserve can completely change the construct of an entrée. Take pride in the simplicity of a meal that doesn’t leave you overwhelmed – resulting in a dynamic menu that brings joy to your table all week!
Check out the Luxe Instagram, where you’ll find an endless source of innovative ways to elevate your culinary experience. A swirl of Blackberry preserves and some fresh fruit can take a Greek yogurt bowl to the next level and cherry preserves make the perfect tart marinade for poultry.
Photo by Samantha Ruth Photography
FROM MAKING IT IN MICHIGAN TO BRIDGE STREET MARKET
West Michigan offers many resources for entrepreneurs looking to actualize their dreams. In 2021, Luxe Artisan Preserves were showcased alongside 99 other finalists at Start Garden’s Demo Day. For many attendees, this event served as a first return to public outings since the beginning of the pandemic. With this in mind, Kimberly seized the opportunity to create an experience of joy and beauty unlike any other.
She sketched out designs for the booth and enlisted the help of several friends – including Grand Rapids ice sculpture artist Randy Finch of Ice Guru Events, who brought her visions of a gorgeous display and the Luxe logo in ice to life! The experience itself was so overwhelming, she almost didn’t register it when Luxe was awarded in the Top 10.
Photo by Samantha Ruth Photography
The entrepreneur journey can often feel isolating, so events and conferences like Start Garden’s Demo Day and MSU Product Center’s Making it in Michigan are a great space to network with other small business owners at every stage of development.
“There’s a certain level of energy that you experience in a room full of people excited about what they’re creating.” – Dr. Kimberly Slaikeu
In addition to making connections with other vendors, at 2020’s Making it in Michigan conference, Kimberly had the opportunity to virtually meet with representatives from Meijer’s Capital City Market in Lansing, Michigan, looking for local brands to introduce with the store’s launch. Capital City Market served as Luxe’s first retailer – and a natural progression to several other local stores - including Bridge Street Market.
Find a tempting trio of Luxe Artisan Preserves at Bridge Street Market in our PB&J section and on our Charcuterie Corner endcap near the our artisanal cheese selection:
Blackberry + Basil + Brandy – The evolution of the jam that started it all!
Blueberry + Lemongrass + Sake – Delicately cooked to retain the fresh fragrance and flavor of Michigan blueberries, lemongrass, and finished off with the floral aroma of dry sake.
Cherry + Rose + Liqueur – Tart Michigan cherries infused with rose petals with a subtle finish of Long Road’s cherry liqueur.
Photos by Steve Czerniak Photography