What Sauce Shop does

Sauce Shop (legal entity Lacehouse Kitchen Ltd) is a Nottingham-based manufacturer of premium condiments and cooking sauces, founded in 2014 by Pam Digva and James Digva. The company produces a portfolio of 35+ SKUs across hot sauces, BBQ and ketchup, mayonnaises/aiolis, simmer/cooking sauces, seasonings, gift bundles, and merchandise. Its core technical asset is an in-house chilli fermentation process — jalapeños and habaneros are salt-aged for 2–4 weeks to produce a signature chilli mash used across the hot sauce range — combined with a strict no-artificial-additives ingredient philosophy (free-range egg yolk in mayo, roughly double the tomatoes of leading ketchup brands, six-ingredient Original Mayo).

The business operates a multi-channel go-to-market. Primary distribution is direct-to-consumer via sauceshop.co, which supports one-time purchases, a bundle builder (tiered savings up to 15% over £60 spend), and a Subscribe & Save subscription offering a 20% discount on recurring deliveries. Secondary distribution is grocery retail, with products listed across six major UK supermarket chains (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Waitrose, Booths, Morrisons) and independent stores, farm shops and delis. A dedicated B2B wholesale portal (wholesale.sauceshop.co) and foodservice/restaurant accounts add a third commercial channel. Individual product prices range from £1.49 to £4.39, with free UK delivery above £45.

Sauce Shop manufactures at a single Nottingham facility that was expanded in 2022 and equipped with an automated filling line in 2024, enabling production of over 10,000 bottles per day (~50,000 weekly). The company has raised approximately £850,000 via Crowdcube in November 2022 from over 1,000 investors and a further ~£800,000 ($1,000,490) in a HSBC UK-led round in October 2025. Customer traction is evidenced by 14,871 verified reviews with a 95% five-star rate on Trustpilot and multiple Great Taste Awards, including a 3-star award for Buffalo Hot Sauce in 2023. The company is private, employs 50+ people, and has no disclosed institutional venture capital or private equity ownership.

Name

Sauce Shop

Legal name

Lacehouse Kitchen Ltd

Website

https://sauceshop.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sauce Shop is a Nottingham-based premium condiment manufacturer founded in 2014, producing 35+ varieties of hot sauces, BBQ sauces, ketchup, mayos, and simmer sauces sold via DTC e-commerce, six major UK supermarket chains, and B2B wholesale to home cooks and foodservice customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Condiments and Sauces

NAICS

Mayonnaise, Dressing, and Other Prepared Sauce Manufacturing (311941), Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Condiments, Sauces & Dressings (CRADAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hot Sauce & Chili Sauce Manufacturing (AFAKADAE), Dips, Salsas, Relishes & Chutneys Manufacturing (AFAKADAM), Ingredient Blends & Systems / Custom Formulation (Seasoning Systems, Functional Blends) (CRADAOAO)

Keywords

• Condiment manufacturing
• Hot sauce producer
• BBQ sauces
• Cooking sauces
• Artisan condiments

Headquarters

HQ city

Nottingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer E-Commerce: Online sales of sauces, condiments, seasonings, and gift bundles through sauceshop.co. Customers can build custom bundles with savings up to 15% or subscribe for recurring deliveries at 20% discount. Individual product prices range from £1.49 to £3.99.
2. Subscription Model: Subscribe & Save option delivering bundles on a recurring basis with 20% discount vs one-time purchase.
3. Grocery Retail Distribution: Products sold through major UK supermarket chains (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Waitrose, Booths, Morrisons) and independent retailers, farm shops and delis.
4. Wholesale B2B: Wholesale channel for bulk orders via wholesale.sauceshop.co.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sauce Shop manufactures and sells a portfolio of 35+ premium, all-natural condiments — including hot sauces, BBQ sauces, ketchup, mayonnaise/aiolis, cooking (simmer) sauces, seasonings and rubs — from its Nottingham factory using in-house fermented chillies. Products are sold direct-to-consumer via sauceshop.co (including a subscription) and through major UK supermarkets plus a wholesale channel for foodservice and independent retailers.

