Exciting stuff for us today – we finally get to reveal details about our new relationship with Chef Paul Sturkey.   He’s the BEST – and we’ve loved getting to work with him and his wonderful wife, Pam!  I thought I’d share with you the release we sent out today:

BARHYTE TO CREATE NATURAL DRESSINGS FOR CHEF PAUL STURKEY

Cincinnati ‘s Famed Mesh Restaurateur Teams with Barhyte to Release Expanded Collection

of Award-Winning Condiments

PENDLETON, Ore. (October 30, 2008) – Working side-by-side, Cincinnati Chef Paul Sturkey and Barhyte Specialty Foods‘ “Saucy Mama” Suzie Barhyte have crafted an improved, natural formulation of the restaurateurs’ hugely popular Sturkey’s House Dressing.  This new and natural version of Chef Sturkey’s Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette (both original and lite flavors) will begin shipping through Barhyte distribution channels in November 2008.

Chef Sturkey, along with his wife Pastry Chef Pam, both of Cincinnati’s famed Mesh Restaurant, hit the culinary circuit in 1988 when Paul worked as executive chef for The Phoenix – a restaurant which that year topped Esquire Magazine’s “Top Ten Restaurants in America.” The local celebrity chef and his dressing have been dubbed “the Cincinnati equivalent of Paul Newman and Newman’s Own” by Cincinnati Business Magazine. He is a frequent guest on Cincinnati area radio and television programs and has made guest appearances on “Good Morning America,” and the Food Network; Sturkey also serves as a culinary expert for the DIY (Do It Yourself) Network.

Sturkey initiated the Barhyte relationship earlier this year to create naturally clean, shelf-stable versions the chef’s signature original and lite dressings.  When they began working together in the Barhyte kitchen, Paul Sturkey and Suzie Barhyte found undeniable synergies that inspired even more creations.  As they played with ingredients, they devised additional formulations for dressings and created a full line extension to release under the Sturkey brand.  In addition to original and lite Sturkey’s House Dressings, the companies also are introducing Natural Sturkey’s Herb Ranch Dressing and Sturkey’s Creamy Caesar Dressing.

“The Barhyte family saw my vision for taking our dressings to a more natural stage, and then built on it,” explains Chef Paul Sturkey. “We have a wonderful working relationship with the Barhyte’s; Suzie and I understand each other and I admire her companies’ dedication to working with local farmers to secure fresh, organic ingredients.”

The Sturkey’s House Dressing is a creamy sweet balsamic vinaigrette that doubles as a rich marinade and glaze.  “One of the huge things about our House Dressing is that kids love it, especially as a vegetable dip,” says Sturkey. “My own kids eat it on pasta and parents love it because their kids are eating healthy.  It’s a great value condiment with widespread appeal.”

Barhyte Specialty Foods will release Sturkey’s signature dressings beginning this at gourmet food and specialty stores nationwide.  Each dressing will be available in 12-oz. bottles for $4.99 (MSRP).

For more information about these or other Barhyte / Sturkey creations, please visit www.barhyte.com.

We’re inspired.  How can we not be? As huge Oregon State Beaver fans, we’re still recovering from one of the greatest games in our football history.  OSU’s defeat over USC was headline news all weekend!

Needless to say, everyone at Barhyte is starting to warm up for the next game: OSU vs. Utah on Thursday, October 2.  So since we’ll be watching this game at home, we thought we’d put together a tailgate-at-home menu to keep the energy high.  Here’s what we’ve got in mind:

Rogue Dead Guy Ale (hey, it’s almost Halloween – seems like a good choice!)

Jalapeno Poppers

Mom Barhyte’s Hot Flash Chicken Wedge (see below)

Pineapple Coleslaw

Garlic Breadsticks

Mom Barhyte’s Hot Flash Chicken Wedge Recipe:

Prep Time: Approx. 15 minutes (plus time for marinating)

Ingredients:

1 lb. chicken breast, cut into chunks

1/3 bottle (approx. 4 oz) Saucy Mama’s Hot Wing Sauce

1/3 bottle (approx. 4 oz.) Tailgate Bacon Blue Cheese Wing Dip

4 oz. crumbled Maytag Blue Cheese

1 head iceberg lettuce, cut into 4 wedges  (look for lettuce heads that are tight; if it is squishy, it will fall apart when it is cut into wedges).

Instructions:

Cut up chicken into small cubes; mix into zip-top bag with Saucy Mama’s Hot Wing Sauce. Shake well and marinate for as little as 20 minutes, or as long as overnight. Drizzle olive oil into frying pan heated to medium – enough to lightly coat the pan.  Add chicken and marinade mix, cooking until done and lightly caramelized (approx. 15 minutes).

On separate platter, drizzle Tailgate Bacon Blue Cheese Wing Dip over lettuce wedges.  Spoon hot chicken over top of wedges.  Finish with crumbled Maytag Blue Cheese. Serve with ice-cold matchstick slices of carrots and celery.  Serves four.
Do you have any great taligating menus to share? Great recipes!  Post them as a comment (and ideally, a recipe or two), and I’ll select one name at random next week to receive a 12-bottle case of our favorite Barhyte Tailgate sauces and mustards!