MADe in sB: PAciFic Pickle works

Carriots Of Fire! Perfect addition to a spicey Bloody Mary or Banh-Mi sandwich.

Pickled to perfection

A spicy local original

by nanCy ransohoff

When Bradley Bennett began making his pickles as holiday gifts for friends and family in his Santa Barbara kitchen in 2001, he didn’t envision that one day his crispy-crunchy deliciousness would be sold in about 2,500 stores nationwide . What began as a hobby slowly evolved into a successful business after Bennett made the decision to brand and sell his popular puckery products . His signature recipe blends punchy California chili peppers and umami-rich aromatics .

Pacific Pickle Works was born in 2010, with products placed in stores the following year . C’est Cheese (now Cheese Shop Santa Barbara) became Bennett’s first customer, followed eventually by stores including Whole Foods, Bristol Farms, and Gelson’s on the West Coast . “This year we went nationwide in Cost Plus and a few notable chains on the East Coast,” says Bennett .

As self-proclaimed Owner and Principal Pickle, the Santa Barbaraborn-and-raised Bennett oversees a small staff that pickles, packages, labels, and ships to locations around the world . “We do everything at our little factory on Union Street on the lower east side,” he says .

Bennett is of course acutely aware that this has been a devastating year for small businesses of all kinds . That’s why he is especially grateful that Pacific Pickle Works has been busier than ever . “It’s been a banner year for us,” he says . “We’re thankful that we’ve been able to keep our key workers, and even add to our team .”

In an effort to help the business thrive beyond the grocery industry, where it’s difficult for small companies to make a profit, Bennett has ex-

panded into recipe development and manufacturing for other brands in addition to his own . He also sells foodservice packs to restaurants, bars, breweries, and resorts, where high-quality handmade Pacific Pickle Works products take drinks and plates to the next zingy level .

The most popular retail products are the cheekily named Mother’s Puckers, a crunchy-tart classic deli-style garlic sour pickle; Asparagusto!, pickled asparagus spears with a kick of jalapeño; and award-winning Bloody Mary Elixir, made with all-natural house-made Worcestershire sauce . It’s not hard to eat your veggies with such offerings as the flavor-packed Carriots of Fire, Unbeetables, Brussizzle Sprouts and Pickles Under the Ginfluence . Serving suggestions and creative recipes for using Pacific Pickle Works products in everything from grilled cheese sandwiches and tacos to charcuterie boards and cocktails are offered on the website and jar labels .

In a year where people are spending more time at home, Bennett notes, “It’s fun to see people posting the cocktails and other things they’re making at home with our products . ”

Pacific Pickle Works products are available for order through the website and at local stores including Tri-County Produce, Gelson’s, Whole Foods, Bristol Farms, Lazy Acres, Sprouts, Montecito Village Grocery, and Viva Oliva . In the Santa Ynez Valley at Summerset Farm, Los Olivos Grocery, Los Olivos General Store, and Olive Hill Farm . In Summerland at Sweet Wheel Farms . In Ventura at Spicetopia .

pacificpickleworks.com

PPW founder, Bradley Bennett

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