Some stories start in a boardroom. Ours started in a tiny kitchen on the north side of St. Thomas, where my mum and her coworker Dave whipped up a papaya and Scotch bonnet hot sauce for diners craving that extra kick. What began as a humble condiment quickly became the most requested item on the menu — and soon, in homes across the island. That spark of flavor lit a fire in my mum’s heart, leading her to develop two more island-inspired blends: mango and pineapple.

But building a business in the Virgin Islands wasn’t easy. Hurricane after hurricane knocked her back, and each time she had to start from scratch. Yet, she kept going — cooking, bottling, and pouring her spirit into every batch. Those sauces were more than just recipes; they were acts of resilience.

When she passed away, I felt the weight of her absence deeply. For years, I searched for what she had truly left behind. Then one day in my own kitchen, it hit me — clear as her voice in my ear: “I left you the fucking hot sauce company.” That was her — raw, funny, and full of purpose. From that moment on, I knew my mission.

Nordeside Heatwave is more than just hot sauce. It’s a living tribute to my mum’s strength, humor, and hustle. I’ve preserved her original three blends and added my own touch, bringing the taste of the islands to the streets of Portland. Every bottle is a bridge — from St. Thomas to your table, from past to present.

Welcome to the story. Welcome to the Heatwave

And Now the Story Begins…

From a small Caribbean kitchen to the heart of Portland, Nordeside Heatwave is more than a brand — it’s a legacy built on love, fire, and flavor. With every drop, we carry forward a story that refuses to be forgotten. This blog is where that story unfolds — through recipes, reflections, culture, and the real-life grind of turning grief into grit, and passion into purpose. So whether you’re here for the heat or the heart, you’re in the right place. Let’s ride the wave — one bottle, one memory, one post at a time.

Mama Terri’s legacy started and lives on!

As we reflect on the origins of Nordeside Heatwave, it’s important to recognize that this journey wasn’t just about creating delicious hot sauce — it was about surviving, adapting, and finding purpose in the face of hardship. My mum didn’t have investors, fancy equipment, or a marketing team. What she had was grit. Every hurricane that hit the Virgin Islands didn’t just damage homes — it disrupted lives, destroyed ingredients, wiped out progress. She had to rebuild again and again, sometimes from nothing, all while raising a family and holding onto a dream that many would’ve given up on. These weren’t just storms outside — they were battles inside, too. But she kept going, because she believed in what she was making. That same belief carries me now, as I work to grow this brand in Portland. Her struggles didn’t end with her — they became the foundation I now stand on.

The Legacy

Nordeside Heatwave is more than a tribute — it’s a continuation of a legacy born from perseverance, love, and unshakable faith in something greater. My mum’s story teaches us that even in the face of overwhelming setbacks, passion can push through the rubble and rise again. The sauces she created weren’t just about heat — they were about resilience, creativity, and the courage to keep going when everything around you says stop. As I carry her vision forward, I’m reminded that every bottle holds more than flavor — it holds history. And now, by sharing it with you, her fire lives on