Our Story

Smoke Eater didn't start in a commercial kitchen or a boardroom. It started the way a lot of great things do, with curiosity, good friends, and a love of great food.

Many years ago, Smoke Eater founder Jon began experimenting with hot sauce in his own kitchen. An avid cook by nature, he was inspired after a friend and chef, Dave Waddington, gifted him a bottle of hot sauce made entirely from ingredients grown in his backyard. It was simple, fresh, and unforgettable. That bottle sparked an obsession.

Batch after batch followed. Some were great. Some were terrible. But with every attempt, Jon learned something new.

A turning point came during a trip to Roatan, Honduras, where Jon was helping a close friend, Scott Chamberlain, make a batch of hot sauce. Scott introduced him to a technique that would ultimately become the foundation of Smoke Eater: slow-smoking fresh ingredients before they ever touched the sauce pot.

The difference was incredible.

The smoke added depth, complexity, and character in a way Jon had never experienced before. Finding the right hardwood blend, the perfect smoking time, and the right balance of ingredients became a craft all its own. That evening on a small barbecue overlooking Half Moon Bay changed everything.

For years, Jon continued refining recipes, experimenting with flavours, and sharing bottles with friends and family.

One of those friends was Jordan.

After trying the sauce, Jordan couldn't stop talking about it. Every batch seemed better than the last, and he quickly became convinced that what Jon was creating deserved a much bigger audience. What started as encouragement soon turned into countless conversations about building something together.

Eventually, those conversations became a partnership.

While Jon focused on recipe development and production, Jordan brought his passion for business, branding, and growth. The partnership worked because each brought something different to the table, but both shared the same belief: great hot sauce should be packed with flavour first.

Today, Smoke Eater remains proudly handcrafted in Niagara. Every bottle reflects years of experimentation, inspiration from great friends, and a commitment to creating bold, memorable sauces that stand out from the crowd.

We're proud of where we started, grateful for everyone who helped us get here, and excited for what's still to come.