MILLSBORO — The Millsboro Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on Feb. 8 for Shore Smoke Seasoning.

Co-owner and new Millsboro resident Ryan Stevenson has been passionate about creating seasonings for years and shared his hobby with family and friends.

With some downtime from his job in 2020 due to COVID, Mr. Stevenson’s wife Nicole suggested he sell his seasonings. He was unsure, but she bought him a business license for his birthday that year, and Shore Smoke was born.

“Nicole is the one who kept telling me for years my seasonings were amazing and we should sell them,” said Mr. Stevenson. “I never thought anyone would buy them, but it’s been a dream come true.”

Mr. Stevenson crafted numerous recipes and distributed samples for market testing in his old neighborhood in Smyrna. He used the feedback to identify the best blends and began selling them. What started out as a hobby became a full-time business overnight. They have shipped Shore Smoke Seasonings to all fifty states, as well as to Australia, England, and Canada.

Shore Smoke Seasonings captured nine Scovie Awards in 2023, including sweeping first, second, and third place in the “Not Spicy Table Seasoning” category, a first in “Unique Condiments,” a second and third in “Kid Friendly Table Condiments, and a third in “Barbeque Cook It Up Dry Rub Seasoning.”

The Scovie Awards evolved from National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show, and attract hundreds of international entries each year.

“We were hoping for just one award but waking up to nine felt like Christmas morning,” Ms. Stevenson said. “We are just so grateful for all of our family, friends, and customers who have supported us along the way.”

For more information, visit shoresmokeseasonings.com or call at 302-943-4675.