An LSU grad and Louisiana native is grabbing the attention of the hot sauce world with Bayou Gotham Hot Sauce. A Kickstarter campaign has recently surpassed its $25,000 funding goal. Scott Bellina, the man behind the handcrafted sauces, says the initial four flavors are inspired by his Louisiana upbringing.
“I’m taking all of these flavors and I’m applying my experiences to them so you’ve got for instance Bayou Bourre’ Louisiana Boil which it is literally a crawfish boil in a bottle and that’s never been done before,” said Bellina.
The first batch is expected to be shipped out this spring. Bellina has lived in New York since 2001 and will have another four flavors inspired by life in the Big Apple on the horizon. Bellina says one of his first flavors was inspired by a Louisiana music icon.
“We have one that’s called Juju Guru which is a tropic jalapeno green sauce and that came out of a Bonnaroo conversation I had with the late Dr. John,” said Bellina.
Bellina says his ties to the hot sauce industry is a family affair with a Louisiana brand that has become an empire.
“My great uncle, Alvin Baumer, Sr. started Crystal out of his garage in 1923 and my grandfather, Roger, his brother, was the plant manager, He worked there his entire life, so I’ve grown up with hot sauce,” said Bellina.
