Faces of the Leslieville Flea: Hurt Berry Farm

This summer, we're profiling familiar faces from the Leslieville Flea to learn how they got their start and what to expect from them at the market. 

Ahead of the Aug. 11 market at Ashbridge Estate, we've checked in with Steve Best and Drew Jacobson from Hurt Berry Farm, who make gourmet-flavour hot sauces and piquant products.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START HURT BERRY FARM?

The long hours of being chefs in high volume restaurants were never ending and we were missing the interaction with customers. Being able to spend more time with nature on the farm as well as more time with our families was a huge draw. We also found many products in the market to be all heat and no flavour!

WHAT’S THE MOST REWARDING THING ABOUT CREATING HOT SAUCES?

We have been able to convert many non "chiliheads" into spicy food lovers with our flavour-first approach to sauce making product development. We've even had young children sample and purchase our products.

TELL US ABOUT THE NEWEST SAUCES YOU HAVE ON THE HORIZON.

Our newest culinary creation is called Helios/Luna Hot Sauce. It is a Brain strain Citron hot sauce featuring the searing heat of the 7 Pot Brain Strain chili, fresh gooseberries, pomelo, persimmon and Ontario-produced moonshine. 

Meet Steve and Drew at the next Leslieville Flea on Sunday, Aug. 11 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Leslieville’s beautiful Ashbridge Estate. For all the details, go to leslievilleflea.com.