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Episode #78 – Upcoming Hot Sauce and Chilehead Events and Festivals For 2015

Scott covers all of the major trade shows, expos, festivals and events remaining in 2015 that are of interest to hot sauce fans, chile pepper lovers, and general spicy food fans and chileheads in general, from Scott’s calendar on his website.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Hot Sauce/Chilehead Events and Festivals Calendar

The Firecast is Sponsored in Part By:

• Chilehead Tees – Are you a heat freak? Whether you love hot sauce, chile peppers, buffalo wings, BBQ, bacon, or anything dealing with fiery & spicy foods, this is the place to get t-shirts and swag to show off your obsession.
• Sucklebusters – Texas BBQ Rubs, BBQ Sauces & Texas GunPowder! SuckleBusters is preferred by competition BBQ Cooks, and has won numerous awards including back-to-back 1st Place sauce wins at the American Royal – the World series of BBQ competitions.
• Dr. BBQ’s Low & Slow BBQ at Home Online Barbecue Class

Other Links mentioned in the episode:

• The Firecast Podcast Page on iTunes – please rate and review!
• Scott Roberts’ Blog
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
• Scott Roberts’ YouTube Channel

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Episode #77 – Hot Sauce Industry History Chat with Chip Hearn of Peppers and CaJohn Hard of CaJohn’s Fiery Foods

In the second part of his coverage of the NYC Hot Sauce Expo, Scott chat with Hot Sauce Hall of Fame Nominees Chip Hearn of Peppers and John “CaJohn” Hard of CaJohn’s Fiery Foods, as they talk about the history of the fiery foods industry. Ken Alexander also discusses whether or not to refrigerate hot sauces, and Scott has sage advice on his to get rid of mosquitoes around camp sites.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Peppers
• CaJohn’s Fiery Foods
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• BBQ Addicts & Friends

The Firecast is Sponsored in Part By:

• Chilehead Tees – Are you a heat freak? Whether you love hot sauce, chile peppers, buffalo wings, BBQ, bacon, or anything dealing with fiery & spicy foods, this is the place to get t-shirts and swag to show off your obsession.
• Sucklebusters – Texas BBQ Rubs, BBQ Sauces & Texas GunPowder! SuckleBusters is preferred by competition BBQ Cooks, and has won numerous awards including back-to-back 1st Place sauce wins at the American Royal – the World series of BBQ competitions.
• Dr. BBQ’s Low & Slow BBQ at Home Online Barbecue Class

Other Links mentioned in the episode:

• Ken’s Fiery World
• The Firecast Podcast Page on iTunes – please rate and review!
• Scott Roberts’ Blog
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
• Scott Roberts’ YouTube Channel

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Episode #76 – Sam & Tina McCanless of Zane & Zack’s World Famous Honey Co.

The Washington state-based owners of Zane and Zack’s, Sam and Tina McCanless, join Scott and talk about what it’s like to combine honey and hot sauces, and also discuss a timely Ted Nugent-autographed guitar raffle that will benefit a wounded U.S. soldier, Sergeant Frank Hegr. Ken reviews two products, and Scott tries out The Pepper Pantry‘s Hot Peppers In Oil.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Zane and Zack’s World Famous Honey Co.
• Hot Saucers 4 Heroes, the Ted Nugent-autographed guitar raffle that will benefit a wounded U.S. soldier
• Loud Foods
• Rasta Bros.
• The Pepper Pantry
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• BBQ Addicts & Friends

The Firecast is Sponsored in Part By:

• Sucklebusters – Texas BBQ Rubs, BBQ Sauces & Texas GunPowder! SuckleBusters is preferred by competition BBQ Cooks, and has won numerous awards including back-to-back 1st Place sauce wins at the American Royal – the World series of BBQ competitions.
• Dr. BBQ’s Low & Slow BBQ at Home Online Barbecue Class

Other Links mentioned in the episode:

• The Firecast Podcast Page on iTunes – please rate and review!
• Scott Roberts’ Blog
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
• Scott Roberts’ YouTube Channel

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Episode #75 – Steve Seabury Discusses the NYC and CA Hot Sauce Expos, and Hot Sauce Hall of Fame

