Our Story

Chilau Foods: The Southern Mother Sauce Rooted in Tampa’s Culinary Heritage

At Chilau Foods, we believe the best flavors tell a story. Ours begins in Tampa Bay, where founder Michael Anderson grew up savoring his grandmother’s legendary Crab Chilau—a dish deeply woven into the culture of Florida’s Gulf Coast. A best-kept secret of Tampa’s historic (Ybor City) food scene, this rich, tomato-based seafood stew, pronounced shalla in local families, has been a staple for generations, bringing people together over bowls of bold, comforting flavors.

Determined to preserve this Southern treasure, Michael reimagined his grandmother Minnie Hallback’s recipe, using clean, all-natural ingredients to create a modern pantry staple. In August 2016, the first batch of Chilau Stew Base rolled off the production line, marking the birth of a Southern mother sauce designed to unlock bold, authentic flavors with ease.

Much like French mother sauces form the foundation of classic cuisine, Chilau Stew Base serves as the ultimate base for gumbos, soups, stews, gravies, and sauces, with deep influences from Tampa, New Orleans, Charleston, and beyond. Infused with the essential Holy Trinity of bell pepper, onion, garlic, celery, and cayenne, it brings Southern cooking into the modern kitchen—whether you're making shrimp and grits, red beans and rice, or beef stew.

With the addition of Chilau Boil Base, we've captured the bold, zesty essence of the seafood boil tradition—from Louisiana crawfish boils to Florida crab feasts and Carolina Low Country boils. This ultra-concentrated flavor bomb transforms marinades, sauces, and even hot honey wings into next-level dishes.

Chilau Foods is more than just a product—it’s a bridge between tradition and innovation, ensuring that the flavors of the past continue to thrive in today’s kitchens. With every jar, we invite you to cook boldly, celebrate heritage, and make every meal unforgettable.

Grab a jar today, download our free recipe guide, and discover how Chilau can turn any dish into a Southern masterpiece!