From a cherished family recipe to a multi-award-winning sauce brand, Chimi Love is more than just condiments, it’s culture, community, and connection in a jar. Karen, Founder of Chimi Love shares her journey from Colombia to the UK, how food became her form of expression, and why her bold, joyful brand is rooted in authenticity, resilience, and giving back.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what inspired you to start Chimi Love?
I am a Colombian entrepreneur and passionate eco-warrior who has successfully brought together my love for food, fashion and community within the UK Market. Drawing on my cultural roots, I transformed a family recipe into a signature product of our brand, a move that earned a 3-star Great Taste Award for our sauces.
With over 23 years of experience across the hospitality and fashion sectors, I have led teams managed operations, and driven strategic growth in diverse business environments. My expertise spans sales, customer service, business strategy, trend analysis, vendor management, and leadership. I'm especially skilled at building meaningful partnerships and turning ideas into thriving ventures.
What Inspired me to start Chimi Love?
We founded Chimi Love in 2020 when we discovered a gap in the market for South American food. Chimi Love was our way of transforming our dishes with unique combinations of flavours, adding a nice kick to our meals, living healthier lives, creating communities and looking after our planet.
We have built a fun and passionate family business with a great mix of Jacques' passion for food, outdoor cooking from growing up in South Africa, and my love for bringing people together sharing the love for food and fiesta as only South Americans can.
What was your first connection to food as a form of expression or comfort?
My connection to food started early in South America, meals are about way more than just easting. They're how we connect, share stories, and express love. I've always been drawn to that.
Working in hospitality showed me how powerful food can be in creating experiences. Even in fashion, I saw the same idea using creativity to tell a story. Starting our sauce brand was a way to bring all that together and share a piece of my culture in a way that feels personal and expressive.
How has your personal journey influenced the heart of the brand?
I'm resilient, fearless, and always stay positive in everything I do. I've loved the planet and my community for as long as I can remember, and that love is what inspired the name Chimi Love. It's not just a brand, it's a reflection of my passion for food, wellness, and connection.
Since I was a child, I've been fascinated by food, not just how it tastes, but how it can heal, bring people together, and nourish both body and soul. I've always believed our body and mind are our temple, and that belief drives everything we create at Chimi Love. From our ingredients to our mission, everything is rooted in love, for ourselves, for each other, and for the earth.
What's one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
I really enjoy stepping out of my comfort zone. I love challenges, I like waking up at 4am, doing an hour of meditation, and taking cold showers. I find pushing myself this way helps me grown and stay focused.
What does Chimi Love mean to you beyond the sauce?
It's all about spending time with friends and family, cooking at home, and sharing good food together. It's also about helping the community see how important it is to have healthy food in our diets. It's more than just the sauce; it's the love and care behind it that really matters.
What values are most important to your brand, and how do they show up in your day-to-day?
At the core of our brand are three fundamental values: authenticity, diversity, and health. These principles guide every decision we make and shape how we connect with our community every day.
- Authenticity: We keep it real and honest with everyone, customers, partners, and our team. Being true to ourselves helps us build trust and strong connections.
- Diversity: We value all kinds of backgrounds and ideas. Everyone's voice matters, and we make sure our products and culture reflect that.
- Health: Wellness is key. We create products that support healthy choices and keep a balanced, positive vibe at work for everyone.
Your branding and packaging are so joyful how do you approach aesthetics and identity in your products?
Our branding and packaging are all about the lively, joyful spirit of South America. We draw inspiration from the bright colours of nature.
But it's not just about nature, it's about the happy people too! Our designs celebrate the energy and smiles of the community we come from. Using bold, cheerful colours and fun, we want every product to feel like a little burst of happiness.
At the end of the day, it's all about spreading good vibes, celebrating nature, and sharing the bright, joyful spirit that makes our brand truly special.
Can you share a favourite memory that embodies the spirit of Chimi Love?
One of my favourite memories is from the very beginning of our journey. My husband Jacques and I were in our kitchen, making chimichurri late into the night after receiving an order of 80 gift boxes for Christmas. I was wearing my daughter Amber's swimming goggles while chopping onions until 2am. It was chaotic, exhausting, but an incredibly joyful moment, full of love, dedication, and a shared dream coming to life that started at home.
You're passionate about giving back can you tell us about your work with Just One Tree and supporting women through life transitions?
I'm deeply passionate about giving back, and my purpose in life is to work closely with communities and contribute positively to our planet. I truly believe that it's not about how much you contribute, but about how much you care. From the very beginning of this journey, we partnered with Just One Tree, an incredible organisation that has already planted nearly 5 million trees! They're also committed to cleaning our oceans by growing kelp, which helps restore marine ecosystems.
I will be mentoring young women and girls aged 14 to 25, helping them find their voice and step confidently into their dreams. I focus on building resilience and self-belief so they can overcome challenges and embrace their full potential. It's incredibly rewarding to support them on their journey toward becoming string, empowered individuals.
How do you weave resilience and purpose into the story of your brand?
Resilience and purpose are at the heart of our brand's story. Our brand isn't just about products or services; it's about creating a lasting impact and empowering people to rise above challenges. Resilience shows up in how we approach every obstacle as an opportunity to learn and grown, both personally and collectively. Purpose drives everything we do, guiding us to stay aligned with values that prioritises community, sustainability, and empowerment.
What's your ideal way to enjoy Chimi Love at home? Cosy night in or full table of guests? Summer BBQ?
That's exactly how our brand started, entertaining loved ones, cooking delicious food, and transforming meals with our chimichurris. In fact, we weren't allowed to host or go to friends' houses without bringing Chimi Love along!
How do you see food as part of creating a home atmosphere?
Food just makes a home feel cosy and inviting. It's the thing that gets everyone together, sparks good conversation, and makes moments feel special. Whether it's a quick dinner or a big hangout, sharing food always brings people together and helps create lasting memories.
What's your go-to hosting tip for people who want to make meals feel special but stress-free?
Pick a fun theme that excites you or your guests, then add small creative details to bring it to life. Creativity doesn't mean spending hours, think easy touches like a colourful tablecloth, fresh flowers, or a Chimi Love sauce that makes your meal pop. These little extras turn an ordinary meal into something memorable without the stress. It's all about making the experience feel thoughtful and special, not complicated.
What's next for Chimi Love?
There's a limited-edition sauce coming soon along with some exciting new formats to enjoy. Chimi Love is always innovating, so you can expect even more delicious flavours, fun collaborations popping up and some great outdoor cooking events.
How do you hope people feel when they experience your products?
I hope people feel excited and inspired when they experience Chimi Love products like they're discovering something fresh, healthy and full of personality that lifts their meals and mood. More than that, I want the, to feel confident and creative in the kitchen, knowing that a little jar of Chimi Love can transform a simple dish into something special and memorable.
It's all about bringing joy, flavour, and a bit of adventure to everyday moments.
Karen’s story is a vibrant reminder that food is more than fuel, it’s love, celebration, and a way to spark positive change in the world. Whether you’re discovering Chimi Love for the first time or already a fan of their flavour-packed sauces, we hope reading this article leaves you inspired to cook, connect, and create with a little more colour and heart. Big things are coming for Chimi Love, and we’ll be cheering them on every step of the way.
