Sweet Mae’s was founded by Gayle Boone during the pandemic, at a moment when family, food, and purpose came sharply into focus. As a new mother, Gayle made the intentional decision to step away from a demanding corporate career and build something rooted in quality, legacy, and time spent raising her daughter, Mae.

At the heart of Sweet Mae’s is a generational pimento cheese recipe passed down from Gayle’s late mother, Betty Mae Boone — a Southern cook whose love language was feeding people well. By preserving the soul of those recipes and applying modern, clean-label standards, Gayle created Sweet Mae’s to bring authentic Southern flavor to today’s grocery shelves.

While grounded in tradition, Sweet Mae’s was crafted for a new generation of pimento cheese lovers. Balanced heat varieties, including ghost pepper, offer a fresh take on a beloved classic, while the pickle line introduces globally inspired flavors — from Caribbean-influenced seasonings to Korean kimchi–inspired varieties — thoughtfully developed as an homage to diverse culinary traditions. Designed to move seamlessly from everyday sandwiches to seasonal entertaining and charcuterie, Sweet Mae’s pickles bring versatility and bold flavor to the deli case year-round.

Every batch of Sweet Mae’s is made with care, honoring the women who came before, the families gathered around Sunday supper tables, and the belief that simple, well-made food endures.

Sweet Mae’s is proud to bring trusted family recipes, bold yet approachable flavor, and thoughtful craftsmanship to grocery stores nationwide — continuing Betty Mae’s legacy, one table at a time.

“Indulge in the creamy Southern comfort of Sweet Mae’s Pimento Cheese. Handcrafted with love and care, this iconic Lowcountry staple brings a touch of the South with every bite. Started in Charleston, South Carolina during the height of the pandemic, Gayle’s original and ghost pepper pimento cheese has flavor hints of Fairhope Alabama & New Orleans with Gulf Coast roots. Whether spread on crackers, slathered on sandwiches, or enjoyed on its own, it’s a taste that warms the soul, and delights the palate-and for Gayle, it’s a wink to her late mama, Betty Mae Boone.”

- Southern Flavor Magazine

Support Women-Owned businesses.

There are more than 14 million women-owned businesses, employing nearly 12.2 million people and generating $2.7 trillion in revenue (2024 Impact of Women-Owned Business report). Women-owned businesses make up 39.1% of all U.S. businesses-a 13.6% increase from 2019 to 2023.

Yet there is still a significant disparity in revenue and capital between these business and others.

WBENC is helping to bridge that gap-through access to opportunities, programs that accelerate growth, and campaigns to influence consumer buying behaviors.