Yesterday, you may have seen our 3rd posting from The 12 Days of Pickles, on Brass Tacks. The idea is simple. Last September, 12 top Portland chefs were given ten pounds of organic pickling cucumbers and put to the challenge to create the Perfect Pickle. On February 6th, at the 2nd Annual Perfect Pickle, we will be opening up those jars for sampling, selecting a “Pickler of the Year” and selling the remaining jars to benefit DPC. Each day leading up to the event, we will highlight one of the participating chefs. All chefs are asked the same questions…and their answers are telling. Today’s featured chefs are from Unbound Pickling.
Jesse and Katie Hancock, owners of Unbound Pickling
We first met Jesse and Katie Hancock at the Portland Farmer’s Market. Together they run Unbound Pickling, and, it’s safe to say, they give most any pickling house in town a run for their money. Their bacon pickles are out of this world. Unbound’s pickles are entirely locally sourced, with each individual jar carefully hand packed. They were kind enough to answer a few of our questions…
Q: Tell us about your pickles. Any special processes you used in crafting them?
A: The pickle we made for the Perfect Pickle is a garlicky dill with a whole habanero pepper (for a little heat), coriander (for floral notes), mustard seeds and whole peppercorns.
Q: What is your interest/ background in cooking?
A: We both have a shared passion for creating and eating good food — it’s been a part of our relationship since the beginning. It was our dream to start a business in which we could work together and build on our love of food. Using our garden, we already did a lot of creative pickling for home use and fun — so we decided to make a business of it.
Q: Do you have a cooking philosophy?
A: We only use all natural ingredients and high quality, seasonal vegetables and herbs to create our artisan small-batch pickled products. Vegetables and herbs are locally sourced with direct relationships with the farmers to help ensure we obtain peak freshness and high quality. Our Unbound Pickling pickles are differentiated by their extraordinary quality and an unconventional assortment of varieties and flavor offerings.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Portland’s food community?
A: Everyone takes pride in what’s local and the support structure is great. There is also a high appetite and expectation for good quality food.
Q: Why should you be crowned “Pickler of the Year”?
A: We believe the quality of our pickles are award winning.
Thanks Jessie and Katie; we can’t wait to try the pickles! Be sure to check out Unbound Pickling here. More on the Perfect Pickle, including how to get your tickets, on the events page.
