Shagzy’s Sauces: Merging the fiery spirit of Cambodian chillies with a Caribbean twist

This is the story of Shagzy’s Sauces, a home-grown Cambodian sauce product that began quite unexpectedly amid the global pause brought on by COVID-19. As the world slowed down, creativity in the kitchens of Cambodia sped up, leading to the birth of a sauce that captures the essence of innovation and familial warmth.

Picture this: Neil Warrington, our sauce maestro, found himself with time on his hands and super-hot chillies in his garden during the lockdown. Missing a taste of the Caribbean, he started whipping up his own hot sauces, and voila, a sauce sensation was born!

Neil’s journey from experimenting in his kitchen to becoming the talk of the town with Shagzy’s Sauces is the stuff of culinary legend. “I initially was making hot sauce for myself,” he says, keeping things small with batches of 30-50 jars, each one fermenting for months to get those flavors just right. Fast forward 18 months, and every new batch is a hit, selling out and leaving people hungry for more.

But what’s cooking up these sauces really about? Family, creativity, and a whole lot of fun. Neil’s four-year-old son gets in on the action, peeling garlic and shallots, making this more than just a business—it’s family bonding time with a spicy twist. Neil, doubling as a DJ, adds, “This works around us and we get to spend more time with our child than most families do.” Imagine that—a life where family, passion, and chili peppers mix to create something truly special.

And oh, the sauces! Neil’s not just making any hot sauce; he’s crafting flavors that’ll make your taste buds dance. Take his beetroot ketchup—first, it’s all earthy sweetness, then BAM, the chili heat kicks in, perfect for slathering on a juicy burger. It’s this mix of flavor and fire that makes each bottle of Shagzy’s Sauces a little adventure.

As if making killer sauces wasn’t cool enough, Neil’s also turning his front yard into a chili lover’s paradise, growing an array of chillies that spark curiosity and conversations with neighbors and passersby. It’s not just about the sauce; it’s about building a community, sharing the love for heat, and maybe, just maybe, inspiring others to start their own spicy ventures. As well as using his own chilis, he also sourcing some from Baby Bird Farm in Kep, who grow a range of produce and supply chilis to multiple different hot sauce connoisseurs.

Life in Cambodia has been a wild ride for Neil, his Khmer wife, and their son. Moving from the hustle of Phnom Penh to the smiles of Siem Reap, they’ve found their happy place. “It’s definitely a very smiley happy place to live,” Neil reflects. And despite the ups and downs of the last few years, it’s clear that without them, Shagzy’s Sauces might never have seen the light of day.

So, whether you’re a tourist looking to dive deep into Cambodian flavors or an expat craving a taste of home with a twist, Shagzy’s Sauces is your ticket to a culinary journey like no other. It’s not just about adding a dash of heat to your meal; it’s about experiencing a piece of Cambodia, its culture, and the heartwarming story of a family that decided to turn chillies into something extraordinary. 

Welcome to the Shagzy’s family—where every sauce tells a story, every meal becomes an adventure, and every bite is a reminder of the beauty of blending cultures.

Grab your fix at Hummus House and The Vine in Phnom Penh or contact the facebook page directly to make an order here.

	Phnom Penh, Cambodia
	https://www.facebook.com/shagzyssauce
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