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ZestFest Midwest 2013 - The Complete Details
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Yes, if you've been in the chilehead circles and communities on the web, you've no doubt heard that the famed ZestFest - the annual spicy food event that's graced the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas area for over a decade - is now having a spin-off show in Columbus, Ohio. Thanks in part to Jungle Jim's Weekend of Fire (now in its seventh year in 2013) in the Cincinnati area and the North Market Fiery Foods Festival in Columbus, the Buckeye State has proven itself to be fertile ground in which to plant a hot sauce event. It also doesn't hurt to have the one and only John "CaJohn" Hard helping to helm the spin-off effort through his many contacts and relationships with people, companies and organization in central Ohio.
The Basics
The inaugural ZestFest Midwest is being held June 28-30, 2013 at the Ohio Expo Center (see Info at a Glance Below).
Weekly Firecast Podcast Episode #38 - Hot Sauce Festival Chat with Dana Romero
The Audio Weekly Firecast with Scott Roberts:
Weekly Firecast Podcast Episode #38 - Hot Sauce Festival Chat with Dana Romero
The Chairman of the most recent Cajun Hot Sauce Festival, Dana Romero, stops by the Firecast for a fiery interview. Dana discusses his ambitious plans for the upcoming International Hot Sauce Festival, which is slated to be held in a different city every subsequent year, plus his concept for a World Hot Sauce Awards. Regular guest Ken Alexander chats with Scott about the proliferation of spicy foods in the mainstream diet, Scott reviews Red CAT-astrophe Hot Sauce made with red wine, and tells you how to achieve bite-through skin in your barbecued chicken.
Links mentioned in the episode:
• International Hot Sauce Festival Facebook Page
• Louisiana Hot Sauce Festival
• Cajun Hot Sauce Festival
• Red CAT-astrophe Hot Sauce
• Ken's Fiery World
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
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Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown - First Round - Intensity Academy Chai Sweet Chili VS. High River Sauces Rogue
Captain Thom's Chili Pepper Co. shockingly had to abandon ship as his incredible Thai Monkey Sauce had gotten blown to smithereens by Jungle Heat's Caribbean Heat in the previous UHSS match-up. Jungle Heat will move onto Round Two just as soon as all of Round One battle are over.
Today's war may be another doozy with potentially ginormous fan bases pitting off against one another. In one corner, we have Intensity Academy Chai Sweet Chili, and in the opposite side of the ring we have High River Sauces Rogue Moruga Scorpion Blood Orange Hot Sauce.
This could be another polarizing brawl, that YOU the hot sauces fans, get to pick the winner.
You have until the End of Day on Friday, June 14, 2013 to make your choice.
You can view the bracket as it currently stands here.
McDonald's Bacon Habanero Ranch Quarter Pounder Burger Review
Yep! The world's largest (in terms of sales) fast food chain now has something on their menu with theword "habanero" on it. McDonald's Bacon Habanero Ranch Quarter Pounder is certainly not the first time a major QSR chain has introduced a habanero product. In fact, it was four years ago that I had reviewed a habanero chicken sandwich from pizza outlet Domino's, and other have had the capsicum chinense chile pepper in uses such as wings sauces, among others.
But with the Golden Arches debuting this type of level of spice in a sandwich, it certainly marks a milestone in the proliferation of fiery foods in the mainstream, albeit a relatively lame one...
Yes, I'll cut to the chase. Mickey D's Bacon Habanero Ranch Quarter Pounder is...
Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown - First Round - Captain Thom's Thai Monkey VS. Jungle Heat Caribbean Sauce
It was a relatively easy victory for Heartbreaking Dawns in last week's duel between their 1542 Chocolate Habanero Sauce and challenger Puckerbutt Pepper Co with their extreme heat Voodoo Prince Death Mamba .
Today's battle is ensuing between chilehead favorite Captain Thom's Thai Monkey Sauce, an Asian blend of teriyaki, soy sauce, peanut, wasabi and hot sauce, and their opponent this round, Jungle Heat's full-bodied frenzy of tart, sweet, fruity and oniony toned Caribbean Heat.
