Stef & Fons
Owners
Ministry of Spicy Business makes artisan sambals with a unique, non-Asian twist. With a range that includes ingredients such as mustard seed and cocoa, the company offers four special flavors, including sambal with smoked garlic and a seasonal pumpkin sambal.
About the Makers
Stef and Fons have backgrounds in advertising and catering and started making Zaanse Sambal in 2018. Stef’s experience as an art director and Fons’ catering expertise turned out to be the perfect combination. What started as a hobby grew into a serious company that is now known in the Zaan region and beyond.
Production Process
The sambals are handmade every week in Lab-44 in Zaandam. The peppers come from sustainable greenhouses in Westland and other ingredients such as cocoa bis are purchased locally. The use of freshly chopped pepper and home-smoked garlic is central to their production process, which provides a characteristic taste.
Sustainability
Ministry of Spicy Business strives for sustainability by purchasing ingredients locally and having their products labeled by people at a distance from the labor market. They deliver their orders as much as possible by transport bicycle, which contributes to their environmentally friendly approach.