Texas Travel News

Canadians Teach Texans About 'Que?

We just received this interesting bit of information about two Canadians from Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada, the founders of Smokin' Grill Gourmet Grilling Products, at this time available only in Texas. We haven't tried their product; if you do, be sure to drop us a line and give us your opinion!

They are calling them the “Ben & Jerry of BBQ sauce”. Tom Piros, a district school counsellor from Cranbrook, BC, and Roger Smith, a high school janitor from Rossland, BC, are just back from Texas where their products were launched across the state in the high-end grocery chain, Central Market. Central Market has locations in Dallas, Houston, Austin, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Plano. By the end of the month, Smokin’ Grill mari-sauces will also be available in Canada.

What’s so special about Smokin’ Grill mari-sauces? The secret is in the 03 Factor. Smokin’ Grill has ZERO fat, ZERO carbohydrates and ZERO calories. What Smokin’ Grill does have is great taste and an insanely easy method of application. And Smokin’ Grill mari-sauces are versatile – for easy, fast flavor, use them as a sauce. For a more intense taste, use them as a marinade.

“Smokin’ Grill lets you get the great taste of marinating without the time and effort,” says company co-founder Smith. “Smokin’ Grill products are just sprayed onto the food during the grilling process. Because there is no sticky tomato sauce or sugar added, the mari-sauce doesn’t mask the taste of the meat, it enhances it. Plus, you can spray it on ahead of time, like a marinade, or use it after grilling in a dipping bowl, for added zest. It’s your choice.”

Smokin’ Grill mari-sauces come in three different flavors – Smokin’ Roosta – the original mari-sauce with mild spices, Diamond Back – a medium-heat mari-sauce, and Scorpion Sting, the hottest of the mari-sauces. Plans are in the works for additional flavors including a lemon-lime garlic mari-sauce and fajita mari-sauce. It was the unique format and nature of Smokin’ Grill products that intrigued the Texans.

”The Smokin’ Grill products have a real 'huh?' factor,” says Randy Hill, a sales representative for Central Market stores in Texas. “People have never seen anything like this before. They are excited to see something new and different. Then when they taste it, they are blown away. And it is healthy too!”

The idea for Smokin’ Grill was developed by Piros over many years. While working as a white-water rafting guide on BC’s spectacular rivers, Piros noticed that fellow guides used water-filled spray bottles to avoid charring the food they were cooking for guests. After a while, Piros came up with the idea of adding spices and flavouring to the water.

“I’ve always enjoyed cooking and I’ve never used recipes,” says Piros. “I experimented with all of the condiments in the fridge – soy sauce, lemon juice, Korean pastes, oyster sauce. I even researched different types of peppers and flavour concentrates. I just did it for fun.”

Piros and Smith have been friends ever since they played on opposing teams in a Peewee Hockey League in Rossland, BC. Two years ago, Piros invited Smith over for dinner. When Smith arrived at the door, Piros’ wife wouldn’t let him go into the backyard where Piros was grilling. Piros served up a plate of food cooked with his special mari-sauce and Smith was blown away.

“By the third bite, I said, “I don’t know what you did, but it’s fantastic””, says Smith.

Piros refused to reveal his secret until a week later. He asked Smith if he was still impressed by the flavor of the food he had been served and Smith said he was. Piros then told him about the mari-sauce and asked Smith if he would be his partner. Originally, the two friends planned to run a small scale operation, selling the sauce at rodeos and Farmers’ Markets, but a local economic development officer encouraged them to aim high. And they certainly did.

“We went right to the top,” chuckles Piros. “One morning I told my wife, I’m going downstairs to work on the computer and I am not coming up until I get a meeting with a major grocery chain.”

Initial scepticism on the part of the retailers turned into unqualified support when they recognised the commitment and integrity of Piros and Smith, two newcomers to the grocery world. But ultimately it’s the taste that counts.

“One bite and it seems to open the door widely,” laughs Piros. “We bring them samples made with the various mari-sauces and they are just amazed. They can’t believe that two Canucks can come into the heartland of “Grilling USA” and show them that there is an easy, healthy alternative to traditional BBQ sauces and marinades.”

For these small town boys, their success is a dream come true. They were both close to tears when they saw their products on display in a Houston grocery store last month. They are still holding down their regular jobs. Piros counsels children and families at three different elementary schools in Cranbrook, as well as developing programs to educate children about bullying, violence and health issues.

Smith – or “Smitty” as everyone calls him – is on disability leave from his position as a “custodial engineer” at the high school in Rossland. Smith has worked in a number of fields including mining and finance, but he has made a real mark on the kids at the school where he has worked for the past 15 years. This spring, the graduating class of 2006 asked him to make the commencement address at their graduation ceremony.

For More Information:
• visit www.smokin-grill.com

posted by Paris and John @ 10:15 AM