German immigrant Isaac Oscherwitz founds I. Oscherwitz Kosher Meats in Cincinnati, OH, later to become the Best Kosher Foods Corporation.

Growing rapidly thanks to high quality and innovative marketing, Oscherwitz expands to Chicago, sending his two youngest sons, Harry and Phillip, to open Best’s Kosher Sausage Company.

Several local Chicago-area kosher butchers band together to form Star Kosher, the forerunner of Sinai Kosher. With a heavy focus on fresh meats, Sinai Kosher services kosher butchers nationwide, Jewish summer camps, retail outlets, and export markets.

All of Oscherwitz and Best’s Kosher operations are consolidated at the Best’s Kosher Sausage Company facility in Chicago.

Best’s Kosher merges with Chicago rival Sinai Kosher to become the Bessin Corporation, a strong Midwest presence in the industry, and the only national kosher brand made in Chicago.

The brand expands overseas to Costco Wholesale Clubs in England under the Chicago’s Best brand name.

The Bessin Corporation is purchased by the Sara Lee Corporation and continues to operate in Chicago.

Bessin acquires the Shofar brand name. Under this label, Bessin expands significantly into both East and West coast markets. Shofar is now a foodservices brand.

The Bessin Corporation returns to its roots by reestablishing itself as Best Kosher Foods Corporation.

Best’s Kosher introduces its new logo to update the look and feel of the brand.