stiffwillichili

My Little Stud

Two-year-old Biggie Smalls, of Peppers fame, may just have a bright future. One can hope, anyway, 'cuz Daddy needs a meal plan.

Check out this youtube video, complete with token shot to the balls at the end. Unfortunately, I couldn't embed it here because it was too truncated.

Peppers Pics

Another great promo at Peppers in Rehoboth Beach, DE yesterday afternoon. Except for the 102 degree heat, that is. The reason I love promoting my chili spice mix and pepper sauce so much is because it doesn't even seem like work -- but I tell you what, yesterday was just about as close to work as it gets!

That said, I was definitely stressing the viability of a chili gig in the full-on summer heat. I always bring samples of my fresh salsa when the weather's warm in order to demonstrate the versatility of my spice mix, but I was pleasantly surprised at how many folks were not only willing to try the chili but also have seconds (or thirds -- you rock, Allison!). I think it's safe to say that if people are willing to eat a cup of chili while they're sweating on a sidewalk, that's about as good a compliment as you can get.

To top everything off, my mom, wife, and son left the beach early to come hang out for the final hour of the event, and we even got Biggie Smalls in on the action. He put down some chili and even made his way into a youtube video I shot with Chip Hearn, the King of Wings (I'll update with the links as soon as they're live). I put my spice mix to the test for the first time ever on grilled and deep fried salmon -- taste-tested by Peppers' customers live on camera!

Check out some photos.

Biggie Smalls was tired after a long day at the beach, but he never passes up a shoulder ride.

 
Chip Hearn jokes with Biggie Smalls.

The chili's good; I didn't say it wasn't sloppy.

I think it might be time to start working on my new marketing poster: "T-Rev's Stiff Willi Chili: Your Kids'll Eat It!"

Goin' back for more!

After being such a good sport, we figured we'd reward Biggie Smalls with a night at FunLand.

 
It must've been 150 degrees inside this building, and I got to squeeze my ass into this little cage that probably went about two miles an hour. Biggie was so hot he tried to take his shirt off.

This ride went a wee bit faster. Had to make sure the ol' fedora was gonna stay on.

Peppers Promo 7/24

I'll be heading back to the beach tomorrow to host a promotion on Saturday at Peppers in Rehoboth Beach, Deleware. My June visit was a blast, and this one should be even more fun, as the wife and Biggie Smalls will be accompanying me. My parents are even flying down from Buffalo to hang out with us, so hopefully Mom will bring the checkbook. It's all about sales, baby!

My wholesale girls at Peppers have told me that the pepper sauce in particular has been going over very well in the short time it's been in stock, so obviously that's great news. And though they're not allowed to tell me which clients decide to purchase it, I do know they've placed it in a few locations around the country so far. So even if you don't live in Delaware, keep an eye out for T-Rev's Stiff Willi Chili Pepper Sauce -- you never know when it might show up at your favorite hot sauce store! And, of course, you can always contact me directly if you know of a merchant near you who might be interested in carrying it.

That's it for now. I hope to have a bunch of great photos of this trip to share by next week, so don't forget to check back soon!

Jamaica 2010

I know I've been slacking with the posts, but things have been crazy lately. Plus, I was in Jamaica with the family all last week without an internet connection. On the bright side, however, I was able to speak with the GM of the Iberostar resort about potentially adding T-Rev's Stiff Willi Chili Pepper Sauce to their condiments lineup, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Probably the longest of long shots, but how awesome would that be?

I also met a very nice guy named George who owns a skin care products company in NJ called Chamonix, and he's currently considering adding my spice mix and pepper sauce to his catalog that goes out to approximately 200k people. Some networking pays off, some doesn't, but you don't get anywhere without good folks who at least offer to help you out -- so now the burden of proof is on the products themselves!

With that, here are some cool family pics from our vacation business research/marketing trip.

 
Biggie Smalls getting excited on the descent into Jamaica.

 
Playing poolside shuffleboard with the big kids.

Someone was ready for the beach. And someone wasn't.

 
An SI-worthy action-grab right there ...

 
GANJA BOAT!!!

 

 
Thanks to new friends Caryn and Tom, we managed to get at least one family photo from the entire vacation. Thanks, guys!

 
Biggie had a great time with his new friend, too. Here he relaxes with Caryn and Tom's 2-year-old daughter. (My policy is not to publish kids' names without permission, so for now we'll just leave it at that.)

Headin' to Jamaica, Mon!

I'm off to Jamaica with the wife and Biggie Smalls to research new recipes for rubs and marinades! We figured it would be fun to take the boy on vacation before his little brother is born in October because the trips will probably be few and far between after that.

Be back soon, hopefully with some great photos and menu ideas!

Fourth of July Promos

If you need to run out for some last minute items before you kick off your parties this weekend, I'll be at the Leonardtown McKay's from 10-11 a.m. and the Wildewood McKay's from 12-1 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, July 3 in St. Mary's County.

As usual, I'll be giving away free food during the promotions -- fresh salsa at both locations, and the Wildewood store has offered to donate some shrimp for Stiff Willi Steamed Shrimp, which would be a surefire hit at any soiree. T-Rev's Stiff Willi Chili Spice Mix isn't only for chili, and remember, every pantry's naked without a Stiff Willi.

St. James Deli Picks up Spice Mix and Pepper Sauce

St. James Deli in Lexington Park, Md., is the most recent store to stock T-Rev's Stiff Willi Chili Spice Mix and Pepper Sauce. In fact, they're even using the pepper sauce on their chicken wings, so if you're headed to the River Concert at St. Mary's College tonight, stop by and pick some up!

If you don't live in the Southern Maryland area, you can always order our pepper sauce online.

QUICK AND DIRTY CHILI DOGS

Here's a great recipe for all you guys out there who want a fast and easy hot dog recipe for your Fourth of July party.

INGREDIENTS
1 package beef hot dogs
1 package hot dog rolls
(2) 10 oz. cans Texas Pete chili sauce
4 tbsp. T-REV’S STIFF WILLI CHILI™ SPICE MIX
8 oz. jar Cheez Whiz
12 oz. can evaporated milk
1 small yellow onion, diced

DIRECTIONS
Heat chili sauce in saucepan until it begins to simmer and stir in spice mix. Remove from heat until ready to use or keep warm on low flame.

Add half of the evaporated milk to saucepan or double boiler and bring to simmer. With heat on low, add half of the Cheez Whiz and stir until melted. Add the rest of the Cheez Whiz and thin with evaporated milk until desired consistency, stirring often to prevent skin from forming. Boil hot dogs for 5 minutes (don’t let them split open) and drain.

Assemble hot dogs and top with generous amount of chili sauce and Cheez Whiz. Add chopped onions as desired.

Of course, if you want an even better recipe and you have a bit more time, substitute this chili sauce with my homemade version.