Worth a tackle: Nando’s teams up with Bukayo Saka to create new sauce

Nando’s has added a brand-new sauce to its starting line-up. Created by footballer, Bukayo Saka, the limited-edition sauce combines the Starboy’s favourite flavours with Nando’s legendary PERi-PERi.

Nando’s and Saka know a thing or two about heat – and they go way back. Saka stole the show with his side-eye in Nando’s This Must Be The Place TV adlast year and the chicken restaurant even hosted his Dad’s birthday party in the past.

To create PERi-PERi Saka Sauce, the winger worked with Nando’s food team to combine his love of smoky BBQ and tomato with Nando’s distinctive PERi-PERi. The winning sauce is sweet and fiery with a little (free) kick, made with tomato, garlic and smoked paprika. Coming in at Medium on the famous PERi-ometer, it’s a definite crowd-pleaser.

“The sauce mixes sweet, spiciness and smokiness,” says Saka. “I love it and can’t wait for everyone to try it. I’ve been going to Nando’s since I was little so to have my own PERi-PERi sauce in every restaurant in the country is quite mad! My family’s really important to me so I wanted to make sure they liked it, too. As soon as my Dad said he was a fan, I knew it was the one.”

Best known for its PERi-PERi, made with African Bird’s Eye Chillies, lemon and a kick of garlic, Nando’s is the OG of sauce and this one’s going to be a fan favourite. Even better, it’s bottomless, so you can pour, dip and dribble on your go-to sides.

The bottle is a feast for the eyes, too. Nando’s brought in its talented friend and artist Reuben Dangoor to create the design. Known for his viral illustration of Gareth Southgate, designing Beckham’s kit for FIFA 22 and the artwork wrapping the Emirates stadium, it was only right to bring in the big gun(ner)s. With standout colours and illustrations, you won’t be able to miss the sauce station’s newest signing.

To celebrate the launch, Saka stepped in the kitchen to fire up a team of chefs to bring his creation to life. Teased with film-like posters on billboards around London from last week, PERi-PERi Saka Sauce was revealed in ‘Yes Chef!‘ a mini filmthat’s a playful take on a high-intensity kitchen setting that might look familiar…

From 20^th March, fans can experience the worlds of food and football coming together at Nando’s Holloway Road restaurant in London. Nando’s will be running giveaways and experiences to celebrate the sauce in the coming weeks too, so follow Nando’s UK on IG, TikTok and X to make sure you don’t miss out.

PERi-PERi Saka is available at all restaurants across the Island Ireland from 19^th March 2024 for a limited time – find it at the sauce station.