For Immediate Release
E’s Best Barbecue Sauces Now Stocked in 50 Retailers!
PALMETTO, Florida (November 19, 2013) — E’s Best Barbecue, LLC has reached a key business milestone. In 18 months, E’s Best Barbecue Killer and Smoky Finishing Sauces are now available at 50 individual retailers across 5 southeastern states. A diverse mix of meat shops, independent grocers, gourmet shops, hardware stores, farmers markets, and gift shops comprise the 50 locations carrying E’s Best Sauces.
The most recent additions to the E’s Best family of Florida retailers include Mazarro’s Italian Market in St. Petersburg, Mixon Fruit Farms in Bradenton, Southern Steer Butcher in Clearwater, Crescent Beach Grocery in Siesta Key, Geier’s Sausage Kitchen in Sarasota, Herman’s Meats in Venice, Beef Country Butcher in Port Charlotte, and Pitmasters Depot in Tampa. Another retailer was recently added in North Carolina, Reids Fine Foods in Charlotte. Myakka Outpost Gift Shop at the Myakka River State Park east of Sarasota, FL, became E’s Best’s 50th retailer on November 14.
The sixth bottling for E’s Best is scheduled for late November and will also include bulk quantities in 1 gallon sizes. A number of retailers will utilize the sauces in their in-store meat preparations. The gallon size is in response to that demand. A recent event at Southern Steer Butcher sold an estimated 75 pounds of beef tips marinated in “Killer” and 3 cases of E’s Best sauce during the tasting.
Elmer (“E”) and Jan Hilker began their barbecue sauce venture in May 2012 after E was laid off from his communications job at a defense contractor. Since then, every day has been spent calling on and servicing a growing number of retailers. Jan & E spend each weekend promoting their products at tasting events, helping retailers move inventory and generating new E’s Best customers.
“We are thankful for the relationships we have with each small business across the southeast. When they say ‘yes’ to our sauces in their locations, they receive an ongoing personal commitment from us to make our products successful for them. That genuine interest and commitment is why I think we continue to grow at such a rapid pace,” said Elmer Hilker.
E’s Best is dedicated to demonstrating and upholding Christian principles. A share of proceeds from every bottle of sauce sold supports Christian outreach ministries. For a full list of retailers and more information, visit www.ebestbarbecue.com or contact info@ebestbarbecue.com.
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For Immediate Release
E’s Best Barbecue Sauces Celebrate 1st Anniversary
PALMETTO, Florida (May 10, 2013) — On May 15, 2012, exactly one month after being laid off from a government defense contractor, Elmer Hilker and his wife Jan embarked on a new adventure with their first bottling of E’s Best Smoky Mountain and Killer Finishing Sauces. They had one local retailer, Palmetto Meat Shop, ready to stock their sauces.
“We ordered 100 cases (1200 bottles) and our bottler said he would see us in a year, indicating that first time bottlers usually start a little slow,” said Elmer “E” Hilker. “Well, he saw us the next month with another 100 case order, again in August with a 150 case order, and again this past February with another 120 case order.”
Today, E’s Best Barbecue, LLC is a growing enterprise with 37 retailers in Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee. E’s Best Finishing Sauces are available in Palmetto, Bradenton, Oneco, Sarasota, St. Petersburg Beach, St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor, Apollo Beach, Brandon, Lithia, Plant City, Lakeland, Orlando, and Tallahassee, Florida. The North Carolina locations include Asheville, Charlotte, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Apex, Wilmington, and a food store chain in Cleveland, Tennessee.
To celebrate the first anniversary, Jan and E will return to The Chop Shop on Manatee Avenue in Bradenton, where they conducted their very first tasting event last Memorial Day weekend. Owner Susan Ambrose said it was the most successful tasting at The Chop Shop in its 43 years in business. This year’s tasting is on Saturday May 25 from 11 am – 5 pm. To celebrate the 1st anniversary, a Fathers Day gift basket promotion is being launched on the E’s Best website, www.ebestbarbecue.com. One basket will be given away at The Chop Shop tasting; the winner will be drawn at 5 pm Saturday, May 25 at the store.
“We are overwhelmed at how God has blessed our efforts, providing so many retail partners in such a short time frame,” said Jan Hilker. “We are carving a real niche in the marketplace because of the generosity of our retailers and the support of our E’s Best fans; and we try to share that same spirit with everyone we meet.”
E’s Best Barbecue, LLC is dedicated to demonstrating and upholding Christian principles. A share of proceeds from every bottle of sauce sold supports Christian outreach ministries. For retailers and more information, visit our website www.ebestbarbecue.com or contact info@ebestbarbecue.com.
Click here for a PDF version of this press release
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For Immediate Release
3/14/13 – E’s Best Sauces Featured At Celebrity Chef Event
PALMETTO, Florida (March 14, 2013) — E’s Best Smoky Mountain Finishing Sauces were prominently featured in a recent Celebrity Chef event at the Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium, in Brandon, FL. The celebrity series cooking class featured chef Chad Ward, from The Food Network’s “Chopped Grillmaster” series. Chef Ward served E’s Best sauces with his delectable short ribs entrée.
E’s Best also announces the addition of seven new Florida retailers now selling E’s Best Smoky Mountain Finishing Sauces: DG Ace Hardware stores (Clark Rd. and U.S. 41) in Sarasota, Growers Hardware In Palmetto, Shaner’s Land & Sea Market in St. Petersburg Beach, Bayway Country Store & Butcher Shoppe in St. Petersburg, Ricks Custom Meats in Lithia, and the Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium in Brandon. E’s Best also just completed its fourth bottling run in February, a great start to the new year.
“Asking retailers to carry a new product is always a challenge and we have a special appreciation for all of those who have said “yes” to E’s Best. We are also humbled and thrilled that our sauces were part of such a prestigious Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium Celebrity Chef event. Thanks to Emporium owners Dave and Karen West, and Chef Ward for including our sauces alongside his award-winning menu,” said Elmer Hilker, President.
E’s Best weekend tasting events with its retailers are in demand, averaging 16-20 bottles sold per 2-hour event. E’s Best Smoky Mountain Finishing Sauces are currently being carried by 32 retailers in several southern states. A complete list of retailers is on the website, www.ebestbarbecue.com.
E’s Best Barbecue, LLC is dedicated to demonstrating and upholding Christian principles. A share of proceeds from every bottle of sauce sold supports Christian outreach ministries. For more information, email info@ebestbarbecue.com.
Click here for a PDF version of this press release