Everything But The...'s Profile

I recently started my own food business (organic baking mixes) and I would say everything in this article is accurate.

Be prepared to work long hours. You will encounter tons of health codes and regulations you weren't even aware of. Everything takes 2-3 times longer than you expected. And everything costs double what you were expecting.

My best advice: have plenty of capital at the ready. Growth requires hiring brokers and distributors to actually get your product on store shelves. Even the best artisinal products can't get onto big grocery store shelves without a distributor to get it their for them.

I'm still in the trenches as my company grows, and I'd be happy to speak with anyone that has interest in starting a food business. I've found the greatest help in this industry is networking and learning from others who've done it. Ping me @cherryvalefarms

I have an easy, homemade solution for this:

Steep a whole sliced apple and a cinnamon stick in Soju (Korean rice wine) for 3-4 days (or even longer if you like). Strain the liquid and you have a fabulous "liqueur" for 1/10 the cost.

I like to mix mine with apple cider for the perfect fall cocktail. You can serve it warm or cold over ice.

You could also use vodka, but Soju is much cheaper and, I think, has a more subtle flavor and a lower alcohol content.

this stuff is wonderful! I recently added it to a batch of fig & honey jam and it adds a lovely citrus note.

My 21st birthday several years ago, I wanted to throw a big bash, so I reserved part of The Redwood Bar in downtown Los Angeles. It's a pirate themed bar complete with antique sailing memorabilia and pirate decor. It's amazing.

In keeping with the theme, I wanted a pirate themed cake and party favors. So, I purchased a Lego pirate ship at a toy store along with eye patches, bandannas and fake swords. The pirate ship I turned over to a cake bakery called Cake Divas to incorporate it into a cupcake cake. But I couldn't just to pirates...I had them recreate the cake as "Pirates Vs. Gnomes" (I have a slight gnome obsession). They fitted a large circle base with the pirate ship and surrounded it with cupcakes, miniature pirate lego men and pirate booty like a treasure chest piped with icing and sprinkles to look like gold coins. They finished it off with a gnome that looked like it was attacking the pirate ship.

It was so memorable to have all of my friends get in the spirit, don their eye patches, say "argh matey" and devour that cake!

I've been wondering what the real name of these was for ages! These are very common in old San Francisco apartments, where I first encountered them. They do an excellent job of keeping pantry and produce items cool and the circulating air allows veggies a longer shelf life. One thing I noticed is that they always have strong locks / closures on them, since opening the doors can let quite a cold breeze into your home.

I just cut myself in the kitchen today for the first time in years...very fitting to read this today. Thanks for the tips!