Local Family-Based Company Takes Salt to the Next Level
A local family is using the holiday season to share their love of flavor through unique and homemade gourmet seasoned salts.
Chris Poole and his wife, Cameron, moved to the Yampa Valley in 2010 and quickly realized it was going to be their “forever home”.
As a professional chef for 24 years, Poole utilized his culinary skills throughout the area at Colorado Mountain College, Casey’s Pond and as a personal and catering chef. He is now the Food Services Director for the Hayden Valley School District.
Chris and Cameron opened the Steamboat Salt Company (SSC) in 2017.
Courtesy Photo/Chris Poole
While the concept behind it was rooted in “a hobby”, it would eventually grow into something much greater, both for their family and for their clients.
“It was born over a barbeque conversation,” explained Poole. “[A friend and I] were talking about how cool it would be to have a spicy version of a seasoned salt.”
Poole took to the kitchen to make the concept a reality as he toasted habaneros and garlic before infusioning them into salt, which brought new layers of flavor and complexity. The result was SSC’s first seasoned salt which Poole called the “El Jefe.”
Making seasoned salt involves integrating “layers” of flavor through a low-temperature dehydration process. Toasting aromatics, such as garlic and peppers, deepens their flavor profile and releases their natural sugars before they are tumbled with and infused into the salt.
They first gave their salts to family and friends as gifts, particularly during the holiday season and on birthdays. However, as positive feedback grew, so did the duo’s desire to turn their hobby into a business.
After moving to Hayden, Chris and Cameron began commercial production and marketed their products at the Steamboat Farmer’s Market. To their surprise, they sold out at the first market they attended.
“We were blown away,” said Poole. “We have just gone from there. We now have 12 flavors and have expanded online as well as starting to offer different products.”
SSC evolved into a family operation as the pair’s two children, Raylan and Elliot, began playing major roles in production. Once they were old enough, they also took on responsibilities for sales at the farmers market.
Courtesy Photo/Chris Poole
Both children watched, listened and learned as they became knowledgeable about the products and how to sell them. As a result, Chris and Cameron can now leave their children entirely in charge of the booth as they visit with other vendors.
“I enjoy it,” said Raylan Poole. “I like being able to talk to people and make sales for the family.”
The Yampa Valley community has been instrumental to the growth and development of SSC. Positive feedback from retail establishments that carry their products has matched that of individual customers and culinary professionals. One key factor throughout all has been what Poole called “meeting the source” of the products.
“The community has been really supportive,” said Poole. “After all these years, we are a proven product because of our local background and our family-based approach to trust and standing behind our products. We feel very grateful that we were accepted at such a level.”
SSC has collaborated with Steamboat Winery, using their merlot to make a “Sideways” Merlot Wine Salt. They are also working with Mythology Distillery to provide two salts, one bourbon and one dill pickle, for a food dish and drink respectively.
“We listen to our customers and try to develop flavors that they specifically ask for,” he said. “We get a lot of feedback about what they like and what they don’t like and use that to hone our recipes which has made our product quality that much better.”
Poole and his wife hope to keep the SSC small so they can teach their children entrepreneurial skills, the importance of hard work and the responsibility that comes with running a business. Chris and Cameron take deep pride in the contributions of their children, particularly surrounding the positive feedback they receive when they run the stand at the farmers market.
“It’s definitely helped me with my confidence in speaking to strangers,” said Raylan.
Holiday sales are vital for small, family-run businesses like the SSC. The momentum of market season carried straight into the holidays for them, this year, which allowed for the family to enjoy a consistent revenue stream while expanding their presence in local retail establishments such as The Homesteader, Wild Plum, Bjorne Honey, Elevated Olive, F.M. Light & Sons in Steamboat and The Find in Craig
In December, Steamboat Locals’ writer John Camponeschi will debut a four-part series spotlighting local, handmade, or sustainable gift options—offering creative ideas to impress your friends and family while supporting the community.
Read Part One: Seam of Life
Read Part Two: Hayden Hidden Treasures
Read Part Three: Harvest Skis
This series of stories is proudly presented to you by Jon Wade and The Steamboat Group as a continuation of their commitment to “Keep Steamboat Special” by supporting people and organizations that promote a positive and ever-improving Steamboat lifestyle! You can also support their efforts simply by making a request on the Steamboat Locals Choice for Music. For every song request made in the month of December, The Steamboat Group will donate $2 to a local non-profit organization, up to $500 total!