181 COLD SMOKED was founded by Ira and his son Joseph to share their love of exceptional ingredients and cooking. Their culinary journey started in their cabin in the Catskill Mountains when they started experimenting with different recipes for smoking local fish. They started to share their favorite recipes with family and friends who encouraged them go bigger.
After consulting with leading culinary schools, fisheries and chefs, Ira and Joseph developed their inaugural 181 COLD SMOKED product, which is sustainably sourced in the Faroe Islands and cold smoked in the Hudson Valley.
To Life!
The name 181 derives from the Hebrew use of 18 which means “Chai, To Life.” Our brand, 181 is a palindrome with 181 both forward and backward.
It is an extension of sharing our passion for exceptional food using the finest ingredients and adding that special one…love!
Here’s to bringing loved ones together to share special moments and creating new memories.
Here’s to Life!!
OUR TEAM
Ira L. Black
Co-founder
I have always had a love of cooking. It was such a special joy when Joseph and I would work together in the kitchen. I loved the innovative flair that he brought to traditional dishes as well as his sensitive palate to explore but also find the right balance of flavors.
We took it on as a challenge and exploration when Joseph asked if we could make our own cold smoked salmon. Now after years of testing and tasting, some failures and many successes, we are proud to offer this exceptional product to you.
181 COLD SMOKED is a great blending of his unwavering commitment of offering the best tasting product, our joint desire to provide a highly sustainable product and one that brings people together.
Prior to staring this passion business with Joseph, I have held executive positions in global sales and marketing director at various Fortune 500 companies. I am also a photographer focusing on editorial portraits and men’s and women’s soccer, including the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Joseph D. Black
Co-founder
It started with me and my dad making our own cold smoked salmon. We'd experiment with different flavors, like spicy habanara and pastrami, then share with our friends who gave feedback. Pretty soon we were bringing platters to special gatherings and everyone wanted to know where they could get more!
All the positive reactions and joy we brought to our friends was our inspiration for starting the company. Had we not shared it with our friends, 181 COLD SMOKED wouldn’t exist.
My interest in cooking started with Thanksgiving meals. Helping my grandmother cook and saw that time spent preparing, using outstanding ingredients and cooking with passion and love can make people very happy.
My motivation for 181 is to offer the highest quality salmon that people love and can bring them together and build community. I hope 181 COLD SMOKED can help others have a memorable time around amazing food.