Park City is also home to a company changing the condiment game: Pantala Premium Toppings.
The founding of Pantala goes back 10-plus years, when two passionate food enthusiasts, Susan Odell and Ann Bloomquist became deeply embedded in the community’s fabric.“When I met Ann, we started talking more about boats than food, but you know, we ended up both being very interested in buying local ingredients and cooking with simple foods and just … incorporating international flavors. We both traveled a lot all over the world and just had very kind of unconventional backgrounds,” says Odell.
Early Beginnings
The pair’s first project together was founding EATS Park City, a noble venture aimed at promoting healthy, locally produced food and understanding the intricacies of creating delightful meals for kids in the Park City School District. Through EATS, their bond solidified, driven by similar values of clean eating and an unwavering commitment to the local community.
Their journey, initially rooted in community development, took an unexpected yet delightful turn. Inspired by Bloomquist’s Mediterranean style topping for salmon, the friends began to explore the idea of creating a unique product that would stand apart from existing offerings. As Odell puts it, “When I tasted it … I thought, ‘Oh, yeah. This could really work. Something totally different and unique.’” Thus, two years ago, Pantala was conceived.
The Mission
The goal was always to help home cooks and bring international flavors to their kitchens in the form of an easy-to use topping. Odell has a deep culinary background, including graduating from Le Cordon Bleu, so she took the reins when it came to tweaking the recipe to make it a shelf-stable product.
Whereas traditional tapenades are predominantly olive-centric, Pantala offers a different, irresistible blend. “Ours not only has olives, but it also has sun-dried tomatoes, fire-roasted tomatoes, red peppers, artichokes, capers and lots of spices,” says Odell.
One of the product’s standout features is its adaptability. It seamlessly complements a range of dishes, from salmon to sandwiches to pasta. Catering to the various dietary choices of modern consumers, Pantala is available in two versions — with feta and vegan.
This inclusive approach reflects their commitment to acknowledging diverse palates and preferences. The partners also make dukkah, an Egyptian nut and spice blend.
You can shop for Pantala products on the website (pantala.life) or at numerous Park City spots, including Mountain Town Olive Oil and Deer Valley Café.
