Most businesses start with a problem. Bacon Zest started with breakfast — and one high schooler who was just really tired of eating the same old bacon every single morning.
That high schooler was me, and what started as a school project has turned into something I'm incredibly proud of. This is the story of how Bacon Zest went from a classroom idea to a real, growing business — and why I believe it's just getting started.
It Started at Blue Valley CAPS
I was a student in the Future of Food program at Blue Valley CAPS — an innovative high school program in Overland Park that challenges students to think like entrepreneurs and solve real-world problems. Our assignment was to develop a food product concept, and I knew exactly what I wanted to tackle.
Bacon. Specifically, the fact that bacon — one of the most beloved foods on the planet — had almost no dedicated seasonings made for it. You could find rubs for steak, blends for chicken, spices for every cuisine imaginable. But bacon? It was just... bacon. I wanted to change that.
I developed the concept for Bacon Zest as part of that Future of Food program — a line of all-natural, plant-based, low sodium, gluten-free seasonings crafted specifically to elevate bacon. The response from my classmates and instructors told me I was onto something real.
Then the Pandemic Hit
Like everyone else, I found myself at home with a lot of extra time and a project I couldn't stop thinking about. Instead of letting the idea sit on a shelf, I used that time to further develop Bacon Zest — refining the flavors, working on the formula, and figuring out what it would take to turn a school project into an actual business.
The pandemic was a hard time for so many people. But for me, it became the unexpected window I needed to go all in on something I truly believed in. By the time the world started opening back up, Bacon Zest was ready to launch.
What Bacon Zest Stands For
From day one — from that very first classroom pitch — I knew Bacon Zest had to be different in more ways than just flavor. Every seasoning we make is all-natural, plant-based, low sodium, and 100% gluten-free. Because I believe that incredible flavor and better ingredients should always come together, not at the expense of each other.
We currently offer three bold flavors — Honey Barbecue, Sweet Barbecue, and Classic Barbecue — each one crafted to give you the best bacon you've ever had. And while they were made for bacon, they work beautifully on chicken, steak, fries, veggies, and just about anything else you're cooking.
This Is Just the Beginning
Looking back, I'm grateful for every step of this journey — the classroom where it started, the pandemic that pushed me to build it, and every customer who has shaken Bacon Zest over their bacon and come back for more. You're the reason this exists.
If you haven't tried Bacon Zest yet, there's no better time than now. Shop our seasonings today and taste what a little zest can do. Free shipping on orders $25 and up.
0 comments