Interest in high-quality pet food is on the rise, but a quiet Baton Rouge-based producer has been at it for more than 25 years. Mary Sullivan, founder of all-natural Jake’s Cuisine, developed the premium dog food out of necessity back home in Australia in 1984. The family’s champion bull terrier, Jake, was mysteriously poisoned, and despite top care, was sent home to die. Sullivan was desperate to get Jake to eat, so leaning on her dual interest in catering and natural foods, she came up with a formula of ground turkey, organic vegetables, organic whole grains, sea kelp, vinegar, ginger and more. Jake ate, fully recovered and lived to be 15, says Sullivan. She began sharing Jake’s Cuisine with friends whose dogs also experienced health problems. The animals thrived, and word continued to spread about the product. “It’s got no preservatives and no fillers,” says Sullivan, adding that it’s not just sick dogs that eat it. “We have a lot of puppies, and [healthy] dogs who have been on it for awhile,” she says.
Sullivan used to produce Jake’s Cuisine herself in Baton Rouge, but today, production takes place in New Orleans. It comes frozen, and locally, it’s available in free-standing coolers at The Petz Plaza, Stay Doggie Day Care and the Health Nut Hut, or by mail. Last month, Sullivan rolled out a new website to enhance on-line orders and to build a stronger fan community. It’s worked. Sullivan says she is sending dog food to a growing number of states around the country, and has seen boosts from two high-profile fans, Sweet Potato Queens author Jill Conner Browne, and her sister, Judy Conner, author of Southern Fried Divorce. For more info, see jakescuisine.com.
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