Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie and George Brown.
Bandera Foods, better known as Killer Pecans, is a specialty food company whose focus is premium roasted and seasoned pecans. It all started when catering clients of Dallas chefs Katie and George Brown (that’s us!) frequently commented on the delicious, crunchy pecans that were in our salads. Clients and friends thought it would be a good idea to sell the pecans since they were so good and also very addictive. We took that advice and Killer Pecans was born in 2006. The company has been growing in popularity ever since.
Over the years, we’ve added new flavors and now the Killer line of products includes Killer Pecans, Smokin’ Pecans, Cinnamon Pecans, Rosemary Pecans, our seasonal Dark and Milk Chocolate Dipped Killer Pecans, Killer Spice Rub, and Killer Pecan Shortbread Cookies. All of our unique flavors are made with premium quality junior mammoth pecans grown in Texas, roasted in small batches to ensure optimal crunch and texture, and tossed in spice blends created by us. Nothing else on the market compares with our complex flavors or the crisp crunch of our pecans.
Killer Pecans are a unique treat, great for giving, snacking, adding to sweet and savory recipes, or enjoying beer, wine, and cocktails. Killer Pecans come in bags, tins and gift sets, making them perfect for giving or a treat for yourself!
George and Katie’s culinary journeys started in very different ways. For George, it was his grandmother’s cooking. He learned at a young age that cooking for others was an expression of love. For Katie, it was her mother’s way of keeping her busy in the summers and teaching her the importance of following directions. She also knew that having something to show for Katie’s work in a relatively short time was important for her.
It was these beginnings that got them started in the industry. George worked for Master Chef Victor Gieliese, who showed him a culinary world he knew nothing about, while Katie yearned to learn more than what she could by working at small-town restaurants. They both headed north to The Culinary Institute of America, where they learned the fine art of cooking, met each other, graduated, and then entered the wider world together.
In 1999, they decided to chase the dream of owning their own business and started GEORGE Catering and then later, GEORGE Restaurant, which would be their devotion and way of life for 12 successful years.
In 2012, after years of operating a busy catering company, starting and operating Killer Pecans, and raising triplets (born in 2004), George and Katie decided to pursue a more balanced life. They took some time to slow down and figure out what they wanted to do and where they wanted to do it. Now, they live on 10 acres in Lucas, Texas – about 25 miles north of Dallas and a squeak east of Allen –with their three kids and more than 40 farm animals! Today they are focused exclusively on Killer Pecans and spreading their love of pecans to you, no matter where you are.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not been a smooth road! Some of our challenges are that we are a very seasonal business, doing most of our sales during the 4th quarter so we are always looking for good people to work for us for about three or four months of the year which is difficult. We have also struggled to find a food manufacturer to work with us due to the difficulty of the process we use to make Killer Pecans and because we do not do the volume that is interesting to them. The price of pecans has been steadily increasing every year, we have maintained the selling price of Killer Pecans to ensure they do not become too expensive, this makes balancing all of our costs more of a challenge. The costs of shipping have been increasing, seems like every day! It is very hard for small companies with little bargaining power to get the shipping rates of Amazon!
Killer Pecans – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Killer Pecans is a specialty pecan company that makes roasted, seasoned pecans. Our namesake pecan is the Killer Pecan which is seasoned with a house-made blend of red chilies, cumin, brown sugar, and salt, it is a little bit spicy and a little bit sweet, light and crisp. It is our number one seller and is the Pecan that started our business. With the Killer Pecans, we make Killer Pecan Shortbread Cookies and Milk and Dark Chocolate Dipped Killer Pecans. For those who love to cook, we offer Killer Spice Rub to rub onto meats before roasting, grilling or searing. Adds a depth of flavor with a little kick that is delicious and unique. In addition, we have Smokin’ Pecans which are seasoned with a house made BBQ spice, they are also spicy with a little bit of smokiness and a cayenne kick. For those who do not do spice, we have Cinnamon Pecans that are light and crisp with warm cinnamon and a touch of salt. They have far less sugar on them than most sweet pecans so you still get the flavor of the delicious pecan underneath! Lastly are our newest flavor, Rosemary and Olive Oil which are quickly becoming a fan favorite. Made only with roasted pecans, extra virgin olive oil, rosemary and French sea salt they are delicious and perfect for a low carb snack an accompaniment for a glass of wine, salad or cheese tray!
All of our pecans are made with Junior Mammoth Pecans sourced from Texas. Each flavor is unique, developed and made by us. There are lots of ways to eat our pecans, whether eating them straight from the bag, adding to salads, ice cream or holiday recipes. They make great gifts for any occasion and are perfect for sending a little taste of Texas to out of state client, family or friends. We are very proud of the product we make, we are committed to quality and customer service. Being a small family owned company means we are involved with every aspect of running the business.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I don’t think there has been a single proudest moment. I am proud when we make it through the holidays without too much chaos! Learning to manage all the corporate gifts, online and wholesale orders gets more challenging the more the business grows. Getting through that time of year and being able to make our customers happy is something to feel proud of!
Generally, we are proud of the product we produce and are happy to hear how much people love our pecans.
Pricing:
- All flavors of pecans are the same price they come in 16 oz, 8 oz and 4 oz bags and 16 oz and 8 oz tins.
- 16 oz bags $25. 8 oz bags $14. 4 oz Bags $7.00.
- 16 oz tins $30. 8 oz tins $18.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.killerpecans.com
- Phone: 214-366-9100
- Email: katie@killerpecans.com
- Instagram: KillerPecans
- Facebook: KillerPecans
- Twitter: KillerPecans
Image Credit:
Melinda Ortley, Sil Azevedo
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