Smoked and Tasty: Our Business Story

How It All Began

Smoked and Tasty was born out of passion, nostalgia, and a little bit of boredom. In early 2020, when the world came to a standstill due to COVID-19, I found myself at home, missing the rich, smoky flavors I grew up with in Europe. Cooking had always been my passion, and with more time on my hands, I asked my husband to buy me a smoker so I could try recreating the flavors of my childhood.

What started as an experiment quickly turned into an obsession. I began smoking chicken, fish, and other meats, perfecting my techniques and experimenting with different flavors. One day, I shared some of my smoked creations with my neighbors. They loved it. Soon, they started asking for more, and before I knew it, I was getting regular requests. Word spread, and what began as a hobby suddenly had the potential to be something much bigger.

Turning a Passion Into a Business

As demand grew, my husband and I made the bold decision to turn this passion into a real business. We had no experience in the food industry, but we were determined to learn. The hardest part was finding the right space to produce our smoked meats on a larger scale. After searching tirelessly, we finally found a location that fit our needs. It was a leap of faith, but we took it—and Smoked and Tasty was officially born.

In the early days, we tried everything. We opened a small storefront and focused on smoked meats, sausages, and a variety of smoked fish. We put our hearts into perfecting our products, and people responded with enthusiasm. However, as the business evolved, we discovered something unexpected: catering was where we truly thrived.

Evolving Into a Full-Service Catering Business

Over time, we realized that our handcrafted, eye-catching catering spreads were stealing the show. Our customers weren’t just coming for the food—they were coming for an experience. Every dish we created was made from scratch with the highest quality ingredients, and every event we catered was designed to be unique and memorable.

By 2023, we made the difficult decision to close our storefront and focus entirely on catering. It was bittersweet, but it was the right move. We had built something special, and now we could put all our energy into creating unforgettable dining experiences.

Where We Are Today

Today, Smoked and Tasty is a full-time catering company serving San Diego County and North County. We specialize in open-fire grilling, smoked meats, seafood, and beautifully curated event spreads. Whether it’s a small family gathering, a corporate luncheon, or a grand wedding, we bring a personal touch to every event we cater.

But we haven’t forgotten our roots. Our famous smoked salmon, salmon jerky, salmon bellies, and smoked cheeses are still available weekly at farmers’ markets across San Diego County.

We invite you to visit us at the farmers’ market to try our signature smoked products, or reach out to our team to plan your next event. Let’s make something unforgettable together!