PHOENIX (Aug. 10, 2009) – Urban Oven, a Tempe, Ariz.-based gourmet cracker company, has added a new flavor to their five-cracker lineup and retailers across the country have already placed orders.

The 3 Seed cracker, which owner Gene Williams spent months perfecting, contains golden flax, and white and black sesame seeds baked inside rather than sprinkled on the outside to retain as much flavoring from the seeds as possible. The crackers, which have the same size and density as the other Urban Oven crackers, were tested this summer at the Fancy Food Show in New York and received positive reviews.

“Our recipe is completely different from anything else in the market today, and we use that same high-quality recipe with our 3 Seed cracker,” said Williams. “The response by those who have tasted the new recipe has been positive and we already have orders waiting to be filled. I think people will enjoy the texture and slightly nutty flavor these new crackers offer.”

Urban Oven currently offers five flavors including, Classic White, Olive Oil, Rosemary Parmesan, Asiago and Lemon Black Pepper. Since the company debuted in June 2008, distribution has grown to nearly 1,000 gourmet retail clients nationally and internationally.

About Urban Oven

Founded in 2008, Urban Oven is a Tempe-based gourmet cracker company that utilizes all natural ingredients, as well as local ingredients when possible. The company, which distributes to gourmet retailers throughout the U.S., Ireland and Canada, has five cracker products, including Classic White, Olive Oil, Rosemary Parmesan, Asiago and Lemon Black Pepper. For more information, visit www.UrbanOven.com.

PHOENIX (July 28, 2009) – Urban Oven, a Tempe, Ariz.-based gourmet cracker company, recently secured distribution in southern California through The Aniata Cheese Company, a distributor of fine gourmet food items throughout southern California.

Urban Oven’s distribution has grown to nearly 1,000 gourmet retail clients nationally and internationally since the company debuted in June 2008. The partnership with Aniata Cheese Company has added approximately 30 independent gourmet retailers and Bristol Farms locations to Urban Oven’s distribution, and the growth potential is substantial.

“Our recipe is completely different from anything else in the market today, and we’re continually looking to reach new consumers, especially those who appreciate fine wine, cheese and gourmet foods,” said Williams. “There’s an immediately noticeable difference in the taste and texture of our crackers and we’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response so far.”

“Our focus is to highlight artisan producers and Urban Oven fits that category,” said Bob Stonebrook, owner of Aniata Cheese Company. “In southern California, with so many specialty shops, eventually Urban Oven should be able to secure more than 100 locations. I believe it has the potential to make a big splash here.”

Urban Oven currently offers five flavors including, Classic White, Olive Oil, Rosemary Parmesan, Asiago and Lemon Black Pepper, and will introduce a new 3 Seed flavor August 1.

About Urban Oven

Founded in 2008, Urban Oven is a Tempe-based gourmet cracker company that utilizes all natural ingredients, as well as local ingredients when possible. The company, which distributes to gourmet retailers throughout the U.S., Ireland and Canada, has five cracker products, including Classic White, Olive Oil, Rosemary Parmesan, Asiago and Lemon Black Pepper. For more information, visit www.UrbanOven.com.

About Aniata Cheese Company

The Aniata Cheese Company distributes fine gourmet food items throughout southern California. The company has a strong orientation towards artisan and imported cheeses, but also has a selection of butter, pantry items, charcuterie and pates. Aniata also serves as a wholesaler to gourmet shops, grocers, hotels, resorts and fine-dining restaurants. For more information, visit www.aniata.com.

PHOENIX (March 24, 2009) – Urban Oven, a Tempe, Ariz.-based gourmet cracker company, recently garnered some highly coveted shelf space at Dean & DeLuca, a gourmet and specialty foods retailer with locations throughout the U.S. and abroad. Urban Oven’s five cracker varieties can now be found in the gourmet retailer’s stores nationwide.

Gene Williams, founder of Urban Oven, has grown the company’s distribution to nearly 800 gourmet retail clients nationally and internationally, adding an average of 100 new clients each month since its launch last June. 

