Holy Toast

“I’m happy, because the custom toaster business is riding the coattails of Jesus.”

Galen Dively, Founder of Burnt Impressions

Photo by Grannies Kitchen (Creative Commons)

For generations, parents have told their children, “Stop playing with your food.” If a toaster company in Vermont has its way, parents may soon be saying, “Start praying with your food.”

The company Burnt Impressions in Danville, Vermont (population 2,318) makes a toaster that leaves an impression of Jesus’ face on every slice of toast. Called the Jesus Toaster, it was a big hit during the holiday season last December. Galen Dively, founder of Burnt Impressions, says the company was selling 2,000 to 3,000 Jesus Toasters a day, many as gifts to priests and preachers.

But Mr. Dively doesn’t want to alienate customers, either. So his company makes toasters that offer 26 custom designs: from the Star of David to President Obama. Mr. Dively says the company will create a custom toaster for the Republication presidential candidate, too, if voters ever decide on one.

Read more:

■  Edward Lovett, Burnt offering: Jesus Toaster sales brisk, Vermont seller says, ABC News, December 20, 2011. [Includes a photo of Jesus toast]

■  Burnt Impressions website