My first guest this week is Julius West, we’ll be talking about his journey in food and more importantly “Shrimp and Grits!”
Chef Julius West’s love of food developed as a child traveling the U.S. as the son of an Air Force Sargeant. While his dad was serving, Julius spent hours in the kitchen with his mom where she taught him that thoughtfully preparing traditional, homestyle dishes is a way to show others care and respect.
This inspired Julius to open his food truck in 2012 where his delicious shrimp & grits quickly became the most popular dish on the menu. Julius has now decided to bottle this fan favorite to make it easy for anyone to enjoy this delicious, time-honoured regional favorite at home.
Good Life Guy grew up in South Florida and while some may not think that counts as “The South”, it counted in my house. I make some pretty good shrimp and grits. When I tried Chef West’s tasty sauce, golden grits and seafood seasoning I was hooked. Easy as Sunday mornin’ and more tasty than my Dad made. You can literally have a great meal, that’s as attractive on the plate as it is in your mouth in mere minutes. Just add some shrimp, I used the jumbo shell on shrimp from COSTCO.
Then it’s all about Gunnar’s Wheated Bourbon from Kansas with Tim Daniels.
Gunnar’s Bourbon is an all-American privately held partnership between three hard working families. We salute the entrepreneurial spirit of those, like us, who are willing to take risks to build something on their own.
Gunnar’s Bourbon Company is situated in the heart of wheat country, Sedan Kansas. Surrounded by the Chautauqua hills and fields of wheat. Kansas is a place where a handshake is your bond, and your word still means something. There is a long and rich tradition of entrepreneurship, agriculture, and a Kansan work ethic that’s second to none.
Tim Daniels, Partner – Manager, and our talented distiller retired from Bacardi USA after 24 years as their Senior Research Scientist. With a degree in chemistry, Daniels specializes in research and development and is passionate about working with fermentation and raw materials to craft Gunnar’s Bourbon. Tim draws on over 30 years of experience to deliver innovative exceptional high quality wheated bourbon.
The legacy continues with Tim Daniels Jr. and Mathew Daniels working beside their father creating Gunnar’s Bourbon
Good Life Guy’s Wine Spirit of the Week:
Gunnar’s Wheated Heritage Expression Bourbon
Our precisely crafted mix of grains include 63% corn for just enough bourbon sweetness, 34% wheat for a gentle mellow feel, and a small amount of barley for the perfectly balanced wheater. Featured in Wine Enthusiast’s “10 Bottles that prove some of the best bourbon isn’t from Kentucky”. Bottled at 90 proof.
Kansas is known as the Wheat State and at Gunnar’s our specialty is Wheated Bourbon. Wheated Bourbon is a style of bourbon in which the secondary grain in its mash bill is wheat, rather than the much spicier rye. Without the spice or heat of rye this style of bourbon is exceptionally smooth and easy to enjoy neat or on the rocks. We take pride in using grain from local farmers we call friends not too far from where we call home. Join the wheat revolution.