Like many of the UHSS match-ups, these two are very different in flavor, so it's up to YOU, the hot sauces fans, to determine the winner of this brawl.
You have until the End of Day on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 to make your choice.
You can view the bracket as it currently stands here.
Weekly Firecast Episode #37 - Scott Zalkind of Lucky Dog Hot Sauces Interview
The Audio Weekly Firecast with Scott Roberts:
Weekly Firecast Podcast Episode #37 - Scott Zalkind of Lucky Dog Hot Sauces Interview
One of the hottest new pepper sauce concoctors to hit these parts in a while, Scott Zalkind of Lucky Dog Hot Sauces, drops by and chats with Scott Roberts. Blogger and reviewer Ken Alexander returns from a trip up to the Pacific northwest, the Yukon and Alaska, Scott reviews Fireque Original Kentucky BBQ Sauce, and gives a quick foodie tip about charcoal.
Links mentioned in the episode:
• Lucky Dog Hot Sauces
• Fireque BBQ Website
• Ken's Fiery World
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
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Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown - First Round - Puckerbutt Voodoo Prince Death Mamba VS. Heartbreaking Dawns 1542 Chocolate Habanero Sauce
Two sauces with large online fanbases duked it out in last week's matchup. High River Sauces Grapes Of Wrath took on Jungle Heat Garlic Heat, but Jungle Heat was not hot enough to face High River's massive Wrath.
This time out, it will be newer sauce maker Puckerbutt Pepper Co. with their extreme heat Voodoo Prince Death Mamba going toe-to-toe with Heartbreaking Dawn's flavorful 1542 Chocolate Habanero Sauce.
Like many of the UHSS match-ups, these two are very different in taste, so it's up to YOU, the hot sauces fans, to determine the champion this bout.
You have until the End of Day on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 to make your choice.
You can view the bracket as it currently stands here.
Weekly Firecast Episode #36 - Insanity with Dave Hirschkop of Dave's Gourmet, Plus Listener Feedback
The Audio Weekly Firecast with Scott Roberts:
Weekly Firecast Podcast Episode #36 - Insanity with Dave Hirschkop of Dave's Gourmet
Dave Hirschkop of Dave's Gourmet stops by and joins Scott for an interview, and discusses his origins of using chile pepper extract with his famous Dave's Insanity Sauce, how he branched out with super-hot sauces and how he's hit a flavor home run with his distinctive pasta sauces. Scott reviews Spicey Rooster Bourbon BBQ Sauce and dispenses a saucy tip of the week.
Links mentioned in the episode:
• Dave's Gourmet Website
• Spicey Rooster Website
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
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Kevin's Review - Heartbreaking Dawns Strawberry Trail Preserves with Scorpion Peppers
Today I am reviewing Heartbreaking Dawns's Strawberry Trail Preserves which I had asked Johnny McLaughlin to review during the North Market Show back sometime in February.
Its ingredients are strawberries, sugar, cranberries, crystallized ginger, trinidad moruga scorpion peppers, vinegar, garlic, mustard powder, and red pepper.
I would give the Strawberry Trail Preserves a...
Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown - First Round - High River Sauces Grapes Of Wrath VS. Jungle Heat Garlic Heat
Talk about a blow-out of mega proporations! Last week's tournament face-off between Ladybird & Friends Ladybird Hot Sauce and Bigfat's 608 Pineapple Habanero Hot Sauce resulted in the most lopsided victory yet in the Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown, with Bigfat's putting some major league hurt on their opponent and advancing to Round Two.
Today's duel will most likely prove to be a bit closer in vote counts as a pair of spicy condiment companies with enormous fan bases go head-to-head. High River Sauces Grapes Of Wrath will duke it out with Jungle Heat Garlic Heat Hot Sauce.
Both products are worthy adversaries with highly differing flavor profiles.
