Just like Cicely Tyson in “Fried Green Tomatoes,” Nicholas Kingston knows the secret’s in the sauce.
For ages, his co-workers at Vulcan Materials in Grand Rivers, his neighbors in Trigg County, and his family have been the test dummies for his recipes.
Now, the Caldwell County native has turned passions into a public pursuit — releasing his ketchup-based goodness in grocery stores and outlets in south western Kentucky.
According to him, it all started about seven years ago following a weeks-on-end work trip to Memphis — one of the barbecue capitals of the United States.
From there, Kingston said he took to YouTube and started fiddling around with combinations in his kitchen — first crafting a mild flavor with the following profile: tomato puree, corn sweetener, vinegar, salt, dehydrated onions, seasoned salts, flavored soda, honey, distilled vinegar, yellow mustard, brown sugar, water, corn starch and more.
When that took hold, he started putting other ingredients in, and they have become beloved backbones of new sauces: raspberry chipotle, habanero, ghost pepper, jalapeno.
And, most recently, a “sweet heat.” It’s the most exploratory of his creations, with molasses, coriander, Worcestershire, teriyaki, cayenne, and other neat caches.
Kingston kept the names to himself, but he said family, friends and barbecue professionals have quietly reached out, returned answers to questions and encouraged him slowly, but surely, throughout this journey — urging him to mass produce his concoctions.
And he’d like to pass on their inspirations.
Following some research, Kingston said he went with bottling and manufacturing through Bluegrass Superior Foods in Louisville.
It was announced Tuesday that “mild” and “ghost pepper” sauces can be found at Hancock’s Neighborhood Market in Cadiz, and over the last few weeks it’s been picked up by Hampton Meats in Hopkinsville, Off the Hoof in Murray, Newsom’s Old Mill Store in Princeton, Village Market in Grand Rivers and Akridge Farm Supply in Eddyville.
And, who knows, maybe he will be at upcoming Trigg County Country Ham Festivals.
But getting that first sealed case, he said, was life-changing.
A Kentucky Proud product, Kingston added new flavors could be available and for sale at a later date. And, of course, those closest to him are going to know first-hand what’s next hitting the shelves.
Also working on his own meats, he’s up to four smokers now — none of which, he said, are taking up room in the house.
For more information about the product, visit “Kingston’s Select” on Facebook.
