Friends and food are said to unite the Argentinian nation and certainly these were factors behind the creation of CHIMMY’S Chimichurri range from Sofia and Diego Cardoso.  Born in Buenos Aires but now residing in Brentford, London the couple developed their version of their country’s classic ubiquitous sauce, Chimichurri by embracing their Argentinian heritage and Diego’s Michelin starred chef credentials, while celebrating the British culture that has welcomed them and their family. 

Sofia and Diego met at school in Buenos Aires when they were about 4 years old, but it wouldn’t be until years later in 2006 that they would finally become an item.

During those years, Diego was establishing his career as a chef, even successfully representing Argentina at the Chef equivalent to the Football World Cup, the Bocuse d’Or.  Afterwards, to broaden his experience, he applied for an internship in Europe and was offered a position at The Connaught Hotel in London under Gordon Ramsay and his Head Chef, Angela Hartnett.  Sometime later in 2008, when the Connaught closed for a refurbishment, Diego travelled to Florida and opened the Cielo for Angela.  Then, on his return to the UK, he went with Gordon and Angela, as Head Chef, to set up Murano Restaurant in Mayfair where in January 2009, just five months after opening, Diego earned the venue its deserved Michelin star.  

Diego regularly made chimichurri at home for friends when they were entertaining, and it always proved extremely popular.  They’d toyed with the idea of making a business from it, but it wasn’t until 2018 when some very good friends were getting married that the dream seemed like it could become a reality.  

Instead of a wedding present the couple asked Diego and Sofia to bring as much chimichurri sauce as possible to the South of France for a large BBQ they were hosting after the wedding.  The Cardoso’s duly smuggled over 5kg of chimichurri into France.  It was a huge success and following countless compliments from the guests Sofia, looking for a new challenge away from her job as EMEA Director for a baby furniture company, declared that they were going to try to make a business out of the sauce and CHIMMY’S was born.  

Since then, it’s been a busy six years.  The CHIMMY’S business has grown steadily but slowly with both Diego and Sofia still working in full time jobs, added to which there was COVID; they had finally developed the recipe they were happy with when the pandemic arrived, and everything came to a grinding halt.   However, in September 2023, Sofia felt ready to quit her job and work solely on the CHIMMY’S business and since then it has gone from strength to strength with an Ocado listing and TV advert among the latest successes.

 

The CHIMMY’S recipe is Diego’s and draws on his Argentinian heritage, his Michelin starred chef credentials and his understanding of British and European palates.  The result is a rich, russet coloured sauce made from a delicious all-natural blend of dried herbs and spices, combined with red pepper, tomato and paprika.  Less oil is used than is usual for chimichurri, so CHIMMY’S contains less fat and fewer calories, which appeals to European tastes.  CHIMMY’S sauces are free from preservatives, additives, flavourings or colourings, as well as all 14 allergens, and are vegan friendly.

The range comprises:

• Classic chimichurri: An everyday sauce to give your dishes an extra kick 

• Smoky BBQ: Smoky and rich with a little bit of sweetness at the end 

• Spicy: Extra heat to tickle your taste buds 

On trend for the growing interest in world and South American flavours, these sauces make mouth watering dips, condiments, marinades and cooking sauces which embolden meat, compliment fish and add zing to vegetables and salads, all in one jar.    

Sofia concludes: “Food, especially BBQs are very big back home.  Sunday lunch is all about getting the family together to eat, so, although we don’t have much family here, friends come over instead.  They know they don’t need an invitation; on Friday night they text and ask if we have plans. If we don’t, then Sunday lunch is at ours, whatever the season.  In winter it might be a roast leg of lamb cooked in the oven for seven hours and in summer it could be a BBQ, either way there’s wine and beer flowing, and of course our CHIMMY’S chimichurri has also become a staple of our table. 

“We’re very happy living in London. Diego has become a UK citizen and I’m studying to take the test, in fact, I’m the only one in the house without a UK passport as our daughters were born here and even the dog has one!  While Diego and I love going back to Argentina, we also love it when we sit down on our return flight knowing we are coming back home to London.  I really feel that our sauces successfully celebrate this dual affection, with cultural influences from both Argentina and the UK!” 

CHIMMY’S sauces retail for around £5.45 and can be found online at Ocado or www.chimmys.com, and on shelf in Selfridges, Hillier's Garden Centres and independent stores nationwide.