Broadbent Hams History

Good Taste takes the prize when you serve a Broadbent’s B & B Country Ham or any other fine Broadbent meats.  The Family has been curing country ham, bacon and sausage for over 80 years.  Smith Broadbent II, along with sons Smith III and Robert founded the retail business in 1966.  The Bingham family of Louisville, KY.,  was also part of the operation in the beginning hence the “B & B” title.  A series of family tragedies resulted in the Bingham’s withdrawal from the firm. 

The names Trigg County and Broadbent’s are synonymous with the Kentucky’s most famous country hams.  Smith Broadbent, III sold the family business to Ronny & Beth Drennan of  Fredonia, Kentucky in March of 1999.  Sandra Myers of the Kentucky New Era wrote on Aug. 19, 2000, “Those who bemoaned the sale of Broadbent’s B & B Foods two years ago can now rest easy.  It’s a well-known fact that curing a good country ham is an art that few can master.  However, traditionalist can now put their worries aside, as new owners Ronny and Beth Drennan have more than proven their ability to serve up good country ham.  It all happened Thursday at the South Wing banquet hall at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville when their firm’s 2000 Grand Champion Ham was auctioned during the 37th annual Kentucky Country ham Breakfast.  In Addition to being chosen grand champion, the Drennan hams won 1st place in five out of six classes, one of which was first place in the ‘Best Taste” category.”  On August 18, 2001, they took the top state honor for the second year in a row, with this Grand Champion Ham auctioning or $80,000.00, all proceeds are donated to charity.  In 2004 they repeated their 2000 performance again winning the Grand Champion, 5 of 6 classes including the Best Taste.  This year, 2005 they were names Grand Champion winning 4 of 6 classes and this ham went on to be auctioned for a record $340,000.00 for charity.  The American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP) has named Broadbent’s National Grand Champion Winners four of the last five years.  They are the 2005Grand Champion for the Un-Smoked Country Ham and the 2005 Reserve Grand Champion for the Smoked Country Ham.  Broadbent’s Pepper Bacon was chosen the winner of the Outstanding Meat, Pate or Seafood category at the 2002 & 2005 National Association for the Specialty Food (NASFT) International competition.  In April of this year, Broadbent’s received the Reserve Grand Champion in the Smoked Country Ham Class at the 2ed Annual National Country Ham Association Competition in Savannah, GA. 

The Kentucky Country Ham Show started in 1964, with 1967 being the Broadbent’s first year to enter and win.  The 2005 win is the eleventh win for the company, making them the first to hit double digits, the only company to win in the 1960’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s.  This also places them five wins ahead of any other competitor.  The  Kentucky Country Ham is recognized for its distinct aroma and flavor and has been enjoyed worldwide.  The auctioning of the Grand Champion Ham gives everyone an opportunity to contribute to his or her favorite charity, while receiving international recognition.
 
On Feb. 27, 1974, the late James Beard wrote in his column, “It was only lately, while in Kentucky, that I become acquainted with these superb hams.  There’s a company called Broadbent-Bingham that sells cured and aged country hams.  If you visit them, you can also buy extraordinarily good ham hocks, thick ham steaks and hams, all cured the same way.  I carried back a cooked ham for Thanksgiving which was much admired by all who tasted it”. In the Sept. 29, 2003 Rosengarten Report, David Rosengarten stated “I was completely knocked out by a new product, Broadbent’s B & B Maplewood Smoked Bacon….This is my crispy breakfast bacon for this winter.”  On October 20, 2004 the New York Times recommended Broadbent’s Cinnamon Bacon for breakfast and our Pepper bacon to “dice and render for savory dishes or salads”.  Broadbent’s and Trigg County Hams have also been featured in magazines such as Southern Living, Saveur, Deli News, USA Today, and Homestyle, Speciality Food Magazine, Fancy Food & Culinary Products magazine and featured on “A Talk of the Town” TV Show on WTVF Nashville, TN. 

Prizes are grand, but what our prize-winning tradition means to the customer is the best ham for their money.  For years, we’ve built on the 80-year-old foundation and constantly improved and expanded to meet the customer’s needs.  We still age our hams longer than almost anyone else, six to twelve months.  Each ham is slowly smoked to give the authentic hickory smoked flavor.  We cure the old-fashioned way with honey, salt and sugar.  But today we offer a variety of products and cuts to give the customer a selection that is better than ever and yet convenient for our fast paced lifestyles.

Broadbent Smoked Country Bacon, Pepper Bacon and our newest addition- Sun-Dried Tomato Bacon are dry cured and hickory smoked.  We also produce a Maplewood Smoked and Maplewood Smoked Cinnamon Bacon.  Each slab is hand rubbed with our special curing ingredients.  Words cannot describe how delicious our bacon actually taste.  The aroma of our bacon frying will sit the tone for a perfect Sunday breakfast.  Our bacon is perfect for BLT’S!  Our Bacon is generally a thicker slice, however, we slice thick or thin to suit our customer’s request.  Our bacon is also available by the slab.        

Our Smoked Country Pork Sausage comes in unique replica cloth bags.  Our Sausage is made from Great Grandma Broadbent’s secret recipe, with extra lean cuts of meat mixed with special country seasonings.  Then we hickory smoke and age our sausage for great flavor.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) certifies Broadbent Country Ham, Bacon and Sausage.  That and the Broadbent reputation assure top quality from first bite to last.  All Broadbent products are fully guaranteed.

Broadbent’s logo is the “Pride of Trigg County”.  Although they are the only retail seller of Country Hams in Trigg County, they are not the only producer.  Many farmers in the area cure country hams for their families each year.  The second weekend of October, each year is known and celebrated as ‘The Ham Festival”.  This three day festival features a ham contest among the local farmers, the worlds largest country ham and biscuit, cooked in a one of a kind oven on wheels, owned by Broadbent’s, along with many other events for the entire family.

Broadbent’s is a small yet growing business.   Five years ago they were employing only one full time and one part time employee and approximately a dozen seasonal workers.  Today Broadbent’s employees eight full time workers, one part time and approximately a dozen seasonal workers.  (Seasonal being November and December.)  The owners, Ronny and Beth Drennan are involved in every phase of the business, from the curing process to packing and shipping.  Every customer is a valued asset to our business.    Ronny and Beth are always glad to answer questions and help with any concerns that might arise.

Broadbent buyers are all over the continental United States.  We are a mail order and wholesale business, located at 6321 Hopkinsville Road, Cadiz, Ky.  42211.  We have a toll free number for our customers’ convenience.  That number is 1-800-841-2202.  We can also be found on the Internet at www.broadbenthams.com.