It's just a pinch of this, another pinch of that

I wanted to include this article here because I consider Chef De Stewart a friend of mine. I have done some work for his website ( http://www.herbsspice.com/), and have to get down to the market to actually see his store. He is a great guy, very easy to get along with, and he has an excellent sense of humor. Check out his site and get anything you need to help make you better in the kitchen.

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Herbs & Spice a nice change of pace at the market

Expansion has been the seed that De Stewart has used to rapidly grow his herbs, spices and blends business.

Sticking to that recipe, the owner of Herbs & Spice and Everything Nice is in talks with another company about a project that would allow his business to offer customers a larger selection of pepper mills, salt mills and even pots and pans.

He hopes to have a deal signed by late this year or next spring that would allow the business to offer 1,000 to 1,200 extra items.

"It would be the kind of stuff that you need in the kitchen that is not food," Stewart says.

A former Kentucky TV food-show host, Stewart figures about $70,000 has been invested to boost the size of Herbs & Spice and Everything Nice since the business started in Union two years ago. He owns the business with his wife, Susan.

Initially operating the shop as a stand set up at local farmers' markets, carnivals and major events in Kentucky, Stewart opened his first store at Findlay Market in February 2006.

Instantly a smash at Cincinnati's historic market, the business moved into a larger space in January. That move allowed Herbs & Spice to begin offering organic items and to triple the size of its inventory.

Today, Herbs & Spice offers more than 400 bulk items featured in glass jars. Those goods include dry rubs, seasonings and herbal marinades.

The store's spices, blends and herbs can range from 24 cents an ounce for sea salt to just over $7 per gram for saffron spice.

It offers more than 100 organic spices and herbs.

"That business continues to grow because people are more health-conscious," Stewart says.