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"Pain is NOT a flavor!" - A Taste of Life in Austin TX (LOCALISM FEATURED)

Pain is NOT a flavor...

Hot Sauce Contest

August 24th was the 18^th annual celebration of The Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Contest here in Austin, Texas. The event featured many vendors who promoted their sauces along with individuals vying for glory in the hot sauce world. The organizers raise money and collect food for the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas. Attendance is free, but patrons are asked to bring non- perishable donations for the bank. It is supposedly the largest Contest and Festival of its kind and I have entered in fourteen of the contests since the beginning eighteen years ago! I arrived early with three entries, one for each category; Red, Green and Special category. First 3 entrants I was joined by Ted Fick-C and Tom Spradling-R and as we told stories about past events & swapped "tastes" I knew I was in trouble right away because my green entry was not near Tom's (he even grows his own peppers)! When I tried Ted's I was amazed, It was so complex and he smokes/roasts his veggies for SEVENTEEN hours. It was a red entry but I think it would have dominated in the special category commercial. And we were the first of 600 entries!

We like it Hot and Spicy in Texas and it's been that way for years. Chili peppers and the thousands of variations of salsas, sauces and pico-de-gallos testify to the unending search for the best combination to dip your tortilla chip (or literally anything else you might choose). Although I like hot & spicy I still maintain that "if it's too painful, it ain't good".

So where do you draw a line? For J.P. Hayes, founder of Sargent Pepper's, an Austin sauce-making company, it's off the charts. J.P. has set up a booth at the festival every year since it started! We both realized that we were probably the only people attending wearing the original T-shirt from the event's first year. The first two years, the festival was billed as a contest between Austin and San Antonio but Austin ran away with the event both times and from then on it was just "The Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Contest. Austin became the mecca for individuals, restaurants and commercial bottlers from all over the state seeking fame and salsa fortune! Several thousand people attended and lined up for free samples from many of the restaurants and commercial bottlers as well as a huge tent displaying some of the hundreds of individual entries. Heat lines Big Daddys

Tears of Joy The Food Network was also on hand to record the show and interview the restaurants, Commercial bottlers and each of the winners who took part! The entries are evaluated by a panel of celebrity judges who are given a group of the final samples after the bulk are tasted by a preliminary group of "tasters" (a job NOT suited for the faint hearted). I already mentioned that I have entered this event many times and I need to say I have only received an honorable mention in the special category for a fresh Peach/Red pepper salsa my daughter and I entered in 2007. Pepper Style The rivalry is as fierce as it is overwhelmingly large! This year we entered the individual category with a new version of the salsa we entered last year and I also made a red and green version. I always like the festivities and attend for the fun as well as the possibility of actually placing but my daughter decided to stay home and avoid the crowds and heat! Ranchero Later, I almost missed the announcements and when I managed to arrive at the stage, Tom Spradling, Farrell Kubena (partner with Torchy's Tacos) and Elizabeth Derczo (event organizer extraordinaire) were all excitedly saying that my daughter and I had taken 2^nd Place in the special category!!! By the time I managed to check in at the awards desk and pick up our prize the Food Network folks had already moved on so I missed my chance at 30 seconds of fame on TV and that is fine. Bring it ON! I plan on returning again (with my daughter) and competing for 1^st Place and I hope you can make it too!

Two Hot Mama's

Some of the winners are pictured below left to right: Russell Lewis, Mike Rypka and friend of Torchy's awards in two restaurant categories, Kevin and Jill Lewis of Austin Slow Burn who won 1^st in the individual special category as well as awards for the Commercial Bottlers too!

A few of the Winners!

Complete list of winners in each category: http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Market/HotSauce

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

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Posted by Russell Lewis, Broker,CLHMS,GRI on 09/03/2008 12:24 AM

Comments (71)

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russell lewis, austin texas living, the good life in austin texas, austin chronicle hot sauce contest, hot sauce festival, austin luxury homes

Originally posted at: "Singing in the Rain!": "Pain is NOT a flavor!" - A Taste of Life in Austin TX (LOCALISM FEATURED)

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71 Comments on "Pain is NOT a flavor!" - A Taste of Life in Austin TX (LOCALISM FEATURED)

SEP

2008

Hey!!! You finally managed to find time to post this! How cool is it that after 14 tries, you and your daughter finally managed to place in the contest! This is another fun event in Austin every year and i am so glad you put it up for localism! Great graphic too!!!

