Made In LA: People's Sausage Company

LOS ANGELES, Calif - In the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, on Pico and Central, you'll find this small family owned business that started back in 1929. Owner Mark Bianchetti says, "It's kind of unique, you don't see too many beef companies in LA."

People's Sausage Company manufactures ready to eat beef jerky that is distributed all over the country. It was started by John Bianchetti, passed on to his son Paul, who passed it on to Mark. Mark's son Brian is already in this business. He says, "I always knew I wanted to stay in the family business. To me there's heritage, there's tradition. I knew it was something that I wanted to do." Their specialty is People's Choice Beef Jerky. Here's how it's done.

First, the meat is put into a slicing machine. Then, it is marinated inside a big tumbler. The meat is taken out and placed on trays that will end up in the oven, drying for about three hours.

The entire process takes about 6 hours. Workers produce about 2500 pounds a day of finished product.

The Bianchetti's say the key to their success is simple: hard work and really good employees. Mark says, "We've had employees who've worked here for over to 20 years. They are the life-blood of this company. If it wasn't for the employee, we would not exist." Mark's advice to anyone starting a business, "Perseverance. Things aren't always good, they're not always easy, they're hard. Nothing replaces hard work."

If you would like to make beef jerky at home, Bianchetti offers this recipe:

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