That hasn’t been a problem for Gwin
Grimes of Artisan Baking Co. in Fort
Worth, Texas. The chef says she buys
Texas Olive Ranch (located between
Carrizo Springs and Asherton) olive oil at
the farmers market, and pays retail for it.
“We have a commitment to use as many
local products as we can in our bakery. Not
only are the Texas Olive Ranch oils local,
but they taste great. I need an olive oil with
bold flavor to stand up to our bread, and
their Arbequina olive oil is wonderful.”
Olive production in Texas is at a mere
fledgling stage. The problem, says Jim
Henry, owner of the Texas Olive Ranch
and founding director of the Texas Olive
Oil Council, Dallas, is finding the right
variety of tree for the right climate.
Grimes says she uses Henry’s olive oil for
her focaccia bread. The olive oil provides a
crispy exterior crust while tenderizing the
dough, but she doesn’t need commercial-sized vats of it. “Frankly, that’s why I can
afford to use the good stuff,” says Grimes.
That cost hurdle is something Darragh
says is changing. The increase in olive
oil production in the state increasingly is
translating into an array of prices. “It is
very possible to find COOC-certified extra
virgin olive oil at very competitive prices,”
she says.
Calif.-based writer Clare Leschin-Hoar's
work has appeared in The Wall Street
Journal, SciAm.com, San Diego Magazine,
Slashfood and many more. Visit www.
leschin-hoar.com.
FIND IT HERE
For a list of 2011 certified California
olive oil producers, visit www.cooc.com/
producers_certified.html.
Quality Chicken
Starts with Quality Care
Koch Foods, one of the nation’s leading
manufacturers of a complete line of high-
quality, value-added foodservice products,
is proud to present its’ Culinary Classics
line of stuffed poultry products.
Always look for the
Chef’s Toque on the label
as a testament to the
highest quality,
center-of-the-plate entrée
without equal.
Koch Foods Tribute® Line Products
Koch Foods is a Proud Platinum Sponsor for the 2011
ACF National Convention and the National Academy
of Chefs Dinner in Dallas, Texas.
For More Information
Contact: Michael Rand, HAAC, HOF
Executive Director of Hospitality Sales
770-321-1548 • micran@kochfoods.com
www.kochfoods.com
