Hot Sauce Festivals and Competitions Around the World

For hot sauce enthusiasts, there's nothing quite like attending a hot sauce festival or competition. These events bring together passionate chili heads, innovative hot sauce makers, and curious foodies to celebrate the fiery condiment. Here's a look at some of the most notable hot sauce festivals and competitions around the world:

#### 1. **National Fiery Foods and Barbecue Show (USA)** Held annually in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the National Fiery Foods and Barbecue Show is one of the largest events dedicated to hot sauce and spicy foods. The show features hundreds of exhibitors showcasing their hottest products, from hot sauces and salsas to spicy snacks and barbecue sauces. Attendees can sample a wide variety of products, attend cooking demonstrations, and participate in eating contests.

#### 2. **NYC Hot Sauce Expo (USA)**

The NYC Hot Sauce Expo takes place in Brooklyn, New York, and draws hot sauce lovers from all over the country. The event features a wide range of hot sauce vendors, live music, spicy food challenges, and eating contests. Highlights include the Screaming Mi Mi Awards, where the best hot sauces are honored, and the Guinness World Record Reaper Eating Contest, where participants compete to eat the most Carolina Reaper peppers.

#### 3. **West Coast Hot Sauce Experience (USA)** Held in San Diego, California, the West Coast Hot Sauce Experience is a celebration of all things spicy. The event features hot sauce tastings, live music, food trucks, and cooking demonstrations. Attendees can sample a variety of hot sauces, meet the makers, and participate in spicy food challenges.

#### 4. **Belgian Chili Festival (Belgium)** The Belgian Chili Festival, held in Antwerp, is a popular event for hot sauce enthusiasts in Europe. The festival features a wide range of spicy products, including hot sauces, chili powders, and spicy snacks. Attendees can participate in chili-eating contests, attend workshops, and enjoy live music and entertainment.

#### 5. **Portland Hot Sauce Expo (USA)** The Portland Hot Sauce Expo takes place in Portland, Oregon, and is a must-attend event for hot sauce fans in the Pacific Northwest. The expo features a variety of hot sauce vendors, live music, food trucks, and spicy food challenges. Highlights include the Hot Sauce Hall of Fame induction ceremony and the Extreme Eating Challenge.

#### 6. **Great Dorset Chili Festival (UK)** Held in Dorset, England, the Great Dorset Chili Festival is a celebration of all things chili. The festival features a wide range of hot sauce vendors, chili-growing competitions, cooking demonstrations, and spicy food challenges. Attendees can sample hot sauces, purchase chili plants, and enjoy live music and entertainment.

#### 7. **Sydney Chili Festival (Australia)** The Sydney Chili Festival, held in Sydney, Australia, is a popular event for hot sauce lovers Down Under. The festival features a wide range of spicy products, including hot sauces, chili powders, and spicy snacks. Attendees can participate in chili-eating contests, attend cooking demonstrations, and enjoy live music and entertainment.