as she could. As far as I know, we got the largest Katrina-related SBA loan ever awarded. It saved our lives. Without Penny, the company would not be in existence today. She is an integral part of Baumer Foods, Inc.” Another lifesaver was Kabbani, who’d relocated to his daughter’s in LaPlace after the storm. While there, he learned that the former Constar Plastic plant in Reserve was for lease. As negotiations for the 192,000-squarefoot facility were ongoing, Penny knew where she needed to be—at Baumer Foods, as full time CFO. By July 2007, the Reserve plant was up and running, producing and distributing all Baumer Foods products: Crystal Hot Sauce, Figaro liquid smoke, sauces (Worcestershire, wing, steak, soy, teriyaki) and fajita mix, plus a sizeable private label business. Baumer Foods discontinued production of Crystal mustard, jams and jellies after Katrina. Presently, Baumer Foods is one of the fastest-growing condiment manufacturers in the country. Yet, when asked if the company’s recovered from the storm, Al Jr. replies pensively, “I don’t know that anyone could ever fully recover from the emotion of it, but I think we’ve recovered pretty well.” Pretty well, indeed. Pepper, Al Jr.’s son, adds, “What makes me proudest of Baumer Foods is my dad’s resilience. After Katrina, he essentially had to rebuild the entire company from the ground up. I have no idea how he pulled it off.”
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Inside New Orleans