Meet The Founder
He is also the chef...
Growing up in a household full of amazing women who could cook up a storm, I learned early on that the way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach—especially if you set it on fire with the right spices! My mother was the queen of Mediterranean cuisine, and spicy flavors were her secret weapon. My sisters, not to be outdone, mastered the art of blending Mediterranean dishes with Southern African twists. Needless to say, our kitchen was a playground of natural flavors, spices, and herbs.
Our backyard was practically a mini-farm, thanks to my mother’s green thumb. She grew her own herbs, spices, and vegetables, teaching us the importance of fresh, natural produce. My basic cooking skills started there, and trust me, they were anything but basic with the culinary wizards I had as teachers.
But here's the twist in the tale. Even though I grew up with spicy food, I wasn’t a full-on spice addict until I lived in Mozambique. That’s where I met my fiery soulmate—peri-peri! This little pepper packed a punch that turned my culinary world upside down. And when I say peri-peri came in different heat levels, it ranged from "Oh, that's nice" to "I can't feel my tongue!"
What amazed me about the Mozambican approach was the simplicity. They used just one type of pepper, yet could conjure up a range of heat levels from mild to “are-you-kidding-me” hot, all while preserving incredible flavor. I was hooked.
When I moved to South Africa, I brought my newfound love for peri-peri along. It became my culinary companion, and I started experimenting with it in every meal. This fiery passion for spicy food wasn’t just a phase; it became part of my identity.
So where does Chakalaka come from?
In 2018, I packed up my life and moved to the United States in pursue for love, where I quickly learned to appreciate the comfort of home-cooked meals. The culinary shift from Southern African dishes to American cuisines was quite the culture shock. Adapting my palate was a challenge, and I found myself longing for the vibrant flavors of home. This longing drew me back to the kitchen, where the recipes for Chakalaka started to take shape.
Living in Louisiana with my wife and kids, I discovered a deep appreciation for Cajun food and its fiery, flavorful approach to cooking. It was there that inspiration struck: "what if I combined my love for peri-peri with a condiment that could enhance and complement any dish?" And so, Chakalaka was born—a unique relish made from cabbage, carrots, onions, garlic, and habanero peppers, mixed with a blend of other peppers, herbs, and spices. This relish was to become the secret to every successful dinner at home and a favorite addition to any meal.
I began experimenting, tweaking the heat levels, textures, and flavors. The goal was always to create a natural product without additives or artificial ingredients, which presented its own challenges in maintaining freshness and consistency. To perfect the recipe, I started sharing Chakalaka with friends, secretly seeking their genuine feedback. The more they wanted it, the better the recipe became.
In pursuit of bigger opportunities, I moved to Florida and found work in marketing, the field I was originally supposed to be in instead of cooking condiments. But the kitchen's call was too strong to ignore. After a few years, in 2024, I decided to quit my full-time job and follow my passion and launched the brand, CHAKALAKA.
Through continued experimentation, I developed a variety of products to cater to different tastes and culinary needs. Each Chakalaka product is crafted with care, and designed to add joy, a touch of home-cooked memories, and just the right amount of heat to every meal.
What to expect
If you haven't tried Chakalaka yet, we're not going to convince you. We are not going to compare ourselves to other brands or boast about how different, delicious, and exotic our products are. What you should expect though is an experience you have never had before. We are confident that any of our products will trigger senses you didn't know you had and the experience will be uncontrollable.
For those who already know and love us, this is just the beginning. While we establish, we are bringing more natural flavors and products as we keep raising the bar. Hot sauces and condiments are not the only experience we will offer.
