Andrew Whiting says Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars was a win for him, interview
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While his food brand, Hot Drops, enhances flavor on every plate, Andrew Whiting brought his own version of heat to Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars. The title might not have been his, but the whole FOX reality television experience turned out to be a win in the end.
After the Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars Season 2 winner was revealed, I spoke with Andrew Whiting about his experience on the show, the lessons learned that he uses in his business, and why Hot Drops is poised to take over the table. More importantly, people are hungry to learn that Hot Drops is not just another hot sauce.
Reflecting on the season as a whole, Andew said “I didn’t win, but I definitely didn’t lose.” That sentiment encapsulated what this FOX reality competition offers for the participants. Even though the end goal is to walk away with the title, just being on the show and the lessons learned can have a positive impact long after the credits roll.
Andrew admitted that the experience was a type of “pressure cooker” and it forced him to “to think about things from different perspectives.” While some challenges were out of his comfort zone, others showcased that he does in his business, Hot Drops.
Being able to watch his fellow contestants pitch, create, and market products was educational. Whether he launches a new product based on his Food Stars journey or just uses the lessons learned to make his product more visible, the future looks bright for Andrew.
As he explained, the competition experience was a “reinforcement” of everything that he has been working towards. Overall, Andrew said, “I think that my team saw that I had value and we were able to create things that were beneficial.”
Although the grillings might not have been subtle, Andrew saw a different side of Gordon Ramsay that may not always be addressed by those fiery clips. Even though he was pushed time and again, Andrew appreciates that Gordon wanted each competitor to grow, develop, and do their best. In a way, tough love brought out the best in everyone.
That idea seems to tie to the concept of Hot Drops. It is a flavor enhancer, not a fiery hot sauce that ignites the tastebuds to the point of no relief. As Andrew explained, “our most popular hot sauce is called, Not Sauce, which is a bit ironic. It is not our brand having an identity crisis, rather it is everything that a hot sauce should be, just minus the spice.”
That explanation gets to the heart of what Hot Drops truly is. Andrew said that the brand is like “an anti-hot sauce.” While that statement might sound counterintuitive, it makes sense. He said that “flavor is the focus. In a way, we are a condiment company that masquerades as a hot sauce brand.”
The care and craft put into every bottle comes through in every dash and drop. Specifically, Andrew said that his company focuses on “seed to sale.” Based in Sonoma County, Hot Drops knows the farmers who provide the ingredients for their sauces. It is their nod to the concept of “support local everything.” People can taste that difference. There is pride mixed into every bottle.
Since the name has the word “hot” front and center, I asked Andrew how to get people over the hurdle about preconceived notions that all flavorful sauces have people running for a glass of milk.
His analogy was a relatable one. “I want people to get beyond the binary decision that I like hot sauces or I don’t. The extreme spice is not the only type out there. My goal is to help people figure out what they can actually handle. People would never go into the bar and ask for three shots of grain alcohol and drink them sequentially. I want to people to think of exploring a hot sauce like they would sip a glass of wine, taste and enjoy.”
In some ways, that sip and savor concept might go back to his perspective on being part of the Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars experience. It is about the journey, the exploration, and the learning that happened along the way. As Andrew said, “it was one of the best things that I have done in my life” and that sentiment is the lingering feeling that proves a flavorful experience is always a positive one.
Want to catch up on Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars Season 2? All episodes can be streamed on Hulu.
Hot Drops is a California based company. More information on its line and where it can be sold can be found on its website.