Our Story
Hi! I'm Christine, and this is my husband Ryan. We've been navigating the delicious chaos of spicy food in our family since we met in college back in 2007. Back then, I was the girlfriend who carried hot sauce in her purse just so Ryan could make the dining hall food tolerable. Some things never change – he's still making everything spicier than intended, and I'm still the one trying to make it work for everyone.
We live in Northern Virginia with our three boys: Harrison (8 months), James (3), and Wyatt (5). Our kitchen is messy, our dinner plans rarely go as expected, and we've had more "spicy!" meltdowns than I can count. But we've also discovered that some of our best family memories happen around the dinner table, even when (especially when) things don't go according to plan.
The Spicy Evolution
Ryan has always loved heat, but over the years we've both developed a deeper appreciation for the flavor profiles that come with spice – the smoky depth, the sweet and tangy complexity, the way certain peppers can transform a simple dish into something memorable. It's not about proving you can handle the heat anymore; it's about discovering how spice can elevate everyday cooking.
Our first real "too spicy for the kids" moment came when Wyatt was about two. Ryan made what he considered a mild dinner, and our little guy took one bite, started crying, and yelled "SPICY!" in the cutest, most dramatic toddler voice you can imagine. We still laugh about it. If you've ever read "Dragons Love Tacos" to your kids, you'll understand why it's become our family's unofficial motto – we're all about that perfect balance of flavor and heat.
Finding the Balance
These days, I've become the family referee, deciding what's safe to put on the kids' plates and what needs to be modified. Wyatt has become more adventurous – he's learned to enjoy spicy pasta with lots of veggies and just a touch of heat. James is still skeptical of anything that looks remotely spicy. And Harrison is just happy to throw food on the floor.
We started Heat Seeker's Guide because we noticed a gap in the food world. There's plenty of content for hardcore chili heads looking for the next extreme heat challenge, but not much for families like ours who want to cook with intention, explore different flavor profiles, and find that sweet spot where everyone at the table can enjoy dinner together.
What We're Building
We're here for the couples navigating different heat tolerances, the parents trying to expand their kids' palates without causing tears, and the home cooks who want to understand the "why" behind spice – not just survive it. We test recipes at multiple heat levels, share our real family dinner experiences (including the disasters), and help you build confidence in cooking with spice.
Our dream is to become your go-to resource for spicy, flavorful dishes that expand cultural appreciation and bring families together around the dinner table. We want to help you create those moments where everyone finds something to love, even if it takes a few tries to get there.
CHRISTINE AND RYAN IMAGE HERE
HEATER’S GUIDE LOGO HERE
The Real Deal
You'll find our content is refreshingly honest about family life. We have temper tantrums, kitchen disasters, and plenty of meals that don't go as planned. But we also have breakthrough moments when someone tries something new, successful dinner parties, and the satisfaction of finding that perfect recipe that works for everyone.
We're not perfect cooks or parenting experts – we're just a real family figuring it out one meal at a time, and we'd love to have you join us on this flavorful journey.
Ready to heat things up? Sign up for our newsletter and let's navigate the wonderful world of family-friendly spice together.
Ready to heat things up? Sign up for our newsletter and let's navigate the wonderful world of family-friendly spice together.