From Southern Creole Roots to Award-Winning Sauce: How Gail Thompson’s Junegbug’s Sauce Inc. Transformed a Family Recipe into a flavor sensation
From the Atlantic Southeast to the Pacific Northwest, Gail Thompson, founder and CEO of Junebug’s Sauce Inc., has mastered the art of blending Southern charm, Creole heritage, and a dash of Asian magic in every delicious drop, transforming family secrets into a flavorful culinary art form.
The Origin of Our Special Sauces
For over two decades, my family owned and operated a beloved Southern Creole restaurant in Seattle’s Central District. Our culinary expertise laid in blending the finest herbs and spices from Creole and deep-southern cooking with exotic flavors of Asia. This resulted in a unique dipping, basting, and marinating sauce, originally crafted for crispy party wings. It wasn’t long before our customers began requesting it for a variety of dishes, from poultry and seafood to vegetables. Our sweet, spicy, and savory concoction quickly became one of the restaurant’s most sought-after condiments.
Even after our restaurant closed its doors, patrons continued to reach out, longing for the recipe or a taste of our famous Hallelu-jah! Sauce. Initially, I fulfilled these requests on a small scale, but soon recognized the potential for something greater. What started as fulfilling small requests grew into a business opportunity, honoring my late husband’s legacy.
The challenge then became finding the perfect name for my company. I was determined to pay homage to my late husband, whose inspiration had sparked the creation of Hallelu-jah! Sauce. After weeks of contemplation, the idea of using his affectionate nickname surfaced. In the Southern tradition, men with junior surnames are often fondly referred to as ‘Junebug,’ a term of endearment bestowed upon my husband by his favorite uncle. ‘Junebug’ felt like the ideal way to honor his memory.
The genesis of the name ‘Hallelu-jah!’ stemmed from a memorable incident at the restaurant: a customer, overwhelmed by the sauce’s delectable flavor, leapt up in sheer delight and exclaimed ‘Hallelujah!’ This exclamation perfectly captures the essence of our beloved sauce.
And so, Junebug’s Sauce Inc. was born—a testament to the passion, love, and culinary artistry that originated in a humble restaurant and continues to tantalize taste buds far and wide. In 2024, Junebug’s Sauce Inc. won the Best Hot Sauce Award at the annual Hot Sauce Fest, a testament to our commitment to quality and flavor.
The Flavor Experience
When you realize that ‘spicy’ doesn’t have to mean hot, you may just be tasting one of Junebug’s Sauce’s signature dipping sauces. Our specialty sauces, with their perfect intersection of Creole heritage, Southern charm, and a dash of Asian secrets, always leave you wanting more.
“Hallelu-jah! sauce makes all and any food taste good,” says one loyal flavor enthusiast.
With unparalleled versatility and pairings that will make the best of chefs do a double take, Junebug’s Sauces fit any occasion, from surf and turf to five-star dining, chips and dip to dessert. There’s nothing it can’t take to the next level.
Thank you for embarking on this flavorful journey with us.
