From a freezer full of chillies to an award-winning range of hot sauces. Exposed talks to the man behind Sheffield Dragon, Andrew Armstrong, about his journey to excite the palettes of spice-loving foodies across the region.
Andrew Armstrong, founder of Sheffield Dragon, began his journey into hot sauce creation due to an unplanned surplus of chillies in his freezer. “It all started in 2019,” Andrew recalls. “Someone brought a big bag of chillies into work. I didn’t want them to go to waste, so I made a chilli pickle that we had with our Christmas cheese board. Family and friends loved it and people kept asking for more, so I started making more.” What started out as a homemade stocking filler grew into an artisan brand renowned for its bold flavours and award-winning sauces.
Five years on, Sheffield Dragon is continuing to spice things up in Sheffield and beyond, producing small-batch hot sauces that prioritise flavour over pure heat. “Everything I make is for people to enjoy. It’s all about getting the taste combination and profile right rather than overdoing the spice,” Andrew explains. To date, four sauces – Liquid Fire, Hot Fuzzz, Scorpion’s Tale and the now-iconic Renegade Mango – have all earned Great Taste Awards. Cementing Sheffield Dragon’s status as a respected name in the global hot sauce community.
Andrew’s approach to sauce-making is rooted in quality and inclusivity. “Our sauces are vegan, vegetarian-friendly and free from the 14 main allergens. Everything is natural – no additives or preservatives,” he says. This commitment extends to sourcing top-quality ingredients, from premium vinegars to hand-selected chillies. “If you cut corners or reduce the quality at any step of the process, it always shows up in the final product.”
For Andrew, creating hot sauces is both art and science. “Chillies are either a grower or a shower,” he says, referring to how some deliver an immediate kick while others build heat gradually. His sauces aim to strike that all-important balance between heat and complexity. “I use chillies like Scotch bonnets and Trinidad scorpions for their floral and aromatic notes, but the key is dialling down the heat so their unique characteristics shine through.”
This meticulous approach has resulted in a diverse range of products, from the versatile Lemon Drop Hop perfect for marinades and pizzas to the fiery Satan’s Ring, which Andrew describes as “extremely hot yet tasty alternative to ‘da bomb’ – a famous super-hot sauce.”
Beyond the kitchen, Sheffield Dragon has forged exciting partnerships across the region including a collaboration with Sheffield Wednesday. The club’s executive chef worked with Andrew to develop a dish incorporating one of his sauces, which was served at half-time during a match and went down a storm with the faithful. “They made a Mexican-style rice bowl – it was brilliant,” Andrew shares.
Scaling up production is another major focus, with plans to introduce larger 750ml bottle sizes and offering businesses the chance to add their own branding to Sheffield Dragon products – perfect for events or gifting. He’s also exploring innovative ventures like spicy canned cocktails in partnership with a local distillery.
While Sheffield Dragon has its sights set on new markets and opportunities, its roots remain firmly planted in Sheffield. From selling at local markets to crafting special edition sauces for events like Sharrow Vale and Nether Edge fairs. “It’s very much a local brand and what people will be getting is far better value than the mass-produced stuff you’ll get in a supermarket. This is very much a labour of love, something that brings and little heat and happiness to people’s lives.”
As for what’s next, Andrew is gearing up for a busy year ahead including appearances at major food festivals. “I’ll be at Alex James’s Big Feastival in the barbecue tent next year,” he says with excitement. He’s also submitted Sheffield Dragon’s products to the team at Hot Ones, the wildly popular YouTube series where A-listers take on wings laced with spicy condiments. “If they pick one of our sauces, it could be life-changing – it’s the best exposure you can get!”
Find your local stockist or browse the online range at sheffielddragon.com or @the.sheffield.dragon_insta
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