About Us

Everyone remembers the best meal they’ve ever had. We’d like to be a part of that experience.

“We all eat & it would be a sad waste of opportunity to eat badly.”
– Anna Thomas

Owner Chris Whitehair

Chris opened Flower City Flavor Company in November 2017, and has expanded his business to two retail locations, as well as product collaborations which sees his brand in major retailers such as Wegmans and Walmart.

Learn more about Chris on his bio page.

Flower City Flavor Company History

June 21st, 2016

Chris loses his job. On the walk back to his car, he tells himself “Now it’s time to work for yourself.” Many months of research and self-reflecting begin on how to achieve this.

March 10th, 2017

Flower City Flavor Company, LLC is officially incorporated in New York State.

Flower City Flavor Company Original Hero Image

November 25th, 2017

The Flower City Flavor Company website officially goes live on Black Friday.

September 1st, 2018

After a slow start to the company, Chris throws a BBQ for his friends and family showcasing his products and to raise excitement.

Chris Whitehair at the Rochester Public Market

June 15th, 2019

Flower City Flavor Company appears at The Rochester Public Market for the first time as a daily vendor.

Flower City Flavor Company at Swain Beer Fest

October 19th, 2019

Flower City Flavor Company appears at their first event, the Swain Beer Fest.

Flower City Flavor Company shelf inside Irondequoit Pharmacy

November 22nd, 2019

Flower City Flavor establishes its first retail location, a store-within-a-store inside Irondequoit Pharmacy

Flower City Flavor Company 100ml Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar lineup

December 14th, 2019

Flower City Flavor Company debuts new olive oils and vinegars in 6 flavors: Arbequina Estate Grown EVOO, Traditional Dark Balsamic, Blood Orange, Tuscan Herb, Blueberry, and Fig.

Chris Whitehair & Pauly Guglielmo at the WHAM 1180 Studio

December 28th, 2019

Chris is a guest on the WHAM 1180 Food and Wine Show starring Pauly Guglielmo.

The bottle label of Flower City Flavor Company Bourbon Barrel Malt Vinegar

October 26th, 2020

Bourbon Barrel Malt Vinegar, aged in charred oak barrels from Iron Smoke Distillery, launches.

Flower City Flavor Thank You Instagram Post

May 22nd, 2021

Flower City Flavor Company smashes it’s in-person sales record at a Saturday Rochester Public Market appearance.

Flower City Flavor Company inside Twelve Corners Apothecary display of products

November 26th, 2021

Flower City Flavor opens its second store-within-a-store location at Twelve Corners Apothecary in Brighton.

A bottle of Extreme Smokey Karma in the foreground with a line of the original Smokey Karma to the left and a line of the original Extreme Karma to the right

June 24th, 2022

Flower City Flavor Company launches its first ever exclusive product, Karma Sauce Extreme Smokey Karma.

February 1st, 2023

New York Chips debuts their updated Salt & Vinegar chips, featuring the flavor of Flower City Flavor Company Bourbon Barrel Malt Vinegar. This collab puts FCFC in major retailers, such as Wegmans and Walmart, for the first time!

February 20, 2024

After years of being the exclusive online retailer for Death By Chili Sauce, Flower City Flavor Company purchases the brand.

Flower City Flavor owner Chris Whitehair presenting a giant check of his $2,020.80 donation to Foodlink. Also pictured is Mark Dwyer, Director of Marketing & Communications for Foodlink.

June 4th, 2024

Flower City Flavor Company donates all of the royalties made off of its New York Chips collaboration to Foodlink.