YES, THERE REALLY IS A SARABETH!
“I have always loved breakfast. When I was a child, it was my favorite meal of the day. In fact, eggs and French toast were the easy dishes my mother prepared for us when she didn’t have time to make a more traditional dinner. My love affair with breakfast has continued throughout the years and my morning recipes remain the foundation of the Sarabeth’s restaurants.
In 1981, my husband Bill and I opened our first tiny shop on Amserdam Avenue in New York City. Our plan was to have a place to produce and sell jams, which included my family’s legendary orange-apricot marmalade. We also used the kitchen as a small bakery where we made and served pastries, breads, and muffins to accompany the homemade jams. It seems like yesterday that we decided to start serving breakfast in that shop as well. And so, our journey began. For years people have come from far and wide to enjoy breakfast at Sarabeth’s. It makes me happy to know that I have pleased so many customers for so long.” I am thrilled that my daughters have joined the brand and our goal together is to continue expanding the Sarabeth’s global footprint, one restaurant at a time. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.
YES, THERE REALLY WAS A MR. SARABETH!
“Bill Levine was, and always will be, the love of my life. He was my partner, my best friend, my greatest supporter, and truly the wind beneath my wings. Although he is no longer here with us, I feel his presence every day—in my heart, in our family, and in everything we built together.
I met Bill at a singles party in 1980, and from that moment on, my life was forever changed. He had the most beautiful blue eyes, thick salt-and-pepper hair, a wonderful sense of humor, and a charm that was impossible to resist. He was handsome, but it was his heart and his character that made him truly extraordinary.
Bill was one of those rare people who seemed to be naturally gifted at everything he touched. He was a builder, sculptor, artist, swimmer, pilot, avid reader, dancer, and so much more. But beyond all his talents, what made Bill so special was the person he was. He was kind, gentle, patient, thoughtful, and incredibly generous. He was a wonderful listener, a loyal friend, a devoted husband, an extraordinary father, and a loving grandfather, and great-grandfather.
What I remember most about Bill is that he simply never had a bad word to say about anyone. He saw the good in people and treated everyone with kindness and respect. He had a quiet strength and an incredible ability to make the people around him feel valued and loved. He was truly one of a kind.
We married in 1981, and our life together became a remarkable journey. We were not only husband and wife and partners in life—we became creative partners and the founders of Sarabeth’s. We remained a team until the day he passed away in 2021.
Bill and I were an extraordinary team. We each brought different strengths to our partnership, and together we created something far greater than either of us could have achieved alone. I was the creative and culinary force behind Sarabeth’s, while Bill brought his incredible business sense, financial wisdom, practicality, and unwavering support. He believed in me, believed in my ideas, and gave me the confidence and freedom to dream.
Together, we built more than a business. We built a family, a legacy, and a brand that became beloved by so many people around the world. Sarabeth’s was a reflection of both of us—my creativity and passion, and Bill’s strength, intelligence, and devotion.
Bill was my greatest love, my greatest partner, and one of the greatest gifts of my life. His spirit will always be a part of Sarabeth’s. So yes, there really was a Mr. Sarabeth. I was lucky enough to build a life with him and create a beautiful legacy alongside him.
“HE WILL ALWAYS BE MY MR. SARABETH”
Sarabeth’s Kitchen, Amsterdam Avenue, New York City, 1981
ABOUT SARABETH’S
Sarabeth is a multi-award-winning restauranteur, artisanal baker and jam maker, cookbook author, and winner of the prestigious James Beard Foundation’s “Outstanding Pastry Chef of the Year” award. In 2015, she received an Honorary Doctorate at LIU-Post University for her remarkable achievements. In 2015, she was elected to the Specialty Food Association’s Hall of Fame.
Sarabeth first began her business in 1981 making her family's unique recipe for Orange Apricot Marmalade at her apartment in New York City.
Today, there are presently 14 successful Sarabeth’s restaurants throughout the world; 2 in New York City, 1 in Key West, 5 in Japan, 2 in Taiwan, 2 in the United Arab Emirates, 1 in Saudi Arabia, and 1 in Qatar. Also, after 45 years of producing world famous preserves in New York, the production facility moved to Stone County Specialties in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. This beautiful state of the art facility manufactures and distributes Sarabeth’s products in the United States and exports the preserves around the world.
Sarabeth is the author of two highly acclaimed cookbooks, “Sarabeth’s Bakery – From My Hands to Yours” published in 2010, and the “Good Morning Cookbook”, published in 2014.
Throughout her remarkable career, Sarabeth has remained dedicated to the art of exceptional food, from her legendary preserves and artisanal baking to her restaurants and cookbooks. Her passion, creativity, and commitment to quality have made Sarabeth’s a cherished name in the culinary world and have established a legacy that began in a New York City apartment and grew into an internationally recognized brand.
