Meet The Neighbors: Scott Bridi From Brooklyn Cured

It’s safe to say that neighbor Scott Bridi, founder of Brooklyn Cured, is obsessed with charcuterie. Born in Bensonhurst to what he describes as a very food-centric, Italian-American family, the long time South Slope resident credits his early influences to his family dinner table.

“I try to make all the same cured meats, sausages, and deli meats that we all grew up with and were very near and dear to our hearts,” he told us on a very cold morning at the Park Slope Farmer’s Market.

Scott honed his charcuterie-making skills at Gramercy Tavern, working as a line-cook. When the restaurant started a “whole animal project,” he had the opportunity to experiment with curing meats, make mistakes, and ultimately to find his bliss…in sausage.

Scott says that there is a transformative element to sausage-making that fascinates him.

“I like the idea of creating something that is greater than the sum of its parts,” he says.

In 2010, Scott launched Brooklyn Cured, because he noticed that with all the outdoor markets, like the Farmers Market at The Old Stone House, there was a movement toward the democratization of food. These were places where he didn’t need the capital for a store front and he could invest his time, money and energy in to doing what he does best: making and selling mouth-watering sausage, cured meats, and pates.

Scott moved to South Slope in 1998 after graduating college because he felt the neighborhood had the seeds planted for “really cool things to come.” We happen to think that Scott Bridi is pretty cool himself.

SSN: What is a typical day like for you?

SB: I don’t think I have a typical day [laughs]. In a small business you have to wear many hats, so it could be anything from recipe testing and developing new products for the markets, to researching and talking to our sources…and a lot of event planning and demos.

In your opinion, what is South Slope’s best kept secret?

There are a couple actually. Lot 2 restaurant (687 6th Avenue, between 19th and 20th Streets) is doing some wonderful food in a very warm and comforting atmosphere. And also Luigi’s Pizza on 5th Avenue (between 20th and 21st Streets) is, I think, some of the best pizza in the city.

Tell us three things about yourself: 2 true and 1 lie. We will reveal the lie at the end.

1. I am an avid pro-wrestling fan.

2. I have been a writer and an editor.

3. I have been a semi-professional snowboarder.

What is the strangest thing you have seen in the neighborhood?

There is a silver Jeep that is frequently parked outside my apartment that has a license plate that says “MZ COUGAR,” and there are fake eyelashes attached to the headlights.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

I think work smarter not harder is one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever gotten. It’s a small axiom, but something that I keep finding myself referring back to. Especially in food, you want to think about and plan how you can best execute things at a very high level in the future.

Are you ready to bring some of Scott’s delectable cured creations home? Visit the Brooklyn Cured website for details on how to place an order.

Truth or lie answer: Scott has never actually been on a snowboard.

Do you know a neighbor that deserves a little time in the spotlight? Send your ideas to editor@bklyner.com.