Dan Vierkandt believes that Hormel’s innovation delivers the best bacon, interview

The food saying might be overused, but it always rings true. Everything is better with bacon. While that unctuous, delicious, crispy bite can be the flavor boost in a multitude of recipes, one aspect has been a stumbling block for some home cooks. With the new Hormel Black Label Oven-Ready Thick Cut Bacon, even the most novice chef can achieve the perfect cook. During a recent discussion with Hormel Foods’ Dan Vierkandt, this food innovation gives everyone an opportunity to upgrade their bacon experience.

In the food world, flavor creativity often gets people talking. From trends to unusual mash-ups, those concepts fill the feed. But, that initial sizzle can disappear after a short period of time. Product innovation has a longer lasting effect.

Hormel appreciates that ease of cooking is vital to keeping the product in consumers’ hands. In today’s world of convenience, people want to streamline the process. Too many barriers to entry can have them pushing the order button on their favorite delivery app.

For the person who craves the tempting aroma of bacon cooking, the latest product, Hormel Black Label Oven-Ready Thick Cut Bacon, satisfies that hunger morning, noon, or night. Turning on the oven and cooking is far easier than overseeing the pan and hoping to avoid that dreaded splatter.

Before consumers could experience the newest food offering, the concept development took time to ensure that it was perfect. Going back to 2019, Dan Vierkandt, Hormel Foods Product Manufacturing Manager at Hormel Foods, carefully nurtured it into the product that is available in stores today.

During a recent conversation with Vierkandt, he shared how the Hormel Black Label Oven Ready Thick Cut Bacon went from idea to table. Additionally, he revealed some tips on cooking bacon, his favorite uses, and why this food innovation is a game changer for the industry.

Cristine Struble: Bacon is a favorite food but cooking it can be a stumbling block. Why do you think that people have such problems cooking bacon? 

Dan Vierkandt: “As much as people love bacon, cooking it can be a messy challenge. Many people try to cook bacon on the stove top, a traditional method, but that can be difficult. You need to have a large skillet because bacon cannot truly lay flat in a skillet, which prevents it from heating evenly across the entire slice. The bacon most likely is crossing or touching and not getting a uniform or consistent cook temperature. This preparation style also requires you to monitor and constantly flip the bacon over. Since the bacon is not cooking consistently, the user tends to increase the stovetop temperature which ca cause a few more issues. First, the grease starts to splatter creating a dangerous and messy situation. Second the increased temperature will flash off some the flavor reducing the true bacon taste. The increased temperature also negatively impacts the texture and eating experience for the consumer.”

Struble: Prior to this innovation, how would you recommend cooking bacon?

Vierkandt: “Definitely in the oven. This is the preferred method of most restaurants, as they understand the ease and consistency of cooking in the oven.”

Struble: It took you many years to perfect this concept. What drove you to turn this idea into reality? Do you think that it will be an instant hit? 

Vierkandt: “In my line of work, I get the opportunity to taste and eat our bacon quite often.  I work every day to perfect our process of producing the best bacon anywhere.  I love bacon, and really want consumers to experience bacon the way we do here at Hormel Foods.  We have so many talented professionals here, always looking to deliver the best bacon possible. I wanted consumers to have the same eating experience that I have, and not just for special occasions. Our innovative Hormel Black Label Oven Ready Thick Cut Bacon gives consumers the power to enjoy perfectly cooked bacon, for any occasion, with absolutely no clean up afterward!”

Struble: Does it need the "thick cut" to be successful? How does the thickness impact the cooking method? 

Vierkandt: “It’s more than just the thickness. All the slices in the tray are lean and will cook evenly and deliver amazing, perfectly cooked slices every time.  The thick slice is just thick enough to provide the perfect mouth feel and delivers the delicious Hormel Black Label brand flavor.”

Struble: The idea of "set it, forget it" or convenient cooking often gets people's attention. Do you think that these types of innovations help people overcome their fear with cooking and/or cooking mistakes?  

Vierkandt: “Absolutely.  The beauty of Hormel Black Label Oven Ready Thick Cut Bacon is that you can do multiple things at once.  You never have to touch this bacon, you simply open the package and place it into the oven.  There’s no wasted time finding a pan, you don’t have to handle the bacon with bare hands, and most of all, you don’t have to monitor the stovetop. You don’t need to be an expert in the kitchen to have great-tasting bacon, at least not anymore. The Hormel Black Label Oven Ready Thick Cut Bacon tray takes care of the cooking. No prep, no cleanup, no hassle; just perfectly cooked bacon every time.”

Struble: When it comes to this particular bacon, is there a way to customize it or adapt it to personal doneness?  

Vierkandt: “Great question!  I hear this all the time; everyone has a favorite doneness. The truly amazing thing about the tray for our Hormel Black Label Oven Ready Thick Cut Bacon is that it makes the bacon even better than a traditional pan.  The patent pending tray allows the bacon to cook just enough in its own grease that it creates a perfect combination of great flavor and amazing bite.  It is like nothing I had ever experienced before.   Even I was shocked on how great it worked.   It’s important to know you don’t ever have to flip this bacon over during the cooking process. Let the tray do its magic.  If you like bacon just a bit crispy like I do, be patient and allow the bacon to cook a few minutes longer in the oven and it will crisp up.  Our cooking instructions say approximately 20 minutes in the oven, but I find about 23 minutes or so will make it crispy every time.”

Struble: What is your favorite way to enjoy bacon? Do you have a preferred meal, recipe, or occasion that you always serve bacon?   

Vierkandt: “Bacon is so versatile; it makes every meal better.  I think my favorite thing about this new innovative item is that it allows you to think about bacon differently.  Since there is no prep and no clean up, you can make it anytime of the day.  It does not have to be a weekend morning meal anymore.  So, my personal favorite is to serve it to my friends and family as an appetizer.  Everyone’s face lights up when they hear there is bacon!”

With the new Hormel Black Label Oven Ready Bacon, there is every reason to have another serving of that delicious food. The only question left on the table is what recipe can cooks create using this new product.