Who will emerge the champ of this bout? Again, it is you, the hot sauce fans, who get to decide! You have until the End of Day on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 to make your choice.
You can view the bracket as it currently stands here.
Memorial Day...Always Remember
Kevin's Review - Lucky Dog Hot Sauces
Today, I am reviewing Lucky Dog Hot Sauce's Mild, Medium, and Hot sauces. Or Green, Red and Orange labels, in that order.
Lucky Dog Mild (Green) Hot Sauce
The first sauce I will now talk about is the Lucky Dog Mild Fire-Roasted Pepper Sauce.
Its ingredients are distilled vinegar, onions, roasted chile peppers, roasted garlic, water, carrot juice, chile peppers, sea salt, sugar, carrots, lime juice from concentrate, and dried chile peppers.
Weekly Firecast Episode #35 - John The Creator Dilley of DEFCON Sauces Chats Chicken Wings and More
The Audio Weekly Firecast with Scott Roberts:
Weekly Firecast Podcast Episode #35 - John The Creator Dilley of DEFCON Sauces Chats Chicken Wings and More
John Dilley, AKA DEFCON Creator, of New Jersey-based Defcon Sauces, talks to Scott about world domination through buffalo wing sauces! John discusses the origins of his award-winning products, his famous Deathmatch wing-eating contests, his attention-grabbing marketing efforts, how to make the perfect fried chicken wings, and dishes out advice for young, up-and-coming hot sauce companies. Scott also suggests roasting chile peppers in his Foodie Tip of the Week, and reviews Southern Recipe brand Hot n' Spicy Pork Rinds and Cheesy Jalapeno-Flavored Cheese Curls.
Links mentioned in the episode:
• DEFCON Sauces Website
• Southern Recipe Snacks
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
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Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown - First Round - Bigfat's 608 Pineapple Habanero Hot Sauce VS. Ladybird & Friends Ladybird Hot Sauce
It was certainly a case of the underdog David overcoming Goliath in the battle held earlier this week between heavy cult favorite Huy Fong Sriracha and "little guy" Dragon's Blood Elixir Unique Destiny Sauce. As much as foodies go ga-ga the rooster sauce, Dragon's Blood Elixir was able to gather enough votes to emerge as the victor.
The sauces going toe-to-toe this time out will be Bigfat's 608 Pineapple Habanero Hot Sauce and another offering from Ladybird & Friends, their "regular" Ladybird Hot Sauce. 
In this duel, I have no prediction which way it will go. Remember, it is up to YOU to decide!
Vote below! You have until the End of Day on Saturday, May 25, 2013 to make your choice.
You can view the bracket as it currently stands here.
Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown - First Round - Huy Fong Sriracha VS. Dragon's Blood Elixir Unique Destiny Sauce
The most recent duel between Puckerbutt Definitely Reaper Puree and CaJohn's Oaxacan Hot Sauce, no pun intended, was a heated one! Puckerbutt possessed a sizable lead through most of the match-up, but in classic Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown style, CaJohn's with their equally classic Oaxacan sauce pulled out ahead to claim a Second Round spot.
Today's duel is going to be an interesting one! The wildly popular and almost cult-like garnering Huy Fong Sriracha Sauce, AKA "Rooster Sauce", is the "Goliath" looming large over the "David" of Chef Doug Crane's Dragon's Blood Elixir Unique Destiny Sauce. 
As you could probably guess, Sriracha is the heavy favorite, as it's now available in the majority of American supermarkets, and it's by far the most "nationally available" of all sauces in the Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown. And although it doesn't have 1/100th of the notority of Sriracha, the absolutely wonderfully-tasting (and, uh, unique) Dragon's Blood Elixir Unique Destiny Sauce is raved about in hardcore chilehead circles, and the "silent hoardes" of diehard hot sauce fans could possibly help Dragon's Blood pull off a victory.
Vote below! You have until the End of Day on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 to make your choice.
You can view the bracket as it currently stands here.
