Supplier Spotlight: Oakes Hot Sauce
Malcolm Owens grew up in Poole, on the South Coast of England, to parents from the midlands, where the kitchen was the heart of their home. His mum was a foodie before the term really took off. At heart an olde-worlde cook who filled the table with food which evoked the typical cordon bleu, Delia-esque, Ken Hom-inspired recipes that epitomised the 80s.
With a love of food instilled from a young age and afternoons spent watching Ready, Steady, Cook! and Jamie Oliver’s ‘Naked Chef’ after school, he went on his own culinary journey as a Chef in 2006.
After 10+ years in the industry, juggling marriage, kids and the long hours that the job demands, he began to struggle with the balance. This was further compounded in 2015, when his mum fell ill while he was running a multi-rosette hotel. Wanting to leave immediately mid-shift, he was told he couldn’t. He hesitated for an hour, then decided to leave anyway. Sadly, that hesitation meant he missed his chance to say goodbye.
The guilt, sadness and loss left him with an overwhelming desire to do something meaningful to honour his mum’s memory and the love for food that she inspired. After purchasing a bottle of mediocre hot sauce, more sugar than sauce, he wondered what his mum would think and decided hot sauce was how he could combine his love of food and good ingredients with her belief in him and his ability.
Channelling his creativity, along with the fiery passion he inherited, into bottle after bottle of sauce, each one edging closer to the final recipe, until Oakes Hot Sauce was finally grafted into life.
Malcolm has created some excellent flavour combinations featuring 100% natural ingredients to give his sauce some real depth, varying from 1-9 on the heat scale. They’re all vegan and the Yorkshire roots in Tommo are thrilled that Oakes use Henderson’s Relish (Hendos to those in the know!) instead of worcestershire sauce, We’re stocking his Classic BBQ, Chilli & Garlic and Scotch Bonnet, Coffee & Balsamic (Ellie’s favourite!).
Here’s how he describes each one:
Wild West BBQ
The quintessential OG Wild West-style BBQ Sauce, with local honey, American bourbon whiskey and smoked chilli.
Saddle up and savour the authentic taste of the frontier with our Wild West BBQ Sauce. Inspired by the flavours that fuelled the cowboys of 1900s Texas, this robust sauce brings the spirit of the Old West to your kitchen.
Our Wild West BBQ Sauce starts with a rich base of ripe tomatoes, crisp apples, and sweet onions, creating a harmonious blend of sweet and savoury. Infused with a boost of secret spices and the smoky heat of chipotle chilies, along with the natural sweetness of honey, and not forgetting the bold kick of American Bourbon whiskey, each bottle captures the essence of classic cowboy cuisine.
Perfect for slathering on ribs, marinating steaks, or adding a flavourful twist to grilled vegetables, this sauce transforms any meal into a rustic, gourmet experience. Whether you’re around the campfire or at the backyard grill, our Wild West BBQ Sauce promises to deliver a taste of Texas tradition with every bite.
And as it's top ingredients Are NOT caramelised Sugar syrup or Frutcose syrup or Corn Syrup or Invert Sugar or Glucose syrup or Modified Starch etc; it's ideal for mixing with apple juice or apple cider vinegar for a BBQ spray/baste. And of course, to marinade ready for low'n'slow cooking.
Chilli & Garlic
Oakes’ most frequently bought sauce.
Experience ultimate garlicky sensations with our Chili Garlic Hot Sauce, a fiery blend that showcases garlic in six preparation methods. This hot sauce is crafted to offer a depth of flavour that will delight garlic lovers and spice enthusiasts alike.
Combined with a secret blend of red & yellow chilies, this hot sauce delivers a balanced heat that sings with the multifaceted garlic flavours.
Ideal for drizzling over pizza, spicing up pasta dishes, marinating meats, or even adding a burst of flavour to stir-fries, our Chili Garlic Hot Sauce is a versatile addition to any kitchen.
All our sauces are like cheat codes you can use to elevate your meals with the dynamic layered taste of garlic you’ll experience in every drop.
Whether you’re a garlic aficionado or simply seeking to spice up your culinary creations, our Chili Garlic Hot Sauce promises an unforgettable bomb you’ll be reaching for again and again.
Not suitable for Vampires - Werewolf & Vegan Friendly.
Scotch Bonnet, Coffee
& Balsamic
Unleash a bold and unforgettable flavour experience with our Scotch Bonnet, Coffee & Balsamic Hot Sauce.
Crafted with the fruity heat of Scotch bonnets, the deep richness of coffee, and the tangy sophistication of D.O.P balsamic vinegar. This unique combination offers a multi-layered taste that is both intense and intriguing.
It starts with the vibrant and potent kick of chilies, known for their robust heat and fruity undertones. The addition of freshly brewed coffee beans introduces an almost smoky, and definitely earthy depth, while the balsamic vinegar adds a touch of acidic sweetness helping to bring balance.
Perfect for adding richness to dark meats and earthy vegetables, or adding a gourmet twist to marinades and dressings, this hot sauce is as versatile as it is distinctive.
Whether you’re a heat seeker or a flavour adventurer our Scotch Bonnet, Coffee & Balsamic Hot Sauce promises to elevate your culinary creations with its bold and complex profile.
For Malcolm, Oakes Hot Sauce is a reminder that even in the face of loss, we can find purpose and create something beautiful and we’re very proud to be stockists.
