There’s something special about meeting the people behind the food we love.
Last month, the Food Connects team had the pleasure of welcoming Tomer Kilchevsky, co-founder of Shovel and Spoon (Limington, ME), who arrived at the Food Hub to hand-deliver their very first shipment and a few extra treats for our staff to sample.
Tomer in the Food Hub kitchen.
When the lids came off, the aroma of fresh herbs, roasted peppers, and warm pita filled the room. In about 10 mins, four containers of dips and two bags of pita disappeared as our staff went back for seconds, thirds, and fourths. Operations Manager Nate joked between bites, “This is pita I could sleep on.”
Shovel and Spoon is a reflection of co-founders Tomer Kitchevsky and Courtney Jean Perry’s shared passion for growing and cooking quality food. The two met while studying at Green Mountain College, where they discovered their mutual love for farming and sustainable food systems.
The couple moved to Courtney’s family home and farm in Maine, where they built a thriving farm-to-table catering business that grew a loyal following. As their family began to grow, so did the challenges of maintaining a healthy work-life balance in the demanding world of catering.
The inspiration for their next chapter came from a loyal client who couldn’t get enough of the hummus they served at an event. That sparked an idea: what if they could share their dips and spreads beyond the catering table? By bringing their products to market, they could continue sharing their signature flavors while carving out more time for family and community. And with that, the Shovel and Spoon product line was born.
The Food Connects team was wowed by the selection of dips and spreads which included:
Classic Hummus—silky, rich, and perfectly balanced.
Labneh—a creamy, tangy yogurt-based dip that staff said could easily replace cream cheese on bagels.
Tahini Dip—whipped with fresh garlic and lemon juice, sparking ideas for marinades and dressings.
Spicy Harissa Hummus—a crowd favorite, with just the right blend of heat and sweetness. Marketing Coordinator Elyse summed it up best: “I could eat this straight out of the container.”
Tomer shared many stories of their journey, from learning to farm at 25 to developing recipes without preservatives, because real, fresh ingredients simply taste better. We’re true believers! After tasting their dips and pita, we’re confident our customers will love them just as much as we do. Welcome to the Food Connects Food Hub, Shovel and Spoon!