This month, we celebrate 12 years of Gindo's Spice of Life!
It's been an incredible ride so far, and we wouldn't be here without your support! We'd like to take a moment to reflect on all the things we've accomplished since we sold our first case of Original Fresh & Spicy on April 20th, 2011.
1. First and foremost, we've built an awesome team of Gindo's Ambassadors and an incredibly loyal following of Gindo's Sauce Watchers and Super Fans! Thank you for being on this journey with us!
2. We have developed, manufactured and sold over 500 FLAVORS OF HOT SAUCE. Wow.
3. We've earned over 3 dozen international trophies and been mentioned in numerous local and national publications. We've also received honorable mentions and support from accomplished chefs over the years, like Top Chef winner Michael Voltaggio (season 6) who said "Gindo's was the best thing I discovered this year," Brian Huskey, Bruce Kalman, James Beard award winners Nancy Silverton, Andrew Zimmern, Kris Morningstar, and Ludo Lefebvre, to name a few.
4. We relocated the business from California to Illinois and built our own manufacturing facility - we call it our "microsaucery," complete with FDA approved kitchen, warehouse and storefront.
5. We've worked with over 20 Midwest Farms over the years who continue to grow peppers and other ingredients for us every year. This has also led to fun collaboration sauces with many of these farms. Shoutout to Garlic Breath, Mighty Greens, Klein's, Wasco, Sol Gardens, Rustic Road, Garlic Underground, Menn's Organic Garlic, PanAmerican Seed, Nichol's Farm, and more!
6. We've partnered with dozens of local breweries to create unique limited collaboration hot sauces, including Noon Whistle, 2 Fools Cider, Riverlands Brewing, Obscurity Brewing, Lodi Tap House, Tangled Roots, Alter Brewing, Solemn Oath, Werkforce, Maplewood, Second City Meadery, Old School Brewing, Emancipation Brewing, and many more!
7. We've worked with countless charities over the years, including SAUCE - Student Advocates for Underserved Children Everywhere, KIN Kids in Need McHenry County, Shelter Inc, Child Advocacy Center McHenry County, SAYv Animal Organization, United Way, Feed My Starving Children, and many more.
8. We started our very own Hot Sauce of the Month Club! We're the only company in the world to offer this one!
9. We added a line of delicious spice blends to our offerings!
10. We developed and launched our a Hot Honey and Hot Maple Syrup using locally sourced ingredients. Thank you Two Beekeepers Honey, Willow Creek Honey, Gentle Breeze and more!
11. Founders Mary and Chris Ginder earned SBA Small Business Persons of the Year Award 2022, and Gindo's Spice of Life was also honored as a Proud Illinois Maker and St Charles Maker.
12. We've partnered with so many awesome local organizations, including Batavia Chamber of Commerce, Geneva Chamber of Commerce, St Charles Chamber of Commerce, St Charles Business Alliance, Oswego Chamber of Commerce, Fox Valley Entrepreneurial Center, Innovation DuPage, and more!
Thank you thank you for being a part of our SPICE LIFE!
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