In the competitive world of food products, it takes something truly special to stand out. That’s where Harry Hamlin and his niece Renee come in. While Harry is known for his illustrious acting career—playing iconic roles from L.A. Law to Mayfair Witches—he’s adding a new title to his résumé: food entrepreneur. The inspiration behind this new venture? A Bolognese sauce he made for lunch on a popular reality TV show. The huge success of that dish led to the birth of a cooking show, In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin, and ultimately a company that’s changing the food game.
Harry recounts the turning point that led to the creation of In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin. “I was asked to do a cooking show by AMC because of all the interest in my Bolognese sauce after being featured on Lisa’s show,” Harry shares, referring to the time he cooked lunch for the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. “The sauce went viral, and I thought, why not take it to the next level?” However, there was a catch. Harry said he would only do the show under one condition – that his niece and professional chef, Renee, join him!
With her extensive background in high-volume restaurant operations and international menu management, Renee was more than capable of helping bring the sauce to the next phase. But she wasn’t just interested in creating a product to sell. Renee saw the bigger picture. It was a big ask because her professional background is in operating high-volume restaurants, not CPG (consumer packaged goods). Renee had to think about how her Uncle Harry’s sauce could change the way people eat—for the better.
Transparency is the Main Ingredient
Renee’s vision was clear. As much as Harry’s sauce was in high demand, simply bringing another pasta sauce to market wouldn’t make a meaningful difference. “Let’s face it—there are 30,000 pasta sauces already, and no one needs another celebrity anything,” she said with a laugh. “So, we had to leverage the sauce’s fame while building a food company with a purpose.”
The result was The Open Food Company, a business designed to go beyond selling delicious sauces. The mission is to create a positive impact on public health and the food system. Harry and Renee wanted to build a company that gives back in tangible, meaningful ways. A company that contributes to public health by providing products that are easy to use, made with simple ingredients, and are undeniably delicious.
As a longstanding and passionate advocate for social causes, including hunger relief, Harry was all in. “My wife and I have been working with organizations committed to alleviating hunger for years,” said Harry. “We’ve seen how detrimental fast, processed foods have been to public health. So, I was really excited to build a company that has a social impact and is intentionally crafted for the public good.”
A Family-Run Business Built on Trust and Expertise
The partnership between Harry and Renee is built on years of mutual respect and shared values. “It’s wonderful working together,” said Renee. “We can push and challenge each other when needed. But we also have the freedom to encourage one another to keep going when things get tough.”
For Harry, it was natural to ask Renee to lead the company on a day-to-day basis. He knew she had the expertise and insight to build the right team that would allow their company to achieve the goals the duo had set forth. As CEO, Renee’s leadership has helped The Open Food Company gain traction quickly, earning WBENC certification and launching its first product line—Harry’s Famous Sauce.
Harry himself serves as co-founder and president, overseeing the company’s vision and growth. “I’m really enjoying the process of building this business with Renee,” stated Harry. “I’m also learning so much from her. She’s truly an expert in the kitchen and in the business of food.”
Changing the Future of Food
Alongside their entrepreneurial work, Harry and Renee are also focused on helping home cooks master the kitchen. AMC’s In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin has been an extension of that vision. The cooking show, which premieres its second season on April 30th, features celebrity guests like Ben Feldman, Annabeth Gish, Joel McHale, Aisha Tyler, and Paul Scheer. Each episode includes helpful cooking tips and family-friendly recipes, with Harry learning from his expert niece every step of the way. Finding Renee’s tips and tricks to be nothing short of amazing, Harry is clearly in awe of his niece’s culinary expertise. Collaborating in this capacity has allowed Harry to share the experiences and recipes with his family.
For Renee,one of the most rewarding parts of the show has been the ability to help home cooks tackle common challenges. “We want to give people the tools to make great meals without getting trapped in the kitchen for hours,” said Renee. “It’s about providing recipes and ideas that fit their lives. Sometimes they want to cook from scratch, and other times they need a shortcut.”
At the heart of The Open Food Company is a mission to bring high-quality, real food to consumers without compromise. Transparency is a core value, and Renee’s frustration with the food industry fuels much of the company’s approach. The amount of additives and chemicals in processed foods is outrageous and the public health crisis caused by poor diets is devastating. For these reasons, Harry and Renee created a company committed to bringing real ingredients into every product.
Renee’s dedication to improving public health stems from her experiences with the Los Angeles Food Policy Council and her years of advocacy for food access and equity. “We have 47 million Americans who don’t know where their next meal is coming from — it’s unacceptable,” said Renee. “That’s why we’ve dedicated 50% of our net profits from sales of Harry’s Famous Sauce to organizations fighting hunger.”
Since launching, The Open Food Company has raised over $80,000 for hunger relief efforts, including donations to the LA Regional Food Bank, The Open Door Food Pantry, and Project Angel Food. As it grows, the company has every intention of continuing to expand its charitable efforts.
From “Mother Sauces” to Bold New Flavors
The company’s product line is rapidly expanding. The first sauce, Rosemary Red Wine, was based on Harry’s treasured family recipe. The challenge was scaling it for mass production while maintaining the depth of flavor and consistency that made it a family favorite. “We worked hard to get the texture and the flavor just right,” Harry explained. “And now, people can turn it into anything—Bolognese, stews, slow-cooked braises, or a hearty pasta sauce.”
Next up was a spicy, elegant sauce—Spicy Tarragon Vodka Sauce. Renee’s culinary expertise drove the development of this bold new flavor. “Tarragon is an underutilized herb in the U.S.,” Renee said. “It adds such a unique, elegant flavor to cream-based sauces and is an absolute game-changer.”
The third product in the works is a collaboration with Matriark Foods, an upcycled food company, to create a sauce powered by their sustainable ingredients. Harry and Renee are extremely excited about this one. Everything they do aligns with their desire to find new ways to make food better for people and the planet without sacrificing flavor or convenience.
Looking Ahead
The future of The Open Food Company is bright, with plans to expand Harry’s Famous into new categories, including spices and dressings. “We’re just getting started,” Renee said. “We imagine a day when The Open Food Company has several brands under its umbrella and transparency in food becomes the new normal.”
Harry and Renee’s vision is about more than just food; it’s about creating a lasting legacy of health, sustainability, and community impact. “Our goal is to build a for-profit business with an integrated charity model,” said Harry. “We want to create a triple win—one for our customers, one for our communities, and one for the business.”
With an incredible team behind them and a vision to transform the way people cook and eat, Harry and Renee are serving up something truly special. And the best part is they’re just getting started.
To learn more about Harry’s Famous and The Open Food Company, check out their journey from idea to inception. You can also peruse an impressive recipe collection and shop their products.
Be sure to catch Harry and Renee on their hit culinary series, In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin. Season two is scheduled to premiere April 30, 2025 on AMC+ and IFC.
