The Quebec businessman will attract more than 13 million viewers to YouTube. The two hot sauces he produces will end up in Issue 23H Popular show season Hot.
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“It's like the Oscars or the Grammys,” says Julien Frechette, 42, beaming. The founder and president of La Pimenterie is still pinching himself, just days after hearing the good news.
For 22 seasons Hot Combines highlights. More than 300 stars – all A-listers – like Charlize Theron, Neil deGrasse Tyson, or DJ Khaled are tasting – and sweating – hotter sauces than ever before.
The show, hosted by Shaun Evans, was a hit with nearly 100 million views. Successfully making two sauces in one season is quite an accomplishment.
Two grand slams
“It's huge,” says Julien Frechette, whose Forbidden Fruit sauce will have participants drooling this year. It will go on sale in Quebec starting next May.
The other sauce, Queso sin Queso, is the labor of Maxime Chenier-Groulx, a 32-year-old Montreal native who has been working at La Pimenterie for two years.
The spice lover, for fun, prepares a new sauce every Sunday. His new creation has captured the attention of the Mecca teamHot.
La Pimenterie is responsible for the production and distribution of Queso sin Queso. Maxime Chenier-Groulx, who markets the product under his Good Heat brand, will receive royalties on each sale.
In total, La Pimenterie will produce 100,000 150ml bottles Hot. The Quebec SME sold a total of 400,000 devices in 2023 – 70% in Quebec, 20% in the United States, and 10% in the Republic of China.
Jules, nicknamed Gorky, center, flanked by his father (left) and Julien Frechette
Image taken from La Pimenterie website
Gorky and France
Julien Frechette is also continuing his relationship with YouTuber Gorky, which began last October.
The two partners are preparing a new innovation together, while La Pimenterie benefits from France's interest in the young web sensation.
Gorky sauce made from kumquat and yellow pepper sold like crazy.
Image taken from La Pimenterie website
More than 25,000 bottles of La Pimenterie sauces are on their way to Europe. The main distributor is responsible for selling the products in France.
“It's a great way to open up Europe,” says the president, who has 12 other exciting projects in the pipeline.
At this moment, Hot And France is enough to make his growing business “almost unmanageable.”
La pimentaire in short
- Founded in 2016
- 15 employees
- 400,000 bottles (150 ml) annually
- 25 tons of pepper were used
