The meat snack sector has seen an unprecedented popularity boom in recent years, and as the market has grown, more companies have jumped into the fray. Some large corporations have entered into it, seeking to capitalize on their name recognition or purchasing smaller companies. Others are independent companies that may lack an established brand name but have a high-quality product and, if they’re lucky, an interesting story to tell.
Chef’s Cut Real Jerky has both the product and the story to help stand out in a crowded field. The product was created by Chef Blair Swiler and Dennis Riedel. Swiler was a chef before leaving the industry due to health issues and took up caddying. He made his own jerky in his house and handed it out to friends and other golfers, including Dennis Riedel. Riedel then took the recipe to a course in New Jersey where he caddied, passed product around over there, and word started to spread. Before long, Swiler’s jerky was being sold to other golf courses across the country. It can now be found in retailers nationwde, with a growing portfolio of jerky and other meat snack items.