Our Story 

Nomad Chilli Co was founded in Ballarat in July 2023  with a simple goal: to create small-batch hot sauces with genuine depth of flavour, using natural fermentation and thoughtfully sourced ingredients.

After spending four years as the head chef of a highly regarded Latin restaurant, founder Gavin Roberts saw an opportunity to create hot sauces that captured the authenticity of the sauces he loved without relying on unnecessary preservatives or additives.

Drawing inspiration from recipes and flavours discovered while travelling through South America in 2017, Gavin began experimenting with locally grown produce, imported dried chillies and different fermentation and cooking methods. After six months of testing, the first version of Habanero & Mango Roja was created. It quickly sold out among friends, family and early customers, setting Nomad Chilli Co on its way.

Since then, the range has grown to include fermented hot sauces, chilli oils, barbecue sauces and seasonal releases. Wherever possible, we work closely with local growers, including Adsum Farmhouse, to use locally grown chillies and produce while supporting other small businesses in our region.

Markets remain a major part of who we are. You can regularly find us across Victoria at markets including Ballarat Farmers Market, Woodend Farmers Market, Castlemaine Farmers Market, Geelong and Footscray. These markets have helped us build a dedicated customer base and give us the opportunity to speak directly with the people enjoying our sauces.

We also attend some of Victoria’s biggest food and barbecue events, including Grampians Grape Escape, Meatstock and the Grampians Barbecue Festival.

Over the years, our sauces have received recognition at the Melbourne Royal and Sydney Royal food awards, along with international success at the European Hot Sauce Awards. One of our proudest achievements was being named Hot Sauce of the Year 2026 at the Australian Barbecue Alliance Awards presentation in Sydney.

More recently, we have begun working with restaurants, chefs and other food businesses to develop unique collaborative sauces. This includes the Pancho x Nomad Muy Caliente hot sauce, created specifically with Pancho as a sauce that reflects both brands.

While Nomad Chilli Co continues to grow, our approach remains the same: small batches, natural fermentation, carefully selected ingredients and an uncompromising focus on flavour.