‘Hank Sauce’ Heating Up Cape May County … and Beyond
CAPE MAY COUNTY, N.J. — Three southern New Jersey natives have let their entrepreneurial ambitions shine through in the making and marketing of “Hank Sauce” — a tasty alternative to traditional hot sauce.
Created by Brian “Hank” Ruxton while he was working as a chef in a Sea Isle City café, Hank Sauce combines fresh herbs to achieve an original flavor, and is made to pair well with wide variety of foods. It comes in four blends: “Cilanktro” — a mild cilantro infused hot sauce; “Camouflage Sauce” — a sweet but spicier hot sauce ideal for those who like the extra kick; “Hank’s Heat” — made with cayenne pepper pesto; and “Hank’s Original” — made with fresh salsa.
Ruxton teamed with friends and fellow Flagler College grads Matt Pittaluga and Josh Jaspan to market the bottled sauce at the Sea Isle City farmer’s market as well as in Cape May County locations such as Mike’s Seafood, Welshie’s, Diamond’s Liquor, Heritage Surf & Sport, Sunset Pier and Larsen’s Marina (all is Sea Isle City); the Avalon Supermarket/ 29th Street Deli in Avalon, and Rick’s Seafood House and The Fish Factory in Wildwood. There is also a new retail outlet called Hank Sauce Restaurant and Retail Store, located at 8605 Landis Ave. Sea Isle City, or call (609) 486-5132 to order by phone.
“My buddy Brian Ruxton — or Hank, as I’ve called him for years — is the ‘cheftastic’ mastermind behind the savory blend,” says Pittaluga, the company’s graphic designer and chief marketer, in an article that appeared in the online version of the Philadelphia Business Journal. “As a chef at Braca Cafe in Sea Isle City, Hank originally made the sauce for personal use. It became popular with fellow employees and roommates, earning the underground name of ‘the B RUX special.’”
“Hank was about to sell cars at Honda when he approached me one night and said, ‘Screw this, let’s make Hank Sauce a reality,” adds Pittaluga. “We had discussed it before but never took action. We knew the name was rock solid and I started designing the logo and the branding.”
The sauce is $6 for an eight-ounce bottle, or $60 for 12 eight-ounce bottles. Click here, or find them on Facebook with keyword “Hank Sauce.”
Tags: Avalon Supermarket/ 29th Street Deli in Avalon, Flagler College, Hank Sauce, Hank Sauce Restaurant and Retail Store in Sea Isle City, Mike's Seafood. Welshie's. Diamond's Liquor. Heritage Surf & Sport, Rick's Seafood House and The Fish Factory in Wildwood, Sunset Pier and Larsen's Marina
April 18th, 2012 at 12:03 pm
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