STAN RUITER

For the 30th week of "7 QUESTION SUNDAY" we shine the spotlight on another influential individual from the PNW. A Washington state native, cook, entrepreneur, and owner of "STANWICH". This is Stan Ruiter!

4EVRGRN: Hey Stan, tell us a little about yourself.

SR: I was born at Emanuel Hospital in Portland, OR back in the Spring of 79’.  At the time, we lived in Amboy, WA but soon after moved to Vancouver, WA where I lived until the age of 24.  For the most part, I have lived on the East Side of Vancouver.  In 2004, I moved away to Chicago, IL where I lived for the next 9 years.  At the time of the move, I was working for Key Bank as a Personal Banker and had an opportunity to land a role in the second largest financial hub in this country. Throughout those 9 years, I maneuvered myself through various groups within my firms.  In 2012 while working in Large Corporate Treasury Services, I stumbled upon an opportunity to relocate back to the Portland, OR market. While I love Chicago, as anyone that knows me knows, the PNW is home and always will be.  After losing my job in 2017, I decided to throw in the towel on Corporate America.  I have always had a passion for cooking and have been told I am pretty good at it…so I cashed all in on a food truck.  In 2018, Stanwich was born and I have been building this business ever since.  While the work is endless and far more exhausting than anything I have ever done, I am definitely happy to be working for myself in the community that raised me.  

The concept of Stanwich is bringing American Culture, mostly in the form of a sandwich, to the PNW.  While living in Chicago, wrapped sandwiches (hot or cold) were more than a thing but rather a way of life.  My signature sandwich is the Italian Beef.  This is a sandwich that is over 100 years old in Chicago and traditionally served wet with spicy giardiniera (prounced jar-din-ara).  I also honor a Philly Roast Pork, Nashville Hot Chicken, Midwest Fried Pork Cutlet, and a Vietnamese Style Pork which is my take on a Banh Mi.  All of these sandwiches have very special historical value and sentiment in their respective regions.  I wanted to bring these hidden treasures to our younger part of the country that doesn’t quite have such institutions yet.  I’ll often introduce specials or do Buffalo Wings for breweries that I park at. I love to cook and have a full and very capable kitchen to do so.  I have catered everything from my menu to Prime Rib dinners.  

Currently I work with Fortside Brewing, Trap Door Brewing, Brothers Cascadia Brewing, and Ruse Brewing. I am actually going to be starting a new relationship with Hookum Brewery and have an event coming up November 2nd.  

4EG: Favorite PNW activity? 

SR: I love swimming in the pristine waters of the PNW

4EG: Best local product? 

SR: Our craft beer scene is world class

4EG: Favorite local artist (Music/Painter?) 

SR: Two: DJ Wicked / Alter One (Painter)

4EG: Best PNW childhood memory? 

SR: Oregon Coast with the grandfolks

4EG: Favorite PNW season? 

SR: Fall Harvest

4EG: Wildest PNW experience? 

SR: White Water Rafting and Cliff Jumping into Rivers and Lakes

4EG: Best misconception you’ve heard about the PNW? 

SR: That we are all hipsters…sorry homie, not me.

Thank you to Stan for sharing with us! If you're looking for the next delicious sandwich and you're in the Vancouver, WA area. Hit up Stamwich! Follow Stanwich on IG @stanwich_pnw