Our Story
Pueblo Chili Co. sprang to life in 2013 amidst the vibrant creativity of Vancouver's graphic design scene. Founder Raquel Vigueras, fueled by her passion for spicy flavours and artistic flair, embarked on a journey that would ignite a fiery obsession with hot sauce.
During her days at Vancouver's College of Art + Design (VCAD), Raquel dove headfirst into a semester-long challenge: crafting a brand from scratch to tackle a design problem. Inspired by her love for heat, she chose the hot sauce industry. From conceptual sketches to eye-catching packaging and savvy marketing strategies, Raquel brought her vision to sizzling life. The thrill of creating something so bold and flavourful was intoxicating.
After earning her graphic design diploma, Raquel found herself in Regina, Saskatchewan, where thoughts of turning her hot sauce dream into reality simmered constantly. It took five blazing years of planning and preparation, but Raquel finally took the leap.
In 2019, inspiration struck at a casual dinner party with friends. Faced with the dilemma of what to serve alongside appetizers, Raquel improvised with ingredients from her fridge and whipped up a homemade hot sauce that stole the show. The rave reviews were unanimous, prompting her to invest in a Vitamix blender the very next day. Thus began her quest: hours of meticulous research, perfecting recipes, and mastering food-safe techniques.
Raquel's father, Claudio Vigueras Zanetta, arrived in Canada in the mid-1970s as a refugee from Chile, fleeing the aftermath of a US-backed coup d’état on September 11, 1973. He endured time in a concentration camp before finding refuge in Argentina and eventually making a new home in Canada as a political refugee.
The heart of Pueblo Chili Co. beats with the rhythm of history and heritage. Raquel holds dear the song "El pueblo unido jamás será vencido" from the Chilean New Song movement. Released in 1973 by Quilapayún, it became an anthem of solidarity during the reign of Chile's popular unity government and later symbolized resistance against the Pinochet regime.
Music is deeply ingrained in Chilean culture and politics, resonating profoundly with the Vigueras family. It was only natural to name the business in honour of something that unites people in the fight for social justice.
Pueblo Chili Co. hot sauce pays tribute to the resilience of Chileans worldwide affected by the events of 1973, especially Raquel's hero: her father, who at the start of Pueblo, would smoke all of her salts, peaches, and jalapeños.
Our Team
Raquel Vigueras
Raquel's journey began in Swift Current, SK, where her passion for graphic design and web development ignited at a young age. From dawn until midnight every weekend, you could find her immersed in Photoshop and coding websites—those early days of Geocities and Diaryland were just the beginning of her digital adventures.
After high school, Raquel spent six transformative months in Chile, absorbing the wisdom and stories of her grandparents. This profound experience fuelled her curiosity about the world and set the stage for her future endeavours.
She pursued her academic interests at the University of Saskatchewan, earning a BA in Political Studies before following her creative calling to Coquitlam, BC. There, she honed her design skills at the Vancouver College of Art & Design, setting the stage for her career in visual storytelling.
Raquel's professional path led her to Regina, SK, where she made her mark in UI/UX design and marketing roles before embarking on the entrepreneurial journey with Pueblo Chili Co.
Outside of her entrepreneurial pursuits, Raquel finds solace and joy in the kitchen, experimenting with flavors from around the globe. Whether crafting recipes for Pueblo Chili Co. or exploring her personal culinary passions—French, Mexican, Chilean, Korean—cooking remains a constant source of inspiration and delight.
Even today, Raquel continues to share her design talents with clients on a freelance basis. Explore her portfolio at www.raquelvigueras.com to see her creativity in action.
Tyler Almassy
Meet Tyler, Raquel's partner in crime. You'll often spot him by her side at markets, hustling on hot sauce deliveries, expertly shrink-wrapping and labeling bottles, and providing unwavering moral support—he's indispensable to the daily operations of Pueblo!
By day, Tyler is a dedicated electrician, but come the weekend and evenings, he seamlessly transitions into his role as a hot sauce slinger extraordinaire.
During his downtime, Tyler's energy is boundless. Whether he's hitting the gym, tending to their yard with meticulous care, strategizing in Warzone battles, or playfully teasing their beloved black cat, Gwen, Tyler's zest for life shines through in everything he does.
Linda Vigueras
Raquel's mom has been a pivotal figure in Pueblo Chili Co. since its inception. With a background as a home chef and a revered adult-ed math and science teacher before retirement, she's known for her culinary prowess and impactful teaching style. Outside of her career, you'll find her alongside Raquel at markets, where her warm presence and engaging personality resonate with customers. Her vibrant life includes line dancing, competitive pickleball matches, and creating culinary masterpieces at the family cabin. She stays connected through Facetime with loved ones and enjoys strategic word games, embodying a zest for life that enriches both Pueblo Chili Co. and her leisure pursuits.