Mike and Janet thoughtfully curated a collection of their most beloved spices and blends over decades of cooking, traveling, and sharing flavor with others. Each jar reflects not just what they love, but how they’ve lived—with curiosity, intention, and a deep appreciation for the role food plays in bringing people together.

With more than twenty years spent helping both new and longtime customers discover their perfect flavors, they’ve learned something simple: great cooking starts with ingredients you trust and flavors that inspire you to keep exploring.

Their Founders’ Favorites collection is a reflection of that philosophy. Consider it an invitation into their kitchen, their travels, and the moments that shaped Savory Spice from the very beginning.

A Journey of Flavor: From Travel to the Table

For Mike and Janet, inspiration has always come from experience.

Some flavors trace back to childhood. Growing up in Chicago, Mike remembers the unmistakable sound of a street vendor’s bell and the excitement of tracking it down for elotes—Mexican street corn layered with chili, lime, and rich, savory toppings. Today, that memory lives on in our Mexican Street Corn Seasoning, capturing that same bright, craveable flavor in a way that can be enjoyed anywhere.

Other favorites come from years of travel. Their time spent in Jamaica didn’t just influence their cooking, it became part of their story. Jerk chicken was even served at their wedding, and it remains a staple at home, whether they’re using Jamaican Jerk Seasoning or opting for the more herb-forward Caribbean Green Jerk Seasoning when they want something a little milder.

And sometimes, inspiration comes from closer to home. Wash Park Garlic Pepper, named after the Denver neighborhood where they first lived, reflects both a place and a feeling: simple meals made better. Whether it’s potatoes, vegetables, or a homemade veggie burger.

Each blend is rooted in a real experience, thoughtfully translated into something you can bring into your own kitchen.

The Heart of Savory Spice

This collection reflects what Savory Spice has always stood for: authentic, time-tested seasonings alongside comforting blends rooted in tradition.

Some of Mike and Janet’s favorites are bold and globally inspired. Harissa Spice Mix brings North African heat and depth, while Za’atar fills the kitchen with the unmistakable aroma of toasted sesame and herbs. Chinese Five Spice offers versatility that stretches from savory dishes to baked goods, showing just how far a single blend can go.

Others are grounded in everyday cooking and are flavors they reach for without thinking.

Blends like Cuban Island Spice are used so often they rarely make it back into the drawer, while staples like Ground Cumin Seeds and Hungarian Paprika form the backbone of dishes that span cultures and cuisines.

And then there are the quiet but impactful essentials—Onion & Garlic Everyday Seasoning and Salt & Pepper Tableside Seasoning—the kinds of blends that don’t demand attention, but make everything better.

Together, these selections represent the balance at the core of Savory Spice: exploration and familiarity, boldness and comfort, discovery and tradition.

Cooking from the Collection

If the Founders’ Favorites collection tells the story of where these flavors come from, the recipes Mike and Janet make at home are where those stories continue.

These aren’t one-off dishes or special occasion experiments. They’re the meals that show up again and again. The ones built around trusted blends, simple techniques, and the kind of confidence that comes from knowing exactly how a flavor will perform.

One perfect example is their go-to Mt. Olympus Spiced Tzatziki Sauce. Made with Mt. Olympus Greek Seasoning, this isn’t just a side sauce, it’s a staple in their kitchen. Thick, creamy yogurt gets folded together with cucumber, olive oil, and a generous spoonful of seasoning, where garlic, herbs, and bright citrus notes come together in a way that feels both bold and balanced.

At home, they’ll pair it with lamb meatballs or grilled chicken, spread it onto warm flatbread, or serve it alongside a simple Mediterranean spread. It’s equally at home as part of a larger meal or as something you pull together quickly when guests drop by.

Weeknight Ease, Weekend Worthy

While many of these favorites are rooted in travel and tradition, they’re just as much about everyday life.

Mike and Janet cook the way many of us do—balancing busy weeknights with moments of creativity and connection. That’s why so many of their favorites are as practical as they are flavorful.

Their Huli Huli Chicken is a perfect example: a balance of sweet and tangy flavors that transforms into a glossy, satisfying glaze with minimal effort. It’s the kind of meal they return to when they want something easy that still feels special.

The same goes for their Spice & Easy meal starters, like Sweet Jerk Sloppy Joes or Taco Soup, which they’ve been known to pack for camping trips or travel. These are blends designed not just for convenience, but for consistency and delivering dependable flavor wherever you are.

One of the most meaningful parts of this collection is how it reflects the way Mike and Janet cook together.

Their tastes don’t always match! Mike often leans toward bold heat, while Janet prefers a more balanced approach. But that's the dynamic is part of what makes their cooking work. Blends like Kung Pao Chicken can be adjusted at the table, allowing each dish to flex depending on who’s eating.

Because at its core, this collection isn’t about complexity. It’s about making great food more approachable, more repeatable, and more enjoyable.

Designed for the Way You Cook Today

As much as this collection is rooted in history and tradition, it’s also designed for the modern kitchen.

Our updated packaging makes it easier than ever to enjoy these favorites every day. Recyclable aluminum lids and recycled bags help reduce waste, while peek-through windows and lid-top labels make it simple to find exactly what you need—whether you’re reaching for a weeknight staple or experimenting with something new.

It’s a cleaner, more elevated look that reflects the quality inside each jar, and makes keeping your favorite flavors close at hand even more effortless.

More Than a Collection

The Founders’ Favorites collection is more than a group of bestsellers. It’s a reflection of the trust, quality, and spirit of flavor adventure that Mike and Janet have championed since the beginning.

Every jar tells a story of a place, a meal, a memory, or a moment worth repeating.

And whether you’re discovering these flavors for the first time or returning to ones you already love, there’s something here for everyone.

Because in the end, these aren’t just their favorites.

They’re the flavors that built Savory Spice, and the ones that continue to bring people back to the table.