Company History

Our product line, launched in 1995, consists of southwest specialty food mixes and is varied:

• brew breads, corn breads & fry bread
• pancakes & dumplings
• chili, soups & stews
• salsas & dips
• gourmet popcorn
• rice dishes
• rich cocoa

Our food is made with top-quality, all-natural ingredients and, with the exception of our cocoas, is free of artificial flavors & colors.

Product Development: All of our products have been and are still being developed by Carol Cunkle. Carol and her husband James authored Kokopelli's Cookbook, as a direct result of their years of research into the traditions of the Southwest prehistoric peoples, as well as the Spanish and White Settlers.

For more than a decade, the Cunkles directed the excavations and research at Raven Site Ruins (today known as Sherwood Ranch Pueblo), a prehistoric pueblo in east-central Arizona. They learned a great deal from the vessels produced by the prehistoric Indians. For example, at Raven Site they excavated very few plates. Most ceramics found are large storage jars or serving bowls. This indicates that most meals, served centuries ago, were soups and stews.

To bring to life the actual flavors of the past, Carol spent years reinventing meals of the past for Raven Site's researchers and visitors. Kokopelli's Kitchen is the result of these culinary experiments. Through the development of these products, the Cunkles have been able to appreciate firsthand the influence of the varied and diverse cultures of the Southwest, including the Spanish, Mexican Indians and Anglo Pioneers. All have left their imprint on the people, the landscape and the foods.

Cheryl Joseph purchased the company in 2000 so that the Cunkles would be able to move to Ohio to be with their children and grandchildren. Carol maintains responsibility for creation of new company products. To discover what the Cunkles have been up to in Ohio, check out beetlesandbones!