A Saucy Secret.

Did You Know?


Henderson William Brand had a tough audience. As chef to England’s King George IV in 1824, Brand was constantly striving to please the royal palate with new concoctions, and one day he served the king a new sauce he had developed for use on steak. The King was so pleased with Brand’s invention that be bestowed the accolade “A 1,” meaning “the very best,” on the sauce. When Brand left the king’s service a few years later, he took both the recipe for the sauce and the King’s name for it with him and began to market the sauce and other recipes as Brand & Co.

Unfortunately, Brand proved a better cook than a businessman, and Brand & Co. went bankrupt, leaving Brand no recourse but to sell the business to his friend W.H. Withall. In 1862, Withall entered the sauce in the International Exposition in London, where it again earned the rating of A1.

Now owned by Intercorp Excelle Inc. A.1. is touted as being excellent on fish, poultry, and vegetables as well as steak, but the recipe remains closely guarded secret. For these and other “saucy secrets” visit www.otm.ca and keep in mind: BBQ Season is upon us. Let us make your day “A1”.