A STREFORD entrepreneur’s range of spicy condiments proved to be hot property, after scooping a prestigious gold star in the Great Taste Awards 2015.

Howard Carter began making pots of spicy treats as presents for his family a few years ago.

Now, the 33-year-old’s Smokey Carter artisan sauce and spice rub range can be found in top delicatessens across Manchester.

“It started off with my chilli jam one Christmas,” explained Howard. “I wanted to do them something homemade.

“It’s always something I’ve enjoyed doing. I liked barbequing and I make my own spice mixes which people enjoyed.

“It grew and grew by word of mouth and I began selling online and doing farmers markets around Manchester.”

The Smokey Carter product range now includes 15 different BBQ spice rubs with influences from around the world and 11 different sauces.

They’re stocked in various stores Including Cheshire Smokehouse in Wilmslow, Taste of Honey Deli in West Didsbury and Backs Deli in Heaton Moor.

The Smokey Carter, which Howard runs with wife, Samantha, 34, have also created a full gift range with exclusive products for notonthehighstreet.com

The couple have utilised their skills getting the family business off the ground – Samantha’s production company work led her to design the whole website Smokey Carter website herself, while Howard’s photography and media background helped when designing labels and producing attractive shots of their products.

“It’s not enough to give up my job just yet, but hopefully one day I can do it full time,” added Howard.

The company earned their Great Taste Award gold star for their Scotch Bonnet Hot Sauce.

Find it and other products at thesmokeycarter.com