A jelly business that started in a two-car garage now draws close to a million visitors a year. The founders began with 30 kettles and a whole lot of fruit.
That garage grew into more than 40 shops and eateries in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
You can enjoy free samples of more than 100 products, including jams, jellies, and relishes, during opening hours.
More than a hundred! My toast is already feeling underdressed.
The pies, pretzels, and relishes come later in the story.
For now, know this place can fill a Thanksgiving table from one parking spot. All of it traces back to one garage and a stack of kettles.
Sample Jams, Jellies And Relishes Before You Pick Your Favorites
Indecision gets a delicious workout at Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse, Pennsylvania.
The Jam & Relish Kitchen offers free samples from a selection of more than 100 products.
That is a lot of tiny spoons. With so many flavors to sample, you can find the perfect one for your holiday table before buying a jar.
The best part happens behind the glass. Local artisans prepare Pennsylvania Dutch jams, jellies, butters, relishes, and preserves right there in the kitchen.
You get to see the work, not just the label. That makes a jar feel a lot more personal when you set it beside the dinner rolls.
Thanksgiving planners should think beyond toast. A fruit butter pairs nicely with warm biscuits, and a bright jelly can sit next to the turkey.
Bring a short list of what your table needs. Then let your taste buds argue it out at the sample counter.
Here is a smart move for hosts. Grab a few extra jars for guests who always ask what that amazing spread was.
Small jars also make easy hostess gifts. Nobody has ever been sad to receive homemade jam in November.
One Garage And Thirty Kettles Started The Whole Delicious Story
Back in 1954, Bob and Pat Burnley started a small jelly business. Their headquarters was a two-car garage, and their equipment was 30 kettles.
Most garages hold lawn mowers and holiday boxes. This one held the beginning of something much bigger.
Over time, that garage operation grew into the Jam & Relish Kitchen. A Bake Shop joined the mix, and the shops kept coming.
Today, Kitchen Kettle Village holds more than 40 specialty shops and eateries. It also welcomes close to a million visitors from around the world each year.
Pat Burnley left a lasting mark on the menu. She developed her signature Chow Chow recipe over many years, and it is still offered today.
She passed away in February 2021 at age 92. Her recipe keeps her kitchen story going for every new visitor.
Knowing the history makes shopping here feel different. You are buying from a place that grew one jar at a time.
That is a fun story to share at the table. Pass the relish, then pass along how it all started in a garage.
Chow Chow Deserves A Spot Next To Your Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce has hogged the spotlight long enough. Pennsylvania Dutch tables have a tangy sidekick that brings color and crunch.
Chow Chow is a classic regional relish. At Kitchen Kettle Village, Pat Burnley’s famous recipe is still available after decades of fine-tuning.
The Jam & Relish Kitchen handles much more than sweet spreads. Relishes, butters and preserves share the shelves with the fruit jams.
That variety is handy for holiday menus. A savory jar can brighten a plate heavy with gravy and mashed potatoes.
Try setting out a small relish tray before dinner. It gives guests something to nibble while the turkey finishes its long nap in the oven.
Relishes also work great the next day. Leftover turkey sandwiches get a real upgrade with a spoonful of something tangy.
Not sure which jar to pick? The sample counter helps you decide before you commit.
Buying a recipe that one woman perfected over years feels pretty special. Your cranberry sauce may need to scoot over and share the table this year.
Pie Shopping Gets Much Easier At The Bake Shop
Rolling pie crust at midnight is nobody’s favorite holiday tradition. The Bake Shop at Kitchen Kettle Village can take that job off your list.
Pies sit alongside a whole lineup of baked goods. You’ll find cookies, whoopie pies, fruit breads, yeast breads, sticky buns, fritters and apple dumplings.
That list covers more than dessert. Yeast breads can go with dinner, and sticky buns make a cozy Thanksgiving morning breakfast.
Apple dumplings feel very fitting for a fall feast. Whoopie pies are a fun Pennsylvania Dutch treat for kids at the table.
A good plan is to shop with your guest count in mind. Pick one or two pies, then add something unexpected for variety.
Fruit breads also travel well. They make thoughtful gifts if you’re visiting someone else’s home for the holiday.