High River Sauces Head Honcho Steve Seabury discusses a couple of fiery foods events he is producing, the 3rd Annual New York City Hot Sauce Expo and the brand new California Hot Sauce Expo, along with the new Hot Sauce Hall of Fame coinciding withe NYC show.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• New York City Hot Sauce Expo
• California Hot Sauce Expo
• Vote for the Hot Sauce Hall of Fame Nominees
• High River Sauces

The Firecast is Sponsored in Part By:

• Sucklebusters – Texas BBQ Rubs, BBQ Sauces & Texas GunPowder! SuckleBusters is preferred by competition BBQ Cooks, and has won numerous awards including back-to-back 1st Place sauce wins at the American Royal – the World series of BBQ competitions.
• Dr. BBQ’s Low & Slow BBQ at Home Online Barbecue Class

Other Links mentioned in the episode:

• The Firecast Podcast Page on iTunes – please rate and review!
• Scott Roberts’ Blog
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
• Scott Roberts’ YouTube Channel

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Episode #74 – Help Cathy and Steve Zielinski Fight Cancer

In this short but special episode, Scott and Ken urge everyone to help out our friends Steve and Cathy Kielinski of Crazy Steve’s Pickles and Salsas as Cathy has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

How you can help:

• Make a small monetary donation via Cathy and Steve’s Fundly page.
• Order some of Steve’s new flavored popcorn (as mentioned in the podcast) or any other product on their shopping cart page.

If you’re a chilehead, a barbecuer, or just a general foodie, please consider helping out these fine folks. Let’s show Steve and Cathy that we are among the best and most supportive communities anywhere and that we take care of our own. Thank you!

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Episode #73 – Barbecue Chat with DivaQ Danielle Dimovski of BBQ Crawl

One of the First Ladies of the BBQ competition world, Danielle Dimovski, AKA DivaQ, joins Scott via Skype and talks about her smoker and grill preferences, outdoor cooking pet peeves and favorite flavor combos, and also discusses her TV career as host on the Travel Channel’s BBQ Crawl and contestant and barbecue judge on Destination America’s BBQ Pitmasters.

Ken Alexander joins Scott in his Fiery World segment to engage in a lengthy conversation on the Sriracha hot sauce craze. Scott reviews the Sam and Oliver Sauce Company’s Cinder Habanero Hot Sauce.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• DivaQ Official Website
• DivaQ Facebook Page
• DivaQ Twitter Page
• DivaQ on YouTube
• Take Scott’s Fiery Foods & BBQ Survey
• Scott’s Interview with David Tran, Own of Huy Fong Foods Sriracha Sauce
• Sam and Oliver Sauce Company

The Firecast is Sponsored in Part By:

• Sucklebusters – Texas BBQ Rubs, BBQ Sauces & Texas GunPowder! SuckleBusters is preferred by competition BBQ Cooks, and has won numerous awards including back-to-back 1st Place sauce wins at the American Royal – the World series of BBQ competitions.
• Dr. BBQ’s Low & Slow BBQ at Home Online Barbecue Class

Other Links mentioned in the episode:

• Ken’s Fiery World
• The Firecast Podcast Page on iTunes – please rate and review!
• Scott Roberts’ Blog
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
• Scott Roberts’ YouTube Channel

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Episode #71 – Best Product of the Year Winners Born to Hula, Plus Ken’s Favourite Products of 2014

Scott chats with New Jersey-based Born to Hula Hot Sauce owners Ed and Amy Bucholtz, who make what Scott picked as best spicy food product of 2014 in their Reaper of Sorrow Carolina Reaper Hot Sauce.

