About Us

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Halifax Honey Company

We aren't building trends. We're building traditions.

Founded in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2016, Halifax Honey Company was built on a lifelong passion for food, hospitality, and bringing people together. What started as a shared vision between lifelong friends Jake Mahoney and Jesse Abbass has grown into a family-run company, with Jake’s wife Olivia joining the team and becoming a key part of the Halifax Honey journey. Together, they continue to build on the values the company was founded on — great food, genuine connection, and creating memorable moments around the table.

At Halifax Honey Company, we believe food has the power to bring people together and turn everyday moments into lasting memories. From family dinners and backyard BBQs to pizza nights with friends and special celebrations, our purpose is to help people elevate the meals they already love. We’re not just creating a product — we’re building a brand rooted in connection, tradition, and the moments shared around great food.

Meet Our Founders

  • Jake Mahoney

    Jake grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, shaped by a childhood where food and connection were always central. With a father who served in the Canadian military as a chef aboard Navy ships, Jake was exposed early to global flavours, disciplined kitchen environments, and the belief that food is meant to be shared. Those family meals—rooted in the creativity, discipline, and resourcefulness of a naval kitchen—helped him develop an appreciation for flavour and the ability to create something memorable from simple ingredients. This foundation became part of what would later inspire Halifax Honey Company, where food is seen as a way to bring people together and elevate everyday moments.

  • Jesse Abbass

    Jesse was introduced to the world of hospitality from an early age through his family’s ownership of Stainer’s Wharf Pub & Grill on the Halifax waterfront. Growing up around a restaurant built on great food, genuine service, and welcoming experiences, Jesse saw firsthand the impact a meal can have on bringing people together. The restaurant became a gathering place for locals and visitors alike, creating the kind of memorable moments that extend far beyond the plate. These experiences shaped Jesse’s belief that food is one of the strongest ways to connect with people — a belief that continues to influence the culture and vision behind Halifax Honey Company.

Our Story

From a Small East Coast Kitchen to Store Shelves Across Canada

  1. Spring, 2016

    #BeeProblem Begins

    The story of Halifax Honey Company began with an unexpected patio problem. During the summer of 2016, guests at Stainer's Wharf Pub & Grill were being bothered by wasps while dining on the waterfront patio. Although they were technically wasps, everyone simply referred to them as "bees." At the same time, Snapchat's popular bee filter had become a favourite among staff members. Before long, any minor inconvenience — a spilled drink, forgotten keys, or a hectic shift — was met with the same response: #BeeProblems. What started as a running joke among friends would eventually become the inspiration, and first chapter, of Halifax Honey Company.

  2. Summer, 2016

    Halifax Honey Company Bracelets

    As the #BeeProblems joke continued to grow, Jake and Jesse decided to create Halifax Honey Company bracelets featuring the hashtag and sell them to raise money. The goal wasn't to start a food company or launch a product line — it was simply to learn more about bees, pollinators, and the important role they play in our environment. All the money raised was used to install urban beehives in the backyards of family and friends throughout Nova Scotia.

  3. Summer, 2016

    The First 7 Pounds

    As their curiosity about bees grew, Jake and Jesse began visiting farms and apiaries across Nova Scotia during Open Farm Day. Along the way, they met the Swinkels family, beekeepers in Antigonish, and purchased their very first bucket of honey — just seven pounds. The goal wasn't to become beekeepers or launch a hot sauce company. Instead, they began experimenting with local honey and chili peppers in search of something entirely new. That first bucket sparked countless hours in the kitchen and ultimately led to the creation of what would become Stingin' Hot Honey.

  4. Fall, 2016

    The Grilled Cheese Moment

    After bringing home their first bucket of honey, Jake and Jesse spent countless hours experimenting with different chili peppers, infusion methods, and flavour combinations. Some batches were too sweet, some too spicy, and others simply missed the mark — but every attempt brought them closer. Then came the breakthrough: one day, they drizzled a finished version over a sourdough grilled cheese. The sandwich disappeared almost instantly, and it became one of those moments where everything clicked. It wasn't about creating a company or launching a product — it was about discovering a flavour combination that could completely transform a simple meal.

  5. December, 2016

    The First Flea Market Sale

    Armed with a few bottles, a folding table, and a big dream, Halifax Honey Company made its first sale at a local flea market. Those early conversations and customer reactions gave us our first glimpse of what Halifax Honey could become.

  6. November, 2017

    Launch at Pete's Frootique

    Halifax Honey Company earned its first major retail placement at Pete's Frootique — a significant milestone that introduced our products to a wider audience and marked the beginning of our retail growth journey.

  7. Fall, 2018

    Caliente Ale Collaboration with Annapolis Brewing

    Our first-ever product collaboration brought Halifax Honey Company beyond the kitchen and into the craft beer world. Partnering with Annapolis Brewing Company, we helped create Caliente Ale — a unique brew that showcased the versatility of hot honey and opened the door to future collaborations.

  8. Fall, 2020

    First Online Order

    A notification, a shipping label, and a customer we'd never met — the first online order marked a new chapter for Halifax Honey Company. It proved that our sweet heat could reach kitchens far beyond Nova Scotia and laid the foundation for our growing e-commerce business.

  9. Spring, 2023

    The Launch of Stingin' Hotter Honey

    After years of customers asking for more heat, we answered with the launch of Stingin' Hotter Honey Red Lava Edition and our first seasoning blend. This marked Halifax Honey Company's expansion beyond a single product into a growing family of bold flavour experiences.

  10. Spring, 2023

    One of a Kind Show

    From local flea markets to one of Canada's largest artisan trade shows, Halifax Honey's debut at the One of a Kind Show was a defining milestone in our journey toward national growth.

  11. Spring, 2023

    Pizza Delight Collaboration

    Our collaboration with Pizza Delight marked Halifax Honey Company's largest restaurant partnership to date. Available in over 70 locations, it showcased how hot honey could elevate favourite menus on a large scale.

  12. Summer, 2023

    Scaling Production

    As demand for Halifax Hot Honey continued to grow, we made a major leap in production — moving from 35-pound pails to 640-pound honey barrels, creating the capacity needed for continued growth.

  13. Fall, 2023

    Going All In

    A defining moment in Halifax Honey Company's journey: Olivia joined the business full-time while Jake stepped away from his corporate career to dedicate himself fully to growing the brand and building its future.

  14. Fall, 2023

    Sobeys Launch

    A major retail milestone for Halifax Honey Company as Halifax Stingin' Hot Honey expanded into approximately 160 Sobeys locations across Atlantic Canada and Ontario, bringing the brand into more kitchens and communities than ever before.

  15. Summer, 2025

    Calgary Stampede

    Halifax Honey Company brought its flavour to one of Canada's most iconic events, showcasing the brand at the Calgary Stampede while connecting with food lovers from across the country.

  16. Fall, 2025

    ZOMBEE Edition Launch

    Halifax Honey Company partnered with Booze, Brews & BBQ to create the limited-edition ZOMBEE collaboration — a bold release inspired by community, creativity, and the shared love of great food and flavour.

  17. Summer, 2026

    First Full-Time Team Member

    A defining moment in Halifax Honey's journey: the company welcomed Emily, the first full-time team member outside of the founding owners. This milestone marked an exciting new chapter, expanding the team's ability to support operations, partnerships, and the continued growth of the brand.