Born from Leah’s 13-year restaurant on Syracuse University’s Hill, Cheeky Monkey Foods makes its signature tomato garlic oil and other inventive seasonings in Syracuse, New York. The company’s Pixie Dust seasoning traces back to the eatery’s fresh-cut fries and corn tortillas and has been part of the business for 20 years, while its products are now available through hundreds of outlets and online.
SYRACHA’CUSEFather-and-daughter team Michael and Mari make SYRACHA’CUSE’s small-batch craft hot sauces, blending flavor-forward heat with the character of their Syracuse hometown. Born from a 2013 kitchen project, the brand collaborates with Syracuse companies and uses their quality ingredients in distinctive sauces such as Syracuse Style and Recess Coffee, which is infused with dark-roast coffee. Its collector gift boxes, illustrated with Syracuse landmarks, extend that hometown connection beyond the bottle.BALDWINSVILLE, NY
Joe Schmo's KitchenFrom Austintown, Joe Schmo's Kitchen makes packaged seasonings and specialty pantry foods, including its signature Donofrio's Hot Peppers in Oil. The company pairs low-sodium seasoning blends and gourmet salts with sausage mixes, pepper jellies and recipes for home cooks, while its hot-pepper tradition traces back to Pietrabondante in Italy and was preserved by the family’s grandfather after he came to America in the early 1930s.YOUNGSTOWN, OH
Jose Madrid SalsaFrom a Zanesville restaurant kitchen to a growing Ohio food brand, Jose Madrid Salsa makes New Mexico-style salsa shaped by the Zakany family’s Mexican heritage. Mike Zakany developed the recipes through research, experimentation and customer feedback before launching the company in 1987, naming it for his beloved grandfather from Clovis, New Mexico. First sold in gourmet and grocery stores in 1988, the company now offers 25 different salsas, with fruit-forward flavors and heat levels that reflect its willingness to move beyond traditional red salsa.COLUMBUS, OH
Bushwick KitchenBorn in Brooklyn in 2014 with its flagship habanero-spiked honey, Bushwick Kitchen makes playful twists on everyday pantry staples. The company builds its range around ingredients sourced from growers and makers, pairing sweetness and heat in products such as spicy honey, maple syrup and sriracha. Its lineup has appeared at Walmart and in Vanity Fair, and has earned recognition from Food & Wine.WASHINGTON, DC