Spicing up every meal
How Country Home Creations blends tradition with flavor innovation
(Sponsored) Shirley Kautman-Jones first began her creation process by helping coworkers make easy, delicious meals accompanied by homemade spice mixes. Sourcing unique, flavorful spices from Detroit, MI, Kautman-Jones founded Country Home Creations — a company specializing in handcrafted gourmet mixes with premium ingredients.
Country Home Creations’ main focus? Providing quality gourmet mixes that bring customers together for a home-cooked meal. Plus, they still create mixes the old-fashioned way — by hand every day, using premium-quality ingredients like herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables.
We sat down with Kautman-Jones to get the latest insights on two new product lines: Gourmet Grillers and Coastal Kitchen.
Gourmet Grillers: A Fresh Take on Flavor
One of Country Home Creation’s newest product lines is making grilling easier than ever with five taste-bud-tantalizing options! These mixes are made in Michigan from the finest quality gourmet spices and can be used as a rub or marinade with meat, vegetables or seafood.
Q. What inspired the creation of the new Gourmet Grillers line?
A. At Country Home Creations, recipe innovation is at the heart of what we do. We’ve been using our classic mixes for rubs and marinades for years, so launching a dedicated line of gourmet spice blends was the natural next step. Our customers were already grilling with them — we just made it official!
Q. What sets your Michigan-made gourmet spices apart from others on the market?
A. Quality. Period. Every blend is packed with premium ingredients you can actually pronounce — real freeze-dried fruits, vegetables and herbs — no fillers, no shortcuts. That’s what gives our Grillers their bold, fresh flavor and makes them a cut above the rest.
Q. Do you have any favorite ways to use the Gourmet Grillers mixes?
A. We love how versatile these blends are, which makes it tough to pick just one! Use the Sweet & Smoky Griller as a rub for salmon or toss the Zesty Herb Rub with fresh vegetables before grilling. Whether it’s meat, seafood or plant-based proteins, there’s a perfect match in the line for every taste.
Q. How important was versatility in designing these blends?
A. It was essential. We know not every customer is a carnivore — or a chef, for that matter. So, we made sure these blends work beautifully whether you’re grilling burgers at a tailgate, roasting veggies for a plant-based feast, or marinating shrimp for a coastal dinner. From seasoned pitmasters to backyard beginners, everyone can use — and love — these blends.
Coastal Kitchen: Laid-Back Flavors, Elevated Experience
Coastal Kitchen is a new line of beach and lake life-inspired mixes crafted with premium ingredients for an elevated flavor of exceptional quality.
Q. What inspired the launch of the Coastal Kitchen line, and how does it reflect the beach and lake lifestyle?
A. We wanted to create something that captured the fun vibe of being by the water — easygoing, flavorful, and a little fun. Coastal Kitchen was designed for those laid-back moments at the beach house, on the boat, or enjoying the view from your vacation balcony. Think effortless prep with flavors that transport you straight to the shoreline.
Q. How do these mixes elevate the cooking experience compared to traditional blends?
A. These aren’t your average dips. Coastal Kitchen features bold, unique combinations — like cheddar-avocado and seafood-inspired blends — that feel fresh, exciting and just indulgent enough. They’re still easy to mix and serve, but the flavors are elevated to impress, whether you’re hosting a beach bash, enjoying a quiet lakeside lunch or enjoying margaritas with friends by the pool.
Q. How do you ensure the quality and consistency of the premium ingredients used in this line?
A. Ingredient quality is our gold standard. It’s been that way since we opened our doors in 1980. We carefully source every component of our mixes and never cut corners. That commitment shows in the taste and consistency of every Coastal Kitchen product.
Q. Anything else you’d like retailers to know?
A. We’re proud to be a Michigan-based, woman-owned company with over four decades of experience in crafting mixes that people genuinely love. Whether you’re looking to boost summer sales or offer customers something they won’t find in big-box stores, our Gourmet Grillers and Coastal Kitchen lines deliver premium quality, versatility and flavor that sells.
To learn more about Country Home Creations, visit www.countryhomecreations.com
© Country Home Creations 2025
