Harold H. Mills established Gravymaster Company in 1935. At that time he owned and operated the Dryden & Palmer Rock Candy Company. Founded in 1880, Dryden & Palmer had been purchased by Mr. Mills in 1926. He conceived the idea that browning the residue syrup from the rock candy process would make a good base for a new gravy aid. Harold and his son John worked on the formula at night in their cellar in Scarsdale, NY cooking up experimental batches on the old gas fired laundry stove.

In the beginning there was a man in the plant who did nothing but squeeze fresh onions, garlic, parsley and celery. Later to make a more uniform product we switched to the natural flavorings extracted from the vegetables.