Colonel De Gourmet Herbs & Spices

ABOUT

Many years ago, a young man in Louisville, Kentucky, named De Stewart, worked at his grandfather’s poultry and fish market. When urban development forced the market’s closing, De’s father and grandfather opened a produce market where young De continued to work. These jobs were the genesis of his lifelong love of all things culinary. In 1999, De was appointed a Kentucky Colonel.

Fast forward many years and many careers later, to the infancy of the Food Network. De, ever the entrepreneur, pitched an idea for a cooking show to a Northern Kentucky cable channel. His idea was to show how spices and herbs could change the flavors of everyday foods. The show was a success and people wanted to know where they could buy the spices, herbs, and blends they saw on the show.

In 2005, De set up two card tables and with a handful of items began selling them at Farmers’ Markets. Looking for a logo and a name for the new business, De asked an artist friend to create a logo. The logo included a caricature of a man with a bushy mustache … and Colonel De Gourmet Herbs & Spices was born!

In 2006, the first store was opened at the historic Findlay Market in Cincinnati, Ohio. With De and his wife working behind the counter, the store quickly outgrew its initial space.

Having started with less than 100 items, the store now offers over 500 culinary, herbs, spices and custom blends, and two more stores have been opened: One inside Jungle Jim’s Eastgate Market in Cincinnati, and the world headquarters in Fort Thomas, KY. In 2018, Colonel’s Restaurant & Kitchen opened, featuring the Colonel De herbs and spices the customers have loved for years.

Sadly, in 2018, Colonel De passed away, devastating the Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati culinary community. He was known throughout the region for his love of helping everyone from the everyday home cook to the finest chefs in the area. The Colonel’s knowledge of spices, his unfaltering willingness to help others, and his signature mustache continue to be missed by all.

Today, De’s wife (always known as Mrs. Colonel) along with their son, Ashley and wife Christi, are committed to the legacy our beloved De started and was committed to.