Kempston Farms’ Cowboy Candy adds unique flavor to a variety of dishes—including chili.
A local family recipe rises to fame as a flavorful favorite.
They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, where families and friends gather. It’s central to connection, whether swapping recipes or stories, cooking, sipping or laughing.
For Jamie Goette, the kitchen has always been a place to create fond memories. “I remember being in the kitchen all the time because that’s where the grown-ups were,” Goette says. “They’d be telling stories or jokes … I always found an excuse to be in there, whether stirring something, washing dishes or licking the spoon.” And it’s not solely the kitchen that brings people together; it’s the food.
Over the years, Goette learned to nourish her friends and family with home-cooked meals, bring delicious snacks to parties and whip up shareable plates for potlucks. “Feeding the people you love feels really important and special,” Goette says. She filled the table with favorites like cheesy hash brown potatoes and green gelatin salad before taking on a family recipe from her mother. “I started bringing … pepper jelly to family functions,” Goette says. “It was simple enough, and I never had to bring home leftovers.” From there, Goette used the pepper jelly as a gift idea, tucking a jar into teacher gifts or toting it along to a holiday party.
There was no turning back after that As the years went on, Goette would preemptively set aside a few jars around the holidays for close friends but would receive a steady stream of phone calls, requesting jelly as gifts. As her list continued to expand, she came to realize the business opportunity knocking at her door. Goette jumped into action by learning everything she could about the cottage food industry, including attending cottage food shows. Armed with industry-level knowledge and an enthusiasm for cooking, there was no stopping her.
Her favorite part about starting her own business? “I love that the flavors are different from what can be found on the shelves in the store,” Goette says of her business, Kempston Farms. “It’s taking canning to gourmet level.”
Goette often finds inspiration for new flavors from the seasons, such as her summer berry habanero jam. Seasonal recipes often bode well, because of the availability, freshness and quality of ingredients in season. Kempston Farms also locally sources ingredients, supporting other business owners while holding each product to the highest standard guests have come to expect.
What started with pepper jelly expanded to other products, including the “cowboy candy,” a zesty condiment with jalapeño peppers which Goette says enhances the flavor of any dish, including burgers, tacos, quesadillas and more. Kempston Farms also offers a white chocolate hot cocoa mix, perfect for cold, Minnesota winter days.
Kempston Farms’ Vanilla White Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix is ideal for a chilly day.
One of the most appealing aspects of the Kempston Farms products is the versatility. While typically thought of as a breakfast condiment, the pepper jelly’s spicy kick creates a sweet and tangy flavor, perfectly pairing with a multitude of dishes from cheese and crackers to grilled meat.
With the business up and running, the entire Goette family contributes to ensuring products are prepped and stocked for every occasion. Especially when the holidays roll around—whether cutting produce, labeling jars or making deliveries—it’s all hands on deck. In moments like these, Goette is reminded why she started the business, making memories together in the kitchen and bonding over food.
While Kempston Farms is not an “actual” farm, the Goettes hope to expand someday, including a transition from the cottage food industry into wholesale. “It would be fun to get into a commercial kitchen and be able to ship around the world—to see someone in Australia placing an order or seeing a jar on a shelf in Japan,” Goette says.
Pepper Jelly and Cowboy Candied Bacon Crackers
Contributed by Kempston Farms
“Serve these at any party, from a casual get-together to a fancy shindig, and watch the taste thrill spread right around the room.” —Jamie Goette
Servings: 24
Jamie Goette started gifting her family’s Pepper Jelly to friends—now it’s a bestseller for Kempston Farms.
- 1 package crackers
- 10 slices bacon, uncooked
- 1 jar pepper jelly
- 1 jar Cowboy Candy
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 pinch black pepper, ground
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place a wire rack onto the baking sheet. Place crackers on the wire rack. Make sure to leave a little bit of space between the crackers. Slice the bacon into quarters. Place a piece of cut bacon on each cracker. Sprinkle top with jelly, 1–2 Cowboy Candies and a touch of pepper. Bake for 15–20 minutes or until the bacon becomes crisp.
Kempston Farms
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