Our Story
At Culinaria Creations, we’re more than purveyors of spices; we’re storytellers of flavor, curators of culture, and pioneers of global culinary artistry. Our journey began in 2013 when three passionate professionals united to create something extraordinary. Rich Colman, an experienced food industry strategist and connector, Simone Cormier, a masterful chef, and Rubert Velasquez, a dedicated food industry entrepreneur, joined forces to embark on an adventure that would bring the world’s most exotic and exquisite flavors to your kitchen.
Simone and Rubert have traversed continents, walking fields and spice plantations, meeting farmers, and forging meaningful relationships with suppliers. Their global expeditions have taken them to over two dozen countries, where they’ve sourced ingredients from the most authentic and sustainable producers. Whether attending premier food trade shows, auditing suppliers, or just looking for the next unique flavor, they’ve built a global network of trusted partners who share their commitment to quality and authenticity.
At Culinaria Creations, relationships are at the heart of everything we do. We believe in nurturing partnerships that create mutual success, enabling us to deliver unparalleled quality to our customers. Our mission is to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation, providing you with premium ingredients that honor their origins while inspiring culinary creativity.
In Simone’s Mad Spice Lab, the art of flavor comes alive. She crafts each seasoning blend with meticulous care, drawing upon her Cajun heritage, Chef experience, and global culinary inspiration. From the bold and authentic flavors of Traditional Cajun Seasoning to the smoky, sweet allure of Kansas City BBQ Spice, each blend tells its own story. Then there are Simone’s innovative creations, like the Istanbul Spice blend, a vibrant homage to Turkish cuisine that transports your taste buds to the bustling bazaars of Istanbul.
Our collection of seasoning blends is designed to spark creativity and simplify cooking. Whether used as dry rubs, mixed into sauces and soups, or as part of breadings and braises, they offer versatility and efficiency, saving you time and space without compromising on flavor. At Culinaria Creations, we invite you to explore, experiment, and elevate your dishes with seasonings that are as unique as your culinary journey.
The Team
Simone Cormier
Simone brings extensive knowledge of the culinary world from over two decades of experience in such roles as executive chef, R&D chef, seasoning blends formulator, international culinary “sourcer”, and sommelier.
She sat on the Board of Directors for the American Spice Trade Association, was a judge for numerous food competitions, contributed to America the Great Cookbook, and was the creator and host of two spice documentaries titled The Life of Spice.
Simone is passionate about food, wine and spirits, and travel, having visited 78 countries thus far, and recommends everyone to “Just go and see the gorillas”.
She is from Cajun Country, Louisiana and now resides in Portugal.
Rubert Velasquez
With over 30 years of experience, Rubert, a Miami-based CEO and consultant. He specializes in steering companies toward strategic growth, global expansion, and thriving sales cycles.
His expertise spans industries like retail, import-export, E-Commerce, and medical services, transforming challenges into successes for startups and established businesses.
As a dedicated Board Member and mentor, Rubert passionately empowers small to medium-sized businesses and international companies, leveraging his visionary leadership to inspire growth and innovation on a global scale.
As a Floridian lifestyle lover, Rubert blends family time, travel, and a passion for business with his love for beach life, cinema, photography, and sports events—living each day to the fullest.
Rich Colman
Having 35 + years of success and in building relationships in the food industry, Rich is an experienced food industry strategist and connector with a profound depth of knowledge and experience. After graduation from the University of Southern California, his wealth of experience encompasses the sectors of: national food distribution, corporate purchasing, product and brand development, sales and marketing, business planning and risk management, as well as import and export regulatory and label compliance expertise. He has created more than $300 million in sales in segments including club stores, retail grocery, foodservice, C stores, and specialty food.
Rich embraces the Rocky Mountain lifestyle, healthy living, good food, cooking, and family and friends.
Camila Ospina
Cami is the Marketing Director at Culinaria Creations and is passionate about design and marketing. Originally from Medellín, Colombia – a city known for its innovation, eternal spring weather, and rich culture – she is currently pursuing a degree in International Business. Her passion for marketing led her to an international exchange program in Barcelona, where she deepened her knowledge of marketing strategies.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Cami embraces creativity in all aspects of life. She has a deep appreciation for the complete genre of horror and enjoys discovering new experiences.