Austin 360
On a Monday morning in early March, Earl Beechum was washing small jars in a church kitchen in Leander.
He’s the head dishwasher for Texas Sweet Heat Jam Company, which Nolan Stilwell started 10 years ago in Katy with his parents, Christine and Randy.
Christine Stilwell is in the other room with Nolan and his co-workers, Grady McGaha and Walker Raney, who are each at their stations. Nolan is in charge of cutting up the green peppers. Raney cuts up the red peppers that give both spice and bright color to the jams and jellies. McGaha is peeling Granny Smith apples with a spiral peeler.