Hot Sauce Line from California Grows in Midwest

A popular California-based brand of hot sauce is now a favorite in the Midwest thanks to a Highland Park man and his business partner.

Buddy Feldman, the retired executive vice president of Chicago-based Vita Food Products and a Highland Park resident for nearly 50 years, has taken up what he calls an “unusual situation” for a retirement activity.

California-based All Spice Cafe, an award-winning line of spices, has grown quite popular in the southwest over the past decade. Don Mazzoni, a real estate developer, discovered the spices while out there and soon after connected Feldman and Downers Grove businessman Michael Brindza with Chef J.D. Cowles, founder of the product.

“Don came across this sauce in California and told me it was the best one he’s tasted,” Feldman said.

So now, Feldman and Brindza are pushing the product in the Midwest. And so far, it has become quite a success. The spices are available at several locations in the Midwest - part of a list of more than 600 stores nationally that carry the four kinds of gourmet fiery spices that make up All Spice Cafe: Caribbean Spice 6, Chipotle Garlic 6, Cayenne Habanero and Jolokia Ghost Pepper.

The spices’ popularity in the Midwest hasn’t quite matched their status in the southwest, but things are growing fast. Within the last few months, All Spice Cafe has expanded into Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Texas and Ohio.

“It’s a small operation, but growing fast.” said Feldman, who noted the Chipotle flavor is his favorite. “Sales are expected to double in the next 6-12 months.”

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Caribbean Spice 6 - Medium spiced sauce with a delicious flavor coming from cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and many other spices that create a delicious blend for chicken, pork or any seafood. It’s also great on eggs, a slice of grilled pineapple or mixed with beans and rice.

Chipotle Garlic 6 - The best selling product. It’s aromatic smoky flavor is sure to add a great flavor to chicken, steak, eggs and breakfast burritos.

Cayenne Habanero 6 - This is the sauce that started it all, inspired by Buffalo style hot wings. It’s great on just about anything you want some heat to and adds a really delicious spicy flavor.

Jolokia Ghost Pepper 6 - The ghost pepper is one of the hottest peppers in the world and by itself can put a serious burn on just about everything. If you like your hot wings spicy, try this sauce on them. Great on eggs, as an everything sauce for shrimp, kielbasa and other sausages.

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All are gluten-free, contain no preservatives, are kosher and vegan-friendly.

“The spices can be used on fish, shrimp, meat, chicken,” Feldman said. “They are good for anything, and offer something for anyone, no matter what your taste may be.”

Sunset Foods in Highland Park, Jewel and Mariano’s are among the grocers carrying the spices on the North Shore.