mexican salsa with alma & andres
Interview with Andrés and Alma, Founders of Salseria.HK
Andrés and Alma met at University in Mexico, and now, 9 years later, these best friends have founded Salseria.HK bringing the best of Mexican flavours to Asia!
I have had the pleasure of both their company and their food many times and am so thankful for it.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
Andrés: When I was really young, I wanted to be a pilot. But when I turned 13, I found summer cooking camp (in the same university that I studied) so in that revelatory moment, my vision of the kitchen - and of my future - changed.
Alma: As a child I wanted to be everything, everyday I would change my mind. In high school I thought about becoming a designer, but then I found out how big the hospitality industry is, so I reconnected with my passion of sharing food, drinks, and good meal times with other people.
What made you want to start this business – the idea of salsa, or the desire to have your own business?
Both! We have always imagined having our own business, and what better to do it with than something that we love so much, good food and spicy sauce.
What was the inspiration behind your brand?
Every culture has their own sauce. Some are sweet, some spicy - but always a complement to make a dish taste better. We love adding salsa and spices to our food, so we came up with the idea of using Mexican ingredients and techniques that we know from home, combined with the flavours of our trips and journeys.
Do you have a big vision for Salseria, or are you taking it one day at a time?
Yes, we love dreaming big and every time we have a meeting we have lots of ideas and so many things that we want to do! Fingers crossed we can expand the salsa business around Asia.
How long in the making has this been?
Very long! When we first came to Hong Kong, we realised that it was a great place to share our food and cooking. Things came up and got in the way as they do, but finally in April 2021, we launched Salseria.HK!
What has been your biggest challenge in your business journey so far, and how are you coping with it?
The first thing was to having the courage to just do it.
The second one is finding balance between our full time jobs, social life and entrepreneurial dreams.
Any advice for people wanting to start their own business?
Go for it and do it!
We spend so much time thinking about the what and the how, or in trying to making everything perfect, when the reality is that you just have to start doing, learning and implementing.
Have you found Hong Kong a good place to start your business?
Yes! You can find so many entrepreneurs here that are willing to share their experience and advise you. And people in HK are very open to trying new products and experiences, it’s a great city for that.
Where is home for you?
Andrés: Hong Kong is home. I started my independent life here, my partner is here and also my business partner - my ‘sister’ - so I will say Hong Kong is home. [Edit: Dec 2022 - Andres is now in Australia]
Alma: I was born and grew up in Mexico, I have so much love for my country and it will always be home. But I’m also really fortunate to call Hong Kong my home, I have family, good friends and my business here. [Edit: Dec 2022 - Alma is now traveling]
What do you miss most about your birth country?
Andrés: Being able to spend quality time with my family and friends. Sometimes the food too.
Alma: Definitely my parents, my brother and family. I also miss traveling around Mexico, it is a country place full of magic, history and traditions.
What inspires you when you’re in a creative rut?
Andrés: Mexican culture, flavours, colours, and the versatility to mix cultures. For Salseria, I want to make flavours and show people how salsa can be matched to many foods, not just Mexican food. So people should not be afraid to experiment using our sauces in many different meals!
Alma: For me, sharing my cooking with people and hearing their opinion always opens an opportunity for change or growth. Once I feel creative or have an idea, I cook it other others.
What energises you?
Andrés: Sharing food culture, and seeing how people are interested in learning more about México makes me feel happy that something I love can be spread around and more people can know more about Mexico!
Alma: Moving, hiking or dancing.
What do you love most about Home Kong?
Andrés: I love the easy way you can make and meet friends. It is a multicultural city that I find quite interesting, it is also about sharing cultures. Also Hong Kong has been so generous with me since I arrived, it is a city that has it all - good food, nice hiking, beautiful beaches, amazing views and all of it is really close to your front door.
Alma: I love Hong Kong’s duality, you can be in the middle of the city but if you take a taxi, within 30 mins from anywhere you are in a beautiful remote hiking trail. Hiking has changed my life over the past 18 months and Hong Kong is a beautiful place to do it.
How are you finding balancing your day job with your side hustle? Do you want to make the full transition one day from day job to Salseria?
Andrés: It has been sometimes hard, as Alma and I have completely different schedules, but we are working on that to make it smooth. Dividing tasks so that we can manage both our current full time jobs and Salseria.HK duties makes it easier to balance.
Alma: We would love to move full time onto Salseria.HK and not only expand the salsa business, but we would love to continue sharing our culture via our cooking workshops and taco experiences.
