Beth Omernik is the owner of Apron Ties Kitchen, a certified farm kitchen overlooking the pristine Little Wolf River near Wittenberg, Wisconsin. Her Apron Ties bakery and stovetop recipes are carefully created, measured and mixed using the finest ingredients, and boxed by Beth with simple, easy-to-follow instructions – thoughtful and unique gifts for special friends. A dreamer and entrepreneur with a broad set of artistic skills and passion for music, theater and food, Beth delights in applying her culinary artistry to help others find joy in preparing food for family and friends. “Food is so much more than just ‘what's for breakfast,’ she says. “Time and thoughtfulness in the kitchen have a ripple effect on our lives.” If you really want to make another person’s day, Beth says, give them something to make. Help them enjoy time in the kitchen, cherish real food and where it comes from, and be a part of a local economy of makers and artists who see the world through the eyes of gratefulness, creativity and joy.

The Story…

It is hard to capture exactly when the idea of Apron Ties began. I suppose I was sitting behind my sewing machine making actual aprons, when Apron Ties morphed into Apron Ties Kitchen. Realizing my love of handmade, local items like aprons could possibly be merged with my love of cooking and baking. I wanted to take my favorite recipes and create dry mixes that are simple to prepare, but not full of ingredients only a scientist would recognize. Creating lovely gifts for friends and family members, and helping families get one step closer to the “family dinner” that many of us grew up with, but often can’t find time to create. These ideas have been evolving in my mind for over four years and now is the time to announce, Apron Ties Kitchen is finally here!

For me, cooking is so much more than just a meal on the table or a special dessert every now and then. Cooking is about real food, and real food is about FAMILY. The value of sitting down together, in celebration, or in mourning, or just a quick everyday dinner before hitting the road for all the activities we try to fit in. For gift giving to old friends and new friends, and for spending time in the kitchen as a joyful space and peaceful time that we can look forward to instead of feeling it is just another daily chore.

Apron Ties Kitchen wants to help connect its recipients to simple cooking, with real ingredients, made locally, to be enjoyed TOGETHER. These dry mixes and spice blends are made from ingredient you will know, without preservatives, or artificial colors. The way home cooking and baking should be.

Make the pumpkin spice bread and invite an old friend (or new one) over for coffee. Make the slow cooker pork carnitas and have the whole neighborhood over. Indulge in the brownies and send a few extra ones to the teachers at your children’s school, or the local librarian. Reach out with food!