James Nelson Joins Karma Sauce to Lead National Sales Expansion

Karma Sauce, the award-winning craft hot sauce manufacturer, has hired James Nelson as National Sales Leader. Nelson is a seasoned CPG entrepreneur, former reality TV chef, and founder of Bravado Spice Co., which he successfully scaled nationally, including three appearances on the hit series Hot Ones.

Nelson first rose to national prominence as a top-five finalist on Gordon Ramsay’s MasterChef Season 4. That appearance launched a decade-long career in the condiment industry, where he became known for pairing culinary credibility with compelling brand storytelling and a deep understanding of spice-driven flavor.

“I have been a tremendous fan of Karma Sauce and Gene Olczak since my earliest days in the business,” said Nelson. “They set the standard early on with a true farm-to-bottle approach and a commitment to flavor-first sauces that never compromise on heat or balance.”

“James brings what I’d call supernova energy alongside rare culinary depth and a genuine respect for handcrafted, locally rooted ingredients,” said Karma Sauce founder Gene Olczak. “Combined with his creativity and relationship-building instincts, he is uniquely equipped to amplify our story and continue differentiating Karma in a crowded CPG landscape.”

Over the past decade, Karma Sauce has developed dozens of popular sauces and spices while also serving as the formulation and manufacturing partner behind some of the world’s best-selling sauces, including the Hot Ones Los Calientes line for Heatonist. Gordon Ramsay praised Los Calientes Verde during Hot Ones Season 8, calling it “zesty” and “quite nice.”

For Nelson, the moment resonated deeply. “The second anyone tastes the Los Calientes line or Karma classics like Ghost Island or Cosmic Dumpling, they understand the level of care and intention behind every bottle,” he said.

“I couldn’t be more excited to step into this role as Karma’s national ambassador,” Nelson added. “To now be part of a brand I’ve admired for years feels both meaningful and full circle.”

ABOUT KARMA SAUCE

Former NASA JWST engineer Gene Olczak started Karma Sauce in his garage in 2010 and has grown the Rochester, NY–based company into a full-scale production and packaging powerhouse in the specialty sauce market. Karma Sauce is dedicated to crafting boldly flavorful sauces using the freshest ingredients, largely grown and harvested in New York’s Finger Lakes region. Karma’s award-winning, handmade sauces banish bland food and make good food great.

Karma Sauce has been featured on the YouTube series Hot Ones six times under the Karma brand, with dozens of additional appearances through the Los Calientes line. Karma Sauce products are available at boutique and specialty retailers nationwide, as well as Wegmans, Price Chopper / Market 32, H-E-B (February 2026), and select Whole Foods stores. For more information, visit karmasauce.com.

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Contact Information

Vince Press

Hot Takes Lead

Karma Sauce

(1) 585-797-7275

vince@karmasauce.com