"Huilerie" is a French term for an artisanal culinary oil maker that uses small batch techniques and local raw ingredients. As a culinary oil maker in the Finger Lakes region of New York, this term captures our appreciation of a centuries-old craft of gentle processing that ensures distinctive and subtle flavor. This production honors the essential elements of healthy soil, robust crops, and culinary craftsmanship. We partner with a local farm to source squash seed that we gently roast and expeller-press to produce seed oils that are flavorful, healthy and all-natural. Each bottle is 100% pure varietal oil made without chemical extraction or high temperatures used by large commercial processors that compromise oil flavor and quality.

With a longtime passion for fine food, the company founders Greg Woodworth and Kelly Coughlin began their culinary food journey in New York after moving their gourmet mail-order bakery, Stony Brook Cookie Company, from Boston to the Finger Lakes. Soon after relocation, the couple was approached by a local farm, Martin Farms, about using their butternut squash seeds, which remained from the processing of squash for ready-to-cook preparation for regional grocery stores.

Working with food scientists from Cornell University at the Food Venture Center, the team worked together to produce an all-natural, 100% expeller pressed butternut squash seed oil. The product debuted in September 2008, serving specialty food and natural food markets. It is available in 187 ml bottles, individual or by the case. The non-GMO seeds are roasted in 18-pound batches and pressed with a yield of 20%. The resulting oil is allowed to stand to separate naturally and is then filtered and decanted into retail bottles.

In our commitment to regional sustainability, our process is zero waste. The seedcake left over from oilseed expeller pressing is used by a neighboring farmer to produce premium feed for heritage pigs. Filtration byproducts of the oil is used by a local soap maker to make exfoliants in handmade bar soaps.