Muirhead Historical Note

Doris and Ed Simpson started their fine dining restaurant, Muirhead, in 1974 in rural Hunterdon County, New Jersey. It began in an old farmhouse, which they promptly painted a celery green color. The restaurant gave people an opportunity to dine as Ed and Doris preferred – in an unrushed quiet atmosphere with a focus on fresh and appetizing foods. Ed was the host and Doris ran the kitchen preparing 5-course gourmet meals every Friday and Saturday evening.

Muirhead at Dusk, Colonial Homes 1988

Doris and Ed Simpson

During the restaurant years, the children helped each in their turn, Robin, Mark, Neil, and Barbara. They also enlisted the help of grandsons, Henry and Arthur. The restaurant enjoyed a metropolitan popularity for twenty years, at which point Doris and Ed elected to retire the fine dining end of their business and pursue the gourmet food product portion of their endeavors.

A Plethora of Desserts, Colonial Homes 1988

At the restaurant, they served such delicious appetizers as stuffed clams Muirhead, Blue Cheese Cheesecake, Onion Tart, Goat Cheese Tart, fresh Garden Tomatoes with Pesto, Eggs with a Tapenade Sauce, Smoked Fish and many other items. Soups were an ever changing scene: Fennel, Leek and Sweet Red Pepper, Cool Lemon, Winter Squash and Pumpkin. The salad course always included fresh lettuces, tomatoes, and herbs from their garden in season. Entrees were an individual Beef Wellington with a black currant and burgundy sauce, Rack of Lamb, Sole En Papillote, Cioppino, Sole Florentine, Cornish Hen, Boneless Duck Breast. Desserts covered the rainbow with Praline Cheesecake, Linzer Torte, Raspberry Mousse, Chocolate Pot de Creme, Black Forest Torte, Coeur a la Creme and many more. They developed their menus from reading, hands on practice with family and friends, and extensive travel especially to the quaint villages of Europe.

Ed Simpson holding NASFT trophy

During the restaurant years, customers asked for a jar of salad dressing to go, which led Ed to formally bottle some of the items for retail sale. As the story goes, one thing led to another and Muirhead now has an array of specialty food products for sale. Not quite so simple though; as with anything worth doing, it has taken a lot of hard work. As a result of that dedication, Muirhead has twice been selected as a finalist by the National Association of Specialty Food Traders for outstanding new specialty foods for Muirhead Pecan Pumpkin Butter and Green Tomato Mincemeat.

Muirhead products on display

Today Muirhead's line of gourmet foods include distinctive fruit butters, American style chutneys, mincemeat, fancy mustards, salad vinaigrettes, and cooking sauces. Muirhead products have been developed to complement meals and baked goods. All products are made with wholesome ingredients using no added preservatives, gums, or colors. New items are added each year-but only when they are ready! Recipes are always a consideration, especially new uses and suggestions from customers.

Sadly, Ed passed away in 2007. Today Doris and daughter, Barbara, continue the tradition in fine foods started by Ed and Doris in 1974. They continue to develop innovative products that are appealing and delicious and perhaps evoke pleasant memories that Muirhead customers seem to love.