By: Brittany Racca
McIlhenny Company has officially opened its doors to the new TABASCO Pepper Sauce Visitors Center on Avery Island. Designed to feed the curiosity of TABASCO fans near and far, the new Visitors Center brings to life the unique world of TABASCO Sauce, including the storied origins of the sauce, how the brand has impacted culinary culture throughout history, and an enhanced, up-close look at the production process from seed to bottle.
On Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016, Tony Simmons, CEO and President of McIlhenny Company, hosted a ribbon--cutting ceremony with support from family, friends and employees of McIlhenny Company on Avery Island.
(Left to Right: Senior Vice President of Agriculture of McIlhenny Company Harold Osborn, President & CEO of McIlhenny Company Tony Simmons, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana Billy Nungesser, Vice President of Administration of McIlhenny Company Cecil Hymel)
Piece of Home:
Located in southern Louisiana, Avery Island has been the home of TABASCO Sauce since it was created more than 148 years ago. The new Visitors Center showcases how TABASCO Sauce is made - from the peppers first budding in the greenhouse, to towering walls of oak barrels where mashed peppers are aged for three years, to a glimpse into the production facility where the sauce is blended, stirred and then bottled. Finally, visitors can snap and share pictures with life--size bottles of their favorite TABASCO flavor before sampling treats that are only available at the TABASCO Country Store.
Tony Simmons:
"We're always glad to welcome fans to our community on Avery Island, where we've been making TABASCO Sauce for over a century." said Tony Simmons. "It's our hope that this new multi-sensory experience will immerse our guests in the legacy of TABASCO, showcasing the passion, tradition and careful craftsmanship that goes into making every bottle."
Visitor Center:
The TABASCO® Visitors Center is open Monday through Sunday 9-4 p.m. Visitors are also encouraged to enjoy meals prepared with the TABASCO® Family of Flavors® at Restaurant 1868!, wander through 170 acres of botanical treasures known as Jungle Gardens and observe thousands of snowy egrets who migrate each spring to Bird City, a private wildfowl sanctuary.
See more photos from the ribbon cutting here and call Tabasco at (337) 373-6129 to inquire about their group tour rates!
