Rebecca Small had just finished making a new chorizo paste in the commercial kitchen where she grew a small side business into a full-time venture called a Small Specialty Salsa and Sauces.
She started her business with one salsa flavor. Now she offers 46 flavors of salsas and sauces at farmers markets, small grocery stores and online.
The People’s Choice
That chorizo was inspired by a similar paste she presented at the 2026 Green Gig Chowder Social, a fundraiser for the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation. She placed second in the People’s Choice competition for her Poblano Chorizo Chowder, which uses her salsa and house-made chorizo paste.
In 2025, she took second for a Mexican street corn chowder that also used her salsa and DIY salsa seasoning packet.
“I went in as a salsa maker to show people what they could make with salsa, and to promote my salsa sales,” Small said. “I beat out Johnny’s Dock and Table 47 (and) I was floored. … The people chose my salsa.”…