One of our perennial favorite products (and one of our most popular!) are jars of Deliciousness preserves, made by Maura and the team at RedCamper. Whiskey Peach Deliciousness sells out every year and it's no wonder why. Glowing orange, flecked with vanilla bean seeds, and scented with bitter almond and locally distilled whiskey - it's heady, complex, and brings your morning toast to a whole new level. Whiskey Peach is her flagship flavor, but Maura has added new flavors to her lineup each year, always a fruit paired with a spirit: Strawberry Limoncello, Lemon IPA, Tequila Jalepeno, etc. We love them all.
We sat down with Maura to learn more about her. From how she got started, to other artisans she admires, to her favorite blog & favorite local restaurants. Read on!
How did you get started? What were your first steps and how did it evolve from there?
I got started about 15 years ago when I had an overflowing peach tree and a desire to make something in my off hours of directing other people to make things. After years of making Deliciousness (and calling it just that) I was convinced to enter it into the Denver County Fair. I was thrilled to receive the Blue Ribbon and on a lark decided to make a few jars to see if anyone would actually buy it. Turns out they do. Which is so satisfying as I still love to make it.
Tell us about the space where you make your product. What's it like?
We are lucky enough to share space with 3 other amazing local small businesses handcrafting some of Denver's best small batch foods. Our very first day in the kitchen, making our very first batch of Colorado Whiskey Peach Deliciousness we were fortunate to meet Tyler and Justin of The Real Dill. We immediately hit it off and 2 years later they asked us to shack up with them in their custom built out facility, The Dillery. We were thrilled and immediately started packing. Elevation Ketchup and Backyard Soda soon joined the club and we feel so blessed to share this journey with such talented, smart and driven businesses. Working in this space, with these people makes the daily trials and tribulations and triumphs so much easier. Surround yourself with people you respect and your own game gets better.
Do you have a favorite food blog?
What's your favorite thing that's been said about your product?
For me its the non verbal responses that mean the most. If someone has a look of bliss on their face after trying Deliciousness or laughs out loud to one of my greeting cards I feel like what I’m doing is the right thing.
Sarah: This greeting card, one of her first, makes me laugh out loud every time.
Are there any other great artisans you're into right now?
Young in the Mountains - gorgeous stuff
Michael McDowell - always so creative and unexpected the work that comes out of this guy
What did you eat for breakfast this morning?
Toast with Strawberry Limoncello Deliciousness on one side..and Almond Butter on the other. I love toast. I’m kind of addicted. I also love eggs and bacon. But usually it’s toast for me. Or yogurt. With almond butter and Deliciousness.
You live and work in the Denver area; do you have a favorite place to enjoy the beauty of your area?
That’s a tough one. There are a lot of beautiful places in Colorado. My particular area isn’t necessarily beautiful. My favorite spots are late afternoon/evening hikes in the foothills overlooking the city as the sun sets. It’s just enough separation from the city to let me breathe easy for a minute, but not so far I have to really take a lot of time out to get to it. There are a few that are great. Table Mountain. Windy Saddle. Apex. Enchanted Forest. I like those. Hiking on the trails with the pups is a good thing. A real good thing.
Photo credit to this Meetup Group's page.
Do you have a favorite local restaurant? What do you love to order there?
El Noa Noa’s fish tacos are the best in the city. They are. And Breakfast Kings Chile Rellenos with green chile are surprisingly awesome. Those are are my two go to’s. There is tons and tons of great food in Denver. From shady taco stands to amazing restaurants you can’t go wrong.