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Auspicious spices THREE UP-AND-COMING ENTREPRENEURIAL BRANDS ARE WOOING CUSTOMER TASTE BUDS THROUGH DISTINCT, SIMPLIFIED APPROACHES TO THE SEASONING BUSINESS. By Evan Jarvicks
Even with a recipe, measuring spoons and a well-stocked spice cabinet, those untrained in the culinary arts can find seasoning a selfcooked meal from scratch a daunting notion. Too much of one spice or not enough of another can ruin a dish, and the thought of all of those extra steps alone can be enough to reach for convenience foods instead. Fortunately, a new wave of local seasoning brands is taking the effort and guesswork out of the ordeal for kitchen novices looking to spice up their quality of dining. The house always wins For folks in search of a reliable, all-in-one universal blend, Orton’s House Seasonings offers a single signature product that promises flavor for just about any protein or vegetable dish. Some customers have tried it on eggs, popcorn, and even prime rib with ecstatic feedback, and others have reported that the picky eaters under their roof love it as well. The product label indicates that the Orton’s House blend dates to 2011, but it has only been the past couple of years that the brand has been available to the public. Owned and operated by Oklahoma City couple Larry and Karen Orton, the business only took root after one momentous family graduation. “[Our nephew] asked if we would give him a graduation dinner,” Karen Orton said. “We said, ‘Absolutely, what would you like on the menu?’ He said, ‘Most definitely Uncle Larry’s fried chicken with Orton’s Seasoning.’” To prep the meal, Karen Orton enlisted the help of her caterer cousin, who was so taken with the seasoning that she asked to have the unused leftovers. “About a week later, she called me and said, ‘We put this seasoning on everything! We call it the House Seasoning. Y’all need to put this in a bottle and sell it,’” Karen Orton said. “So that is exactly what we did.” While the House Seasoning has been the Ortons’ singular product since launch, they are open to sug-
gestions. Recently, they released a low sodium option due to customer requests, and going forward, they intend to work up a spicy version. O r t o n ’s House Seasonings can be purchased online at ortonshouseseasonings.com, but Nourished Roots Spice Co. set up at the Scissortail Farmers Market. Photo provided. its seasonings can also be found at multiple shops and food “I found a gap in the market “There is a giant misconception trucks in the state (plus a store in where people want well-balanced that if you are camping, you have to Ohio). This portfolio includes one spice blends to easily add flavor and rough it,” Davis said. “We completeemotionally resonant storefront in variety to their weekly menus ly disagree with that. Our goal is to downtown Guthrie, Willoby’s Feed without all the unnecessary addigive people the confidence to keep & Outfitters, where Karen Orton’s tives,” Farnet said. “My goal with the adventure going once they get grandparents used to purchase feed my spices is to teach people that to camp.” for their farming work. healthy doesn’t have to mean bland.” Launched earlier this year with “Every time I walk in Willoby’s, For consumers still looking to get his wife, Brittni, the Bartlesvilleit brings fond memories of my sodium in their diet, Nourished based brand zeroes in on three wellgrandparents and tears of joy Roots’ products allow folks to separounded products that provide verknowing they would be ecstatic to rately salt to taste and season to taste satility without sacrificing precious see their grandchild’s product in the to find the ideal custom balance. camping space. The Triple Locked same store,” Karen Orton said. “Whether you have hypertension, blend is an all-purpose offering, the diabetes, kidney disease, or generIntents blend has an approachable Globetrotting for wellness ally just trying to be more aware of sweet heat angle, and the Snorkel your ingredients, my spices are the blend was made with fish in mind. The average Oklahoma kitchen perfect fit,” Farnet said. “It is absolutely delicious on may not seem like a window into Nourished Roots Spice Co. prodseafood, but honestly, we use this adventure, but Nourished Roots ucts can be found in an assortment one the most,” Davis said. “It is a Spice Co. invites a world of possiof shops around the state, includstrong punch of flavor that pairs bilities to those willing to sample ing Uptown Grocery in OKC, perfectly with Triple Locked, espeits product line of geographicallywhere the entire spice line is cially on veggies.” minded spice blends. shelved at eye level. The seasonWhile still very new to the seaHealth-conscious eaters have ings can also be purchased online soning world, Overland Spices is gobbled up the brand’s strict no-salt, at nourishedrootsco.com. hooking a niche following with lifeno-sugar, no-calorie approach, al“I hope these spices make cooking style shops such as Tulsa’s Okie lowing them to try out any of the apfeel more like an experience and less Overland now carrying the brand. proximate dozen seasonings curlike a chore,” Farnet said. “I want to Products can also be ordered dirently offered by Nourished Roots. inspire people to play with new culrectly through overlandspices.com. These include Greek, Thai, Egyptian, tural cuisines and eat homemade.” “I have dreamed of owning my and Jamaican, but there are also own line of spices and sauces for a options closer to home. The Okie Rub Savoring the outdoors long time,” Davis said. “I grew up is a strong seller, and another has with a father who bled BBQ … Good roots just a couple of states away. “What is overlanding? There are flavors paired with competing in “I am originally from New many terms and different jargon, BBQ competitions [meant] I was Orleans, so my Cajun seasoning is but the simplest form is this: glorialways around deliciousness.” my baby,” owner Kelsey Farnet said. fied car camping,” Tate Davis, owner Now, with a spice line focused on Now a five-year OKC resident, the of Overland Spices, said. the overland community, happy entrepreneur has been to at least half Where most spice companies campers can always be around deof the places in her spice line with have domestic meals in mind, liciousness too. more on her bucket list. It was not Overland Spices caters to outdoors travel alone that sparked the idea to enthusiasts. Cooking in the wild is launch the new business, however. synonymous with scrappy resourceIn addition to studying food in fulness and bare necessities, but as Greece during college which sharpthis brand proves, a lean ingredient ened her skills to become a private count doesn’t have to translate to a chef, she is also a registered dietician. lean appetite.
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