The selection of the right olive oil is of utmost importance for a restaurant or food service establishment aiming to create consistent signature dishes that entice the dining public to return on a regular basis.
Olive oil plays a critical role in enhancing the flavors of various culinary creations, adding depth, richness, and complexity to dishes.
The right olive oil can elevate a simple salad dressing, a pasta sauce, or even a marinade to extraordinary levels, captivating the taste buds of customers and leaving a lasting impression.
Moreover, olive oil is not just a flavor enhancer but also a health-conscious choice, known for its numerous health benefits.
Thus, by carefully choosing high-quality olive oil, restaurants and food services can ensure that their dishes are not only delicious but also nutritious, appealing to health-conscious diners who seek a balanced and satisfying dining experience.
From extra-virgin olive oil in salad dressings to vegetable oil in baked goods, oil is truly a key ingredient across an operators’ menu. For a product so versatile, it’s crucial that food service operations opt for the highest quality product.
“Despite the changes in diets and trends, oil remains,” said Ben Caffrey, COO of Chicagoland-based Columbus Vegetable Oils.
The company has been in business for 90 years, and today, it provides both retail and food service operations with over 200 cooking oil options, among other products, to best suit customers’ preferences.
“Food service is in our DNA,” said Caffrey, whose great-grandfather and grandfather began Columbus in the 1930s, just before World War II.
There was an olive oil shortage in Chicago, so they found a source, brought it back into the city, and began their business first as an oil packaging company, Columbus Packaging Company.
The rest is history: they began selling to food service operations and distributors, servicing meatpackers, butchers, and dairy companies throughout the city, eventually becoming Columbus Vegetable Oils.
Since making their mark on the Chicago area, Columbus grew throughout the Midwest for four generations.
Now, they’ve got a production facility in Reno, Nevada and are growing out west, working primarily with food service but also in the retail sphere, using both Sysco and US Foods as distributors.
“We maintain ourselves and hold ourselves at an incredibly high standard,” said Caffrey. This standard is what has set them apart, allowing them to maintain strong relationships with distributors and operators.
The company uses Columbus Vegetable Oils as its corporate name and under that iconic umbrella are a variety of brands, including Butcher Boy, Sorrento Olive Oil, Mike Brand, and Nature’s Secret.
Their product line is extensive, ranging from coconut to sunflower, to soybean and corn oils. They also offer a custom oil blending option in which the Columbus team helps the operation create and produce it from start to finish.
With a wide range of oils, it’s guaranteed that operators will find something that works with their menu, whether that be a tasteless oil or one with a slightly spicy flavor.
“It’s hard for us to say no,” Caffrey said, explaining that the company tries its best to satisfy and meet their customers’ needs, no matter how unique they may be.
In addition to oils, they offer other kitchen staples such as shortenings and animal fats. They also have lines of dressings, hot sauces, syrups, and barbecue sauces.
Similar to the custom blending option for olive oil, the company also offers dressing and sauce customization for customers with specific needs.
All of their products are also trans-fat free, and SQF certified. With the rise of the Mediterranean diet and more and more people looking to indulge in high-quality extra-virgin olive oils, this certification is crucial.
“We’re about consistency across the board,” said Caffrey. Organic and non-GMO options are also available for many of their products.
“If anybody wanted to walk through our facility, they’d see the quality just by walking in the door,” Caffrey continued.
Besides its products, Columbus takes pride in their professional, high-grade facilities which are regularly updated and improved to maintain their product value.
Additionally, Columbus’ customer service team helps make the company stand out. “We have a great customer service and sales staff,” Caffrey said.
“It’s not hard to reach us. Somebody’s going to pick up the phone.” With exceptional products, facilities, and service, the future of Columbus Vegetable Oils only looks positive.
Although they’re starting 2024 off strong, Columbus is nevertheless looking towards the future of its company. Caffrey said that they’re focusing a lot on gourmet blends that restaurants are looking for, along with new shortening products for baking.
With each product they release, quality and consistency remain at the center of each one.
“At the end of the day, when [customers] are using our products, they know they’re coming from a company that really cares about what they do.”
For more information about Columbus Vegetable Oils and their product line, give them a call at 1-800-322-OILS (6457), email at sales@cvoils.com or visit Columbus Vegetable Oils website.
