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COLUMBUS—For those seeking to add a bit of spice to their culinary creations, the Columbus Winter Market has just the solution in Lost Art Food. Every other Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., you can find them set up behind the Iron Key Brewery at 135 Locust St. 

The booth is operated by Alina Secord, who has transformed her homegrown passion for peppers into a thriving local business.

Growing up in Michigan within a family of gardening enthusiasts and cooks, food was always her family’s love language. After relocating to Spartanburg over a decade ago and now residing in Campobello, Secord found herself missing some of her favorite northern produce. Despite the challenges of cultivating them, she discovered that peppers thrived in her new garden. 

“Then I ended up with a massive amount of peppers,” Secord shared. “So I took them into my kitchen and started messing around with hot sauces for fun, giving them to friends and family. And started making more and more.”

Secord’s father aptly named her line of sauces, recognizing that she was practicing a “lost art” by turning fresh garden vegetables into delicious hot sauces. Encouraged by a co-worker from Columbus who mentioned the local Farmers Market, she began participating and has since become a staple vendor. After a recent sabbatical to concentrate on her day job and develop new products, she returned with an array of exciting flavors.

With the assistance of her husband Derek, who serves as the official taste tester, Lost Art Food quickly became a favorite among marketgoers.

 “I love the Columbus Market. It’s great to be part of a community,” Secord said. “That’s what keeps us coming back. Yes, it’s fun to make a little money, but just being a part of the community of vendors and the friends you make, you can’t beat it.”

Lost Art Food offers a variety of unique hot sauces, including the playful “Blue-Berry it in Me” and the bold “Chimi Chimi Bang Bang.” In addition to hot sauces, Lost Art Food also offers a selection of dried peppers. 

Beyond her culinary talents, Alina Secord is also an accomplished woodworker who crafts artisan pepper mills, which are also available at her table. 

Customers can explore her creations at the market or connect with her on Facebook at Lost Art Food. For those considering becoming vendors or wanting to learn more about the Columbus Winter Market, additional information is available at polkcountyfarms.org.