Worth its salt
After running a taqueria in Columbia, S.C., for 12 years, Suzi Sheffield was ready for a change. But the former restaurant owner and chef wasn’t hot to leave the kitchen. So the Atlanta native headed home and developed a recipe for a new product — and a successful new business.
The company: Founded in Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward in 2010, Beautiful Briny Sea makes organic table salt blends. It is a member of Slow Food, Georgia Organics and the Southern Foodways Alliance.
The name: "The Beautiful Briny" was a song in the old Disney movie "Bedknobs and Broomsticks." The company logo is a photo of Sheffield's father, who grew up on a South Georgia peanut farm and went to the U.S. Naval Academy, as he looks over the Pacific Ocean. The name and logo capture the spirit of the company: integrity with a dash of playfulness.
The goods: Currently, 10 flavors of handmade salts, including rosemary, truffle, pink peppercorn and lavender. A stylish, 4-ounce tin of salt is $7-$8. A 3-ounce tin of truffle salt is $20-$24. The hand-harvested salts are blended with organic spices and fresh, locally grown herbs.
What's hot: French Picnic (Dijon mustard and herbs) and Campfire (smoked salt, sumac, chile pepper blend and cumin) are seasonal best-sellers. Truffle and Magic Unicorn (smoked paprika, garlic, rosemary and celery seed) are popular year-round.
Other favorites: Friends Forever (honey) has a cult following.
Up next: A turkey brine, plus a sweet and spicy line of organic cane sugar blends.
Where to buy: In the Atlanta area, find salts at various locations of the Cook's Warehouse (www.cookswarehouse.com) and at the Beehive, 1250 Caroline St. NE (thebeehiveatl.com). Also at info@beautifulbrinysea.com.
A cut above
A native of Summerville, S.C., Chris Williams spent a lot of time hanging out in his grandfather’s shop, watching him turn old band saw blades into knives. That’s where his love for crafting and making knives began. After a 13-year career as an investment banker in the Carolinas, Williams decided to trade in his old career and carve out a new one.
The company: Williams Knife Co. opened in Johns Island, S.C., in 2010. The shop creates 50 to 75 knives a week.
The goods: Handcrafted specialty knives for hunting, fishing, the kitchen and general-purpose use. Customized knives are a specialty. There are 75 different wood options and 10 trim options. In addition to customized knives, there are stock knives, ranging from $150 to $850. These include 15 gourmet kitchen knives, 10 hunting knives and four fishing knives. They also can be customized.
Materials: Knives come in both domestic and exotic woods, with handle materials in mother-of-pearl, abalone and various types of bone and antler.
What's popular: The Edisto Oyster Knife ($300), with its functionality and craftsmanship, gets the most attention.
Other favorites: The Tugaloo ($250) paring knife and the Damascus Savannah ($600), an all-purpose hunting and skinning knife perfect for everyday kitchen chores.
Claim to fame: The Edisto Oyster Knife was the overall winner in Garden & Gun magazine's "Made in the South" awards in 2011.
What's next: Handcrafted tables, featuring wooden or stainless steel tabletops, steak knives, clam knives, custom beer tap handles and golf divot replacers.
Fun request: In 2012, U.S. Ryder Cup team captain Davis Love III commissioned Williams to create a signature chef knife for each of his team members, caddies, PGA "high brass" and notable friends (including Michael Jordan and Justin Timberlake) to commemorate the golf event.
Where to buy: Online at www.williamsknife.com. In Atlanta, find Williams' knives at the Preserving Place, 1170 Howell Mill Road (preservingplace.com).
Cheesy bites
For many Southerners, it’s not a celebration without cheese straws. But if you aren’t up to the challenge of making your own buttery, cheesy snack, buy a bag or box of the must-have party classic from Georgia’s Chinaberry Foods.
The company: Started in 2005, Chinaberry Foods is based in Thomson, Ga. The bakery (off I-20 at Exit 175) is a popular stop for Atlantans heading to Charleston, S.C.
The name: The company is named for the Chinaberry tree, which grows freely in Georgia.
The founder: Tommy Samuels. After retiring from the travel and hospitality industry, Samuels started baking and helping his wife with her antique business in the old family house. Eventually, the bakery expanded. Now it occupies the entire space.
What's popular: Cheese straws. Loyal customers say Samuels' "secret" recipe is a perfect blend of sharp cheddar cheese, butter — and bite. Prices range from $9.95 for a 6-ounce bag to $22.95 (plus shipping) for a white tin. The tin, which holds about six dozen of the waferlike cheese straws, is a favorite for holidays and hostess gifts.
Square off: Despite the name, cheese straws come in various sizes and shapes. Samuels discovered the square shape worked best for shipping nationwide, which is 75-80 percent of his business.
Where to buy: In the Atlanta area, buy Chinaberry Foods cheese straws at Lucy's Market (lucysmarket.com), 102 W. Paces Ferry Road, or visit www.chinaberryfoods.com.
Best of the South
Do you have favorite finds from around the South that you give as gifts, buy for your home or rave about to friends? If so, send your suggestions to: lljerkins@gmail.com. Also find more Southern-made products, featured in the AJC, at Southernfinds on Facebook or twitter@southernfinds1.
