Surry, Va. – January 19, 2016 is a day that President and Cure Master Sam W. Edwards III will never forget. That’s the day that his family run business of 90 plus years was devastated by a catastrophic fire, destroying the famed smokehouses that have been crafting the finest traditional Virginia Country Hams, Bacon, and Smoked Sausage available. It also happened to be the final day of the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco. News of the blaze brought shockwaves to chefs and specialty retailers across the country, and the immediate question was when will they come back?
Despite continued litigation with their insurer, the road to recovery is ongoing and the company is proud to announce their return to the 2019 Specialty Food Association Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco. “While working at limited capacity”, said Edwards, “the business model we have now is working. We’ve been able to get our mainstay Country Ham, Bacon, and Sausage products back to market, and our signature Wigwam Ham, Award Winning Surryano Ham, and our newest Vintage of Dry Cured Lamb are all now available. After all we’ve been through it feels great to be back up and running, and we’re thrilled to be back at the Winter Fancy Food Show”.
When asked about the recovery, Keith Roberts – National Wholesale Sales Manager – said “There’s no doubt this has been the most challenging thing I’ve ever faced in my 40 plus year professional career, but at the same time the most gratifying work I’ve ever been a part of. It will be great to reconnect with our West Coast friends at the Show, and I look forward to our return.”
Edwards and his team maintain their commitment to not just rebuild the company, but preserve the history and heritage of their iconic Virginia Foodways. Edwards added, “Some folks would probably just give up after something like this, but that’s just not our way.”
Edwards Virginia Smokehouse will be located in Booth 5604 as part of the Virginia Pavilion.
Booth 5604/Virginia Pavilion