Russell - Hook a brother up!

Jason My brother, unfortunately this one is a fresh salsa that does not travel OR bottle well. I do make a good one that is Hot, Sweet & Rightous (The name is a version of a ZZ Top song) Hot, Blue And Righteous at Christmas that is made with Pilloncillo and will send you a jar if you send me an address (by email)

I have entered in fourteen of the contests since the beginning eighteen years ago!

Hey Russell,

Persistence pays off. Good work on capturing second place! My oldest son would love to attend an event like that. I, on the other hand, lean towards the mild sauce. I know. I'm boring. I also eat vanilla ice cream. :)

Not Yet LicensedFunny you mentioned Ice Cream, it is my favorite food and am going to do a post on the subject soon. I am trying to start adding something of some substance to my Localism areas for consumers! Thanks for dropping by!

Allysoun I almost missed you! Yes I have been so busy I do not have as much time to devote to my blog but I am glad to have the business! The contest was fun and it was a wonderful surprise to place with so many entrants!

Dear Russell,

It appears we have even MORE in common than before. I too was at the first event and I still have my t-shirt! In fact I used to be in the business competing against my friend JP. While I did not whip up any salsa this year, I usually do. I love hot stuff and I love to cook!! I will keep you posted for the Chili cook-off in October. We should get together for margaritas and hot hot sauce!

Betina

PS. My husband's company, R.W.Garcia donated the chips again this year for the contest. in fact we have been involved with this contest since the first year, when we both worked for Guiltless Gourmet, Inc. Guiltless Gourmet donated all of the tortilla chips for the first 10+ years of this event.

;)

Betina Wow! That is so cool! We do indeed have a lot ofgreat things in common! And i love the chips! You used to work for Guiltless gourmet too! Wild, I love their black bean dip! And I am amazed we never ran into each other before. I know Elizabeth from when the Chronicle shared a space with Sheauxnough Studios (Armadillo Artists and a buch of other very interesting folks) probably before you were born...I am still laughing about the old enough comment! Thanks for commenting now i am going to check your blog!

Russell, sounds like great fun. Do you share your recipe?

stop already! you are making me hungry and want to sample all the salsa choices.

The Guiltless days were a blast to be sure. The spicy black bean was our number one item for years. The funny thing is we started as the first baked chip on the planet. Somehow we became aclaimed for the yummy black bean dip and it won numerous awards from the food industry. Was that Elizabeth, Hank's mother in Customer Service or the Elizabeth that dated Gary Walker- Head of Customer Service???

OK, I deserve the age crack. I promise I am not still 'wet behind the ears'.... but only my colorist knows for sure!! LOL I have been here (Austin) full time since 1989, and at least two weekends a month for another 5 years before that to go to 6th street and go kayaking and canoeing on the rivers around Austin. We probably have bumped into one another over the years and just not realized it. You might recognize the 25 year old me better. LOL

Russell, my friend...you and JP may be two of the only folks around who still HAVE T-Shirts 18 years old, plus 18 year-old T-shirts that still FIT! So, when it's time to give special people some of your famous hot sauce, I get dibs on the new batch that won! Sounds too wonderful and can't wait to taste it! Congrats!

No that is a competition I want to be the judge in! I wouldn't mind checking out that recipe myself if you are so inclined to share. Great post!

Connie It's not an exact recipe but it is a fresh salsa and cannot be canned. I will give the basics at the bottom of this reply and you can tweak it to your own tastes!

RickI kept getting hungry myself while writing this post and looking at all the pictures!

Betina It is Elizabeth Derczo of the Chronicle, I have known her for years since the Sheauxnough Days and she has been the main organizer of the festival for years so you know her for sure! I love you post because it describes how so many of us get to Austin! First by visiting and then more and more and finally just MOVING! I will talk to you soon!

