Discover Savory Spice Shop with Janet & Mike Johnston

“Janet is a wimp when it comes to heat,” Mike Johnston jokingly shares about his wife’s sensitivity to spicy foods.  Not an unusual statement until you find out Janet just happens to be the host of the Food Network cooking show, Spice & Easy.  But in the US, where the perception is ‘spice = spicy’, who better to break that stereotype than someone always trying to add flavor to dishes without the burn?

The show concluded last year, but Mike & Janet – founders of Savory Spice Shop in Denver – continue to introduce spices to home cooks by opening new shops across the country.  Customers are excited the moment they first enter a Savory Spice Shop.  “The aroma hits you like a ton of bricks, then you look around and see row after row of the beautifully colored spice jars. Everyone is talking about food and sharing recipes, asking questions….it’s just an inspiring, fun atmosphere,” Janet explains.

A fun atmosphere created by two self-proclaimed ‘spice geeks’ who believe a spice shop should be an experience for the senses.  Most of the spices and blends are placed out for you to touch, smell, and taste, creating a strange sight of customers all licking their palms and smiling.  “Strange, yet wonderful!  We fully believe people should be able to sample what they are potentially buying.”

But some customers are still intimidated with adding new flavors in their cooking. Mike always recommends, “Baby steps. Pick a spice that you are interested in and try out some recipes containing it. We’ve got some really easy recipes for curries that help ease a customer into trying something new. Before we know it, they are hooked and back for more.”

This spice movement all began with their first shop in Denver, Colorado. “The laid back, friendly vibe of Denver really seemed to fit what we were going for. Folks are very health conscious here and also eager to support local business. We are so grateful that the community embraced us from the start and we have customers that have been with us the whole way. If not for them…things would be a lot different.”

And they are sometimes recognized around town now as the spice couple.  But not always by face. Janet explains, “Recently I was in an ice cream shop and from behind the counter an employee asked the other, ‘Do you smell, like, pepper?’ I said, ‘Yeah, that would be me.’ Another time I went for a massage and when the therapist came into the room she said, ‘They must be using some sort of spice candles today.’ Again….’yeah, that would be me.’ Regardless, it’s a great conversation starter!”

Janet preparing to film an episode of her cooking show, Spice & Easy

As Savory Spice Shop grows into a nationwide company, Mike & Janet haven’t forgotten where they started. And on most days you will find them back in Denver, chitchatting with customers and sharing recipes and tips.  And for Mike – with his background in fine art – you will probably find him in his new test kitchen.  “I love the way the individual spices swirl together as I blend them.  I think creativity in general helps in the process of creating new blends and recipes.  As with my art, I always try challenging myself to create something new and innovative in the kitchen at the very least put a new spin on it.”

Find Mike’s new creations – and every spice you can imagine – at Savory Spice Shop online or at their shops across the country, including the two newly opened shops in Hinsdale, IL, and Bend, OR.

You were married shortly after starting Savory Spice Shop.  Did spices play any role at your wedding?

Janet: We of course gave out spices as favors and served our Jamaican Jerk for dinner!  We also sprinkled some of the more beautiful spices, like star anise and green cardamom, around the candles on all the tables.  Mike: And our cake had black pepper and star anise in it.