Capital at Play December 2015

L Steeplechase Olde English Toffee: A Family Tradition It’s enough to make your mouth water just reading the description—crunchy, buttery toffee layered with almonds and chocolate. But mere words can’t do justice to this delicious treat that leaves recipients begging for more. Zack Joyce has recently taken over the reins of his mom’s business, Steeplechase Old English Toffee in Waynesville, and says the secret to the decadent goodness is the use of high quality products mixed with loving care.

The company, now in its 20th year, evolved organically out of Barbara Joyce’s kitchen. She experimented with different toffee recipes until she hit upon the perfect combination. Her goal at the time was simple—make holiday toffee to give to family, friends, and clients of her husband, Jim. Once people got a taste, they begged for more. Her hobby morphed into a business and to a regular storefront at 235 Pigeon Street in Waynesville. There has been little marketing over the years.

Word of mouth has been the best endorsement, but Zack hopes to use his skills in culinary arts, graphic design, and marketing to take the company to the next level.

Zack began helping his mom when he was a teenager at Tuscola High School. Even when he was at the University of Alabama, and subsequently in Chicago, he would return to the mountains of Western North Carolina every year to help with the holiday rush. He learned her secret recipe and how to use copper kettles to make the toffee in small batches.

“Each batch we make is 18 pounds,” explained Zack. “Other companies make 60 to 100 pounds in a batch. They don’t use care and love—everything is machine made. We are very hands on and use the best ingredients. We don’t use preservatives or additional fillers, and that’s why it’s so good. It’s the real deal.”

The company started out with one offering—the traditional Old English Toffee, which remains their best seller. Through the years they’ve added other varieties. They now sell six flavors: Traditional; Plain (no nuts and graham cracker crumbs instead of pecan meal on top); Tropical (buttery cashew and coconut laced toffee, but no chocolate, and dusted with ground pecans); Butter Mint (white chocolate infused with pure peppermint extract; Spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, apple cider, with white chocolate); and the most recent addition, Peanut Butter and Chocolate.

Zack is in the process of revamping the company website, steeplechasetoffee.com. Right now, customers can place online orders, but all of the varieties aren’t currently offered in the online store. However, if someone wants a special flavor shipped, they are happy to accommodate that request if they send an December2015 | capitalatplay.com 77