HI CarolThanks for dropping by and though it's fresh I have a few peaches left and will drop some off on my way to work this week! And thanks for the compliment on the t-shirt size!!!

CaseyThanks for your comment, the basics are listed below but the main ingredient Gillespie County, Texas late Summer peaches are almost gone and of course are not available everywhere!

The basic recipe is:

4 cups peeled and chopped, fresh, late summer Texas peaches (the tastiest on the planet), finely chopped red onion to taste, 1/2 bunch rough chop cilantro, thinly sliced rings of FRESH RED, Cayenne, Serrano and jalapeno peppers (1/2 cup more or less), 1 whole lime squeezed, 1/3 cup fresh orange juice, 1 tbl. sugar, ground dried coriander to taste. pinch of toasted ground cumin seeds, salt to taste.

Toss together and marinate for at least 2 hours. Taste and add additional ingrediants per your own tastes! Enjoy on almost anything!

Russell

Hi there! This looks post great with lots of fun pictures!and thanks for including me in the post even though I did not do that much! The peach/red pepper salsa is really, really tasty and you were so nice to give away the basic recipe!

Russell, Congrats on your win!! It looks like a lot of hot fun.

Hey Russell I didnt know that you are so multi=talented. Congratulations! Next year let me know when this occurs so i can come out and harass you a little. take care your friend Mike C

Mattie Thanks but when we decided to do a salsa together we finally placed!

Marchel Thank you so much for commenting! You should try and make it up to Austin next year for the 19th Annual Competition!

Hi MikeYou must have read this on my outside blog! I am glad it's working and thanks for commenting!

SEP

2008

Oh, Hot sauce? This is one festival I would rather miss. I've never quite figured out why people like food to burn their mouths.

Russell That is an outstanding post and charitable event. Congratulations on being a winner. We don't make our own sauce, but my husband always picks himself up a batch of home made habanero from our favorite Mexican restaurant. Even though I'm from Albuquerque I don't want the sauce beyond "warm", Karen

DianeIt is definitely an "acquired taste" but you build up a tolerance over time and it is addictive. I like it HOT but as the title says, I do not enjoy pain at my meals! You might be surprised that salsa passed Ketchup several years back as the number 1 condiment!

Hi Karen Great to hear from you and I am impressed you all eat a salsa in the Habanero range , pretty hot bit sounds tasty! The event is fun and you never know what the judges are thinking but I will return every year!

This is neat. We just moved to Austin from Houston and friend of ours recommendd your Austin good life blog. I am sorry we missed the show this year but will not miss it next year! I see you also have an article on Barton Springs so I will look at that next!

Thank you,

Erin P.

I can't even do mild salsa so my stomach hurts already!

Congratulations on the win and also for being on the front page of the Active rain site! You do make delicious salsa!

What a cool get-together. Congratulations! I can handle the mild sauce. THat's my limit. Kristin

Looks like a lot of fun. I need to consider attending next time. I love me some salsa!

Erin Thank you for checking out my outside blog, it is connected here at active rain too and I am glad it's being seen! You should attend next year because it is lots of fun!

AnneThank you for the compliment! you are on the permanent list for my Christmas salsa!

Jean As I mentioned earlier, salsa is not for everyone but it has now passed ketchup as the most popular condiment in the country!

Kristin I completely agree with you, it's more about flavor than heat!

Jason You would have a blast and I will put you down for a batch of the stuff I make at Christmas!

what a great event. It looks like a lot of fun. Glad you placed -- you guys are simply hot and spicy!

Muy Caliente? What a great win and looks like so much fun! Next year we might take the trip "north" and see you !

Is it as good as the BBQ sauce?

Joan You are making me blush! Thanks for the comment and we do like it hot and spicy!

Sheila Si...muy caliente! And This is the hottest. Made by Sargent Peppers here in Austin!

Hi Ann It is as good as the Queen Bee BBQ sauce, just in a different way!

Thanks for sharing your talents with us!!!! You are #1 to me!

Thank you for the HOT Texas information. I'm just going to have to go next year.

