Meet Paul Grogger of Carefree Concepts in Scottsdale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Grogger.

We are a small family owned and operated business; with over sixty years combined food service experience. At the helm of the mixing bowl and creative blend master is Chef Paul Grogger with forty years’ experience as a professional chef, food and beverage director, manager and consultant. His food experience has been in restaurants, golf and country clubs, hotels; major sports facilities, casinos and catering.

Chef Paul truly understands the need for freshness, quality and the consistency needed for your success. In September of 2012 Chef Paul was diagnosed with Stage Four Lung Cancer, and unable to continue his professional career due to his health. In August of 2013, Chef Paul became a candidate for surgery after nearly a year of intensive chemotherapy.

During his recovery from surgery Chef Paul and his wife, Denise discerned how best to use their talents. Encouraged by family and friends Chef Paul has opened his treasure chest of culinary secrets; professional kitchen tested over time, recipes for spice blends and his knowledge of spices and their uses from all over the world. Imagine changing everyday meals to new heights, you can cook like a professional. These spices and blends are far fresher than the store bought products, cost less and do not have any artificial ingredients whatsoever. We invite you to explore the flavors of the world with us.

I have spent five years doing Chemo and radiation and during that time I studied all forms of Natural medicine using Herbs, Spices and various Foods. I have read countless resources, studied volumes of information and have accumulated a fair knowledge of Nutrition through nature. I use some of this in my approach to communicate the spices, blends and recipes to make cooking in the 22nd Century easy and quick. Putting these healthy spices and herbs into easy to use menus.

I speak t many people about the current trendy diets and discuss good and bad things about them. I often work with people who have special dietary needs due to medical reasons and help them with ideas.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being a 64-year-old who’s been a five-year cancer patient, doing chemo every three weeks and radiation several times (30) setting up for the Market and special events is not always easy, the limited audience and exposure is also a factor. In today’s climate many people really don’t cook, they didn’t learn from grandma and mom but they do like to eat, try different things and some are becoming foodies. Being at the Market in a parking lot and not being able to really cook there does add an element of difficulty as well. When I do get to be a featured Chef at the Market I generally get a good crowd.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Carefree Concepts LLC story. Tell us more about the business.
Carefree Spice Company is based on my culinary knowledge and 40 years of solid restaurant tested and proven recipes we used in day to day activities. Teamed up with five years of intense study of Natural healing and health found in spices, herbs and various foods. Over the centuries spices and herbs have played a huge part in medicine, even today they are bases of our current pharmaceuticals. Spice and herbs played a huge role in trade and wealth and power.

Today we use them in various dishes from cuisines around the world and I hope to make that easier and more accessible. I am a chef so I can not only talk about the spices and herbs but how to use them and of course their benefits. I also blend every spice blend by hand in small batch form. I think this and the simple recipes and personal follow upsets me apart from someone who just sells a product.

In late 2016 I was awarded the “Best of Valley” best spice shop by Phoenix Magazine. The other is the number of repeat “friends” we have made.

What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
I guess Cancer slowed me down and I focused on the Spice business and teaching people to cook. I enjoy giving back my talents.

Pricing:

• We have try me size 2oz. bags
• We have 6-8 oz bags

Contact Info:

• Address: Office: 13 Inner Circle Scottsdale AZ
• Website: www.carefreespicecompany.com
• Phone: 480-235-3803
• Email: paul@carefreespicecompany.com
• Facebook: carefree spice company/ Carefree Concepts/ Nutrition through Nature
• Twitter: carefree spice company

Image Credit:
Shutterstock

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