Meet Chris Busone | Head Chef/Owner of Captain Cooks Food

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Busone and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
Feeding people. You would think that eating would go along with that, but to be honest I enjoy feeding people so much more. I love the idea that I can create something that people can connect over. Something that can stop a conversation as peoples’ eyes widen and they breathe through their noses. Food is a universal language and common bridge we can all cross from any side. Being able to have a part in creating that bridge? There’s literally nothing better.

What should our readers know about your business?
Captain Cooks Food is a NY-based food company that produces Hot sauce, spice rubs and hot honey. We also offer spice and sauce consulting for brands, custom hot sauce work, drop-off catering, and event hosting!

What sets me apart is that I am very open about my progression into the world of food. I am not one of these influencers who are pretending to be a chef, I have been very open that I was a home cook and I am still to this day slowly integrating myself into this world. When that happens, I think it creates a trust between you and your followers or customers. Like being on the square with everyone, on the level. It’s because of that level of trust and honesty that I have no hesitation to make nonstop BDSM jokes and references in relation to food, as well as trying to make every human in the world comfortable with the word “Daddy”.

What makes my HOT SAUCE unique is the additional and combination of coffee! My sauce is a combination of Tropical flavor, coffee and habaneros. This provides what I call sweet heat. And because I hand-pick every pepper used, the quality has never been compromised, AND I have gotten people who never like traditional hot sauce to add more spice in their life.

My brand has gotten to where it is BECAUSE of that trust I built with my followers. Over 85% of my sales online are from people who have been following me. I have taken people along on this and I think I have connected with a lot of people in a special way. Not because there’s anything particularly special about me, but because connecting over food is one of the greatest things we’ve come up with as humans.
I am a firm believer that food can build bridges, break language barriers, cross over from culture to culture. It’s one of the very few things we share as humans. But there’s all this opportunity to be singular and unique and creative. Food is universal but also personal. It’s such a unique thing that I always try and emphasize to people.

Getting to where I am was not easy, not at all. Mainly because trying to build a brand or have a side business gets the resistance increased when you are also balancing a full-time job, a family, marriage, friendships, etc.

Now this does not mean those people have anything to do with slowing down the business. Actually, the opposite. They are usually the ones supporting you. It’s YOU that has to try and keep those special relationships alive. I think a good way to keep yourself apprised of the right moments to slow down is key. For me, that would be thanks to my wife. She has been here for all of it, and she is the one who will tell me when to power down and re-focus. Or when to take a small break from something. She is also the person that is with me up late helping, at the kitchen if I need her, selling with me at the farmer’s market. Overcoming resistance in progression can be easily helped with something very simple: love & support. Don’t be afraid to let people in and let people help.

I think in the last few years, I have progressed a little more because I have learned to never be hesitant to collaborate with people, even if it’s a business that has nothing to do with yours at all. You never know who can introduce you to the right person, or business practices you can adopt, strategic lessons you can learn. You and your company can always grow.

My brand is there to show people that there are NOT just a few ways to get into the food industry and you can do it in the time and the way that best suits you. I was able to slowly progress in. It wasn’t like “BE A LINE COOK OR GO FALL IN A HOLE” like some would have you believe.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well if I had a friend visiting me and they wanted to see the city, considering that NYC is NYC, I would not bring them to all the touristy attractions and the Empire State Building, etc. I am more interested in showing people how diverse NY is, not just in the state but even in the boroughs themselves. I want to show people first the electricity and speed of midtown and the mere volume it can resonate. Because then within an hour on a subway, we could be in Park Slope, an area of Brooklyn that gets quiet enough to hear the wind actually blowing through these beautiful trees that line streets with amazing brownstones.

The best part of NY, whether in the city or closer to where I live (about an hour north of NYC) is that there is good food everywhere you go. I would say out of this entire week trip, starting with a day in the city, then going north. Each day would be a one food place I wanted to show them, one activity and one home cooked meal. If it was really my best friend, that would also be their dream vacation as well,.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
If we are talking professional inspiration? I would say it’s a combo of Action Bronson, Anthony Bourdain, David Chang and Matty Matheson. All pros who showed me why food is important in so many different ways.

Personally? My wife. She is my best friend and she is the sole individual who has helped and encouraged me and kept me on track with this for years, all while being okay with me spending less time with her because of it. She’s literally amazing.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/captaincooksfood

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/captain-cooks-food

Twitter: @captaincookfood

Facebook: www.facebook.com/captaincooksfood

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpeMPUxyql9EhIqDfd4DqEg

Other: To buy hot sauce/spice rub: https://www.etsy.com/listing/821448158/tropical-coffee-habanero-hot-sauce?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=captain+cook&ref=sr_gallery-1-3

Image Credits
The main photo I sent (me slicing a tomato) and the photo of me feeding the man with dreadlocks Photo Credit: Lindsay Chapin – @lindsaychapinphoto