New specialty food brand debuts with three hot sauces and hot honey, combining layered flavor, distinct heat profiles, and support for rhino conservation in South Africa
Columbia, SC, August 25, 2026 – Horn & Heat has officially launched its first specialty food line in the United States, led by three chef-crafted hot sauces and a complementary hot honey.
The initial lineup includes Rhino Doctor Reserve, Rhino Gold, Rhino Baby, and Rhino Nectar Hot Honey.
Horn & Heat was born in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province during the filming of the documentary Rhino Rescue: Battling Extinction in South Africa. While working on location, founders Fernando and Bri Coelho met wildlife veterinarian Dr. Liam Theuns Smit, known as The Rhino Doctor.
Dr. Smit oversees the health and care of more than 450 rhinos at Rockwood Conservation, a 33,000-acre reserve in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province. His work includes routine health checks and vaccinations, microchipping individual rhinos, treating injuries, assisting with the movement of animals across the property, and helping care for orphaned and vulnerable calves.
Away from his veterinary work, Smit had also been making hot sauce by hand using peppers he grew himself. After returning to Rockwood in 2025 to film A Taste of Africa, Fernando and Bri partnered with Smit to bring the original spirit of that sauce to market in the United States.
A Flavor-First Approach to Hot Sauce
Horn & Heat was developed around a simple idea: hot sauce should contribute more than heat.
Rather than treating hot sauce only as a finishing condiment, the brand develops sauces intended to be used throughout the cooking process in marinades, glazes, vinaigrettes, butter sauces, soups, chili, roasted vegetables, dips, pasta sauces, and other recipes.
Each sauce is built with peppers, fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, and aromatics selected to create layered flavor and balance.
The launch lineup includes:
Rhino Doctor Reserve
The flagship sauce and the closest expression of Dr. Smit’s original hot sauce. Rhino Doctor Reserve is built around an eight-pepper profile and designed for customers looking for serious heat without sacrificing flavor.
Rhino Gold
A medium-heat sauce developed by Chef Bri Coelho. Rhino Gold is thick, layered, and savory, designed for both cooking and finishing.
Rhino Baby
The mildest sauce in the collection, offering the same flavor-first approach for consumers who prefer less heat.
Rhino Nectar Hot Honey
A piri piri hot honey combining natural sweetness with slow-building chili heat, designed for use on pizza, fried chicken, biscuits, cheese, grilled foods, and more.
The hot sauces remain the core of the Horn & Heat brand, with Rhino Nectar extending the same heat-driven flavor philosophy into a complementary pantry category.
Heat With Purpose
Horn & Heat also supports the Rockwood Conservation Fund, founded by Rockwood Conservation owner Wicus Diedericks and Dr. Liam Theuns Smit.
Rockwood Conservation protects more than 450 rhinos across approximately 33,000 acres in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province, including orphaned and vulnerable calves that require intensive care.
Diedericks and Smit created the Rockwood Conservation Fund to help support the feeding and care of baby rhinos. The cost is substantial. A single calf can require more than $10,000 per year in milk alone.
A portion of every Horn & Heat bottle and jar sold supports the Rockwood Conservation Fund, helping offset the costs associated with calf feeding, veterinary care, and long-term rhino conservation.
The company describes that philosophy as Heat With Purpose: chef-crafted flavor combined with a mission that extends beyond the product itself.
Available for Retail and Wholesale
Horn & Heat products are now available for direct purchase and wholesale retail opportunities.
Retail buyers, distributors, and specialty food partners can review the Horn & Heat line through our wholesale portal or RangeMe profile.
Wholesale Information: https://hornandheat.com/pages/retail-buyer
RangeMe: https://range.me/TiN1xSo13ncuGR_qHEuaBQ
Horn & Heat is currently seeking relationships with specialty food retailers, gourmet markets, independent grocers, premium grocery chains, gift and lifestyle retailers, conservation-focused retailers, and distributors serving the specialty food market.
For samples, pricing, buyer materials, or distribution inquiries, contact:
Horn & Heat LLC
Fernando Coelho
[email protected]
Cell: 252-767-6746
https://hornandheat.com/
About Horn & Heat
Horn & Heat is a specialty food company founded by Fernando and Bri Coelho in partnership with South African wildlife veterinarian Dr. Liam Theuns Smit.
Born from their work together at Rockwood Conservation in South Africa, the company produces chef-crafted hot sauces and specialty foods built around layered flavor, distinct heat profiles, and real-world conservation impact.
A portion of every bottle sold supports the Rockwood Conservation Fund and its work caring for orphaned and vulnerable rhinos in South Africa.
Heat With Purpose.
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