From our family kitchen to yours.

A kitchen. A recipe book.

My name is Daron Torrens, also known as DT or Rhino, and I’m the founder and President of Rhino Spice Inc. I grew up on a grain farm in Smiley, Saskatchewan, where hard work and perseverance were part of everyday life.

After earning my Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1993, I moved to Alberta. Before leaving home, my mom asked what I needed. I asked for a recipe book filled with my favourite meals. That gift sparked a lifelong passion for cooking.

Over the years, I’ve been lucky to cook and share meals with friends who love food as much as I do, from professional chefs to enthusiastic home cooks. Each has helped shape the way I cook.

Where the Rhino came from.

The nickname “Rhino” came from my hockey days, when my determined style of play earned me the name. The game has changed over the years, but the nickname stuck — and eventually found its way into our kitchen.

Three blends, one beginning.

In 2020, my wife Kelly and I started experimenting with our own spice blends at home. We wanted versatile seasonings for everyday meals, without relying on the additives and hidden ingredients we sometimes found in commercial blends.

Our first creation became Original Rhino Spice, a balanced all-purpose seasoning we reached for constantly. Next came Ol’ Smokey and Hot Ol’ Smokey, bringing their own smoky character and extra kick.

That summer, we shared samples with friends, family, chefs and colleagues. They started finding uses well beyond the grill: vegetables, eggs, popcorn, fries, Caesars and Bloody Marys. As more people asked where they could buy our spices, Kelly and I realized we had something worth sharing. Rhino Spice Inc. was born.

And then came Zesty Original.

The inspiration for our fourth blend came from Kelly’s dad. He liked to add lemon pepper seasoning to our Original blend for a bright citrus twist. That simple family habit gave us an idea.

With help from our brother-in-law, we developed Zesty Original — a unique seasoning inspired by the familiar flavour of Original, with a lively lemon-pepper character all its own.

From a recipe book gifted by my mom to a flavour idea from Kelly’s dad, Rhino Spice has always been about family, cooking and bringing people together.

Four blends. One family. Endless possibilities.