We love introducing like-minded people to each other – like that time we told you about Ontario’s sweetest chai.

At Bistro ’67, the flagship student-run restaurant at Durham College, chef Raul Sojo works with a team of student farms to grow unique and interesting produce on site for the restaurant. They grow fennel and eggplants. They raise bees and tend to okra. They also grow a number of hot pepper varieties.

There’s only so many hot peppers you can integrate into a menu though. That’s where No.7 Hot Sauce came in.

No. 7 Hot Sauce is a Toronto Mexican hot sauce company started by wife and husband team Sandra and Carlos Flores. They use Ontario grown produce to create vegan sauces with no added salt or sugar – they even grow some of their own peppers!

“After hearing about the company, I wanted to meet Carlos and Sandra in person” said chef, when we asked about his latest venture. “Their ability to understand my vision and their commitment to support local, with a humble and simple approach to the ingredients. I was convinced they should be the ones developing our hot sauce.”

He invited them to visit his restaurant and tour the fields. They became fast friends and within 24 hours, the Durham College Harvest Hot Sauces were born, harvested and processed at Bistro ’67 by Carlos and Sandra.

“They’ve been really popular, both at the restaurant and in the shop!” said Kelly O’Brien, General Manager- Centre for Food at Durham College. “We love collaborations like these. It inspires our staff and our students.”

So what do they taste like? Heat! “They let the ingredients shine, highlighting our philosophy and our field” said Chef Sojo.

Pick one up next time you #FeastOn at Bistro ’67 in Durham Region!