During the summer I discovered a lovely local company that makes the most delicious range of Chimichurri sauces.

What is Chimichuri you might be asking? Well, according to Wikipedia: Chimichurri is an uncooked sauce used as an ingredient in cooking and as a table condiment for grilled meat. Found originally in Argentina and used in Argentinian, Uruguayan, Paraguayan and Brazilian cuisines, it has become widely adopted in most of Latin America. The sauce comes in green and red varieties.  

So it seems logical that a local company producing Chimichurri would have Argentinian roots…and CHIMMY’S Chimichurri certainly has that. Founders Sofia and Diego Cardoso were born in Buenos Aires but now, luckily for us here in the UK, have settled in Brentford.

Diego’s background is as a chef who’s worked in a number of Michelin-starred establishments under such esteemed names as Gordon Ramsay and Angela Hartnett.

How it all Started

Having made quite a few batches of chimichurri at home for friends when entertaining,  he and Sofia decided to take the plunge and start producing it as a business. 

It was actually down to some good friends getting married, who asked the couple to bring supplies of their sauce to the wedding BBQ as a wedding present.  Huge critical acclaim from the guests persuaded Sofia and Diego to launch CHIMMY’S. 

It took a few years before Sofia could step away from her full time job with a furniture company and concentrate solely on CHIMMY’S, but in just over a year, the company has gone from strength to strength – and having tasted the sauces, I’m not at all surprised.  

The Sauces

The CHIMMY’S recipe is Diego’s,  and draws on his Argentinian heritage, his stellar chef credentials and understanding of British and European palates. 

The result is a rich, russet coloured sauce made from an all-natural blend of dried herbs and spices, combined with red pepper, tomato and paprika.  Less oil is used than is usual for chimichurri, so CHIMMY’S contains less fat and fewer calories, which appeals to European tastes. 

CHIMMY’S sauces are free from preservatives, additives, flavourings or colourings, as well as all 14 allergens, and are vegan friendly.  The range comprises: Classic chimichurri (an everyday sauce to give your dishes an extra kick) Smoky BBQ (smokey and rich with a little bit of sweetness at the end) and  Spicy (with extra heat to tickle the taste buds). 

Numerous Applications of these Versatile Sauces

The sauces can, of course, be used in addition to, or instead of ketchup, but they have a host of other applications.  I’ve used them as dips, for marinades and as an ingredient in salad dressings, casseroles and all manner of other dishes.   Try drizzling some on top of a tub of hummus – it takes it to another level.

And even though the BBQ season has drawn to a close, I’m finding that I reach for one of them whenever I want to add that extra ‘zing’ to a dish.   

Where to Buy

CHIMMY’S sauces retail for around £5.45 and can be found online at Ocado or www.chimmys.com, and on shelf in Selfridges, Hilliers Garden Centres  and independent stores nationwide.