A Wynnum Men’s Shed member has refused to sell his famous black sauce recipe, choosing instead to donate the proceeds to charity.
Twenty years ago, Ron Haslett started making Ron’s Tomato Relish and Ron’s Black Sauce from a special kitchen he built at his house.
“I started learning how to make tomato relish and made that for a few years for the PCYC and then started making black sauce,” he said.
“Over the years I perfected the recipe, and everyone went mad over it.”
With all the success, Ron’s Tomato Relish and Ron’s Black Sauce have gone all around the country and even globally.
“It’s gone to Canada, New Zealand and one mate even brought it to China,” Mr Haslett said.
“I even had a bloke from New York who wanted the recipe, but I wouldn’t give it to him.”
Mr Haslett said he rejected an offer from a company that wanted to relocate him to America with the promise of a full-time position.
“I would have preferred to continue living in Wynnum and use my own money to create my food and donate to charities,” he said.
“There is nothing else I would rather do, and I am happy with the decision I made.”
Mr Haslett said he was overwhelmed by how popular it got and had refused to let anyone know his black sauce recipe.
“I have given the tomato relish recipe to the Men’s shed, but I have not told anyone the black sauce,” he said.
Mr Haslett is one of the first original six members of the Wynnum Men’s Shed and has since donated the proceeds to the shed.
“As the third member of the men’s shed, we built it up to what it is today and it is marvellous,” he said.
“I have seen a lot of people come through and I think our memberships would be up to 155 now.”
Mr Haslett said Ron’s Tomato Relish and Ron’s Black Sauce are sold at the monthly Manly markets and were very popular.
“It is great to know something that I love, people love too.”
