Meet Funky's Hot Sauce Factory: From Backyard Peppers to Hot Ones Fame

We're thrilled to introduce Funky's Hot Sauce Factory, founded by Matthew Mini who started making hot sauce in 2006 as a backyard experiment with homegrown peppers, blending with guidance from the fermentation community of Santa Rosa, California. What began as a fun hobby evolved into officially opening Funky's Hot Sauce Factory in Bellingham, Washington in 2019, then skyrocketed to national acclaim winning the "Screaming MiMi 2022 Grand World Champion" award at NYC Hot Sauce Expo—a "pinch yourself" moment that put their small family-run business on the map, culminating with Stellar Fuzz featured on Hot Ones in the #3 slot alongside the infamous Pepper X, proving bold, balanced sauces for heat-seekers can be made with 100% Non-GMO, mostly organic ingredients sourced locally from Pacific Northwest farms.

Our Journey: Backyard Experiment to National Acclaim

Our journey began with a backyard experiment and a batch of homegrown peppers. Founder Matthew Mini started making hot sauce in 2006, blending peppers with the guidance of friends in the fermentation community of Santa Rosa, California.

From Fun Hobby to Bellingham Business

What started as a fun hobby soon grew into something more; by 2019, Matt had taken his passion to Bellingham, Washington, and officially opened Funky's Hot Sauce Factory. This transition from hobby to business marked the beginning of Funky's growth.

Screaming MiMi 2022 Grand World Champion

In 2022, after years of refining recipes and testing sauces with friends and family, Funky's went from local favorite to national acclaim when we won the "Screaming MiMi 2022 Grand World Champion" award at the NYC Hot Sauce Expo.

A Pinch Yourself Moment

This wasn't just a win—it was a moment that put our small, family-run business on the map. It was a "pinch yourself" moment, and one that made us realize just how many people loved what we had created.

Stellar Fuzz on Hot Ones

Our journey took another thrilling turn when we heard Stellar Fuzz would be featured on Hot Ones, in the #3 slot. For us, seeing our sauce among the world's hottest—alongside the infamous Pepper X—feels like a culmination of everything we've worked for.

Bold, Balanced Sauces for Heat-Seekers

Delivering bold, balanced sauces for heat-seekers everywhere. Stellar Fuzz's mix of habanero heat and rich flavor has earned its place in the hot sauce spotlight, and we're proud to say it's also in the Good Foods Foundation's finalist round.

True to Our Roots: Pacific Northwest Sourcing

As our reach has grown, we remain true to our roots, sourcing ingredients locally whenever possible from farms across the Pacific Northwest. Southern Exposure Family Farm, Boldly Grown Farm, and Broomstick Farm all contribute fresh, Non-GMO ingredients to our recipes.

Local Talent Brings Labels to Life

Local talent like Tony Walters of Fat Lizard Designs and AMS Printing bring our vibrant label art to life, ensuring that Funky's bottles are as visually striking as the sauces inside are flavorful.

2023 Expansion: New Kitchen and Retail Space

In 2023, we expanded to a new kitchen and retail space in Bellingham's Haskell business park, a place where customers can taste and experience Funky's flavors up close. This expansion allows for direct customer connection.

Acquiring Trilby's BBQ Sauce and Seasonings

We also acquired Trilby's BBQ Sauce and Seasonings, a beloved local brand that we're excited to relaunch with a fresh look. This acquisition expands Funky's offerings beyond hot sauce.

More Than Just Heat

Our commitment has always been to create sauces that are about more than just heat. With 15+ unique sauces ranging from the mild Wild Child to the scorching Seeing Stars, Funky's has a flavor for everyone.

For Fanatics and Curious Beginners

Whether you're a hot sauce fanatic or a curious beginner, Funky's offers accessible entry points and extreme heat challenges. This range ensures everyone can find their perfect heat level.

100% Non-GMO and Mostly Organic

Each bottle is 100% Non-GMO and mostly organic, with many options that are vegan and gluten-free, because we believe quality matters as much as flavor. This commitment to clean ingredients sets Funky's apart.

Fermentation Community Guidance

Starting with "guidance from friends in the fermentation community of Santa Rosa, California" provided Matthew with traditional knowledge and techniques that define Funky's flavor profiles.

Years of Refining Recipes

"After years of refining recipes and testing sauces with friends and family" demonstrates the dedication to perfection that preceded Funky's commercial success.

Small, Family-Run Business

Being a "small, family-run business" that won Grand World Champion proves that artisan quality can compete with and surpass large commercial operations.

Hot Ones #3 Slot

Featuring on "Hot Ones, in the #3 slot" places Stellar Fuzz among the most respected hot sauces in the world, with the #3 position indicating serious heat and flavor.

Alongside Pepper X

Being featured "alongside the infamous Pepper X" (one of the world's hottest peppers) validates Stellar Fuzz's place in the extreme heat category.

Habanero Heat and Rich Flavor

"Stellar Fuzz's mix of habanero heat and rich flavor" demonstrates that Funky's prioritizes balanced flavor alongside heat intensity.

Good Foods Foundation Finalist

Being "in the Good Foods Foundation's finalist round" recognizes Funky's commitment to quality ingredients and ethical production practices.

Pacific Northwest Farm Partners

Sourcing from "Southern Exposure Family Farm, Boldly Grown Farm, and Broomstick Farm" supports local agriculture while ensuring fresh, quality ingredients.

Wild Child to Seeing Stars Range

Offering sauces "ranging from the mild Wild Child to the scorching Seeing Stars" provides a complete spectrum of heat levels for all preferences.

Vegan and Gluten-Free Options

Providing "many options that are vegan and gluten-free" ensures that dietary restrictions don't prevent anyone from enjoying Funky's sauces.

At Daily Health & Beauty, we're excited by Matthew Mini's journey from 2006 backyard pepper experiments to winning Screaming MiMi 2022 Grand World Champion and featuring Stellar Fuzz on Hot Ones in the #3 slot. Their commitment to bold, balanced sauces made with 100% Non-GMO, mostly organic ingredients sourced from Pacific Northwest farms makes Funky's Hot Sauce Factory a perfect addition to our curated collection of artisan condiment brands.

Explore the complete Funky's Hot Sauce Factory collection and discover 15+ unique sauces from mild Wild Child to scorching Seeing Stars—proving that sauces can be about more than just heat when quality matters as much as flavor.