Billy Rivet’s spicy journey into artisan hot sauce
You can try Whoa Doggie Hot Sauce at Three Rivers Market, SoKno Taco Cantina, Southern Market, and several other shops and restaurants in the region.
Billy Rivet is a marketing expert by day and a culinary creative by night. Growing up in New Orleans, he developed a deep passion for cooking and seasoning, which ultimately led him to create mouthwatering dishes.
Over the past four years, Rivet has expanded his culinary talent into the world of hot sauce, launching a collection that spans a variety of flavors and heat levels. As the Founder and Owner of Whoa Doggie, Rivet has earned top honors at hot sauce competitions nationwide, and his company has become a sensation both online and in the festival and market circuit.
Before diving into the hot sauce business, Rivet served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Partner at BlueGill Creative. In the years following, Rivet branched into independent website consulting and currently runs ABC Embroidery, a small business focused on custom embroidery, screen printing, and uniforming needs. Hot sauce, however, was simply a hobby—until two years ago, when he decided to turn it into a full-fledged business. Now, his plate is as full as ever.
The journey into hot sauce began with a birthday gift—a DIY hot sauce kit—from his then-girlfriend, now wife.
“It was this basic starter kit with dried peppers, seasonings, and a couple of other items,” Rivet recalled. “I loved it but wanted more flavors. I started experimenting beyond the kit. It became my first hobby that wasn’t work-related. My wife might say I got a little obsessed after that.”
As Rivet experimented with more fiery peppers, he said he accidentally created a sauce so hot it made his eyes water. Naturally, he let his wife try it and it instantly burned her lips. They both loved it.
“She’s my taste-tester,” he laughed. “We almost threw that sauce out because it was just too hot. But we decided to dial down the heat, and thank God we did—it’s now one of our best sellers.”
That sauce, now known as the “Fire Hydrant,” is one of many in Rivet’s growing lineup. His other top sellers include the “Ankle Biter,” a fan favorite at festivals that won second place at the “Pepper and Spoon” Hot Sauce Festival, and “Alpha Dog,” which earned first place in the habanero category at the country’s second-largest hot sauce competition.
Rivet quickly built a loyal following working in farmers’ markets and festivals, with customers seeking Whoa Doggie out at markets and festivals for their next hot sauce fix. This led to increased online sales at their website when tourists visiting Knoxville sampled and loved the sauces as well.
Today, Rivet produces his sauces in small batches at Real Good Kitchen, a food business incubator created by Bailey Foster to support culinary entrepreneurs in the Knoxville area. Whoa Doggie is one of 21 current members benefiting from the commercial kitchen and storage space.
“My goal this year is to expand Whoa Doggie’s reach beyond markets, festivals, and online orders into subscription boxes and more store shelves,” Rivet shared.
In addition to his hot sauces, Rivet introduced a line of Whoa Doggie salsa in November and plans to launch a salt free dry seasonings in February.
You can try Whoa Doggie Hot Sauce at Three Rivers Market, Sevier Avenue Burger Company, SoKno Taco Cantina, Southern Market, and several other shops and restaurants in the region.
Learn more about Whoa Doggie!
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