By batching and selling his family’s century-old red sauce recipe, PJ has furthered their culinary legacy one jar at a time. This vegan, gluten-free, and certified Kosher recipe, which has been sold at the family’s restaurants and grocery stores since 1906, has been passed down from generation to generation, yielding a clean sauce made with zero pastes, starches, fillers, or artificial ingredients. Rather than importing their tomatoes from Italy, the Monte’s are passionate about sourcing locally and using the highest quality tomatoes grown in the United States. From pizza to pasta, this natural tomato sauce is the perfect addition to your favorite Italian fare!
Recently, we caught up with PJ to learn more about his journey and hear his advice for fellow entrepreneurs.
1. Why did you start Monte’s Fine Foods?
I started Monte’s to carry forth my family’s 110+ year-old recipe and legacy. Our mission has grown to be the premier Italian-American brand in the space, proudly sourced and produced with a clean label in the USA, boasting the same level of quality as the imports.
2. What obstacles did you face along the way?
While I don’t consider quality control an obstacle, it’s a challenge we have happily accepted. We use the highest quality American-made tomatoes—they’re paramount to most imported tomatoes, which are often mislabeled and are typically the subpar tomatoes of the harvest. Additionally, we cook in small batches to ensure the flavor of our sauce is exactly how we have made it in our restaurants for nearly 120 years.
3. What lessons do you have for other entrepreneurs?
Make sure you love what you do before you commit to your journey. It won't be easy, but if you love it, it won't be hard.
4. What’s on the horizon for Monte’s Fine Foods?
We just proudly launched our larger jar—the 24 oz size—with Bristol Farms and a few other national retailers, which we are very excited about. We have been in the 16 oz size since inception, and customers have been requesting the 24 oz ever since. The reception has been great so far.
5. How do you keep work/life balance? What drives/inspires you?
As someone who grew up in the family business and has created a new chapter of the legacy through the sauce, work and life tend to intertwine. In fact, I’d say that line is typically blurred. That being said, the best professional collaborations typically come from organic relationships, so I don’t mind the overlap.
The one tradition I maintain, which ironically tends to be just as much work as it is enjoyment, is Sunday Dinner. I grew up practicing this with my family, and now, I continue with my friends. The tradition of gathering together over a good meal and putting life on hold for a day is truly what I remember most fondly, and it continues to create the most special moments and memories. That’s what we sell at Monte’s—Sunday Dinner in a jar.
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