Russell, congratulations on your win with your daughter. It sounds like your recipe may be a little too hot for my taste but obviously it is a WINNER! Plus, the important thing here is that it sounds as though it is an exceptional time for mingling and having a great time with friends.

Russell Way to go!I have to tell you the funniest part of this blog is that you actually placed in such a competitive arena. This is a very cool localism blog and i am going to also check the one you wrote about Barton Springs!!!

Russell,

Well done. You put much time and effort into your post. That festival would be a rockin' good time. Best of luck.

Russell,

Well done. You put much time and effort into your post. That festival would be a rockin' good time. Best of luck.

Sara Thanks for the comment, I only wish I could write 1/10 as good a you!

Gabe Come on down! We got plenty to go around!

Gena It was everything you said and I have to rell you, Austin is a place where there is so much for everyone to do together!

Sonya It was pretty ironic that after 14 tries, we finally managed to place and it was a nice facet of the post!

KevinIt was great time and the hardest part is trying to figure out what pictures to niclude.

SEP

2008

This looks like a lot of fun and also great tastes. Enjoy.

The first thing that comes to mind when i read this was a vendor walking around a baseball stadium saying: "HOT SAUCE, GET YOUR HOUSE SAUCE" (referring to hotdogs ofcourse). Well at least now we all know where to go if we want to try some hot sauce. Btw: quite an impressive post for what most would consider such a boring topic. You must really love your hot sauce. hehe.

CALL RUSSELL LEWIS FOR AUSTIN, TX REAL ESTATE HOMES FOR SALE

Bob & Carolin Thank yoyu It's both and hotc omes in all degrees!

Castellum Realty Ok you got me laughing, hot sauce vendors are probably in our futures (Although at many events in Texas whereyou get that sort of food hot sauce is right along side ketchup and mustard)! We do love ourhot sauce down here!

Russell, congratulations on placing in the hot sauce contest. One of our local stores has a section with what must be 101+ different types of hot sauces... One of the most entertaining things is reading the hilarious labels on many of these bottles. So where does yours rank on the Scoville hotness scale?

Brian We have a couple of local stores that offer the same overwhelming display of heat inspired products and honestly, the grocery store in Texas have whole shelf sections dedicated to salsa and hot sauces'!

Who in the hell makes hot sauce out of peaches? What next, cottage cheese and yogurt?

Congratulations Russell. I'll bet it was great. Was it as good as the jelly we made on the Alaska trip?

SEP

2008

Randy Thanks for looking at my outside blog! Of course peaches can be made into salsa! These day almost anything you can imagine winds up in the bowl! Have a great weeK!

Hi John I appreciate you droppingng by my new blog too! The salsa IS as good as the wild berry jam we made in Alaska but just as different!

SEP

2008

Hey there Russell - What a fabulous post and congratulations on being featured...how fun!!! I love hot sauces, what a nice surprise to see you as a big winner....did you say wearing the original T-shirt? You wear it once a year...right ;-) I've saved the recipe - thanks.

mmmmm.... hot sauce......

argh-arghhhhhhhh-arghhhhhhhhhhhh..

SEP

2008

Hello Russell,

Great to hear from you. Congratulations on your win. I did not place this year, but already working on my sauce for next year. I have my shirt from my first entry in the festival as well, it still fits also. I even have a T-shirt that my wife gave me not long after we were married. 24 years and it still fits. I think it is the hot sauce that keeps me slim. Looking forward to seeing you again next year. Keep in touch. Let me know if I can ever be of assistance. Take care. Ted

SEP

2008

Great Pictures, looks like fun.

Thanks for the comment on my blog!!

GO COWBOYS!!

Ted I am so glad you found my "Outside Blog" and were able to make a comment! I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you and have to tell youI LOVE YOUR HOT SAUCE! We have to figure out a swap of some sort. The sala I entered is the one on the bottom that I am holding in the picture. It's a fresh peach/red pepper salsa and I was amazed that we placed but then again I like the stuff myself! I am also glad I met you because I have heard good things about your company and will add you to my vendors list!

Andy Thanks for dropping by and commenting! And...I think we are in for a good season this year!

SEP

2008

Russell what an awesome post featuring a local business! All the pictures go so well with the story.