Product overview

Sauce Shop is a UK-based food brand founded in 2014 offering a portfolio of 35+ condiment and sauce products across five core categories: hot sauces (Buffalo Hot Sauce, Original Hot Sauce, Honey Sriracha, Sriracha Chilli Sauce, Pineapple Habanero, Scotch Bonnet Chilli Jam, Amarillo Chilli Jam, Truffalo Hot Sauce, Piri Piri, Crispy Chilli Oil, and limited edition Nottinghamshire Sauce), BBQ and ketchup sauces (Honey Chipotle BBQ, Original Smoky BBQ, Maple Cajun BBQ, Honey Mustard BBQ, Miso Teriyaki BBQ, Spicy Breakfast Sauce, and Tomato Ketchup), mayonnaises and aiolis (Chipotle & Lime Aioli, Ranch Mayo, Burger Sauce, Garlic Mayo, Original Mayo, and Hot Honey Aioli), cooking/simmer sauces (Mother Tomato, Golden Coconut Curry, Ranchero, Special Makhani, Spicy Marinara, Smoky Southwest, and Truffle & Black Pepper), and seasonings and BBQ rubs (House Seasoning, Pizza & Pasta Seasoning, and Original BBQ Rub). The portfolio is sold both individually and through curated gift bundles (The Fridge Box, The Weeknight Box, The Hot Box, Cooking Sauce Set, The House Set, Hot Sauce Gift Box, Custom Gift Box, and Nottinghamshire Sauce Gift Box). All products are manufactured in Nottingham using natural ingredients, with the company fermenting its own chillies in-house. The company also sells branded merchandise including tote bags, enamel mugs, and gift cards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Buffalo Hot Sauce A 3-star Great Taste Award-winning creamy, tangy, spicy American-style hot sauce made with fermented jalapeños, designed for chicken wings, mac and cheese, sandwiches and pizza.
• Original Hot Sauce A four-ingredient hot sauce featuring Sauce Shop's signature fermented red jalapeños, delivering spicy, garlicky, slightly salty flavour with a deep fruity kick.
• Honey Sriracha A sweet-heat hot sauce combining aged jalapeños with floral honey and punchy garlic, offering balanced sweetness with jalapeño heat.
• Sriracha Chilli Sauce A take on classic sriracha featuring garlic and barrel-aged red jalapeños, winner of a Great Taste Award in 2016 — the company's first major recognition.
• Pineapple Habanero Hot Sauce An all-out tropical hot sauce combining fresh pineapple with fiery habaneros, delivering fruity heat with citrusy undertones.
• Scotch Bonnet Chilli Jam A collaboration with Chef James Cochran featuring charred Scotch bonnet peppers, with a jam-like consistency and sweetness, ideal for fried chicken and cheese boards.
• Amarillo Chilli Jam A summer-inspired chilli jam pairing sweet yellow peppers with Aji Amarillo chillies for a fruity, golden jam with mellow chilli kick.
• Truffalo Hot Sauce A truffle-infused buffalo-style hot sauce combining the classic buffalo flavour profile with rich truffle notes.
• Piri Piri A medium-heat piri piri sauce with punchy garlic, fragrant oregano and sharp lemon, crafted with fermented jalapeños and habaneros.
• Crispy Chilli Oil A crispy chilli oil product providing heat and texture for drizzling over dishes.
• Honey Chipotle BBQ Sauce A 2-star Great Taste Award-winning sweet, smoky BBQ sauce with honey and smoky chipotle peppers, versatile for hunter's chicken, hot dogs and burgers.
• Original Smoky BBQ Sauce A classic BBQ sauce with tangy tomato base, hickory smoke and sweet molasses, designed for ribs, brisket and BBQ meats.
• Maple Cajun BBQ Sauce A bold BBQ sauce opening with Canadian maple syrup sweetness followed by Cajun spices, smoked paprika and hickory wood smoke.
• Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce A BBQ sauce with sweet honey, cracked black pepper and sharp tangy mustard, made with UK-grown mustard.
• Miso Teriyaki BBQ Sauce A fusion BBQ sauce combining sweet tomato base with red miso umami and toasted sesame for sweet and savoury depth.
• Spicy Breakfast Sauce A 2-star Great Taste Award-winning sauce combining tomato ketchup and brown sauce with smoky chipotle peppers and vodka, delivering full Bloody Mary flavour.
• Tomato Ketchup A 2-star Great Taste Award-winning ketchup using nearly twice the tomatoes of leading brands, described as fresh, rich and tasting like tomatoes.
• Brown Sauce A British staple made with real tomatoes, sweet dates, rich blackstrap molasses and tangy tamarind, designed for full English breakfasts and bacon sandwiches.
• Chipotle and Lime Aioli A Great Taste Award-winning aioli loaded with smoky chipotle peppers, fresh citrusy lime and punchy garlic, made with free-range egg yolks.
• Ranch Mayo A creamy ranch sauce made with buttermilk, sour cream, garlic and herbs, suitable as a dip or sandwich spread.
• Burger Sauce A sweet, tangy, rich and creamy burger sauce designed as an alternative to homemade.
