Texas Spice Company
Texas Spice Company
Written by Beth Wade Tuesday, 07 August 2007
Texas-style blends season food across the nation
Everything tastes a little better with some Texas spice. At least, that’s what Cynthia and Kevin LaRoche say when asked for cooking tips.
The couple creates their own seasoning mixes, salsas, barbeque sauces, soup bases, coffee, tea and other blends.
“We work hard and eat a lot of food. There is nothing better than having to do taste tests,” Cynthia said.
In 1985, Becky Forsyth started Texas Spice Company as a wholesale spice company. In those days, Forsyth operated in Austin and only sold to restaurants. Then in 1996, she sold the business to Kevin, who moved the operation into his garage in Cedar Park and added coffee and tea.
Kevin’s father owned a coffee company, so when he decided to open his own business, the food industry was an easy choice.
“Being self employed is so rewarding,” Kevin said. “You get to pick which 70 hours a week you get to work.”
The couple moved the business to Round Rock in 2001, where they operate their retail shop and wholesale warehouse on Sam Bass Road behind the neighborhoods and away from the main retail districts.
“We really like this area. We came across the buildings and it was a great fit, a little off the beaten path, but well worth the trip,” Cynthia said.
They sell specialty blends nationally to restaurants and individuals. One customer owns a Texas-style barbeque restaurant in Anchorage, Alaska, she said.
“We really try to keep the spices as natural as possible. You won’t find any preservatives in our signature blends,” Cynthia said.
She built the company’s Web site and reworked the catalog before deciding to open the general store in Fall 2006.
“Our biggest feature items are our gift baskets,” she said. “People love them. Last year I couldn’t keep them on the shelves during the holidays. I always say, the gift of flavor never goes out of style.”
Kevin and Cynthia take great pride in their business and try to support others by sponsoring two local barbeque cook-off teams, Diamond G. and Circle Track Smokers.
The couple is also a member of Go Texan, a part of the Texas Department of Agriculture that promotes small companies by offering them space to sell their wares at the Texas State Fair. Texas Spice made an appearance at the 2006 fair and the couple is looking forward to having additional space this year.
Texas Spice Co. - referenced in the following cookbooks:
- Bold American Food by Bobby Flay
- Big Book of Grilling, BBQ and Rotisserie by George Foreman
- Complete Sausage Book by Bruce Aidells
- Pacific Grilling by Denis Kelly
- The Tex-Mex Cookbook by Rob Walsh
To get published In cookbooks:
- Visit the bookstore
- See who is publishing the books of your interest
- Write the publishing company with your information
- Sit back and see who contacts you
Hours:
- Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10 - 5 p.m.
- Wednesday and Friday by Appt.
Texas Spice Company, 2709 Sam Bass Road, Round Rock, TX 78681, 512-255-8816 • 512-260-1712 • www.texasspiceco.com
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