One afternoon, way back in the year 2011 (or maybe 2010? I can't remember), Andrew J. Weiss (A.J. to some) was sitting in a cafe, tapping his pen on an empty note pad, and staring out the window. The prior accumulated years of adventure, heartbreak, and common drudgery had all amounted to this, a particular moment, for reasons both unknown and fairly straightforward.
The most straightforward being that he was part of Blue Planet Foods, Ltd., the small family business and an importer of high-quality food products and ingredients (now, he's the president and CEO of this still small but slightly larger business).
Thinking that the company should develop its own brand of Spanish conservas and other specialties, A.J. set forth to complete the task of conjuring a suitable name for such a brand. After a certain amount of consideration and voluminous list-making, Donostia Foods came to be.
What was the inspiration for this (superb) brand name? Donostia-San Sebastián, a small coastal city in Basque Country in northern Spain, renowned for its restaurants, gastronomic societies, and culinary traditions. A place where locals and visitors alike wander the cobblestones of Old Town in the warm evening light, drifting amongst the pintxo bars to sample unparalleled small-bites accompanied by the effervescent local wine, txakoli, and sharing in the laughter that becomes the fondest of memories; a place that exudes good food, good drinks, and a general sense of revelry. All of which is quite enjoyable.
With Donostia Foods we hope to continue to introduce more people in the United States to the gastronomic pleasures of Donostia-San Sebastián and Spain as a whole, as we have now for these many years, and remind those who already know of a good and delicious time spent there.
Our continually expanding selection of the best examples of the best products from Spain we can find, will, if only briefly, transport you to that convivial place situated on the Bay of Biscay.
Thank you for your interest in Donostia Foods, and if there's anything we can do for you, please contact us.
All the best,
A.J. Weiss, president & CEO
Andrew J. "A.J." Weiss, president & CEO of Donostia Foods, in the village of Espelette in Basque Country.
