FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com august 7, 2014 • The Queens Courier 21 Astoria friends raising money to get hot sauce in stores, restaurants BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO Photo courtesy of Fez Production aaltamirano@queenscourier.com/@aaltamirano28 A group of Astoria friends are turning to Kickstarter to help them bring the heat. Matthew Konchan, Joe Muscente and James Nestor are the creators behind the artisanal all-natural, low-sodium and gluten free hot sauce called Chi-Cho Sauce. For the past two years, the trio, who have backgrounds in finance and marketing, have spent hours combining and testing flavors until they came up with the “spicy and sweet” flavor, which creators said is “the best hot sauce you’ll ever have.” “We wanted to do something different, something that isn’t going to kill you,” Konchan said. “It’s not a novelty. It looks presentable.” After selling and giving away more than 1,000 bottles of the sauce for free at local markets, including the LIC Flea & Food, and receiving positive feedback, the Astoria residents started a Kickstarter campaign to help continue making the sauce and selling it online, as well as launch the product in stores and restaurants. “We want something that is nice that you can put out on the table of a nice restaurant,” Konchan said. The goal of the campaign, which ends on Sept. 12, is $8,003 and the funds will go towards manufacturing, operating, distribution and marketing costs. Chi-Cho Sauce — the name comes from a college friend’s slang name — is created using local ingredients and cooked at a commercial kitchen in Flushing. Every bottle of the sauce is individually stamped with a batch number and “born on” date. You can purchase a 6 oz. bottle of Chi-Cho Sauce for $9 on www. chichosauce.com and also find recipes and food pairings for the sauce. “We want to maintain the brand,” Konchan said. “A fun and young company.” To donate to the Kickstarter campaign, visit www.kickstarter. com/projects/2091942804/chicho sauce-is-taking-over-theworld? ref=discovery. CUTLER’S LIGHTING Over 50 Years Experience REPAIRS • REWIRING • RE-FINISHING • LAMP SHADES YELLOW TAG SALE LAMP SHADE SALE 12 years from now, this LED bulb will still be saving you money. 10% OFF OFF ANY PURCHASE With Coupon. Not combinable – New Orders Only. Limit 1 per customer. $150.00 max for discount. LYNBROOK 817 Sunrise Hwy (2 Blocks west of Peninsula Blvd.) 516-887-1300 Up to 50% OFF on Select Models GREAT NECK 120 Northern Blvd. 516-482-1919 Excludes Repairs, Re nishing, Rewiring. Exp. 8/31/2014 CUTLER’S LIGHTING CUTLER’S LIGHTING The Sanctuary at Mount Lebanon The only Indoor Jewish Community Mausoleum In New York’s Five Boroughs Special Prices and Choice Locations in the All New Building for a limited time • Single & Companion Gravesites • Family Plots • Niche Space for Cremated Remains Affordable Payment Plans • Credit Cards Accepted A Not-For Profi t Cemetery serving the Jewish Community since 1914 7800 Myrtle Ave • Glendale, Queens, NY 11385 718-821-0200 • www.MountLebanonCemetery.com
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