Brewing Growth with French Press Roasters

I’ve been a long-time fan of French Press Roasters — from their welcoming cafés to their incredible coffee and food. But behind the scenes, owner Jeremy Perkins was running the entire marketing engine himself. With a growing business and multiple locations, it was time for a change.

That’s when I stepped in to support strategy, content, and execution — turning admiration into collaboration.

A photo I took of Jeremy for the Island Eats Cookbook in 2021

The Challenge

French Press already had a loyal following and strong product, but their marketing needed consistency and strategy. Without dedicated support, social media updates were sporadic, the website needed attention, and there was no email newsletter to connect with their community.

In short: great coffee, but an under-leveraged brand presence.

The Approach

Over three months as Marketing Manager + Content Creator, I focused on:

Instagram grid BEFORE + AFTER

• Social Media Refresh → consistent posting, visuals aligned with their brand, and community engagement.
  

• Website Updates → streamlining pages, updating photography, and making the online experience match their in-café quality.
  

• E-Newsletter Launch → building direct customer connection, with stories, product features, and promotions.

The Results

The impact was immediate:

• Website + social channels refreshed and aligned.

• Newsletter launched and growing with engaged readers.

• Online sales quadrupled in July — the strongest month yet.

Momentum is building, and French Press now has a marketing rhythm that reflects the quality of their coffee and community.

Working with French Press has been a reminder of why I do what I do: helping food and beverage brands connect with their community and grow through smart, strategic storytelling.

👉 If your brand is ready for that kind of momentum, let’s talk.

Langara Island Lodge Cookbook

Cookbooks are more than recipes — they’re storytelling tools that capture the flavour of a place. Earlier this year, I had the privilege of art directing and photographing the Langara Island Lodge Cookbook, a project that brought together an incredible team to highlight the culinary experience of Haida Gwaii.

Planning & Art Direction

Every cookbook starts long before the camera is turned on. Working closely with the lodge’s graphic designer, Jon MacArthur (jmad.ca), I developed a rustic yet elegant visual direction that would reflect the West Coast environment while showcasing the artistry of the lodge’s culinary team.

To bring this to life, I spent days sourcing props, linens, and textured backdrops — each choice designed to complement the natural ingredients and storytelling style we wanted to achieve.

The Dream Team

No project like this happens alone. I was lucky to work with:

• Chef Richard Benson, whose thoughtful dishes were the heart of the book.

• Assistant Brianna Matheson, whose sharp eye and energy kept us on pace.

• The team at Filberg Heritage Lodge & Park, where we shot in their stunning kitchen — the perfect setting for a West Coast culinary story.
  

3 Days of Shooting

We had just three days to capture an entire cookbook — fast-paced by any standard. Each day was a balance of food styling, photography, and creative problem-solving to make sure every shot felt polished yet natural.

To show the process, I’ve paired a few behind-the-scenes images with final photographs — highlighting the planning and teamwork that went into each frame.

The Results

The finished book reflects what we set out to achieve: rustic elegance, authentic West Coast textures, and dishes that truly celebrate the spirit of Langara Island Lodge. It was one of those projects where the pace was intense, but the results made every long day worthwhile.

Projects like this remind me why I love what I do: turning flavour and atmosphere into visuals that tell a bigger story.

👉 Want to bring the same editorial energy to your brand? Get in touch to talk about your next project.

An Edible Roadtrip: 5 Days of Local Flavour in the Comox Valley

From vineyard sunsets to seaside trails, the Comox Valley is brimming with flavour worth slowing down for. I often get asked where to eat and drink around here, and while we couldn’t possibly squeeze in every gem, these stops are some of my favourites to share.

This project was created in collaboration with Tourism Comox Valley, and over five days, we (Danika @danikasea and Laura @laurazgud) set out to capture the tastes, textures, and stories that make this region such a food-lover’s destination. Here’s how our edible roadtrip unfolded.

Evening 1 – Arrival with Wine & Music

We started our journey at 40 Knots Winery, where Wine Wednesdays bring together live music, award-winning wines, and a laid-back vineyard vibe. Half-priced bottles, sparkling wines, local ciders, and cocktails made this the perfect first taste of the valley. Surrounded by rows of vines and the buzz of a friendly crowd, it was easy to see why 40 Knots has become a summer favourite.

🔗 Watch the reel

Day 2 – Trails & Treats in Cumberland

Cumberland is a hub of both history and culinary creativity. We grabbed onigiri and okonomiyaki at Gonza (handmade right in front of us), then crossed the street for artisan truffles and real-fruit snow cones at Dark Side Chocolates. A flight of craft brews at Cumberland Brewing Co. was the perfect pause before finishing with a double-scoop at Love’s Ice Cream—pro tip: try a hard scoop topped with soft serve.

🔗 Watch the reel

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Day 3 – Coastal Flavour in Comox

Our day in Comox began at The Mill Coffee, a warm gathering spot in the heart of town. From there, we stopped at Church Street Bakery for wood-fired sourdough and carried our treats down to Marina Park. Lunch was all about classics from Surfside Fish ’n Chips, followed by craft beers and beer-garitas at Rad Brewing Co. With seaside views, friendly service, and plenty of flavour, this day captured the Comox vibe perfectly.

🔗 Watch the reel

✨ Bonus Stops in Comox

• Dubois Summer Kitchen – A seasonal gem in Filberg Park serving farm-fresh, from-scratch dishes by chef Marc-André Dubois. 🔗 Watch the reel
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Comox Hop-On Trolley – A new summer feature connecting parks, coffee shops, and even wineries —no driving required. 🔗 Watch Laura’s reel

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Day 4 – Makers & Markets in Courtenay

No trip to Courtenay is complete without a Saturday morning visit to the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market. From mushrooms and fresh greens to pastries, eggs, and live music, the market is a beloved year-round hub for the community. We always leave with an armful of fresh flowers—it’s part of the ritual.

From there, we headed into downtown Courtenay. At Freyja the Croissant Story, laminated pastries and slow-fermented sourdough took centre stage. Habibi’s followed with scratch-made Middle Eastern dishes bursting with colour and spice. At Ace Brewing, flights of craft beer and a lively patio scene brought the energy up before ending with family-style Latin flavours at Javier’s Latin Cuisine.

🔗 Watch the reel

Day 5 – One Last Bite in Royston

As we were heading out of town, we made one last stop at Royston Roasting for coffee roasted in small batches and their must-try chili mocha. We picked up our coffees and treats and walked the nearby seaside trail, where the view of the shipwrecks made for a simple, perfect send-off. From there, you can continue along the Old Island Highway — a scenic route home and the sweetest way to close out our trip.

🔗 Watch the reel