Readers might be surprised to hear about Darrin Channels’ business, Wine Country Kitchens. More than 30 employees work in a 20,000 square-foot building in the Napa Valley Gateway Business Park. The specialty food manufacturer, wholesaler and co-packer provides contract packaging for various national brands and specialty retailers.

Established 15 years ago, Channels and his wife bought Wine Country Kitchens in 2007.

While he couldn’t name names, “We make product for many nationally recognizable brands,” Channels said, including salad dressings, barbecue sauces, pasta sauces, salsas, dips, oils, vinegars, and cocktail sauces.

The business also makes 65 different products under its own label “Wine Country Kitchens” and “Napa Valley Pantry.”

What job would you like to try/not try?

I would like to be a PGA pro because you get paid to play golf.

I would not want to be a window washer in New York City.

What was your first job?

I was a cart boy at my hometown golf course, Camarillo Springs Golf Course, in Camarillo. The job was simple — clean the carts, park them and plug into the battery charger. One day, it was so hot my co-worker and I took ice from the ice machine and threw it into the large ventilation fan in hopes of making snow. We did manage to get a lot of crushed ice on the ground. We then took turns driving the carts through the ice and sliding out of control. The golf pro just happened to walk in and we were both fired.   

Which three people would you most like to have dinner with?

Iron Chef Hiroyuki Sakai. Being in the specialty food business it would be fun to dine with someone who can make fish liver look, taste and sound great.

I would also like King Kamehameha at the table. I met my wife at Hawaii Pacific University and we lived in Hawaii for 10 years. I bet Kamehameha would have some interesting stories to tell.

The third person would be James Earl Jones because he is my favorite actor.

How did you get into this business?

I enjoy cooking, especially on the grill. I am a transportation guy by trade and have spent most of my career loading container ships or selling transportation services. My wife, Michele, and I wanted to live and work in Napa so we decided to buy our own company. The criteria was simple; it had to be something we would both enjoy and it had to be an existing company that was up and running and doing well. I looked up every company in Napa and found Wine Country Kitchens. The stars lined up and here we are.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime that you haven’t yet?

Put my kids through college.

What is your favorite charity?

The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Foundation. One of our employees lost her dad to ALS.

What was your childhood ambition?

When I was 9 years old, I wanted to work in my uncle’s ball bearing warehouse and drive a forklift. I also wanted to marry a Hawaiian lady.

What is your favorite product and why?

Our new sweet and smoky barbecue sauce. It’s gotten great reviews. It’s a perfect balance between vinegar, sugar and spice. We will be demonstrating it on Aug. 29 at Blues, Brews & BBQ in downtown Napa.

Does the world need another barbecue sauce?

You would think not, but our barbecue lineup does really, really well.

What other business person(s) would you like to see featured in “10 Questions?”

Bob Kleis, general manager of Jimmy Vasser Chevrolet-Toyota in Napa.

Each Wednesday, the Napa Valley Register’s Business Focus asks “10 Questions” of a local entrepreneur or businessperson. Readers are welcome to suggest business people to be profiled. To suggest a candidate for “10 Questions” e-mail: jhuffman@napanews.com.