Just Cured - Experience Fine Foods

I am humbled, and excited, by the response that Just Cured and I received to the preview of Just Cured’s smoked salmon at Findlay Market this weekend. The two days were beyond my wildest expectations. I am ecstatic this evening.

First, the details. I manned a tasting table in the main Market House on Saturday from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. I couldn’t begin to count how many people visited the table. I do know that I went through just about 800 cocktail napkins on which I served the tastes.

I expected to give away a whole bunch of smoked salmon. What I didn’t expect was how many of the tasters moved directly over to the market stand of Luken’s Poultry, Fish and Seafood and bought some Just Cured smoked salmon to take home. I budgeted one pound of salmon sold for every two pounds sampled. In fact, the ratio was almost two pounds sold for every pound sampled.

The sales surprise caused me a few anxious moments. On Saturday, we consumed all the salmon I expected to use both days. Fortunately, I recognized the pace of consumption early enough to do something about it. I was back at the Market before dawn this morning finishing the smoking of a fresh batch of salmon for today’s tastings. I can only wish for many more days on which I have to increase production to meet unexpected demand.

Second, I want to acknowledge by name or by deed a number of the people who visited with me over the past two days.

To my many friends, family members, colleagues and acquaintances who visited — Thank you. I know that there was virtually no advance notice of this event. I appreciate your efforts to stop by.

To those who engaged me about the specifics of the business and the product — Thank you for your interest. You will be the people who make my business successful.

To those who declined a taste, yet stopped, made eye contact and politely demurred — Anyone who describes modern day Americans as self absorbed and rude should have stood with me for the past two days, and been proven wrong in his or her beliefs. You make living in this community a pleasure.

To those who knew you didn’t like smoked salmon, yet talked with me or read Just Cured’s marketing materials — I enjoyed your graciousness and candor.

To those who had never eaten smoked salmon and tried a taste — Many of you liked Just Cured’s smoked salmon (and came back later for seconds), some declared it “interesting” or “different,” and a few didn’t care for it. I admire your taking a risk in public. At a minimum, you’ll know in the future what appeals to you.

To the authors of the CityKin blog — Thanks for picking up my announcement. At least a half dozen people visited Saturday because they had read about Just Cured on your blog. I hope to get the chance to meet you soon.

To the parents of the two very young children who visited today — When your son and daughter reached up to the samples well in advance of your approach to the table, I caught your eye. You assured me that smoked salmon is your daughter’s favorite food. I almost giggled when they sneaked away later when you weren’t looking and got another taste or two each. As you were leaving the Market, your son ran over just to tell me “we love your smoked salmon.” Trust me when I tell you his comment made my day. I know you thought he was grabbing for another taste and I could see in his eyes that he wanted one. Your call to him stopped his hand in mid-reach. I would have gladly given him another one — or ten.

To the three grown men who took one bite from a sample and put it back on the table next to the other samples — Did you think I wouldn’t notice? Did you really want the next guest to pick up something that you had eaten from? Were you raised by wolves?

To the adolescent from the neighborhood who returned complaining that the smoked salmon gave him a stomach ache — Nice try. I know you wanted me to give you 20 bucks to go away. Not happening — not ever.

To the lady who saw what was happening and stayed on to rave about the product — Thank you for noticing. You were behind him and could not see his face; the kinder your words got, the faster his confidence in his little scam faded.

To the young woman with the bright blue eyes — I was absolutely serious when I told you I wanted to bottle the look in your eyes when you first tasted my smoked salmon. That split second was the highlight of my weekend — in a weekend full of highlights.