Our Story

Oscarware^® is a family-owned manufacturing business

Oscarwarewas founded in 1989 by entrepreneurs Debra and Reg Dudley. The Dudleys branched into barbecue cooking because of their friend Oscar Sullivan, a former member of the Grand Ole Opry. Oscar asked the couple if they could make something for the grills at his campground in Cave City, Kentucky, that would allow campers to cook their food without having it stick or fall between the grates. Reg, a marine veteran with an engineering background, built a screen to fit the grills and the Grill Topper was born. Naturally, the husband-wife team decided to name their new company after their dear friend Oscar. The Dudleys had a vision that the Grill Topper could expand the traditional backyard barbecue menu beyond hamburgers and hotdogs.

They began testing a variety of meals and recipes at home with their family and friends using their new product including blackened fish, shrimp with stir fry vegetables, pizza, fajitas, and even their own Thanksgiving turkey.

Their many at-home trials helped them perfect the Grill Topper’s unique design. The perforated holes allow food to cook evenly and the handles formed into the product reduce the safety risk of handle breakage. They wanted the Grill Topper to be able to withstand high grill temperatures and perform like a non-stick pan but without harmful chemicals and be dishwasher-safe so they developed a signature black porcelain coating.

Throughout the years,
Oscarware has received numerous awards

Including the 2008 and 2017 Kentucky SBDC Pacesetter Award, 2008 Women Business Enterprise National Council – Southeast (WBENC) Woman Owned Business of the Year, the 2009 Modern Woodmen of America’s Hometown Hero Award

and the 2013 Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. In 2017, Debra was recognized as the Small Business Administration’s Kentucky’s Small Business Person of the Year and she placed 1st runner up nationally.

Oscarware has proven itself

To be a successful and trusted brand in the outdoor grilling industry. It has continued to develop its Grill Topper products and now offers a complete line of both disposable and gourmet porcelain coated steel toppers, woks and griddles. Oscarware is the leading manufacturer of both disposable and porcelain coated steel grill toppers in the U.S.

All products are made in Bonnieville, a city of less than 300 people in central Kentucky.

The Dudley Family’s values are integrated throughout the company. The focus is on doing what is best for its customers, employees, and community.

“We hope that our products motivate people to grill good healthy food hassle-free with Oscarware Grill Toppers. We want to create those experiences that allow family and friends to enjoy spending quality time together, making new traditions that will last a lifetime whether it be in their backyard, over a campfire, at a tailgate, or on vacation…just like it has with our family.”

— The Dudley family

Giving back to the community

Oscarware, Inc. has given back to its community through supporting and partnering with several local area organizations. We are blessed to be able to do what we can to assist these causes.