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.

I got to go with Chris to Cincinnati on business. Being able to travel with Chris is just fun, he doesn’t want to be as adventurous about food as I love to be, but I do you use motherly pull and he ends up having a great time along with great food or sometimes, as he would put it, interesting food. One place we both agreed on was Mesh Restaurant, which is in West Chester, Ohio. Paul Sturkey has that place humming like a well oiled machine. The atmosphere is both sophisticated and casual, along with being very hip. Dinner was delicious and Pam Sturkey’s desserts make you forget about any diet. Life is far to short not to enjoy the pure pleasure of a great desert.