SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. — From Clearwater kitchens to major league baseball stadiums, the past three years have been remarkable for a local Pinellas County family-owned hot sauce company.
Carlos’ Consuming Fire Hot Sauce was first sold at Tampa Bay Farmers Markets in 2021.
“I never imagined that what started out as just something for my own enjoyment and to give to friends and family would become what it is today,” says owner Carlos Sanchez.
By 2022, Carlos’ Consuming Fire Hot Sauce became the official hot sauce of the Clearwater Thrashers, the Single-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. It didn’t take long for them to make the jump to the majors, and now it is the only hot sauce offered by the Philadelphia Phillies.
“This is known as the city of brotherly love, but what I saw was a city of excitement,” Sanchez said. “Seeing the fans enjoying the sauce, I can only say we were so touched, so moved.”
Sanchez and his family were invited to Citizens Bank Park this summer to watch the team and its sauce in action.
“They showed our logo on the FanVision. You know that saying, when a man is crying they usually blame it on the air conditioning? That’s what it felt like,” Sanchez said.
But one of the first things Sanchez did when he returned was visit all the businesses in Tampa Bay, including Spice of the Harbor in Safety Harbor, a visit that gave him the opportunity to make the leap from small business to the big leagues.
“The store where we’re standing now is the first store that actually carried our sauces at our first event,” Sanchez said.
Spice of the Harbor owner Todd Anderson said he couldn’t be proud of Sanchez’s accomplishments.
“It’s incredible. I watched his first interview in his kitchen at home and now look at him, he’s in a billion-dollar stadium, doing an interview that’s only available there. I just admire that,” Anderson said.
“I believe that small businesses should help and support each other, so for them to give us an opportunity, it definitely paves the way for more,” Sanchez said.
So the question is, how many other stadiums will have Carlos’ Consuming Fire hot sauce served?
“There are a lot of ideas swirling around in my head. I’ve reached out to the Roadies and the Rays. We’ll see how the conversations progress, but it’s a big possibility,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez hopes to be an inspiration to small businesses everywhere that they can hit a home run.
“I feel like I’m just a whisper, but I hope that through Carlos’ Consuming Fire Hot Sauce, it’s something that will resonate,” Sanchez said.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a consumer warning after at least three people died in the past year due to replacement airbags, and I-Team investigator Adam Walther has discovered that one of the victims is a young Florida mother whose family is suing after a counterfeit Chinese-made airbag exploded in her car, killing her.
Florida mother dies after airbag explodes, highlights dangers of used cars
