Twenty-Two Years at the Heart of the Kitchen.

On a remarkably cold February morning, we ventured north to check in with our friends and Epicurean co-founders Dave and Tony to discover what’s propelled them forward for the past 22 years.

For many, Epicurean is a household name in the kitchenwares industry. But what most folks likely don’t know is the strange and awesome way the business got its start. In 2003 the trio of co-founders were already six years along in their first business, TrueRide, which designed and built skateparks around the country utilizing a truly unique composite material perfectly suited to the pressures of skateboarding. Turns out, that material also has the strength and other characteristics required in high-quality, dishwasher-safe cutting boards. The guys fashioned some cutting boards for holiday gifts utilizing ramp scraps and Epicurean was born.

Having established themselves early on as a serious category contender, co-founder Dave Benson explains, “We built our business (by) never saying 'no' to anyone.” While not every new idea equates to mass sales, the constant innovation and evolution of both their products and their processes have kept both the lights on and the engagement strong for both customers and staff alike. 

The spirit of creativity and ingenuity is apparent when touring their 60,000 sq. ft. facility on the shore of Lake Superior. On the incredibly clean factory floor, their commitment to both their staff’s well-being and the health of the planet is evident. If you’ve ever stood on a factory floor in the middle of the winter, you know these spaces are not usually known for being cozy. But here, on one of the coldest days of the year, were people dressed in tee shirts. Epicurean recycles waste heat from the manufacturing process and cycles it back into the factory and warehouse. Additionally, they boast the largest commercial solar array in the area, accounting for nearly 25% of their electrical needs. These investments in the business are also investments in people and their well-being while working. “I think it’s in our DNA…the money that the business makes, it’s essentially going back into the business. We have always looked at how can we make it an enjoyable place to work”, says Tony Ciardelli of their employee philosophy and history of creating healthy spaces to work in. On the day we visited, staff were excitedly chatting about their upcoming “polar plunge” for charity. Camaraderie and appreciation abound at Epicurean.

But what about the product? Sure, doing right by your staff and the environment is important and meaningful. But if your products don’t meet the needs of consumers, then those virtuous business attributes become less impactful. This is where the team at Epicurean really set themselves apart from the many brands in the kitchenwares industry. “There're very few manufacturers that are also the brand, and we are,” mentioned Dave, explaining their connection to and affection for the material they use to make most of their products. At Epicurean, they not only design and make the products right there in their Superior, WI facility, they have also designed some of the machines used to create their products. Their deep understanding of their product, processes, and materials used is paramount to their success. “This board here is what we launched 22 years ago”, Tony adds while waving one of their classic cutting boards in the air. “That board stands the test of time, it’s one of our best sellers.”, he adds. Quality clearly matters.

What was abundantly apparent during our discussions with Tony and Dave, as well as during our visit to their facility, is that while they don’t take themselves too seriously, they are very serious about their product. The atmosphere in the manufacturing facility was as congenial as the staff we interacted with. The connection to and the concern for employees and the environment were running in tandem in almost everything we saw and that was shared. If there was a model for US-based manufacturers, we’d point to Epicurean.