From the oilfields of Algeria and Libya to the jam jars of Red Deer, Joshua Rathwell's journey has been anything but ordinary. Originally hailing from Calgary, he moved north at 23 seeking greater fortune (just a bigger paycheck really), and throughout the years of unique and perilous adventures he found a much deeper and fulfilling purpose—fatherhood. But it was on New Year’s Eve 2019, during a festive dinner party, where destiny took a deliciously boozy turn.

With a wild glint in his eye (a few cocktails in his veins) and a half bottle of Jack Daniels in his hand, Joshua spiked his homemade blueberry pie filling to match his friends' electric excitement for dessert (and whiskey). The pie slapped (that means it was epic awesome), and when the leftover filling found its way onto a turkey sandwich as a stand-in for cranberry sauce, the idea for Man Jam was born.

​

What started as a drunken dessert experiment has grown into a fully-loaded lineup of nine alcohol-infused jams, each dripping with double entendres, flirtatious flavor profiles, and just enough mischief to make your grandma blush (and maybe scowl...if she's a scowler). Joshua’s creations push the boundaries of the palate and the imagination—because why not turn your toast tantalizing, make your charcuterie carnal, and add a little seduction to your sandwich?

The spark behind it all? A chat with a friend over a cold beer on the porch...when the idea was shared, she simply said “why not?”. Sometimes...it's just the simplest question that we so often forget to ask ourselves.

 

Today, Joshua continues to spread jam, sarcasm...and a whole lot of cheek.