NOSH
EATS | DRINKS | SWEETS
A Kosher ‘Pork Rind’?
New lower-fat, vegan snacks are guilt-free. ESTHER ALLWEISS INGBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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ould Snacklins become America’s next great salty snack? Former Detroiter Jeremy Sherman is set on making that happen. As director of Growth & Strategic Initiatives at Snacklins, Sherman is a key member of the Jeremy Washington, D.C.Sherman based company. So, what are Snacklins? Snacklins — a 100% vegan kosher snack food — was born in 2015 in the kitchen of a D.C. barbecue joint. Former radio personality and chef Samy Kobrosly “became obsessed with the idea of [developing] a meat-free pork rind” he could eat as a Muslim. He eventually settled on a recipe with yuca, mushrooms and onions, as well as other flavors, in a crunchy, airy crisp that resembles a pork rind or “cracklin.” Sherman said Snacklins — both gluten- and grain-free — are lower in fat and sodium than other snack choices. Available in 0.9-oz snack-size pouches (90 calories each) or a 3-oz bag, the four Snacklins flavors are Barbecue, Chesapeake Bay, Nacho and Teriyaki. The company got a boost in October 2019, when entre-
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Finding Snacklins
This kosher snack is available from Amazon.com or snacklins.com. Jewish News readers visiting snacklins.com can insert a special promo code, JEWISHNEWS, at checkout and get 25% off their first order.
preneur Mark Cuban of ABC’s Shark Tank made a significant investment in Snacklins. Sherman was part of a hiring wave that followed. The team is committed to achieving business success because “we’re all part owners,” he said. “We’re constantly snacking on all kinds of chips, seeing what our competitors are doing, and even trying snacks from other countries to taste new flavors that haven’t arrived in the United States yet,” Sherman said. “Limited edition” flavors are coming. Sherman’s passion for good food and cooking was influenced by his mother, Fanny, who was raised in the small Jewish community of
Barranquilla, Colombia. Meals might include a Jewish staple, such as cholent, side by side with Colombian-style arroz con pollo. Home was West Bloomfield. Sherman went to Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield with his parents, brother and sister. After high school, he took a gap-year position as international president of B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, working with teens worldwide. Sherman earned a business degree at Washington University in St. Louis before moving to Washington. He lives with Michael Eisenstatt and their dog, Oreo. Still Jewishly involved, Sherman attends Sixth & I Synagogue and facilitates Shabbat dinners for young professionals with the local JCC. Sherman is focused on expanding Snacklin’s national footprint. The products are stocked in grocery stores along the east and west coasts, but “we’ve started reaching new stores throughout the Midwest.” The company’s e-commerce business is also growing to accommodate online shoppers, and “we completed a rebrand a few months ago, where we launched a brand-new look and feel for our packaging and website.”
Austin Weisman with Winnie and Daisy Dembs
Pet Dogs’ Needs Are Opportunity for Business Startup Starting a new business during COVID seems like the worst possible time, but for Karen Stoller and Austin Weisman, it was perfect. As dog lovers and walkers, Karen and Austin put their favorite things together and started Motown Dog Walking. During the pandemic, more people than ever adopted pets and new puppies. Now, back to work and school, they need help walking their dogs, especially during the day. Karen and Austin are also finding new clients who are pets of guests staying in nearby hotels. Based in Birmingham, Motown Dog Walking offers individualized services for new puppies and a “Play n’ Potty” option for elderly dogs who just need to go outside and enjoy some play time. The pet parents even receive report cards on how they did. Karen and Austin are both certified by IAP and by the American Red Cross for cat and dog first aid. For more information, visit motowndogwalking. com.
