The exquisite cheese spreads of Fromage LLC, brand named Private Recipe Cheese Spreads exist because of a singularly lucky occurrence that befell their creator; Tony Marino…in 1993 he got canned when the company he was a salesman for was acquired in a hostile takeover. Never one to sit around and cry, “Woe is me” he followed a lifelong dream and purchased a deli to pursue his passion for food.
The brainstorm for the first cheese spread came when Marino, studied a layered wheel of an English Cheese “Double Gloucester with Stilton” that invariably crumbled when it was cut. “That would be a lot easier to put on a cracker if it could be made into a spread”, he thought to himself.
Committed to using only the finest domestic and imported natural ingredients available, he soon created his now famous Cheddar and Bleu cheese spread. Soon four other flavors were created, Herb & Spice, Cheddar with Jalapeno, Mild Cheddar and Creamy Bleu. Each one was a resounding success with his deli customers. Eventually he sold the deli and pursued other interests. However, he continued making the cheese spreads as gifts for friends.
In 2004 upon the urging of his wife Karen, Marino decided to take the plunge. He found a plant to manufacturer the spreads to his specifications, created labels, made up samples and headed to the wineries in and around Herman, MO. He returned from the first day’s sales calls with orders for over 400 containers of cheese spreads. Private Recipe Cheese Spreads was launched.
Entrepreneurs often talk about the daunting struggles they have in getting their product to market. However once Marino committed himself to the business he found there wasn’t much of a struggle. When the prospective customers tasted the cheese spreads they’d order on the spot.
Marino attributes his success to the quality of the product. He says, “People have tried to imitate my cheese spreads but always fail. First, they refuse to use the level of ingredients I use, and secondly there actually are secrets in the recipes and manufacturing process”.
If you like cheese look for the Private Recipe brand at the store where you shop. Private Recipe, the company that makes the best darn cheese spreads you’ll ever taste, Herb & Spice, Cheddar with Jalapeno, Mild Cheddar, Cheddar and Bleu, Creamy Bleu and a new “non cheese” spread Toffee Peanut Butter. These spreads are born of a passion for food and a fortuitous mix of events or as Tony likes to say, “When the world gives you lemons, make cheese spreads.
