Behind the Fishe Spice Collection
How Mike Leary Turned a Lifetime of Cooking into Fishe Spice
Mike Leary spent decades developing his palate before bringing his own spice blends from the home kitchen to Fishe.
In this original 2020 Fishe story, Mike was Head of Logistics and Operations for Fishe and husband of Fishe Founder Linda Leary. His goal was simple: make everyday cooking easier without giving up the flavor that makes a meal memorable.
In this story
From family kitchens to Fishe Spice
A secret weapon in the kitchen
Looking to up your dinner game? Mike Leary can help you with that.
Though by day he runs Logistics and Operations for Fishe, Mike is also a secret weapon in the kitchen. And with over 40 years of experience behind the stove, he has spent a lifetime developing his palate and innovating, trying to find the perfect blends of spices to make cooking simple and food taste extraordinary.
The idea began long before Fishe Spice had a label. It began with time in the kitchen, attention to flavor, and the belief that a good blend should help rather than complicate the meal.
Learning from family, then finding his own style
Mike fell in love with cooking in his youth, accompanying his grandparents in the kitchen and learning from their wisdom.
Over the years he developed his own style, and he found himself disappointed with the pre-prepared spice mixes that were available on the market.
He knew the flavor profiles he wanted to create, and he also knew that the only way he could get it right was to make them himself.
The collection today
Three blends built from Mike’s kitchen
After hours of testing, Mike produced two unique spice blends for Fishe: Jumpin Java, a blend of sweet coffee and paprika flavors with smoky and citrus notes, and Java Asada, which adds a bit of heat to the Jumpin Java flavors.
The original story noted that he was working on a third: Fishe Blackened Spice. That third blend is now part of the collection as Blackened Rub.
Explore Fishe SpiceJumpin Java
Sweet coffee and paprika flavors with smoky and citrus notes.
Java Asada
The Jumpin Java flavor profile with an added bit of heat.
Blackened Rub
The third blend Mike was developing when the original story was published.
Made for home, cabins, grills, and campfires
Mike likes home-style food, food that is unpretentious but delicious, and his spice blends reflect this style.
They also reflect his desire to use them in varied settings—in his home kitchen, cooking up a last-minute meal at his cabin in the Maine woods, grilling outdoors, or even cooking around a campfire.
The blends were meant to be versatile. Mike created them for meat, fish, or vegetarian cookery, giving cooks a practical starting point without dictating the entire meal.
The original story featured Mike’s pork belly avocado sandwiches, a Fishe favorite.
Why bring the blends beyond his own kitchen?
What motivates Mike to look outside of his home kitchen and bring these spice blends to the public? The inspiration started with his family.
He wanted to empower them to be able to cook delicious food for themselves, even when he was not around, and creating stand-alone spice blends seemed like the perfect start.
“I wanted to create something that could work in every kitchen, not just in a chef’s kitchen, something that anyone could be comfortable using.”
From there it was a small step to the idea of sharing these blends with the broader community.
Bring Mike’s blends to your table
Fishe Spice currently includes Jumpin Java, Java Asada, and Blackened Rub, with availability shown on the live product page.
Shop Fishe SpiceQuick answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fishe Spice?
Fishe Spice is a collection of blends developed by Mike Leary after decades of cooking, testing flavors, and creating practical seasonings for everyday meals.
Which Fishe Spice blends are available?
The current Fishe Spice product page lists Jumpin Java, Java Asada, and Blackened Rub.
What can you use Fishe Spice on?
Mike developed the blends for varied cooking, including meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes at home, at a cabin, on a grill, or around a campfire.
Where can I buy Fishe Spice?
Current options and availability are shown on the Fishe Spice product page at FisheWear.com.
From the archive
About this Fishe story
This article preserves the core of Fishe’s original 2020 profile of Mike Leary and the family inspiration behind the spice collection.
Written By: Erica Hickey
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