The bakery lives within the same story as the jam kitchen. Both grew from that original garage business.
Pair a pie with a jar of fruit butter and you have a full dessert spread. Your oven gets a well-earned break, and so do you.
Twisted Snacks Make Pre-Dinner Grazing So Much Better
Pennsylvania and pretzels go together like gravy and potatoes. Kitchen Kettle Village has a whole shop devoted to them.
MOMS Pretzels specializes in this twisted favorite. Aged & Cured also sells pretzels, so you have more than one stop for salty snacks.
Pretzels solve a classic Thanksgiving problem. Hungry guests arrive hours before the turkey is ready.
A bowl of pretzels keeps everyone happy without spoiling dinner. It’s also easy for whoever is watching football in the next room.
Think about pairing them with other village finds. A sharp cheese or a fruit spread turns a plain snack bowl into a real appetizer board.
Pretzels are also simple for kids to enjoy. Picky eaters rarely turn down something crunchy and salty.
If you’re grabbing a warm pretzel for the road, nobody will judge you. Shopping is hard work, after all.
Save room in your bag for a few extras. Pretzels make a sneaky good snack during the long cleanup after dinner, when everyone needs fuel to tackle that mountain of dishes.
Cheese Boards And Breakfast Meats Start Right Here
Scrapple might not be on every Thanksgiving menu. In Lancaster County, though, it has plenty of fans at the breakfast table.
Aged & Cured stocks cheeses, bacon, kielbasa, sausage, bologna, beef jerky, scrapple and meat snack sticks. That is a serious lineup for any holiday host.
Out-of-town guests often stay a few days. You’ll need breakfasts, lunches and snacks beyond the big meal.
Bacon and sausage handle the morning crowd. Kielbasa can become an easy dinner once everyone gets tired of turkey.
A cheese and bologna board makes a strong appetizer. Add pretzels and a jar of relish from the jam kitchen for a true local spread.
Jerky and snack sticks are great for travel days. Toss some in the car for the drive home.
The Olive Basin sits nearby with specialty oils too. A flavorful oil can dress up roasted vegetables or a holiday salad.
Mix and match items from several shops. Kitchen Kettle Village works a bit like a pantry you can walk through, just with nicer scenery and more samples.
Save A Little Room For Fudge, Ice Cream And Coffee
Shopping for a feast builds up an appetite. Luckily, Kitchen Kettle Village has plenty of ways to refuel while you browse.
Pepper Lane Fudge and Sweets offers handmade fudge. Boxed up, it also makes a handy dessert tray addition or a gift for the host.
Lapp Valley Farms Ice Cream comes from a local family farm. A scoop on a crisp fall day is a small, happy reward.
Need a warm-up instead? The Roasted Rooster serves coffee for anyone running low on energy.
For a real meal, the Harvest Cafe offers dining right in the village. That helps if your shopping trip stretches past lunchtime.
The Kling House Restaurant is open for lunch Monday through Saturday. It also offers private events, making it an option for both regular dining and special occasions.
Here’s a tip for fudge fans. Buy a few flavors so guests can sample a little of each after pie.
Ice cream also pairs nicely with a slice of warm pie. Take that idea home and you’ve got dessert sorted, with zero extra effort.
Stay Overnight And Shop Before The Day Gets Busy
Sleeping steps away from a jam kitchen sounds like a dream. The Inn & Suites at Kitchen Kettle Village offers 20 rooms and suites spread throughout the village.
Staying overnight gives you time to shop slowly. You won’t feel rushed to see everything in one afternoon.
You’ll find the village at 3529 Old Philadelphia Pike in Intercourse, Pennsylvania. It sits in Lancaster County, surrounded by Amish countryside.
Benches and chairs around the village offer views of that farmland. Selfie stations also give you fun spots for photos.
Plan your timing carefully. Shops open Monday through Saturday, usually 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and until 6 p.m. on Saturdays.
The village is closed on Sundays. Hours may vary from January through February, with many shops on limited schedules.
Seasonal events run throughout the year. Walking tours like the Picnic Tasting Tour add a guided way to sample the village.
Arrive with an empty trunk and a list. You’ll likely leave with jams, pies, pretzels and maybe a new holiday tradition built around a trip to Intercourse.