BY NOEL CUNNINGHAM
“Remember when you tasted chocolate for the first time and your head nearly exploded it was so delicious and you couldn’t believe you just ate something so amazing, and then never ever wanted to stop eating it? Well, Whitney’s hot sauce is the new chocolate. Fair warning.” Hoar
When you think Caribbean food: spice, heat, and scotch bonnet peppers first come to mind. We are divided by the beautiful Caribbean Sea, but one thing that binds us together is our love for hot sauce. Hot sauce is a condiment made and widely used throughout the different Caribbean Islands. Each island and household has its own recipes and you can always find a bottle of homemade pepper sauce aging in most homes. Don’t be surprised if your host or hostess asks you if you would like to have some pepper sauce with your meal. This is somewhat similar for Whitney’s and how they started the Whitney’s Gourmet Pepper Sauce line.
Joan and Desmond Whitney both from Barbados migrated to Canada many years ago. As much as they love Canada, and now call it home, one thing was missing: Desmond’s grandmother’s hot sauce. Desmond said no matter which sauce he tried; none could compare to his grandmother’s homemade hot sauce.
While living in downtown Toronto with a beautiful backyard Joan started planting flowers for beautification and curb appeal, but Desmond soon grew tired of the plants. Maintaining a garden is no easy feat, so he thought to himself, “Why not plant something we can eat.” Sounds like a typical Caribbean man if you should ask me. We think with our stomachs.
What started as passion later became purpose. They started their pepper garden, and once harvested, they started making homemade pepper sauce as grandma did back home. They wanted to share their passion, so they began giving it to friends and family as gifts. News of how incredible the pepper sauce was caught wind, and people came back asking for more. This is where Joan’s business bulb came on; she realized they were on to something. They had a good product, and people were asking for it. Demand started to rise, and they made a strategic business move. It was time to share this with people outside their circle. It was time to turn this passion into a paycheque.
“I never expected to have a business from sauces and pepper jelly.” Joan Whitney
With such a large harvest of peppers, the Whitney’s started their own pepper jelly sauce along with the famous hot sauce. Desmond thought it must have been beginners’ luck. The success that came with their first run of products could not happen again, could it? The Whitneys went from selling to friends and family: to selling at the farmers market, shipping worldwide, and building a loyal fan base on social media. Joan said before she knew it, news started to get around and orders started to come in more than expected.
“This pepper sauce has heat but even more than that, it has some amazing flavor to it.” Keisha Carvery
Joan noted that the response so far to the product has been phenomenal. The hot sauce and pepper jelly are definitely a hot catch. They bring the heat and flavor of true Caribbean hot sauce. Everyone is loving them because: of its homemade taste, the fact that it is organic, and the health benefits that’s all in one bottle.
While speaking with Joan I could hear her passion and love for what she does, which led me to the question if she would ever expand her production to reach stores across Canada? She explained, “We need to build a solid business foundation before we think to expand.” Joan aims to keep the product as exclusive as possible to preserve the authentic taste and the way mama made it. She went on to explain, “It’s organic and it also has lots of spices that have health benefits to the body. When it’s time to expand it, we want it to remain the same.”
When asked what advice she has for anyone wanting to enter into business or even the same sauce business; she never hesitates to say, “Believe in your product, believe in yourself, and believe in the product. Remain open and listen to what people come and say.”
Whitney’s Pepper Sauce and Pepper Jelly are both made with natural organic products. Each item can be served/paired with any dish. The sauces are currently available at events or popup markets. Joan and Desmond’s ultimate goal is to have their product available in stores across the GTA. If hot sauce is your thing, you will enjoy this fresh tasty pepper sauce that will leave your tongue begging for more.
You can order Whitney’s pepper sauce and jellies by calling (647) 447-1202 or email them at whitneyspeppersauce@gmail.com.
Shipping is now available Canada wide and in the United States.
