LOCAL PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: BETTY’S DRESSING

Do you ever find yourself in the grocery store as you’re looking for an item, you are attracted to the one next to it with the homemade-looking label? If you’re anything like me, the products with the unique labels and the signs that state “I’m Local!” attract my attention quickly.

Then, I’m standing there reading word for word the label and comparing it to what I was actually looking for. Most of the time, I end up with the local product, not just because it looks cool but because I LOVE supporting local businesses. I will usually share my thoughts with my friends and family and find myself telling them all about it and where they can find it.

I find that local products often times have a fascinating story that goes along with it… something relatable to the consumers in the community defining their hard work and accomplishments. You know, that sales 101 pitch… if they like you, they’ll buy it from you!

This particular product has been used in my family for YEARS and now, there are certain dishes that I refuse to eat without it! This product is called Betty’s Dressing! It is a deliciously tangy, sweet, tomato, French-like dressing. Dishes that I enjoy Betty’s Dressing with are Betty’s salads, meatloaf marinade, rib marinade, meatball sauce, vegetable dip and sauce on tacos & taco salads. You will not be disappointed with these dishes, I promise!

As the name states, Betty’s Dressing was created over 50 years ago by the hard-working, award-winning, loving and passionate woman, Betty Timko. She was a noted restauranteur who worked unbelievably hard throughout the Northwest Ohio & Southern Michigan areas. She brought many people together by using her passion for helping the community through her love for food. She helped build and expand businesses such as the Holiday Inn, The French Quarter & Highland Meadows Golf Club. She helped provide quality food service, enduring food products and even taught her innovative cooking concepts.

Betty started working as a waitress in high school to help her mother in the kitchen of Islay Dairy Store in Tiffin, Ohio. She then served as a Church Hostess at Collingwood United Methodist Church in Toledo, Ohio. In 1956 she won the Mrs. Toledo title in the Mrs. America contest sponsored by the Young Matrons of the Y.W.C.A. She then began catering in homes and churches.

She then moved on to the Holiday Inn Restaurant entities including the French Quarter and several free-standing restaurants. She went on to earn many awards throughout her life including Restaurant Manager of the year for all the Holiday Inn International Systems.

In 1975, Betty formed Timko’s restaurants, Inc. and opened the first Timko’s Soup’n Such in Toledo, Ohio. She was able to expand the restaurant to 3 more locations earning her the President’s Award and the award for Appreciation for Outstanding Service.

In 1982, Betty formed Timko Enterprises, Inc. to produce Betty’s salad dressing for retail sales in supermarkets including Kroger, Food Town, IGA, Chief, and other independent supermarkets of that time. She also received the Hospitality and Outstanding Past President Award for Dedicated Service through the Northwest Ohio Restaurant Association.

Betty’s son Tim & his wife Chris took the family business over for over 20 years. Now, you will find the third generation of the Timko family, her grandson’s Tim and Ron along with their wives, Angie & Hollie who are working diligently to keep Betty’s legacy alive by providing the community the opportunity to be able to have this product in their homes even still, today! This product can be found in the refrigerated produce section at many local stores such as Kroger, Bassett’s Market, Chief, Foodtown Supermarket, Kazmaier’s Market, Meijer, Miller’s Market, Monette’s Market, Sautter’s Market, Stanley’s, and Walt Churchill’s Market. To find a complete list please click this link.

Betty’s Salad Recipe

• 12oz bag of head lettuce, chopped

• 8-10oz bag of chopped leafy romaine

• 6oz of baby spinach

• 4-6 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped

• 14oz can of bean sprouts rinsed and drained

• 6-8oz bag of real bacon bits or 16oz real bacon, cooked and chopped

• Two 16oz jars of Betty’s Dressing

Directions:

Mix head lettuce, romaine, and spinach together in a large 6qt. salad bowl. Separate into two bowls. Fill the primary bowl with half of the mixed greens. Layer with half of the drained bean sprouts, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and bacon. Finish adding the rest of the greens. Top with remaining sprouts, eggs, and bacon. Top individual salads with Betty’s Dressing before eating. Make sure to shake and stir dressing before use. Separation is common. The recipe uses approximately two 16oz jars of dressing.