SATX Firefighter Turns Family BBQ Sauce Into Central Market Spotlight

A San Antonio firefighter’s family barbecue sauce recipe, perfected over decades in home kitchens and fire stations, is now being spotlighted statewide by Central Market during the grocer’s “From Texas Folks to Texas Forks” campaign, running May 27 through June 9.

Torcatha BBQ Sauce, founded by San Antonio firefighter lieutenant David McCulley, was selected as one of the featured Texas brands for the campaign, which celebrates locally rooted makers, flavors, and products from across the state.

Long before Torcatha landed on grocery store shelves, McCulley was making the sauce from scratch using his father’s 40-year-old family recipe. He often shared it with friends, family, and fellow firefighters, who kept asking the same question: “When are you finally going to bottle this?”

McCulley eventually began selling small batches at farmers markets, cookoffs, and local trade shows while continuing his full-time career as a firefighter.

“I’ll never forget the first time someone came back looking for another bottle,” said McCulley. “That’s when it started feeling like maybe this could become something bigger than we ever expected.”

As interest in the sauce grew, McCulley received a GO TEXAN grant that helped introduce Torcatha to international specialty food buyers at trade shows in Paris. The opportunity opened the door for the sauce to be sold in specialty stores across France, featured in gourmet restaurants, and even served aboard yachts along the French Riviera.

“It’s crazy to think about where this sauce has gone,” said McCulley. “But seeing it featured by a Texas staple like Central Market feels like an extra special, full-circle moment.”

Torcatha launched in all Central Market stores earlier this year and is now receiving expanded visibility as part of the “From Texas Folks to Texas Forks” campaign. During the campaign, the brand will be featured through in-store displays, endcaps, side caps, promotional advertising, and sale pricing at Central Market locations in San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and the DFW area. McCulley will also participate in select in-store events and appearances.

Torcatha BBQ Sauce is available in Mild, Original, and Spicy varieties at all Central Market locations, select specialty retailers, and online.

Torcatha BBQ Sauce Bottle photo