How it All Began
My love of cotton candy began as a child at Palisades Amusement Park in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Like many kids, I was fascinated by the clouds of spun sugar and the simple joy they created.
Decades later, while looking out at my window at the incredible San Francisco Bay, I found myself thinking about that childhood experience and wondering why cotton candy hadn't evolved with today's ingredient-conscious consumers.
By then, I had already spent 17 years building and operating an artisanal commercial bakery whose products were sold in hundreds of retail locations. I understood how to create high-quality food products using premium ingredients, and I saw an opportunity to bring that same philosophy to cotton candy.
Most cotton candy on the market relies on artificial colors and ingredients. I believed there was a better way.
After many months of research and product development, I created an all-natural, dye-free cotton candy made with carefully selected ingredients and no artificial colors or flavors. Brian's Gourmet Cotton Candy was born.
Today, our cotton candy is available in a variety of delicious flavors, all made with the same commitment to quality and natural ingredients that inspired the brand from the beginning.
Brian's Gourmet — Small-batch, all-natural, dye-free cotton candy made in Oakland, CA.
By Brian Shefts, Founder | Last updated: July 2026