Susan's Blog

La Dolce Vita

Our family recently took a trip to Italy, where we enjoyed magnificent food, wine and hospitality while connecting with our Swiss-Italian roots along the way.

Many of the Swiss-Italian families in the Santa Maria Valley hail from the lakes region in southern Switzerland and northern Italy. We traveled to the tiny village of Someo in Switzerland, which is just over the border. My husband Paul’s grandfather came from Someo. We explored the village and enjoyed salami and cheese at the local tavern while listening to the rush of the nearby waterfalls. It was very meaningful for us to be there with our children (well, they’re adults now, but they’ll always be our children, right?), and to connect with our heritage.

We stayed at a villa in Florence, where we enjoyed picture-perfect Tuscan views of the rolling vineyards, Italian cypress and umbrella pines. It was like every painting you’ve ever seen of Tuscany. We then traveled to the Amalfi Coast, where we stayed in a villa once owned by a prominent olive oil family. We had a wonderful dinner at the Hotel San Pietro in Positano, where the food, presentation and service were impeccable. The citrus industry is huge in that region. You see lemon stands everywhere as you wind along the country roads. This region produces delicious lemoncella and a lemon variety that is gigantic. I was told that these lemons can weigh up to 3 pounds each.

While driving through the hill towns, we would see beautifully manicured gardens behind every house, and nearly all of them had fig trees. I recalled being a child here in the Santa Maria Valley, visiting my grandmother and other Swiss-Italian families in the area. It seemed that everyone had a fig tree. Now I know why.

I am so intrigued by the Italian lifestyle. They fully embrace the enjoyment of life and food. They are really into the land and the things that grow on it, and they seem to have such an appreciation for it. The pace is slower, and the emphasis is on quality over quantity. It’s definitely an inspiration for our own family, and for the way we operate Susie Q’s Brand.

So you’ll never guess what I gave Paul on Father’s Day last weekend. A fig tree, of
course!

Posted by Susan on 06/29/2010

Our Customers Are The Best!

From day one, our little company was built on word of mouth. Friends would tell friends about this unique seasoning from the Santa Maria Valley, and over time we gained a loyal following from around the world.

Today, we still rely on word of mouth. We remain a small family operation, and we don’t have a big marketing budget. For this reason, we are grateful for everyone who helps us spread the word about our Santa Maria Style Barbeque products.

Just this month, for example, we gained two new retail accounts—Prime Cuts in Michigan and Union Markets in Brooklyn, New York—from customer referrals.

Posted by Susan on 04/27/2010

A Timeless Tradition

The roots of Santa Maria Style Barbecue run deep, all the way back to the mid 19th century when the local rancheros would host appreciative feasts for those who helped with the annual spring brandings. The centerpiece of the meal was prime beef cooked over an open pit of native red oak coals. From these festivities, the tradition of Santa Maria Style Barbecue was born.

Fast forward to last week, when we held our annual spring branding at our family ranch. Naturally, when all of the hard work was done, we celebrated the occasion with a big barbecue feast. As you can imagine, we went through a lot of seasoning and pinquito beans!

There's nothing like gathering with family and friends, smelling the sweet red oak and savoring these familiar flavors that are woven into the fabric of our lives in the Santa Maria Valley. Seeing my grandchildren around the table reminded me of the barbecues I enjoyed as a child.

In this fast-paced world, Santa Maria Style Barbecue still stands out as a timeless tradition. The times may have changed, but the menu hasn’t.

Posted by Susan on 03/01/2010

Susie Q's Sent to Iraq

A few months ago there was a wonderful story in our local newspaper about a local company that built and sent a Santa Maria Style BBQ grill to a military unit in Iraq. I knew immediately that we had to complete the Santa Maria Style BBQ experience by contributing a supply of Susie Q's Brand products for the soldiers. Today we gratefully sent our package of red oak, seasoning, beans, salsa, & rib glaze to Camp Taji near Baghdad.

At this busy time of year, when we get caught up in the frenzy of all we have to do for the holidays, it is good to remember those who are on the front lines for the betterment of our world. To all the troops abroad and their families here at home, we send thanks for your sacrifices and wish you blessings throughout the year.

Posted by Susan on 12/08/2009

Congratulations to Recipe Contest Winner Kristy Alldredge

After months of receiving and tasting entries, we are happy to announce that we have a winner. Kristy Alldredge's recipe for Oak Grilled Jalapeno Poppers took home the prize of a tail gate Santa Maria Style BBQ pit along with an assortment of Susie Q's Brand products. The recipe calls for simple ingredients and is easily prepared on the grill while waiting on the perfect flame for your entree course.

Kristy is a California transplant who now lives and cooks in Idaho. We are delighted that Kristy's new home includes a taste of the Central Coast with Susie Q's products in her pantry.

Congratulations to Kristy and all of our customers who submitted recipes. The winning recipe along with some notable entries are can be found in the Customer Recipe file under the Recipes tab.

Posted by Susan on 11/17/2009