The Back Story

MEMORIES.. Trinidad & Tobago in my younger years was the best! Loud cockerels in the morning, roti & pumpkin for breakfast, the Doubles man; slight or plenty pepper! 

We visited family, ate all kinds a food, listened to the elders give advice on cooking and shelling out recipes. *gossip interwoven*. Helping out with food prep was a must. When returning back to the UK, all of the aunties would get together and make an abundance of various dishes for us to take in our already struggling suitcases. Fresh veg, fruits, cakes and of course plenty pepper! Woi! The smell in customs . . Still nothing to declare!

Growing up in a Trinidadian & Mauritian household, the culture of food was very important, my Dad cooked just as well as my Mum, I think they would try to out do each other (my Mum would even season baked beans!). The fridge was always packed with an assortment of condiments and seasonings; the top shelf resembled a lab.  I would watch my Mum season meat or fish with garlic, ginger and that ‘Chubby bottle’ (popular soda drink) sent from Trinidad, which was filled with homemade Pepper Sauce. This was the foundation for anything and everything food related.

The ‘Chubby bottle’ was used in so many ways - to add to food on the table, in a sandwich, in cooking, mixed with ketchup for dipping samosas; you name it, it was there…. shout out to Chubby!

When you're from a big family, food doesn’t last long, especially Pepper Sauce. I would have to wait for someone to go home (Trinidad) for carnival, wedding or a funeral before they returned with another loaded ‘Chubby bottle’! So I decided to practise making my own Pepper Sauce. I spent time tweaking the process and ingredients, constantly FaceTiming my aunties for advice until She Hot was born.

True story; once a bottle of Pepper Sauce exploded in my face; for the love of food!

In retrospect, when I think of my mum’s culinary expertise, it was important for her to keep the culture and tradition intact. Despite being a million miles from home, Mum, by any means necessary kept it authentic (even if it meant stuffin’ scotch bonnets in the suitcase ;). 

She Hot Pepper is a true taste of home with no compromise. 

Ma would be proud.

With love,

Sheliza Thompson / Founder