In his regular segment, Ken Alexander offers his choices for best fiery foods products of the year.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Born to Hula Hot Sauce Official Site
• Born to Hula on Facebook
• Born to Hula on Twitter
• Take Scott’s Fiery Foods & BBQ Survey

Ken’s Picks for Best Products of the Year:

• Volcanic Peppers
• Refining Fire Chiles
• Crazy Good Specialty Foods
• Madison Chocolatiers West
• CaJohn’s Fiery Foods
• Bigfat’s Hot Sauce
• Scotty O’Hotty Sauce
• Tom’s Roid Rippin Hot Sauce

Scott’s Picks for Best Products of the Year:

• Listen to Firecast Episode #70

The Firecast is Sponsored in Part By:

• Sucklebusters – Texas BBQ Rubs, BBQ Sauces & Texas GunPowder! SuckleBusters is preferred by competition BBQ Cooks, and has won numerous awards including back-to-back 1st Place sauce wins at the American Royal – the World series of BBQ competitions.

Other Links mentioned in the episode:

• Ken’s Fiery World Blog
• The Firecast Podcast Page on iTunes – please rate and review!
• Scott Roberts’ Blog
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
• Scott Roberts’ YouTube Channel

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Episode #70 – Scott Picks the Best Products of the Year for 2014 in Hot Sauces, BBQ Sauces, Spicy Foods and More

In this special end of the year episode, Scott gives his choices for the top fiery foods and BBQ products for the year 2014, including the best hot sauce, BBQ sauce, BBQ rub/seasoning, spicy sweet product, salsa, spicy snack, condiment, best burn and overall best product.

In his Ken’s Fiery World segment, blogger and reviewer Ken Alexander reviews seasonings and flavor enhancers from Blazin’ Bob’s Hot Pepper and Half Crocked Chef, and Scott offers a tip on how to properly heat up store-bought hard taco shells.

Product Links mentioned in the episode:

• Blazin’ Bob’s Hot Pepper
• Half Crocked Chef
• Lucky Dog Hot Sauce
• Trifecta Gourmet Sauces
• Heartbreaking Dawns
• Monkey McGee’s
• Owem G. Willikers
• Ruffles
• El Diablo Hot and Spicy Mustard
• Born to Hula

Other Links mentioned in the episode:

• Ken’s Fiery World Blog
• The Firecast Podcast Page on iTunes – please rate and review!
• Scott Roberts’ Blog
• Scott Roberts’ YouTube Channel
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page

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Episode #68 – Jennifer Reynold of Sauce Goddess, Plus Holiday Hot Sauce Gift Ideas

Scott interviews the honcho of Sauce Goddess, Jennifer Reynolds, and finds out the story behind her divine BBQ products. Ken Alexander and Scott list several holiday hot sauce gift pack specials for your Christmas present shopping, and Scott reviews Bobby Brown Sweet & Spicy BBQ Sauce.

Sauce Goddess Links mentioned in the episode:

• Sauce Goddess Official Site
• Sauce Goddess Facebook Page
• Sauce Goddess Twitter Page
• Sauce Goddess Pinterest Page
• Sauce Goddess YouTube Channel

2014 Holiday Gift Packs and Specials

JAC’s Tailgaters
25% off before Christmas
http://www.jacstailgaters.com

Voodoo Chile Sauces
3-Packs for $21 with Free Shipping anywhere in the Continental U.S.
http://www.voodoochilesauces.com

iBurn
Various Gift Packs and Shipping Deals. Go to website for details.
http://www.iburn.com

Sucklebusters
They have a large selection of SuckleBusters Texas Gift Baskets. FREE Shipping for a $50 order (coupon code free) + for every $25 we include one of our new spicy BBQ Rubs (regular $5.99, no coupon needed) . That’s FREE shipping + 2 FREE BBQ Rubs @ $50.
http://www.sucklebusters.com/texas-gift-baskets

Volcanic Peppers
Orders over $50.00 ship for free anywhere in the Continental U.S. before January 1st, 2015.
http://www.volcanicpeppers.com

Smoking J’s Fiery Foods
Orders over $50.00 ship for free.
https://www.smokingjsfieryfoods.com

Scotty O’Hotty Hot Sauce
10% off wooden holiday gift sets now through Dec. 17th with a portion of all website sales going to Wounded Warrior Project!
http://shop.scottyohotty.com

Build your own basket! By styles and themes…

Ken’s Asian-Style Stir-Fry Basket Example:

