A new Chilton County business has found the “wright” way to season food.

Chilton County E-911 Director Dan Wright launched the Wright Rub Barbecue Company in June, producing handcrafted, small-batch food seasoning for meats and other foods.

“It is designed to enhance your food instead of simply flavoring your meat,” Wright said.

The initial idea for the Wright Rub started when Wright struggled locating a rub in stores he enjoyed.

“When you can’t find what you want, you just make your own,” Wright said. “I have always had a joy and passion to cook. I loved helping my parents cook growing up, so I just started playing around with different things.”

Although the hectic nature of life often got in the way, Wright said he never lost his desire to create a barbecue rub he could be satisfied with.

“Over the years, once or twice, I would get out my formulas and study what I had done,” Wright said. “I would test it out on firemen or on my family, but there was always something missing. I decided it was time to get back at it, so I dug through the cabinet, mixed a few things together, tasted it, and realized I had found what I was looking for.”

Wright said his rub is sweet and savory with just a hint of heat and smoky flavor.

“It is an everything-in-one-type of rub,” Wright said.

Wright works out of a commercial kitchen that was no longer being used, that was formerly a deli/bakery establishment in Chilton County.

Wright obtained the use of the kitchen for an affordable fee, helped do some minor improvements to the kitchen to use for storage, and works daily to create the rub for his growing base of customers.

“As of today, we are selling a larger bottle due to the demand from customers,” Wright said. “The product is currently being sold in five stores in Clanton with the hopes of expanding.”

Wright said the design of the rub is primarily for barbecue, but can be used as seasoning for a multitude of combinations.

“People have been telling us about the different things they are using the rub on, and it keeps growing,” Wright said. “So far, we have heard people have used it for hamburgers, roasted potatoes, baked potatoes, stuffed mushrooms, bacon wrapped asparagus, French fries, boiled peanuts and grilled dove breast. You can also use it for pork or chicken.”

Most recently, Wright was selected by Martha Stewart and a panel of judges as a finalist in the 2014 Martha Stewart American Made Awards in the Food category.

According to the website for the contest, American Made “spotlights the maker, supports the local, and celebrates the handmade.”

“The program is made up of people and communities that have turned their passion for quality craftsmanship and well-designed goods into a way of life,” the website states.

Wright entered the contest, and was selected as a finalist out of more than 10,000 submissions.

Local customers can purchase the rub at B’s Market in Clanton, Peach Park, Darlene’s Discount, Big O Recycles and Frou Frou Frocks.

The prices of the rub vary at each location, but Wright said they are selling for about $6.

Customers can also purchase the rub online at www.wrightbbqco.com.

Wright eventually hopes to increase a seasoning blend line including a citrus blend, a spicy blend and a sweet blend, as well as a barbecue sauce line for nationwide distribution.

“I would also love to be Clanton’s first food truck,” Wright said. “I think that would be really neat. So far the support we have received has really been encouraging. The feedback we have gotten so far has really made me want to make everything even better, and I am excited to see where all of this goes.”

For more information, email sales@wrightbbqco.com or wrightbbqco@gmail.com or call (205) 233-1340.