About Us

Welcome to Picante Soldier - our small-batch, Mexican-influenced hot sauce made on the Central Coast.

Big flavour. No nonsense. 

We’re Dean and Fernando, based up on the Central Coast of NSW, the founders (and full-time taste testers) behind Picante Soldier Hot Sauces.

We love hot sauce and food in general… but especially the stuff that brings real flavour - particularly sauces inspired by the South American / Latin side of the world. Honestly though, if it’s hot sauce, we’re listening. 

Our Story

Picante Soldier started for a very scientific reason: we had too many habaneros growing and we couldn’t give them away fast enough. So, we did what any reasonable adults would do - we started making chilli jam.

Then things escalated.

One batch turned into a Mexican-inspired habanero sauce… which turned into what we now call our signature: Original Habanero - the sauce that started it all and still runs the show.

The other reason we started. We kept going to restaurants and getting served the same sad “gringo shelf” hot sauces - you know the ones. All label, no soul. They just didn’t hit the mark. So, we decided to make something that actually does.

What Makes Us Different

A few things (and none of them are marketing fluff):

  • We grow some of our chillies right here on the Central Coast, and we source our ingredients locally as well.
  • We’re big believers in backing local businesses and keeping the money in the community.
  • Everything is fresh, vibrant, and small-batch handmade by both of us - not a factory, not a lab, not a faceless sauce corporation.

Because we work in small batches, the process stays tight - but the fruit does what fruit does. That means each batch has its own personality… kind of like people, but less complicated.

Flavour First (Always)

We like heat. Obviously. But we don’t make sauces just to hurt you.

We pride ourselves on flavour-first heat - the kind that lifts your food up instead of suplexing it off the plate. The goal is balance: heat, depth, texture, and that lingering “yep… that’s the one” finish.

Think of it like a good whisky: it has bite, it has character, and it hangs around long enough to make an impression. Picante Soldier is the same - just… more dangerous on eggs.

How It’s Made

We make our sauces by roasting the ingredients, blending them, balancing them, and then bottling in small batches so quality stays consistent and attention to detail doesn’t get lost.

No shortcuts. No mystery ingredients. Just real flavour done properly.

Who It’s For

Picante Soldier is for everyone:

  • Beginners who need their hand held across the road.
  • And the fiesta lunatics who want a full Mexican dance party in their mouth.

Wherever you sit on the heat scale, we’ve got something that won’t ruin dinner.

Want to Stock Picante Soldier?

If you’re a café, restaurant, gym, butcher, or local store, we do wholesale and kitchen bottles. Reach out and we’ll send through pricing and options.

What’s Next

We’re still growing, and we’ve got plenty of sauces and condiments on the drawing board. So, shop the range, start the fiesta, and if you like what we’re doing - back us in so we can keep creating more ridiculously flavourful stuff.

Let’s get spicy.

THAT Hot Sauce Shop

Find us at THAT Hot Sauce Shop in Manly - Sydney’s original destination for serious heat and the Australian home of the Hot Ones range. Stocking standout sauces from Australia and around the world, including small-batch flavour weapons like Picante Soldier, it’s the place to visit whether you’re new to chilli, building your collection, or hunting down your next favourite bottle.

Address: Shop 1 / 27 Sydney Road, Manly NSW 2095

Bells at Killcare

Bells at Killcare is a luxury boutique hotel, restaurant and spa located in Killcare Heights on the NSW Bouddi Peninsula, just 90 minutes north of Sydney. Set among beautiful coastal grounds, cottages and lodges, Bells is known for its award-winning restaurant, relaxed elegance and premium Central Coast experience. A perfect gourmet escape surrounded by national park, beaches and coastal bushwalks.

Address: 107 The Scenic Rd, Killcare Heights NSW 2257

Chillis Deli & Eatery

Chillis Deli in Ettalong Beach is a local deli, serving up quality deli goods, gelato, drinks and proper Central Coast food-loving energy. It's the perfect spot to grab something delicious, stock up on great produce and deli favourites, and now pick up Picante Soldier Hot Sauce while you’re there - every good deli run deserves a little extra heat.

Address: SHOP 33/34 The Galleria 189 Ocean View Road, Ettalong Beach NSW 2257

Pochito Sydney

Pochito Sydney in Mascot is a family-run Chilean eatery serving proper comfort food with South American soul - empanadas, loaded sandwiches, completos, choripán, lomito, sweet treats and big “feed me like family” energy. Built on family recipes and Chilean culture, Pochito has become a go-to spot for authentic Chilean street food in Sydney, and now you can grab Picante Soldier Hot Sauce there to add a little extra firepower to your feed.

Address:1021 Botany Rd, Mascot NSW 2020

J T Providores

JT Providores in Tuggerah is a Central Coast fresh produce and grocery supplier offering fruit, vegetables, groceries, international cooking supplies, spices, fridge and freezer items. They are a fresh fruit and vegetable wholesaler direct to the public, servicing the Central Coast and Newcastle regions - and they now stock Picante Soldier Hot Sauce, made with the same locally sourced produce that helps bring our sauces to life.

Address: 5/7 Teamster Close, Tuggerah NSW 2259

Pourt Coffee

Pourt Coffee in Northmead is a specialty coffee spot built around good brews, good food and easy local community energy. Pourt serves quality coffee, breakfast and lunch options, with a calm café feel and a leafy outdoor area that makes it a great stop for locals, parents and coffee hunters alike. They are now stocked with Picante Soldier Hot Sauce, so you can grab your morning coffee, fuel up with brekky, and deploy a little extra heat while you’re there.

Address: 13 Ventura Road, Northmead NSW 2152

Theo's Cecinas Butchery

Theo’s Cecinas Butchery & Smallgoods in Fairfield West is a long-running Chilean family butcher and smallgoods specialist, established in 1986 and built on four generations of traditional Chilean butchery. Known for handmade chorizos, longaniza, marinated meats, South American cuts, cooked meats and proper Latin butcher-shop flavour, Theo’s is the kind of place where BBQ plans get serious fast - and now you can pick up Picante Soldier Hot Sauce there to bring a little extra Central Coast fire to your next Chilean feed.

Address: 205 Hamilton Rd, Fairfield West NSW 2165

McFarlands Quality Meats

One of Sydney's leading Butcher shops. Family owned & operated for over 30 years. We pride ourselves on best customer service & top quality meat.

Address: Northmead Shopping Village - 5/2A Campbell St, Northmead NSW 2152