Hey, food lovers! It’s Chef Mareya here, and I’m thrilled to share with you a truly inspiring episode of The Real Dish Podcast. I sat down with David Figueroa, the founder of Melinda’s Sauces, and together, we dove into some real talk about resilience, flavor, and thriving through adversity.

In this episode, we talked about how David navigated two major crises—Hurricane Katrina and the COVID-19 pandemic—and how these experiences shaped the future of Melinda’s Sauces. It’s a story about grit, heart, and, of course, a whole lot of hot sauce.

From Katrina to COVID: The Resilience Behind Melinda’s

I asked David if surviving Katrina gave him a unique perspective when the pandemic hit, and his answer was eye-opening. David shared how during the pandemic, Melinda’s had to make tough decisions, including laying off employees. I could feel the weight of those decisions as he talked about having to let go of “his people with kids.” They even shut down Melindas.com for a bit because they didn’t have a way to ship products and were genuinely unsure of how to keep going.

But then, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Melinda’s bounced back. Within 30 days, the website was back up, and suddenly, everyone was ordering hot sauce. With the world at home and cooking more, Melinda’s became a flavor lifeline. People were looking for ways to turn a plain frozen chicken breast into something exciting, and they found it with Melinda’s. David said it best: “Everyone at home was ordering hot sauce.”

The Myth of Overnight Success

As someone who knows a thing or two about building a brand, I loved David’s take on the idea of “overnight success.” He shared that, sure, viral moments happen, but you can’t plan them or make them happen on demand. It’s random, and success rarely happens overnight. Hearing David say, “You can’t cook it up,” made me smile because it’s such a perfect analogy for both cooking and business.

Picking Favorites from Melinda’s Lineup

Now, onto the fun stuff—hot sauce! I had to ask David what his favorite sauce is, and he gave a great answer: it really depends on what he’s cooking. But, if he had to pick, he loves the original Melinda’s Garlic for its milder heat. For a bit more kick, he reaches for the Red Savina or the Fire Roasted. And me? My top three are the Black Truffle, Fire Roasted, and Gochujang.

I shared a story with David about a recent night when I came home from the gym, ravenous. I threw together a simple salad with chicken sausages and added a hit of Melinda’s Gochujang. It was magic! That’s the beauty of Melinda’s—no matter what you’re cooking, they’ve got a sauce that can elevate it.

Hot Sauce: Not Just for Flavor, but for Health

Another part of our conversation that really hit home was the health benefits of hot sauce. David and I talked about how chilis are packed with immunity-boosting nutrients, especially capsaicin. So, you’re not just adding flavor with Melinda’s—you’re getting a dose of wellness, too. As someone who knows the importance of fueling your body right, I love that Melinda’s is bringing both heat and health to the table.

A Sponsor That’s Got My Back

I’ve got to give a big shoutout to Melinda’s for being a sponsor during my last competition. When you’re in a cutting season, and fats are almost non-existent, having a low-calorie way to add flavor can truly be a lifesaver. Melinda’s saved my sanity during those tough times, letting me enjoy my meals even with restricted ingredients.

So, whether you’re a seasoned chef or just looking to jazz up your dinner, Melinda’s has got your back. Catch the full episode of The Real Dish Podcast for more stories from David Figueroa, and find out how Melinda’s continues to bring the heat—and the heart—to kitchens everywhere.

Stay spicy, my friends!