From Family Favorite to Festival Fame
Years later, as a homemaker and mom of two, I kept Grandma’s tradition alive. My chicken and homemade noodles became the most requested dish in our home. One day, someone said, “This is so good, you should be selling it.” So I did—just for fun.
In 2001, I set up a booth at a small local festival in Springboro, Ohio. What started as a side hustle quickly grew. People came back year after year just to buy our noodles—some even called it “The Noodle Festival.”
Then life threw us a curveball. In 2008, both my husband Matt and I lost our jobs. It was a tough time, but noodles became our saving grace. We began traveling to more festivals, and the love for our product only grew stronger.
A Taste of Tradition
The biggest thing about cooking a great meal is the story behind it. Somehow, that story just makes the food taste better.
And ours? It begins with Grandma Bessie’s noodles.
My great-grandmother Elizabeth—known to most as Bessie—grew up on a farm and spent much of her life in the kitchen. We’d gather around the table, rolling dough by hand, playing in flour, and squishing it between our fingers. For her, cooking was love. For us, it was magic.
Those noodles weren’t just a dish—they were a tradition. And they brought our family together every time.
Every Noodle Tells a Story
Going Nationwide with Grandma’s Recipe
At a small event in Brazil, Indiana, something unexpected happened: Sunny Anderson from the Food Network stopped by our booth. Camera crews showed up, and for the first time, we saw our little idea as something more—something big.
Customers kept asking: “Where can I get this outside of the festivals?”
Matt, with his background in wholesale, said the words that changed our lives:
“Let’s package it.”
Every Noodle, Made From Scratch
Fast forward to today, and we’re proud to share the next chapter in the Bessie’s story.
We’ve opened a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, where every noodle is made from scratch—just like Grandma did it. No shortcuts. No compromises. Every batch of our beloved chicken and noodles is taste-tested to ensure it meets the same standard Bessie would have demanded.
If it doesn’t taste like home, it doesn’t leave the kitchen.
Nourishing More Than Just Tables
We believe great food should be shared. That’s why we’ve partnered with Meals on Wheels, bringing our noodles to seniors and families across the country. It’s part of our mission to provide the “best noodle in the world” to every home in America.
Because at Bessie’s, it’s never just about the food—it’s about comfort, connection, and community.
A Story in Every Bite
From flour-dusted childhood memories to full-scale production, we’re still telling the same story—one noodle at a time.
So next time you sit down with a bowl of Bessie’s, know this:
You’re not just eating a meal.
You’re tasting a legacy.
Because every noodle tells a story.
And ours is just getting started.