MF Heat Co. launches small-batch hot sauce offerings
With support from the Sussex County Kitchen Incubator, and approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Delaware state offices, what began as a pandemic passion project has turned into a hot side gig for MF Heat Co. owners Mike and Emily Frank, and Tim Auman.
Although the new local company officially began selling small-batch fermented hot sauces in December, Mike Frank has been crafting hot sauce for fun in his kitchen for years. With not-so-gentle nudging from friends and family, he began the process of turning a passion into a part-time business.
The company’s focus isn’t just about heat; it’s also about flavor. “We don’t just want to make hot sauce that tastes like jet fuel; every single sauce we make is culinary inspired,” said Mike Frank. “Our most popular hot sauce right now is our Frank’s Green Hot, but we think one of our newest sauces, Creamy Jalapeno, is going to give it a run for its money.” His culinary efforts are focused on just six sauces at the moment. Among the lineup are a salsa verde-esque sauce, an Italian-inspired sauce and a sauce using Carolina reapers, one of the hottest known peppers.
MF Heat Co. sells its sauces online at mfheatco.com, at Milton Farmers Market from 3:30 to 6 p.m., Fridays, at Grace Church in Milton, and at the Coastal Croft roadside produce stand at 15511 Coastal Highway, Milton.
For orders being delivered to Lewes, Rehoboth, Milton and Georgetown addresses, MF Heat offers free porch drop-offs.
Emily Frank, co-owner and administrator, said, “We balance all of this while still taking care of our families, so as I drive my kids to school, karate or on errands, it’s just so easy for me to make these drop-offs and save our local fans some money.”
While no brick-and-mortar shop is currently in the plans for this up-and-coming hot sauce company, MF Heat Co. is looking to expand its range to include other local markets and festivals. “It’s hard to believe, but this is only our first market season, and we’re really just learning the ropes,” said Auman, who runs the company’s sales and marketing.