“There’s an immediately noticeable difference in the taste and texture of our crackers and we’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response so far,” said Williams. “Our recipe is completely different from anything else in the market today, and we’re continually looking to reach new consumers, especially those who appreciate fine wine, cheese and gourmet foods.”

Urban Oven currently offers five flavors including, Classic White, Olive Oil, Rosemary Parmesan, Asiago and Lemon Black Pepper.

“We’re always in search of new, high-quality products that challenge our customer’s taste buds and Urban Oven crackers fit that bill,” said Michael Scibilia, buyer/merchant for Dean & DeLuca. “The crackers will pair nicely with some of the artisanal spreads, cheeses and fine wine we carry in our stores.”
 
About Urban Oven

Founded in 2008, Urban Oven is a Tempe-based gourmet cracker company that utilizes all natural ingredients, as well as local ingredients when possible. The company, which distributes to gourmet retailers throughout the U.S., Ireland and Canada, has five cracker products, including Classic White, Olive Oil, Rosemary Parmesan, Asiago and Lemon Black Pepper. For more information, visit www.UrbanOven.com.

About Dean & DeLuca

Founded in 1977 by Joel Dean, Giorgio DeLuca and Jack Ceglic with the opening of its flagship store in SoHo, New York, Dean & DeLuca quickly grew into a multi-channel retailer of gourmet and specialty foods, premium wines and high-end kitchenware with operations throughout the United States and abroad. Dean & DeLuca specialty products are sold through its retail stores and cafes in select U.S. markets (New York; Washington, D.C.; Napa Valley; Charlotte; and Kansas City, KS), a consumer catalog, and an e-commerce site, www.deandeluca.com. Dean & DeLuca also markets its private label products to other retailers and wholesalers throughout the world. Additional information concerning Dean & DeLuca can be found at the company’s web site: www.deandeluca.com.

PHOENIX (Dec. 2, 2008) – Urban Oven, a Tempe-based gourmet cracker company, announces its launch into the local and international market. The company, which established in June, has grown its distribution to 700 retail clients, adding, on average, 125 new clients each month.

Founded by Gene Williams, the motivation for Urban Oven came after the nationally recognized gourmet food company he worked for disbanded and he realized there was an opportunity to capture the large following of loyal customers the company had. A long-time colleague and owner of a manufacturer representative business, Linda Anne Marty, joined Williams in the venture and the duo have successfully launched it into various U.S. markets, as well as in Ireland and Canada.

“We wanted to capitalize on the successes of past gourmet cracker companies, but also focus on improving the product,” said Williams. “We made it our mission to shift the focus back to the customer and use only the highest-quality ingredients. It’s this attention to detail that separates our crackers from the rest.”

Currently, there are five flavor offerings: Classic White, Olive Oil, Rosemary Parmesan, Asiago and Lemon Black Pepper.

“There’s an immediately noticeable difference in the taste and texture of our crackers and the response thus far has been amazing,” said Marty. “We’re continually looking to expand our reach in the gourmet markets and looking forward to the continued, steady growth ahead.”

Prior to forming Urban Oven, Williams worked as a manager and production manager for Starr Ridge, which helped prepare him for his current role. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Arizona State University, where his emphasis was power production and alternative energy. Following graduation, he went to work for Starr Ridge and discovered a new passion for the gourmet food product industry.

Previously, Marty worked in computer software sales for the maker of Norton AntiVirus, Symantec Corp., a global company focusing on security, storage and system management solutions. After 13 years in the software industry, Marty moved to Arizona from Seattle, Wash., where she started a career in the gourmet food and drink industry. In addition to Urban Oven, she also currently owns and operates Luscious Accents and More, a manufacturer representative business, which she has successfully grown over the past 12 years. Marty holds a bachelor’s in Kinesiology from North Seattle College in Washington State.

About Urban Oven

Founded in 2008, Urban Oven is a Tempe-based gourmet cracker company that utilizes all natural ingredients, as well as local ingredients when possible. The company, which distributes to gourmet retailers throughout the U.S., Ireland and Canada, has five cracker products, including Classic White, Olive Oil, Rosemary Parmesan, Asiago and Lemon Black Pepper. For more information, visit www.UrbanOven.com.