Chilli Hills was launched as a brand in early 2014. We operate as a boutique farm growing rare peppers from around the world. Within a few hours after picking, they are processed and preserved in the form of hot sauces, pastes, marinades and many other diverse products.
The main goal of Chilli Hills is to contribute to the development of spice culture in Bulgaria while also putting Bulgarian chilli culture on the world map.
Our ‘Balkan Hot Sauce’ range represents the first craft hot sauce in Bulgaria, and includes what is officially the hottest product in the country!
ALL PRODUCTS OF THE BRAND ARE 100% NATURAL, WITHOUT CONSERVATIVES, COLOURS OR THICKENERS.
‘Seed to bottle’ is our brand’s mantra, meaning we control the entire production cycle from planting over 50 types of hot peppers to growing, processing, packaging and marketing. We currently have in excess of 40 product lines and collaborations with other craft food producers, all featuring our own all-natural farmed chillies.
LOCATIONS
Today Chilli Hills now has four standalone stores in Sofia, Varna, Burgas and Plovdiv, is available in 500 supermarkets, restaurants and delicatessens throughout Bulgaria and exported to 13 different countries. In 2019 we partnered in our first international outlet in Vilnius, Lithuania. Our mission is to re-popularise the forgotten domestic ‘Bulgarian Carrot’ chilli pepper! With our close attention to product quality and having established our own boutique style, Chilli Hills has become a quality hallmark and leads the hot produce market in Bulgaria. Chilli Hills has won numerous gold medals and awards at international food and beverage exhibitions.
2013
Plant our first acre of hot peppers in the village of Kokalyane, thereby establishing the first hot pepper farm in Bulgaria. The birth of an idea to create a business model.
2014
Creation of the name Chilli Hills and the beginning of experiments with hot sauce recipes. Registration of Chilli Hills Foods Ltd. Establishment of Street Kitchen – our gourmet spicy mobile kitchen and foodtrucks.
2015
Official launch of the first line of hot sauces under the brand Chilli Hills, which are officially the first Bulgarian hot sauces. Release of the first 100 units of hot sauces for sale. Establishment of an improvised workshop in the garage of the farm.
2016
Widening of product range, development of new recipes. Transferal of production to a licensed workshop in Boyana.
2017
Acquisition of investment by Smart Organic AD and launch of national distribution. Expansion of hot pepper cultivation to 20 acres in the verdant central plains of Bulgaria Product range now exceeds 20 different lines. Begin exporting to 4 countries in Europe.
2018
Two gold medals at the Interfood & Drink 2018 exhibition for Bulgarian Carrot hot sauce and Habanero Jam hot pepper jam. Increasing the range of products to over 35. Establishment of the first standalone store in Sofia, which is also the first specialist store for spicy products in Bulgaria. Presence in over 200 stores and chains across the country.
2019
First franchise store opens in Kapana / Plovdiv. Four gold medals at the Interfood & Drink 2019 exhibition. Winner of the “Big Little” competition and a prize of BGN 10,000 Export products to 8 countries in Europe and via Amazon. Presence in over 350 stores and chains across the country, including Fantastico, Billa and Kaufland.
2020
Investment and increase of warehouses for online store. Development of new products and launch of over 45 different products on the market. Launch our own YouTube channel. Opening of a franchise store in Vilnius, Lithuania – our first bricks and mortar franchise beyond Bulgaria.
2021
Bulgaria’s Favourite Brand Award from ‘My Love Marks’ 2021. Best Package Award for a product from the Prize Pack Awards `21. Opening a franchise store in Varna. Opening a franchise store in Burgas. Increase the range to 55 own products
2022
Increase of the areas in the farm for hot peppers with 10 acres of glass greenhouse. Relocation of production and storage facilities and investment in machinery and equipment. Opening of a second store of a new generation in Sofia. Launch two further Street Kitchen mobile catering trucks. Exports to 13 European countries.
