Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Valencia.
Michael, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It all started when my brother dared me to enter my fresh restaurant style salsa in the Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival in 2012. We took first place in the Individual Red Sauce Category. Veteran-owned Mikey V’s Foods now has 26 award-winning spicy products (5 salsas, 6 hot sauces, a line of beef jerky, spicy pickles, seasonings, and dip mixes) to please the palettes of all spicy food lovers.
After hours of research, I found that I had to get a co-packer to create my salsa in a certified commercial kitchen and send it to get FDA tested for shelf life. I thought at that point that I need to get my own commercial kitchen and do this process myself. I got my FDA certification in foods processing and manufacturing at Texas A&M University in October 2013.
I now operate a 3100 square ft. manufacturing facility where we make all of our products in Georgetown Texas.
My spicy food addiction started at the age of 13. My stepfather got me into liking hot sauce as he used Tabasco on every meal (still does.) I used the money I made from my paper route and cutting lawns, to purchase hot sauce at my local hot sauce store. While my buddies were buying Atari video games, I was buying hot sauce. It was always my dream to open a hot sauce store. In 2015, I opened Mikey V’s Hot Sauce Shop in The Most beautiful Square in Texas, Georgetown. 90% of our store products are made in Texas. The other 10% are award-winning products from around the globe.
Almost 2 years ago I was fortunate enough to leave my District Manager job in the automotive industry, to pursue my passion for spicy products full time. I now travel 8 times a year to various hot sauce festivals from California to New York, representing Texas.
In 2016 to further share my passion with hot sauce lovers, I started Mikey V’s Hot Sauce 101 Classes. A 3-hour course where guests learn the history and evolution of hot sauce, current hot sauce trends, and a hands-on (in the kitchen) create your own hot sauce or salsa. It comes complete with a Tex-Mex style meal complete with homemade flour tortillas, rice and beans. The participants then get to try their new hot sauce or salsa creations on their meals.
Has it been a smooth road?
The biggest obstacle I’ve encountered was with my previous co-packer. After giving them my recipe, it was never exactly the way I made it. Something was always off. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my products, Flavor, heat level, and consistency has to be perfect. It was very frustrating to expect a top quality product and not see the results. It really pushed me to get my certifications so I didn’t have to deal with these headaches. It was a blessing in disguise.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Mikey V’s Foods – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
When I create my products, I have flavor in the forefront of my mind. I like to use local, all natural ingredients when possible.
What sets me apart from others is I not only have hot sauces and salsas but other spicy food snacks like spicy pickles, beef jerky, BBQ sauce and dip mixes. We also have a spicy bloody Mary mix coming out soon!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most?
I like the support I get from all Texans, and how we are all Texas Proud!
Contact Info:
- Address: 711 South Main St. Georgetown, TX 78626
- Website: www.mikeyvsfoods.com
- Phone: 512-688-5071
- Email: info@mikeyvsfoods.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/mikeyvsfoods
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
