History of SpiceItUp! Jalapeño Ketchup
1995 – SpiceItUp! Jalapeño Ketchup is commercially bottled for the first time.
2004 – The product receives national attention with reviews in D Magazine and on The Food Network.
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May 11, 2009 – NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on its 30th flight carrying SpiceItUp! Jalapeño Ketchup Portion Packs into space.
- A Certificate of Authenticity is available.
The famous Cajun Chef Justin Wilson personally called Ben to say: "I put your Jalapeño Ketchup on an onion sandwich and I love it!"
SpiceItUp! Jalapeño Ketchup has been enjoyed by U.S. Marines and Navy personnel, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Recipes featuring our products are available on our recipe section.
Awards and Recognition
Since 1998, our products have earned 36 prestigious Scovie Awards, with the most recent wins in 2026.
About the Scovie Awards:
The Scovie Awards Competition accepts entries over a two-month summer period. Judging occurs the Monday between the New Mexico State Fair and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Judging is blind and conducted by 80-100 food professionals who evaluate products based on eye appeal, aroma, flavor, and heat scale. Scores are compiled and verified by staff.
Additional Awards
- 1999 – Food Distributors Magazine National Barbecue Competition
- 2000 – Chili Pepper Magazine Fiery Food Challenge
- 2001 – Houston Hot Sauce Festival People's Choice Award
- 2002 – International Zesty Foods Show
Our products have been enjoyed and praised by many notable individuals, including:
- President George W. Bush (43rd U.S. President),
- Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (U.S. Supreme Court),
- Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (U.S. Supreme Court),
- Secretary of State Colin L. Powell,
- Senator Charles E. Schumer,
- Senator John Cornyn,
- Speaker Nancy Pelosi,
- Governor Greg Abbott of Texas,
- Steve Forbes (President and CEO of Forbes),
- Former Dallas Cowboys Coach Bill Parcells,
- Former Atlanta Falcons Coach Dan Reeves, and
- Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan.
These distinguished individuals among others have even sent personal letters of thanks and admiration on official letterhead.
Testimonials
Your Jalapeño Ketchup is quite an innovative product, and I look forward to "spicing up" my cuisine with its many varieties.
Elizabeth Dole
Thank you for writing and sending the Jalapeño Ketchup. It was delicious, and my staff and I enjoyed its spicy flavor.
Jeb Bush
How good the jalapeño ketchup tastes on hamburgers.
John Cornyn
Thank you for sending my staff and me jalapeño ketchup. It was a big hit.
Colin L. Powell
Thank you for jalapeño ketchup. My staff and I appreciate your thinking of us.
Nancy Pelosi
My staff and I have sampled the jalapeno ketchup and dusting salt and find it suits our tastes to a "T”
Sandra Day O'Connor
Thanks for the spice you have added to my life.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
It honestly is the most interesting thing I have ever tasted!
Mike Huckabee
I have had the opportunity to sample the medium flavors and truly enjoyed the taste. Congratulations on receiving a 1999 First Place Scovie Award for your outstanding product.
Nolan Ryan
Wonderful jalapeño ketchup.
Rick Perry
President George W. Bush shared the Jalapeño Ketchup with his parents President HW Bush and liked it so much asked to send some to his brother, while he was Governor of Texas.
George W. Bush
