Community Highlights: Meet Christopher Whitehurst of CW Dressings

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Whitehurst. Them and their team share their story with us below:

CW Dressings was established in September 2020 by then Army Master Sergeant Christopher J. Whitehurst a Senior Culinary Management Noncommissioned Officer while assigned at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He is an N.C. native who grew up in Jacksonville, NC where he joined the service in 2001.

Prior to his retirement in 2021, he created CW Dressings fulfilling his dream to start his own business. During the transition period towards retirement concluding his 20-year military career, his passion for entrepreneurship and creating his own business became his new mission.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to establishing CW Dressings has been challenging but rewarding as well. Of course, with many small businesses, there have been funding challenges. Finding ways to obtain the capital needed to scale the business is a constant hurdle.

The fact that I operate and control every aspect of the business myself comes with its own set of challenges. Finding the perfect balance between family and business is a task I’m learning to manage with the utmost importance.

As you know, we’re big fans of CW Dressings. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
CW Dressings is a certified service-disabled veteran-owned business.

We specialize in unique flavorful dressings, sauces, and marinades.

Our products showcase the versatility of date fruit. Each of our products is made with 100% organic deglet nour date syrup. Customers admire the fact dates are incorporated, making it truly a one-of-a-kind product. Combined with the many proven health benefits of dates and utilizing its natural sugar as the primary sweetener makes our products a healthy choice for any diet. Dates are a good source of energy, fiber, vitamins, and essential minerals.

Our Date Balsamic Vinaigrette is created using 100% organic deglet nour date syrup it can be used as a meat marinade, salad dressing, or dipping sauce. It contains no added sugars, soy, or high fructose corn syrups and is vegan and diabetic friendly. It’s great on Caprese salad, bruschetta, brussels sprouts, and avocado toast.

*Our State, Made in NC 2022 Finalist*
We are excited our Date Balsamic Vinaigrette made it through the first round of judging for the Our State, Made in NC Awards in the food category. 

Our Sweet Date Hot Sauce is a smooth sweet heat with a burst of cayenne and scotch bonnet heat. At first taste, you will experience the mild sweetness of the dates then the kick from the peppers. It pairs great with scrambled eggs, fried chicken, wings and just about anything you would like to add a bit of heat to. 

Most of all we would like the readers to know that CW Dressings products were created with the health of our customers in mind. 

We are proud members of the following three organizations:
– Got to be NC
– NC Specialty Foods Association
– National Veteran Business Development Council

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was determined to one day be successful. In my teenage years I often felt a deep, burning, emotional desire to become successful in life.  When I joined the military that feeling became more focused and grounded in discipline and hard work.  

CW Dressings products can be purchased on: Our website and Amazon. 

You can also find us at select Raleigh Night Market and First Friday, Pop-Up Carolinas events.

Pricing:

• Date Balsamic Vinaigrette $11
• Sweet Date Hot Sauce $10

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cwdressings.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cw_dressings/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CWDressings
• Other: https://linktr.ee/CW_Dressings