Carnal, a chef-driven meat snack brand founded by Michelin-trained chefs James Zamory, Aaron Saurer and Sean McDermott, is rolling out its gourmet snacks nationwide. The line includes its signature Black Truffle & Black Garlic Beef Sticks and the newly introduced Umami Cut Beef Jerky, both inspired by the culinary team’s restaurant roots.
Carnal began in 2014 as a fire-lit stall at Brooklyn’s Smorgasburg, where the founders showcased bold, primal flavors. In 2020, they opened the Carnal restaurant in Bellingham, Washington, translating their portable snack philosophy into a dining experience. This year’s snack launch brings that same level of craftsmanship to the grocery aisle.
The Black Truffle & Black Garlic Beef Stick, Carnal’s hero product, features a smoky, truffle-infused profile with a clean snap and contains zero sugar. The Umami Cut Beef Jerky builds on that foundation, using high-quality beef cuts marinated in aged soy, fermented black garlic and spring black truffle. The result is a savory, steak-like texture layered with deep umami notes.
“We treated the jerky like any dish we’d create in our kitchen — balanced, deeply flavored and texturally memorable,” said chef James Zamory. He noted that collaborating with Aaron Saurer and Sean McDermott allowed them to highlight black garlic and truffle in ways not found in other meat snacks.
Carnal’s nationwide launch makes these chef-crafted snacks available to a broader audience, offering a premium alternative to conventional beef sticks and jerky.