The part of California known as the “Inland Empire” is fertile farming land, backed by the San Gabriel Mountains and the Angeles National Forest. The area was mostly wine grape vineyards, when Debbie McKeown’s Italian grandfather arrived from Italy in 1907.
“He went to work as a cooper (barrel maker) for Italian Vineyard Company, and my father, Battista Pruneri, was raised in one of the little homes at the winery “colony.” A couple of the those homes are still there, across from what’s now the Ontario Airport, and local preservationists are working to save this part of our area’s history,” Debbie relates.
The winery colony had its own Italian grocery store, the Santolucito Market, and Debbie’s father started working there at age 14. He taught himself all the aspects of the business, and in his 20’s he had begun working in the meat department making sausages. Eventually he was a partner in the business.
“He made up to 28 different sausages,” Debbie says proudly. “My grandparents died when I was very young, and my father was from the generation that felt strongly about our being Americans, so he insisted on speaking English at home and I never learned Italian. But I did learn the seasoning recipes that he used in his sausages, and I chose 8 of them to make commercially.”
Debbie had been cooking for her family since she was in third grade. “I got to make dinner, and my German mother made amazing desserts. From her I got an appreciation of German flavors, in addition to the Italian flavors that my father taught me.”
The seasoning blends that Debbie makes reflect both heritages. They can be used to make great homemade sausages or to flavor other meats, vegetables, soups, etc. Migliore Gourmet has a strong following among hunters, who use the spices to make game sausages from elk, venison and wild boar.
After a career in the telecom industry, raising 5 kids and seeing grandchildren born into the family, Debbie’s priorities started to change. “I wanted to create a company that could be grown into a family business, something that is part of our family tradition and that I could pass along to the next generation.”
“My family has always been centered around our gatherings for meals. When we visit the family in Italy, we spend our time around the table, eating and drinking. We’ve just carried on the traditions of our European relatives.”
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