Volcanic Peppers Aji Dust (Pepper Powder)
Volcanic Peppers Yellow Bhut Jolokia Dust (Pepper Powder)
Volcanic Peppers Hot Garlic ‘n Onion Seasoning
http://www.volcanicpeppers.com

CaJohn’s Al Buddah Mild Asian Sauce
http://www.cajohns.com

Captain Thom’s Thai Monkey Sauce
http://www.captainthoms.com

Born to Hula Pineapple Habanero Sauce
http://www.borntohula.com

Intensity Academy Chai Sweet Chili Sauce
http://www.intensityacademy.com

Other Links mentioned in the episode:

• Ken’s Fiery World Blog
• Scott Roberts’ Blog
• Scott Roberts’ YouTube Channel
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page

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Episode #67 – Indoor Kitchen Inventory with Ken and Scott

What do you have in your indoor kitchen? In an extended Ken’s Fiery World segment, Ken Alexander joins Scott as they give a rundown on many of the essential items they keep in their kitchens, from knives, tools, gadgets, pots, pans, and more!

Note: In case you’re wondering about the numbering of the podcast episodes being out of order, Episode #68 with Benito Maniscalco was edited and uploaded before this one. Sorry about the confusion!

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Ken’s Fiery World Blog
• Scott Roberts’ Blog
• Scott Roberts’ YouTube Channel
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page

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Episode #68 – Interview with Benito Maniscalco of Benito’s Hot Sauce

One of the most underrated sauce makers in the country, Ol’ Benito Maniscalco of Vermont’s Benito’s Hot Sauce, stops by the Skype chatline and talks with Scott about his stellar products. Scott also reviews Bigfat’s Boom Shanka Curry Chipotle Hot Sauce, and gives a tip on how to clean your coffee and spice grinders.

Note: You may notice that Episode #67 has not been posted yet. As of this writing, that particular show is still being edited, and it will be coming next week, with a special “Kitchen Inventory Essentials” with Ken Alexander!

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Benito’s Hot Sauce Official Site
• Bigfat’s Hot Sauce

Other Links:

• Scott Roberts’ Blog
• Scott Roberts’ YouTube Channel
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page

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Fellow Hot Sauce Fans and BBQers (and everyone else reading this!), there is a true, real-life American hero who needs our love and support…

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant (SSG) Frank Hegr is a selfless, brave individual (among many thousands in our armed forces) who put his life on the life for the cause of freedom. It is also known amongst Frank’s family and friends that he is a HUGE fan of spicy foods, so many of us in the Hot Sauce Community are joining together to do something very special for him.

Our good friend and chilehead “Arizona” Jack Penrod has in his possession a guitar autographed by famed rocker Ted Nugent, that Jack, with the generous help of Sam and Tina McCanless of Zane and Zack’s World Famous Honey Co., is planning to raffle off to raise money for Frank. We plan to give Frank this gift of monetary support (and hot sauce!) personally at this coming March’s…

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Episode #66 – More Listener Feedback, Including Your Most Missed Defunct Hot Sauces

It’s one again time to dip into the virtual Firecast Mailbag and read your feedback, including many of your responses to the topic brought up in Episode 65, “what are some of your favorite defunct hot sauces?”

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Scott Roberts’ Blog
• Scott Roberts’ YouTube Channel
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
• Ken’s Fiery World Blog

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Our journey with taking a look at Wendy’s new BBQ Pulled Pork offerings began in late September of this year with their “BBQ4merica: Pulled Pork for the People” video. What can I say about it? It was an extremely clever and effectively ad campaign that, in today’s age where 98% of commercials personally do not appeal to me, actually drew me in, entertained me, made me laugh, and gave me a small glimmer of hope that another fast food franchise could perhaps pull off a decent barbecue sandwich (the previous one being the marginally-good ARBY’s and their Smokehouse Brisket Sandwich, whose commercial guest-starred Neil “Bigmista” Strawder of Bigmista’s Barbecue). Wendy’s new spot featured actors Alfonso Ribeiro and Ralph Macchio, and wrestler Steve Austin in a humorous faux-awareness cause advertisement. I love it. If you haven’t seen it yet, watch it below: