My Weekend: 'Sunday night is usually a chill night'

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work?

I am Ken Wade, hot sauce addict turned creator. I am a Cork native from Grange, Douglas, living in Glanmire, with a degree in Food Technology and a Master’s in Food Science & Technology.

I have 18 years of experience in the food and beverage industry — including seven years formulating energy drinks in New Zealand. I returned home to Ireland to work in Research & Development before turning my culinary creativity toward launching BRAZEN Chilli. I was inspired by the popular YouTube series Hot Onesand I first crafted my range of sauces for a tasting challenge with my three brothers.

What started as a family experiment soon gained traction at local farmers’ markets in Crosshaven, Mahon Point, and Douglas. Pretty soon into starting the business I got my wife Martina on board whom I have appointed Marketing, Sales and Finance director. Martina is from Glenamaddy in Co Galway. We met on our travels in New Zealand and we have two boys.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

Friday night is movie night in my house, making homemade pizza with a Murphys in hand.

Lie-ins or up with the lark?

Lie-ins all the way

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Weekend work is important for us, especially this time of the year. But when you work from home, it allows for a good balance.

If money was no object, where would you head for a weekend city break? And who would you bring?

Cork city of course, as a local, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

Closer to home, is there somewhere you go to recharge?

Love the Dock Beach in Kinsale as a place to go to dust off the cobwebs, winter or summer.

Do you get to indulge in any hobbies?

I enjoy golf, spectating mainly at the moment. But I’ll be spending my retirement on the golf course.

Entertain or be entertained?

I am definitely an entertainer. I make a good pizza and butter chicken curry.

Where are your favourite places to eat out in Cork?

The Barn or The Brook Inn are our local go-to spots for dinner.

How does your Sunday night usually look?

Sunday night is usually chill night and plan for the week.

What time does your alarm go off on Monday?

We are all up at 7am Monday morning for school. I am chief porridge maker.

Anything else you’re up to right now?

Hoping to bring our products to a wider audience in 2026.