Football Season Is Here!

I know this Blog is supposed to be dedicated to hot sauce, but with the NFL season officially here I have to digress for just a moment. If last nights game between the Steelers and Titans is any indication we should be in for another great year of NFL football. I would have expected a little more offense, but with the first game of the season going into O.T. who can complain. As for me, I've been a HUGE San Diego Chargers fan since Fran Tarkenton retired from the league. See, I was born in Minneapolis and my life was all about the Purple People Eaters in the 70's, but when Fran The Man retired in '78 I decided I had to find a new team. The Chargers were it! Ever since the Air Coryell days I've been a rock-solid Chargers fan, which means I've been through more than my share of disappointments. We came close in the '94 season (if you call a 49-26 drubbing in the Super Bowl close), and despite the failed optimism I've had in past years - I really think this could be the Year of the Chargers! Think about it - it's the Chargers 50th Anniversary and as of Tuesday, September 15th they'll be releasing a DVD documentary called "The Complete History of the San Diego Chargers" which was produced by NFL Films ($26.95). The stars are aligned! It's been great seeing L.T. on the field this preseason. A healthy L.T. paired with Darren Sproules will no doubt lead to an explosive running game and should really open up even more opportunities for Jackson, Chambers, Osgood and Gates. There's no doubt in my mind that the absence of Merriman last year had even more impact on the Chargers than Bradys' absence with the Patriots. With Merrimam and company pressuring the quarterback I really expect Cromartie to have the kind of year he did in 2007. The one thing I will miss is watching Rivers and Cutler jaw at each other on the sidelines, but I am glad to have Cutler out of the division. So, let's tie this all together with what this blog is supposed to be about. There's a full slate of great games this Sunday and not one, but two games on Monday night (including Chargers/Raiders) - and NOTHING goes better with football than a cold beer, a bowl of chips and hot sauce and salsa, right? Check out my website "Hot Sauces From A to Z" (www.hotsaucesfromatoz.com) and order some goods. You might not have it in time for this weekends games, but you should have it for Week Two. GO CHARGERS!

2009 Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival Winners

I know from personal experience that people will travel long distances to attend a concert or sporting event. If you happen to be a fan of hot sauce, I'll bet the same is true with the variety of Hot Sauce Festivals that occur annually across the country. One of the more prominent festivals is the Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival (now in it's 19th year) which took place on August 30, 2009. If you weren't able to attend the festival - all of this years winners are detailed below.

Commercial Bottlers - Judged by Celebrity Judges
1st Place Red Sauce: Kala's Kuisine - Curry Chipotle Sauce
2nd Place Red Sauce: Austin Slow Burn - Salsa Con Habanero
3rd Place Red Sauce: Pace - Pico de Gallo

1st Place Green Sauce: Kala's Kuisine - Mirchi Masala Salsa
2nd Place Green Sauce: Big Dawg's Fire Rescue Jalapeno Hot Sauce
3rd Place Green Sauce: Tears of Joy 6th Street Green

1st Place Special Variety: Tears of Joy - Tequila Lime Hot Sauce
2nd Place Special Variety: Pepper Creek Farm - Island Flame
3rd Place Special Variety: Kala's Kuisine - Mango Chutney

1st Place Pepper Sauce: Big Daddy's Ass Burn Hot Sauce
2nd Place Pepper Sauce: Sgt. Pepper's Tropical Tears Mango Hot Sauce
3rd Place Pepper Sauce: Big Dawg's DNR


Commercial Bottlers People's Choice
1st Place Red Sauce: Don't Panic Hispanic
2nd Place Red Sauce: Tears of Joy 6th Red Salsa
3rd Place Red Sauce: Kala's Kuisine Curry Chipotle Salsa

1st Place Green Sauce: Tears of Joy 6th Street Green Sauce
2nd Place Green Sauce: Austin Slow Burn Salsa Verde
3rd Place Green Sauce: Kala's Kuisine Mirchi Masala Salsa

1st Place Special Variety: Tears of Joy Tequila Lime Hot Sauce
2nd Place Special Variety: Logan's Habanero Relish
3rd Place Special Variety: Austin Slow Burn Green Chile Queso

1st Place Pepper Sauce: Aztexan Habanero Supreme
2nd Place Pepper Sauce: Tears of Joy August in Austin Hot Sauce
3rd Place Pepper Sauce: Austin Slow Burn Jerk Marinade


Restaurant Category
1st Place Red Sauce: Torchy's Tacos
2nd Place Red Sauce: La Condesa
3rd Place Red Sauce: El Caribe

1st Place Green Sauce: Las Lomas
2nd Place Green Sauce: Sazon
3rd Place Green Sauce: Cuatro's Restaurant

1st Place Special Variety: Curra's Grill
2nd Place Special Variety: La Condesa
3rd Place Special Variety: Sazon

Congratulations to all! The Hatch Chile Festival took place Saturday and Sunday (September 5th and 6th, 2009) in Hatch, New Mexico - "The Chile Capital of the World". Once I track down this years winners I'll share them with you. In the meantime, if you're anywhere near Bowers, Pennsylvania this weekend (September 11th and 12th, 2009) - make plans to attend the Chile Pepper Food Festival - it's a Big Event. PEPPER POWER!