SEP

2008

Bill Thanks, i try to write about places and events That i enjoy because there are plenty of folks out there who just post fluff. I had so much fun with this ine i have 4 more in mind about places and things in Austin that I will post in the future!

SEP

2008

Russell, I think this is a very cool local post! How about bringing some of that tasty hot sauce to the office and sharing sometime?

Good pictures too!

Hey Russell, I want to meet the person that thought to secure bigdaddyassburn. That is hilarious!

Michelle Flattery will get you anything you like! You are of course, on the permanent list for the christmas Salsa!

Amanda Hey you! Thanks for dropping by, I was also laughing when i talked to the guy. You know, in Houston almost anything goes. I was not curious enough to try his hot sauce...(I was still sweating fon the heat provided by one too many tastes of the "Tejas Tears" !

SEP

2008

Russell, I thought I would remind you that we are waiting semi patiently from some of your delicious salsa! it don't matter which kind you bring just bring it because we know it's ALWAYS Good! BTW the pictures in this post are great AND I cannot wait to see your post on our favorite Ice Cream shop in Austin!

Michelle Shhhhhhh...next thing you know, EVERYBODY will want some! Actually you know i am very generous with all of my friends and you know you are on the permanent list for the salsa we make at Christmas! I am glad you like the pictures, i had a great time at the event like I always do!

SEP

2008

Now, Russell, that's a part of Austin we haven't seen when we've been teaching there. Maybe next year we'll have a scheduled CLHMS class in Austin that's jut before or after the Hot Sauce contest. I'll just look at the local color and leave the Hot Sauce tasting to Tami.

Sharon No matter what time of year you all are in town, it would be my pleasure to show you around and there is always something very interesting happening here that ou would enjoy! Since you are not a hot sauce fan, I will send along some of my home made peach preserves. I make up a large batch every year with a good friend who is the chef/owner of an nationally known restaurant here in Austin. I still need to write a localism post about peaches and the like very soon! Let's see just after my favorite ice cream shop, hamburger joint and a 1/2 dozen taco shacks and...

OCT

2008

Russell, Congrats on your win. I can tell you now, you'll never see me at one of those events. Water gives me heartburn, I can't even think hot sauce without tearing up. LOL. Great pics with this post. I miss Texas.

OCT

2008

Bob, I understand, not everyone is up for hot sauce. I like to cook so I also do jams and jellies and you just gave me an idea to post about Texas peaches! Thanks!

DEC

2008

Hey...just a reminder or "hint"...you ARE planning to make some of your Christmas Salsa this year...RIGHT?

Well...time is getting short!

DEC

2008

Did you see the previous comment? Well...what's the word on the salsa this year! i am laughing as i bug you in your blog! (I do want to be included if you make some Christmas Salsa)

APR

2009

Put your money where your mouth is... I want to taste some real Texas hot sauce!! No namby pamby Pace junk will do.

;)

APR

2009

Allysoun Oh my...For some reason I did not get a notice that you had commented way back in DDecember BUT you have already received some of the Christmas Salsa so we are good! LOL

Betina, next time I make a batch, I will save a bottle for you! And thanks for dropping by to comment!

JUN

2010

Hey Russell, Hope you have all your veggies in the ground. It will not be long until they will ring the pepper bell to start the contest again. I will be there sauce in hand. Hope to see you there. BTW I looked over your recipe for your sauce. Looks interesting. I'm trying a few new things this year. Yes one does have a mention of peaches. Take care.

DEC

2010

Dear Russell,

It was great to see you today. I hope you like the orange cranberry nut bread. Thanks so much for the salsa and jam. The salsa was just as promised sweet and hot. We will try the jam tomorrow. Thanks again!

Betina

Hey Ted Sorry I did not catch up with you this year but hope to see you there next year!

Hi Betina It was great visiting and catching up with you today! Glad to hear you liked the "Santa Salsa" and thanks so much for the delicious orange cranberry nut bread! We started in on it for dessert tonight and I don't think it will last too much after noon tomorrow!

Have a great New Year!

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Russell Lewis, Broker,CLHMS,GRI

Austin, TX

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