FREDERICKSBURG, Texas - John DeMers, veteran cookbook author and radio host, has joined Fischer & Wieser Specialty Foods as the company’s first Director of Culinary Hospitality, CEO and President Case D. Fischer announced.
The author of 55 published books on food, drink, travel, history and biography, DeMers will focus on culinary tourism at the farm-based specialty foods producer in the Texas Hill Country, including cooking classes, wine tastings and tours, “culinary retreats” on the property and all forms of media relations, both traditional and social.
“John brings a passion for flavor that we certainly appreciate,” said Fischer, “along with skill sets that we hope will take our mission to places we haven’t quite reached yet. With John’s emphasis on cooking, storytelling and culinary appreciation, we are hoping to move that much closer to the customers who’ve loved our products for decades.”
A native of New Orleans with BA and MA degrees in journalism from LSU, DeMers started covering general news for daily papers before finding his true calling, writing about food, nearly three decades ago. He traveled the world as food editor of United Press International (UPI) before coming to Texas to assume that role at the Houston Chronicle.
DeMers hosted the weekly Delicious Mischief food and wine radio show for 25 years, most recently in Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. Among his many cookbooks are two for Fischer & Wieser, “Fredericksburg Flavors” and the upcoming “The Sauce,” both published by Bright Sky Press.
“John didn’t grow up on a farm,” said company founder and chairman Mark Wieser, “but as we say in Texas, he got here as quick as he could. Across the country, some chefs and diners are just beginning to remember that farm-fresh flavors are essential to cuisine. At Fischer & Wieser, we never forgot.”
Fischer & Wieser’s Specialty Foods product line is found in specialty and upscale grocery stores across the nation. Their best-known product, The Original Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce®, won the Outstanding New Bestseller Award at the Fancy Food Show in 1997. Fischer & Wieser is a family-owned business located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Case Fischer and Mark Wieser started selling jams and jellies in their store, Das Peach Haus®, made from peaches grown in their own orchard behind their store.
While the company still sells these jams and jellies in Das Peach Haus, Fischer & Wieser now makes more than 150 products and distributes throughout the United States, to Mexico and beyond. In addition, the company also manufactures the award-winning line of Mom’s pasta sauces, soups and meal starters, which has also been newly updated and expanded. Both brands are sold in specialty, grocery and club stores throughout North America.
For more information on the new look for Fischer & Wieser Specialty Foods, please visit the company’s website, www.jelly.com, email info@jelly.com or call 1-800-369-9257.