Dirty vs. Kettle

We are currently interviewing, rather comparing, new products for our spring Re-Opening.  I am sitting here with a bag of Kettle Brand Sea Salt Potato Chips and a bag of Dirty Brand Sea Salted Potato Chips. Before I start yumming it up lets compare the facts...

	dirty	kettle
calories	300	300
fat	16	18
(sat)	3	2
(trans)	0	0
sodium	170	230
carbohydrates	34	31
(dietary fiber)	2	3
protein	4	4

 
Some other facts to consider:  both brands are 'natural,' gluten free, no artificial flavors or colors, no preservatives and no msg.  A big difference is the oil they use. Kettle Brand uses Vegetable Oil (safflower and/or Sunflower) while Dirty Brand uses Peanut Oil or a blend of peanut oil and canola, corn, safflower or sunflower.

Now for taste (my favorite part, of course)

Dirty chips are very crispy, but not overly to the point it hurts going down your throat.  They seem to have consistent flavor, chip to chip, however when I eat a "Sea Salted" flavor chip I really want to taste the salt and I am left a little disappointed here.

Kettle chips have much better salt flavor, well not 'better' but more pronounced (which I like; who doesn't like salt?)  They are a little oily compared to the Dirty chips. They are also very crispy, almost too crispy...almost, but not quite. One thing I notice is a weird aftertaste, the taste also reminds me of peeling potatoes so I am thinking I may be tasting some of the fried skins. 

Down to business, if I had to buy a bag, which would I buy? Well, it's not that simple.  If I had to buy a bag for myself, and all I wanted was a Sea Salt Chip, I would go with the Kettle Chips because of the better salt flavor.  However, I am not sure if 'salt' was not a factor which I would choose.  Also, considering that I am looking at this product for mass appeal, I am concerned that the Dirty chips use peanut oil and considering RaeRae's caters to a wide range of dietary lifestyles, where food allergies are a big concern, I am confident that Kettle chips are the winner...

Say tuned for round 2!  Kettle & Dirty chips aren't the only other 'natural' chip out there...lots more tasting to be done before a final selection is made.  Anyone have any brands that they'd like to nominate for the challenge?

A Blog?

I've been having a reoccurring dream that I am asked to be a guest of the Food Network.  Sometimes I am creating food-fusion on 'Chopped', in others challenged to a cook-off by Bobby Flay, and yes there are even a few when I team up with Rachel Ray.  The most popular version of this dream is where RaeRae's is televised for reality TV. Most people who have gone behind the scenes of RaeRae's agree that it would definitely make for good TV. I am not sure whether it's an insult or a compliment, but however interesting as our life may be, when I awake, it hits me, RaeRae's has not yet created a buzz big enough to reach the eyes, ears and taste buds of the executives at The Food Network.

This blog is a response to my own question, "How am I going to get the word out?"  My thinking is that, at the very least, this will be a positive outlet to vent the daily issues we face as a mobile restaurant, small business and family owned business.  RaeRae's specializes in creating homemade specialties, made completely from scratch, using local and organic produce whenever possible.  We make our own stock, red sauce, barbecue sauce, mayonnaise among others, which allow us to provide meals with less preservatives, sodium, corn syrup and other fillers.  We also create our specialties to fit multiple dietary lifestyles including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free.

Creating a menu that has international influence, but that also appeals to a wide range of taste, that can be made for a variety of dietary lifestyles; it's not easy.  When you factor in that we make the meals from scratch it becomes even more complex, not to mention time consuming, and then you add in that all of these meals need to be made in a food trailer, then you have really hit home.

I am hoping that this blog will provide information to people about the issues important at RaeRae's such as organic and local produce, healthy living and the exploration of international cuisine, on an interesting, easy to read and humorous platform; A Blog.

And maybe, just maybe, someone at The Food Network might see it and invite me to be a guest!