We had the good fortune of connecting with Richard DeSimone and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Richard, how does your business help the community?
We are proud to partner with 6 different local non-profits to whom we donate a portion of our sales. Each sauce we offer is tied to one of the organizations and for every bottle sold, we donate $0.25! To date, we’ve donated over $8,500 to the causes, which include a dog rescue, a women’s shelter, a theater, and more. You can learn more on the Causes page of our website at qpsauce.com! In addition, we proudly donate sauce to the residents of The Other Side Academy, a training school in which students learn pro-social, vocational and life skills allowing them to emerge with a healthy life on “the other side”. This program is available as an alternative to those facing long-term incarceration as well as those seeking a change from the life they’ve chosen in the past.
What should our readers know about your business?
Quarantine Project is Made For Food. We make simple, versatile, savory hot sauces designed for the home chef. They are all vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, and low sodium. And with heat ranges from kid-friendly to pretty dang hot, we offer something for everyone who wants to elevate their home cooking!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Denver has seen a huge boom in the restaurant scene over the past decade, with several restaurants even earning Michelin stars. It’s an exciting time, and there is a lot of creativity happening here, but all my favorite spots are ones you wouldn’t find in any “Hot and New” of “Buzzworthy” article! Jalapenos on South Broadway in Englewood has some of the best breakfast burritos you’ll find anywhere, try the Mexican Feral! Aung’s Bangkok Cafe just a few blocks away makes the richest Thai food I’ve ever tasted. Hong Kong Station offers a huge variety of Chinese dishes, with an extensive selection of Hong Kong and Szechuan specialties, all of them packed with flavor. And Smokin’ Yards in Idaho Springs is my favorite BBQ joint. They have a location in Denver, as well, but the mountain surroundings and friendliness of the staff make this one truly stand out!
Denver is also packed with great breweries, and my favorite is Chain Reaction, on Lipan Street. It’s a perfect neighborhood brewery frequented by friendly people, and they host many events, including an outstanding comedy night every month!
And, the comedy scene here is second to none. Comedy Works is the best club in the country, but there are also killer shows every night at different venues across the city, especially The Grawlix at The Bug Theater!
And, if the weather is right, there are hundreds of beautiful hiking areas close to Denver, none better than Staunton Park. There are over 35 miles of trails with amazing views, and it’s never busy! It truly is a gem, and I’m shocked it’s not more widely known.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
As a first-time business owner, navigating all the opportunities and threats out there is immensely tricky. There is a world of possibility, and it is so necessary to have guidance from people who have walked the path before. I learned of an organization called Colorado Food Works in 2022, and have been a member since. They offer networking and education opportunities for young food businesses, and the connections I’ve made have had an enormous impact! The board is full of helpful, knowledgeable people dedicated to growing Colorado-based food businesses, and connecting with the other members has invigorated my passion time and time again. I’ve been so happy as a member that in January I joined CFW as a board member!
Website: https://www.quarantineprojectsauce.com/
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