November 2, 2021 – Santa Cruz-based Gooder Foods is getting ready to launch a new brand of mac ‘n cheese called Goodles with the help of megawatt Hollywood star power.
Actress Gal Gadot (aka Wonder Woman) is a founding partner and the new product will be served later this week on the red carpet at the premiere of her latest film Red Notice—an action thriller co-starring Ryan Reynolds and Dwayne Johnson.
Goodles is located in the former Oasis Taproom on River St. and CEO Jennifer Zeszut says the brand’s aim is “to make, be and do gooder in all kinds of ways.”
While many details are still under wraps pending the official product launch November 16, Gadot posted a teaser video to her 66 million Instagram followers Monday that shows her eating a forkful of mac ‘n cheese and promising something huge.
“We’re really proud to be a Santa Cruz-based company,” says Zeszut. “We are a silly, quirky, joyful and mischievous brand, so I can’t think of a better place to be.”
This is the fourth start up for Zeszut, who lives in Santa Cruz and says she got tired of driving over the hill to work. “I’ve launched three companies that are all very successful, but what it happening with this one is just pandemonium, it’s so exciting!”
The cavernous Oasis space serves as offices for the company, which uses the kitchen to test products and the former pizza dough proofing chamber as its board room. They also keep a purple dune buggy painted with flames parked inside for inspiration.
Zaszut says she recently flew in team members from Chicago, New York and Florida to get to know Santa Cruz and develop a feel for its natural beauty.
“We hiked through the redwoods at Henry Cowell and walked West Cliff and I took them up the coast to see the way the green fields meet the sea,” she says, explaining that the brand colors and packaging are all inspired by the colors of Santa Cruz.
Making healthier mac ‘n cheese is just one piece of the company, Zeszut says.
For the other pieces we’re going to have to wait until November 16. That’s when the Goodles website launches and online sales begin. She predicts we’re going to see “half of Hollywood onboard.” In that case, it’s going to be some star-spangled comfort food.
About the author
Deborah Luhrman is publisher and editor of Edible Monterey Bay. A lifelong journalist, she has reported from around the globe, but now prefers covering our flourishing local food scene and growing her own vegetables in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
