IT STARTED WITH CHILLIES.

The Chilli Company has already had several lives. That's exactly why it makes sense as the name for the next one.

2001 — An idea gets out of hand

What began as a hobby growing chillies became a commercial venture, products and a growing obsession with food and flavour.

2005 — The Suffolk chapter

After travelling through Mexico, Texas and New Mexico, Adrian and Denise found an old nursery in Suffolk with a centuries-old barn. The greenhouses and polytunnels came back to life, thousands of chilli plants were grown, and the barn became a Mexican restaurant. The move and conversion were filmed for Channel 5's Build a New Life in the Country.

Firecracker Grill, smokehouse & burgers

The restaurant evolved. Mexican food gave way to a more casual smokehouse and gourmet-burger chapter — brisket, pulled pork, ribs, smoke and fire. The point was never just chillies. It was always ideas, food, people and trying things.

Now — A different horizon

We've moved to the Essex coast for a different pace of life. Adrian is finishing the dream garden. We're travelling. We're filming it. Society Supply Co. gives the world a merchandise arm. And The Chilli Company becomes the umbrella for the lot.

Different chapter. Same spirit.