More than a decade ago Brennan Proctor, hot sauce maker extraordinaire and owner of Uncle Brutha's Gourmet Hot Sauce, was asked to bring wings as his contribution to his company pot luck. After deciding to make his own sauce, he experimented with ingredients and concocted a signature sauce that he thought tasted best. He brought the wings to the get-together and, to his surprise, they were the biggest hit of the event! Finding he had a knack for this specialty condiment, Brennan continued to make his hot sauce and give it to clients and friends to great success.

After moving back to the DC area from the LA scene, Proctor made developing, branding, and promoting his own hot sauces his primary job. Starting in 2004, he brought these delightful, scrumptious sauces to the Eastern Market believing that people interested in fresh goods and quality food items, would appreciate his sauce as well. And he was right! The sauces sold like crazy and as time went on, he brought other brands of sauces he liked in addition to his own. Demand for his products continued to rise and when the building at 323 7th Street, SE just down the block from Eastern Market became available, Brennan knew making his traveling shop into an emporium would only heighten his ability to develop more sauces as well as showcase the great local and novelty sauces that are out there waiting to be tasted.

Enter into his "Hot Sauce Emporium" and it’s like a candy land of spices! Awards for his brand adorn the walls, while every inch of the store is lined with items. Rothschile dipping sauces, Natural Isle's fruit infused mustards, Gracie's Gotcha ginger spreads, Jamaican curries, mustards, ketchups, spicy mayonnaise, and barbeque sauces are other products he stocks. Every item has a unique mixture of ingredients. Some sound intimidating, yet exciting, others just plain delicious! And because there is so much to choose from, try out your curiosities at his taster bar. Demonstrations will begin as well and more taste-testing parties too. The Grand Opening event occurs the same day as Market Day here at Eastern Market so be sure to stop as you make your way up 7th because Uncle Brutha's is sure to get your heart beating, soul flamed up, and light a fire underneath you!
Contact Uncle Brutha's at 202-546-3473 or visit www.unclebrutha.com for more information.

Katie Prevost is on the Staff of Capital Community News.