The story of 7 Herb
I created 7 Herb nearly 35 years ago because I wasn't happy with the all-purpose seasonings I was using. They were expensive and had hidden ingredients. They always seemed to be missing something. I wanted one seasoning that gave food plenty of flavor without burying the food underneath it. Something that, as my wife says, "rounded out the flavor." By that she means the food just tastes more complete. Nothing jumps out too much, nothing feels like it's missing, and all the flavors seem to come together the way they should.
When I started my catering company and introduced 7 Herb, it became part of the food we were known for. At wedding tastings, we would prepare dishes for the bride, groom and their families so they could choose their menu, and about 95% of them chose our 7 Herb chicken along with our carved beef, which we also seasoned with 7 Herb. Most of our corporate catering clients chose 7 Herb too because everyone loved it. And after the buffets? There usually wasn't any left. That tells you something. People love juicy dishes with a lot of flavor.
As the company grew, my chefs would sometimes try to tweak the 7 Herb recipe, so pretty quickly I pulled the mixology of my prized flavor profile out of my own kitchen and moved it to a manufacturer who blended it the same every time. That way I was able to keep its integrity the same throughout the life of my business. Now I make it in small batches. A chef calls and needs some, I make his batch and a little more for home. Family and friends are always asking to refill their spice jars. Even customers from my catering company purchased it.
One of my favorite stories is about a DJ who worked with our company. He loved 7 Herb on the potatoes and chicken and asked if he could buy some to take home. Not too long after that, he came back to my kitchen asking to purchase more. He had invited his grandmother over, and she was refusing to eat her vegetables and chicken without it. I have to chuckle at that one.
I know it is the most-used spice in my family and extended family's kitchens. My sister-in-law has a cabinet full of spices, but 7 Herb is the daily spice she uses. She and my brother-in-law cook together and it's both of their favorites.
For nearly 35 years, 7 Herb was something I made for my kitchens, my customers, other chefs, friends and family. Now I finally get to share it with you, and I'm pretty proud of that.
7 Herb is just the start
Over the next year or so, I'll be adding more blends. Every one of them is something I've cooked with for years and loved.
Chef Eric