Fearless fiery-food fans consume more than 100 gallons of salsa at the annual fest.
Some folks can’t get enough of the heat—even in August—when it comes to salsa picante. The Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival celebrates 20 years by hosting the hottest show in town on August 29th, from 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. in downtown Austin’s Waterloo Park. What started as a friendly competition between Austin and San Antonio salsa makers has grown into one of the largest annual hot sauce contests in the world, with more than 350 entries each year. lndividuals, restaurants, and commercial bottlers compete separately in three categories—Jane Wured, green, and special-variety. The judging panel features renowned Texas foodies and a few special guests. (Last year, TH Photo Editor Griff Smith put his taste buds on the line.) Music and salsa-making demonstrations round out the event, as well as plenty of ice-cold beverages to quell the heat. Admission is free with a donation of three nonperishable food items for the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas. Call 512-454-5766; www.austinchronicle.com/hotsauce.
