Discover: Pastamore & Poppy Specialty Foods
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We have always had a passion for food. We like to share that passion with people by offering them quality food products.
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- Scott Adolf, Poppy Specialty Foods
Tell us about yourself! What’s your background and what do you do?
We have always had a passion for food. We like to share that passion with people by offering them quality food products. Take a look at our ingredients, on the foods we offer, and you will be amazed by the fact that they are made with very few ingredients. No modified or engineered ingredients to be found.
How did you learn your craft? Tell us about your first finished product.
I learned a lot from my Grandmother and after that it was a lot of trial and error. My first product was pasta. The trial and error was creating gourmet pasta without egg and adding vegetables so the flavor comes from the pasta.
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My full-blooded Italian Grandmother was a great inspiration. It was truly amazing watching her make everything from scratch.
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Where does the name of your business come from?
We decided that we wanted to expand our offerings beyond Pastamore so we have introduced Kettle Corn and Cinnamon Glazed Almonds, Pecans, and Cashews into the mix. We decided on Poppy Specialty Foods as a play on the fact that Kettle Corn is made by popping popcorn and staying true to the fact that food is still our specialty.
How long does it take to make your product and what’s involved in the process?
The pasta is probably the most time consuming product. The Durum Semolina, Olive Oil, Vegetables, Spice and Water are put into the large pasta machine and when it is ready, we hand cut it, hang it on the rack, put it into a special dryer for 12 hours, and then package it.
Where does your inspiration come from?
My full-blooded Italian Grandmother was a great inspiration. It was truly amazing watching her make everything from scratch. Spaghetti, Lasagna, and my favorite, Cream Puffs. Again, I must emphasize everything was from scratch.
What’s your favorite product that you’ve created?
We have a few favorites. Our Garlic Toasted Onion Fettuccine, our Gluten Free Penne, our Raspberry Balsamic, and our newest offering of Cinnamon Glazed Pecans.
What question do you get asked the most at pop-up markets?
“How long have you been in business? Are you local?”
What’s something unique about you that most people don’t know (or wouldn’t guess)?
My brother was into photography many years ago. He submitted a photo of me wearing a parka jacket in the dead of winter to the museum in Munich Germany, for a contest featuring young photographers. The photo was actually selected and my photo was blown up to 8' x 12' and displayed in the entrance of the museum for 6 months.
What’s your favorite beverage to sip on?
Vodka with Soda Water and no fruit.
What’s up next for Pastamore and Poppy Specialty Foods?
Rebranding is always challenging. We want to make sure our longtime customers are informed and our new customers become longtime customers. We also hope to expand our online business as well as expand into offering services for corporate functions.
