Have you ever started binge watching Netflix movies with a craving for popcorn and the cupboard is bare? If so, Karen Carmazzi, a Curtis Park neighbor on Eighth Avenue has a solution. She started Carmazzi Caramel Corn as a licensed, home-based food preparation business in January 2016.
The product is made from a recipe used by her grandmother four generations ago for family and friends as a holiday treat. She continues her grandmother’s traditions of high quality ingredients such as olive oil, real butter, brown sugar, free of high fructose corn syrup, gluten-free, uses no GMO corn, and prepared in a totally nut-free kitchen.
“I am very concerned about food allergies, especially for children,” Carmazzi said. “I have a lot of fun meeting with my business customers and interacting with their employees and customers in their shops.”
Carmazzi Caramel Corn is available in several neighborhood locations such as Curtis Park Market, Taylor’s Market, Vic’s Café, and several coffee shops. It can also be ordered from her web site, www.carmazzicaramelcorn.com and then delivered by Uber Eats and Door Dash. Both of these food delivery services are web-based and are dispatched to her kitchen for pick-up and delivery to the customer within about a half hour, depending on driver availability and distances involved. The delivery charge is $3.99.
Currently there are three flavors available: caramel corn, chocolate drizzle caramel corn, and a vegan dairy-free version. Sizes vary from individual serving, packaged for two, a party bag, and a gift box. Prices range from $4.50 to $14.50. The preservative-free products are made fresh daily and will keep unopened for about a month. The products will be available to sample at an upcoming “Gather” event in Oak Park the second Thursday in October (the 12th) at Broadway and Third Avenue from 5–9 p.m. The event is free with music, entertainment, local breweries, and food trucks in the Broadway Triangle
By Craig McCulloch Viewpoint staff writer