• Garlic Mayo The Original Mayonnaise recipe with a balanced garlic hit, positioned as a step up from standard mayo.
• Original Mayo A rich, smooth, creamy mayo made with free-range egg yolk and subtle tanginess, with six ingredients and no water or artificial thickeners.
• Hot Honey Aioli A rich, silky aioli starting with olive oil, featuring garlic, smooth honey sweetness and medium heat from fermented jalapeños.
• Mother Tomato Simmer Sauce A rich, savoury tomato cooking sauce with juicy tomato and punchy garlic, suitable for pasta, meatballs, pizza base and lasagne.
• Golden Coconut Curry Simmer Sauce A South Indian-inspired creamy coconut cooking sauce with turmeric, tomato and Kashmiri chilli for smooth, warming heat.
• Ranchero Simmer Sauce A Mexican-inspired rich tomato sauce with jalapeño, garlic and cayenne, featuring barrel-aged jalapeño chilli mash for extra kick.
• Special Makhani Simmer Sauce A rich, creamy butter and tomato-based curry sauce with Kashmiri chilli and fenugreek, delivering homemade-style makhani flavour.
• Spicy Marinara Simmer Sauce A marinara sauce loaded with rich tomatoes, garlic, oregano and fermented jalapeños for fiery kick, positioned as an upgrade for pasta nights.
• Smoky Southwest Simmer Sauce A Mexican and Tex-Mex cooking sauce with rich savoury tomatoes, punchy garlic, zingy lime and smoky chipotle peppers.
• Truffle & Black Pepper Simmer Sauce A truffle and black pepper flavoured simmer sauce for adding depth to dishes.
• House Seasoning A smoky, salty, garlicky all-purpose seasoning with subtle paprika heat, suitable for fries, roasted meat, vegetables and mayo mixes.
• Pizza and Pasta Seasoning A herby seasoning blend with garlic, onion, oregano, parsley, basil and mild chilli flakes, designed for Italian-inspired dishes.
• Original BBQ Rub A classic BBQ dry rub with paprika, garlic, black pepper and spices, designed for coating chicken wings, pork ribs and roast potatoes.
• The Fridge Box A curated selection of sauces and condiments for everyday cooking, designed as an entry point for upgrading a home sauce shelf.
• The Weeknight Box A 13-product bundle of simmer sauces, hot sauces, BBQ sauces and mayo designed for weeknight cooking across Italian, Indian, Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisines.
• The Hot Box A hot-sauce discovery set containing seven sauces including Piri Piri, Honey Sriracha, Pineapple Habanero, Chipotle and Lime Aioli, Amarillo Chilli Jam, Honey Chipotle BBQ Sauce and Original Smoky BBQ Sauce.
• Cooking Sauce Set A bundle of 12 cooking sauces including six different simmer-sauce varieties, providing 12 easy meals and 36 servings.
• The House Set A comprehensive bundle containing a wide selection of Sauce Shop products for those wanting the full range.
• Hot Sauce Gift Box A gift-ready box of hot sauces for heat lovers.
• Custom Gift Box A fully tailored gift box allowing customers to choose their own selection of Sauce Shop products.
• Nottinghamshire Sauce Gift Box A gift box featuring the limited-edition Nottinghamshire Sauce, a deep savoury sauce made with salt-fermented mushrooms, onions and tomatoes.
• Nottinghamshire Sauce A limited-edition deep savoury sauce inspired by Nottingham heritage, made with salt-fermented mushrooms, onions and tomatoes, featuring malt vinegar, juniper and bay.
• Subscribe & Save Bundle Subscription Recurring-delivery subscription that ships Sauce Shop product bundles on a customer-selected schedule at a 20% discount versus one-time purchase.
• Build-a-Bundle (Custom Bundle Builder) One-time custom-bundle builder letting customers mix and match across the full Sauce Shop range, with tiered savings (5% off at £30+, free P&P at £45+, 15% off at £60+).
• Sauce Shop Gift Card A gift card allowing recipients to choose their own Sauce Shop products.
• Wholesale B2B Supply (wholesale.sauceshop.co) Bulk-fulfilment wholesale channel via a dedicated portal at wholesale.sauceshop.co for foodservice operators, independent retailers, farm shops and delis.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly £850,000 raised from 1,000+ investors via Crowdcube in November 2022
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Chef James CochranminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2021, Sauce Shop collaborated with Chef James Cochran to create the Sauce Shop x James Cochran Scotch Bonnet Chilli Jam, a limited edition product featuring charred scotch bonnet peppers with a jam consistency and sweetness. It was described as 'shaking up the world of chilli jams'.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sauceshop
• Instagraminstagram.com/sauce_shop
• Facebookfacebook.com/sauceshop

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sauce Shop