Olives / Peppers / Tomatoes

In 1989, on the realization that America’s taste buds were heating up, Gil Tortolani opened up Gil’s Gourmet Gallery and Hot Shop on Monterey’s historic Cannery Row, which quickly evolved into a combination Hot Shop/Wine Tasting Room, where customers could try adventurous new food and wine combos. In 1993 Gil closed the Hot Shop and moved the business into it’s current location; a bigger facility where he was able to build a full-size legal kitchen for the manufacture of his ever-growing line of popular gourmet sauces and appetizers. Along with his son, Dylan, they expanded their family business and product line slowly keeping a vigilant eye on quality and a commitment to using only the finest local ingredients.
 

It’s exotic, exciting, adventurous... It’s also warm, relaxing and friendly. Portuguese sailors discovered Mozambique on one of the many stops they made to replenish supplies while on their way to the spice-rich countries in the East and Far East. Its coastline is rich in tropical fruits, seafood and other staples needed for the long days and nights at sea...and it was here that they discovered a little known spice called Peri-Peri.

When you live in the pear capital of the world, it’s not hard to fall in love with this delicately perfumed fruit that Greek poet Homer called, “Gift of the Gods.” That’s what happened to Susan Knapp, founder and CEO of A Perfect Pear when she lived in Lake County, California. Susan traded vegetables with a pear farmer down the road and began making pear jelly and condiments as a hobby in the 1980s. Soon, she discovered a demand for high-quality and unique gourmet condiments—and a lack of pear-based products in the marketplace.