The people. The passion. The flavor.
Our Story
Family roots. A curious kitchen. Flavor worth sharing.
For Nelly, cooking has always been a way to bring people together. It’s the joy of hosting, feeding the people she loves, and turning an everyday meal into something everyone remembers.
Nelly’s Secret Sauce grew from that same spirit—with a little family inspiration and a lot of curiosity.
It started with a family recipe.
The first sauce began with a recipe Nelly’s aunt taught her to make for one of her favorite holiday proteins.
Then, as a curious teenager, Nelly tried that same sauce on a different type of protein. She added an ingredient or two, followed her taste buds, and discovered something worth sharing.
That test-kitchen experiment became Original—the very first Nelly’s Secret Sauce.
It also sparked a habit that continues today: when Nelly gets in the kitchen, she always finds a new way to bring a meal to life through sauce.
Southern roots.
San Diego creativity.
Nelly’s love of Southern flavors originates with her grandmother and her father, who introduced her palate to Creole cuisine as a young child. Her grandmother, lovingly known as Nana, is from Saint Francisville, Louisiana—a family connection that remains at the heart of Nelly’s cooking.
Her dad loved to cook. He was particular about flavor and creative with fusion foods, bringing unexpected combinations to the table. He was making carne asada fries before they were a thing—his version had goat cheese and olives!
As Nelly likes to say, “I’m not bougie, but my taste buds are! Thanks, Daddy. 😘”
Nana and Nelly’s godmother, Linda, were major influences, too. They often hosted family events and coordinated weddings, baby showers, and other celebrations at their church. Through them, Nelly saw how food, thoughtful design, and hospitality could turn a gathering into something memorable.
Combine that creativity and eye for design with culinary curiosity, a flavor-seeking palate, and San Diego roots—and there you have Nelly.
That’s how the collection grows. A recipe sparks an idea. Flavors from different cuisines come together. A familiar dish takes an unexpected turn—and a new sauce is born.
Today, Saucelier brings Nelly’s Secret Sauce and Tha Blend seasonings together, inviting you to explore those possibilities in your own kitchen.
A curious palate.
A world of inspiration.
Some of Nelly’s most memorable cooking lessons have happened far from home—learning from local cooks, exploring markets, and preparing food alongside people who know their culinary traditions firsthand.
In Oaxaca, Mexico, she learned about Mexican spices with Tia, exploring flavors that brought new depth to her understanding of seasoning.
In Phuket, Thailand, a visit to a local outdoor market became the beginning of a cooking class. Choosing and exploring ingredients before preparing a meal connected the flavors on the plate to the place they came from.
In Egypt, she explored spices, learned to make baba ganoush, and practiced making Bedouin bread—adding new techniques and perspectives to her kitchen.
Those experiences continue to shape her palate and the way she cooks. A new ingredient, a familiar aroma, or a technique learned abroad can spark the next recipe, sauce, or unexpected pairing.
At the heart of that exploration is a deep appreciation for authenticity: respect for the people, ingredients, and traditions behind each dish. Nelly brings that respect home with her, drawing on what she has learned as she combines flavors and creates something of her own.
Rooted in family. Inspired by the world. Made to share.
“Almost every time I get in the kitchen, I find myself making a new sauce to go with what I’m eating.”
Nelly · Founder
Food opens doors.
More than what’s
on the plate.
Nelly’s passion for food goes hand in hand with her commitment to community.
Alongside managing multiple culinary operations, she has led an on-the-job training program and continues to train low-income youth and young adults in culinary skills. Her work helps participants gain practical experience, build confidence, and prepare for employment.
Through her work with Core 6 and other local nonprofit organizations, Nelly helps create opportunities for people to develop their skills and take their next step.
Sharing knowledge is part of the same hospitality that inspires her cooking: making room for others and giving them something they can carry forward.
Rooted in community.
Proud to support our community.
We are proud sponsors of organizations creating opportunities and supporting young people in our community:
Bring a little of our story
to your table.
Try a new combination. Put your own spin on a favorite recipe. Make something worth gathering around.
Shop the collectionA sauce for every mood. A blend for every kitchen.