seeing a huge trend that way. I get e-mails and questions on Facebook from around the world because they want to know what we are doing here in the USA when it comes to hot sauce production. We are world leaders in this industry.” Asking Kendall to pick his favorite hot sauce is like asking a record store owner to pick his all-time favorite LP. The field it is just too large, and there are so many external cir- cumstances at play that can dictate ones taste at any given time. “I get asked this question a lot,” he agrees. “It’s an extremely hard question really. There are so many amazing sauces out there that just make you go wow! Like the habanero sauces. I love the habanero sauces because of the flavor of the pepper, but also because of the way these boutique spicy sauce makers blend it with other things. Carrots, tomato, garlic and so many more amazing ingredi- ents. Look at the ingredients of some of the sauces on the website and it will blow you away reading what they add to them to get these unique flavors.”
Perhaps part of the uptake on independently produced sauces has something to do with lower start-up costs and less red tape to deal with than their counterparts in the alcohol businesses. Whatever the reason, Kendall offers that the popularity of the ever-expanding industry is nothing short of revolutionary. “It is exciting to be part of that explosion right now,” he beams. “It has increased at a rate of about 150% over the last few years. And people following this revolution expect it to be a $24 billion industry or more by the end of the year.”
“We want to give a voice to the whole hot sauce industry.”
“You can see it happening in front of your eyes,” he adds.
And what’s more, hot sauces aren’t just for dinner-time chicken wings anymore!
“Go to your grocery store and walk down the aisle that used to have only Tabasco and Frank’s sauces. Now the hot sauces are becoming large sections in the supermarket. And then go down to where the chips and nachos are, and you will find all these new spicy flavors.
Every meal can be enhanced by its own unique choice of spicy condiment. Kendall hints at some of his favorite cat- egories and pairings. “Of course, it depends on what food you are eating. If I’m having eggs in the morning, I like a habanero sauce on them. However, if I am having some red
Everybody is getting into this market because they are
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DECEMBER 2018 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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