Simon Dufresne is going from chicken bouillon to gold bullion.
The award-winning Vernon chef is turning in food scales for bullion scales as he re-opens Simon's Coins, a business started in 2001 by his father, Denis, which he named after his son.
"We closed the store five years ago," said Dufresne, 23. "My dad wanted to retire and I didn't want to continue. I got into other things, became a Red Seal chef, won a number of cooking competitions.
"But I've been thinking about it (Simon's Coins) for awhile now. I think it's time to re-open. What Vernon is lacking right now is a reliable place to sell gold, silver, coins, and military artifacts."
Simon's Coins handles bullion brokering 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ offering same-day cash to people for gold, silver, scrap jewelry, and dental gold 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ and can help if you're looking to sell old coins or military medals.
Dufresne, with more than a decade of experience in the bullion industry, also offers full-service appraisals for estates, court orders, and insurance needs.
"Things are tough out there, and I want to help provide people with the service," said Dufresne, adding he gets help from dad, who hasn't totally retired.
"I really do specialize in bullion but my dad is around to help me with things I don91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™t know," said Dufresne. "He has 50 years, if not more, of knowledge. I'm really happy to still have him as an invaluable resource."
Simon's Coins is located on the second floor at #201-2808-48th Ave., directly across from Hudson's Bay and the Village Green Centre. The shop is manned Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but Dufresne is available any time.
"I like to say I work 24-7 by appointment, any time of the day or night, I think that's important," he said. "I strive on customer service, and I get that people work mornings, work nights, work graveyards, I understand that."
You can find out more about the business at .
Dufresne, who applied his cooking skills at a Lake Country winery, is not totally backing out of the kitchen.
He still owns his private chef company, and he will cook for corporate events, weddings, parties, or gatherings at people's houses.
Dufresne recently made and served dinner at a pop-up night at Armstrong's Country Manor Kitchen.
