What began as a hobby in the kitchen has transformed into a multi-faceted business and a growing downtown presence for Cumberland native Micheal Harris. Harris is the owner of Pepper on a Plate, a gourmet hot sauce company that found its roots in handcrafted gifts for friends. After years of developing recipes and refining flavors, Harris officially launched the brand in Cumberland, Maryland, and later expanded into a full-service eatery known as Sabroso Tacos.
“I was doing hot sauces—gourmet, small-batch hot sauces—and one day we had an outdoor special and I did tacos,” Harris noted. “Someone said, ‘What a good combination.’”
That small compliment inspired a new direction for the business, blending Harris’s sauces with street-style tacos. Harris’s expanded business venture opened in May 2023 and now serves as a showcase for Pepper on a Plate’s unique sauces. But behind both businesses is a larger story of creativity, navigating regulations, and the local support system that helped Harris’s passions grow and thrive.
Harris studied at the Culinary Institute of America and later trained in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he learned traditional techniques and developed a deep understanding of peppers, sauces, and regional flavor profiles. He eventually created 96 different hot sauce recipes, each with its own ingredients and flavor structure.
“I just am so into food and ingredients that I know which flavors will go together—even if people doubt the combinations at first!” - Micheal Harris, owner of Pepper on a Plate
“I think my taste buds… I’m kind of like one of those musicians that, as a kid, can play the Fifth Symphony when they’re six years old,” he said. “I just am so into food and ingredients that I know which flavors will go together—even if people doubt the combinations at first!” That intuitive approach helped him craft a product line that stands out for its bold, layered flavors.
After beginning to sell Pepper on a Plate sauces online and at local events, Harris was approached by a state official at a community gathering. He was informed that his operation did not meet licensing requirements for commercial food sales.
“They came in a week later and told me I had to shut down, and they took $22,000 worth of merchandise and destroyed it,” he recalled. “Adam and I had to take it to the dump.”
Adam Strott, Economic Development Specialist with Allegany County Economic and Community Development, stepped in to assist. Following the shutdown, he worked closely with Harris to navigate the state’s food production regulations and identify a path forward. That included helping him connect with Cornell University to complete the necessary certification process, allowing Pepper on a Plate to resume operations legally and sustainably.
“Micheal’s story is a great example of how the Allegany County Economic and Community Development Department can work with entrepreneurs to overcome complex challenges,” said Strott. “He faced real regulatory hurdles, but through persistence and collaboration, he was able to bring his vision to life…and in doing so, he’s added something unique to our downtown business community.”
“It is the entrepreneurial spirit of people like Mr. Harris that makes small cities like Cumberland such a cool place to live and work.” - Jeffrey F. Silka, ICMA-CM, Cumberland City Administrator
Following the licensing setback, Harris pivoted. He maintained the Pepper on a Plate brand but moved into food service to continue sharing his products directly with customers. The result was Sabroso Tacos, a downtown takeout spot that paired Harris’s sauces with slow-cooked brisket, handmade empanadas, and street-style tacos.
“The City of Cumberland was excited to assist with this project by providing Pepper on a Plate funding through our Micro -Revolving Loan Fund,” said Cumberland City Administrator Jeffrey F. Silka, ICMA-CM. “It is the entrepreneurial spirit of people like Mr. Harris that makes small cities like Cumberland such a cool place to live and work.”
But the early months weren’t easy. “It started in May. That’s when they [were] redoing the downtown,” Harris reflected. “When it opened up, it was winter, and I didn’t have seating inside since we were takeout only.”
Eventually, Harris expanded into an adjacent space with seating for up to 50 guests. He also introduced themed movie dinners, poetry nights, and other community events that would attract new audiences into the space.
These experiences, paired with the shop’s BYOB policy and creative food offerings, have helped build local momentum, even as Harris continues to sell his sauces as refrigerated condiments in-house. At present, 35 of his 96 sauces are certified and available for sale. Others may return to the lineup over time, pending shelf-stability testing.
While Harris’s sauces have been shipped to customers across the country, his business remains grounded in Cumberland. After spending more than three decades away, he returned to be closer to family—and found a new way to channel his culinary expertise into a thriving local venture.
“My sisters said [to me], ‘Why are you doing this at 72?’ It’s because I enjoy it,” Harris declared. “I feel like I could do it the rest of my life.”
The business has also given him insight into the value of adaptability. “I also learned in business that what I want is not what everyone else may want. So, I learned to adjust, to listen to the people,” he said, also noting he will never compromise on quality.
With support from Allegany County Economic and Community Development, Harris continues to build a business that blends personal passion, cultural experience, and local impact.
From small-batch sauces to full-scale meals, Pepper on a Plate and Sabroso Tacos are showing how local entrepreneurship can add value to downtown Cumberland—and how the right support can turn a challenge into a new chapter.
Read more stories about local business success and economic growth in Allegany County here.
