Fiery Foods Competition Announces 2011 Scovie Award Winners

Albuquerque, NM – For the first time in 15 years, the annual Scovie Awards has announced that two products will take home the coveted overall grand prize. Barhyte Specialty Foods’ Saucy Mama Creamy Horseradish and Poco Dolce’s Super Chile Toffee Squares were separated by less than a thousandth of a point, leading to the first two-way tie in Scovie Award history.

Barhyte’s Saucy Mama Creamy Horseradish took top honors in the condiments category, in addition to placing overall.  Poco Dolce’s Super Chile Toffee Squares beat out the competition in the sweet heat category.

Barhyte Specialty Foods is located in Pendleton, Oregon and produces a variety of specialty mustards, condiments and sauces.  Poco Dolce originated in San Francisco, California and today retails their savory chocolate products in stores across the United States.  Crazy Uncle Jester’s, a family-owned specialty food manufacturer from Ohio, took home the grand prize award in advertising and marketing for their product logo and label.

This year’s competition featured two new categories: extreme sauce and wing sauce.  In all, 139 companies entered 639 different products for a chance at Scovie glory. Dave DeWitt, creator of the Scovie awards, said competition was particularly fierce this year, with entries from 37 states and six countries.

DeWitt, the “Pope of Peppers”, was impressed by the variety and creativity of entries.  “This year I was blown away by all of the great submissions.  Some are out of this world and the new ideas and flavors never cease to amaze me. The competition gets better and better each year,” DeWitt said.

Some of the most interesting entries included Honey Jalapeno Infusion from Smoken’ Jacks, Panama Red Hot Sauce from Pancali Foods, Lavender Vinaigrette and Marinade from Montebello Kitchens, Bali Boo Yah from Sean’s Boo Yah! and Dennis’ Mango Habenero BBQ Sauce from Reva Foods.

The Scovie Award winners can be seen and tasted at the 2011 Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show March 4-6, 2011 at Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Vendors from across the country will be in attendance.  For more information please visit: www.fiery-foods.com.

The Scovie Awards is an annual competition created by Dave DeWitt that recognizes the top fiery foods products in the world.  It is one of the most competitive blind tasted food competitions.  Hundred of products are entered and go through rigorous tastings to receive the top honors.  The Scovie Awards take place annually in the month of October.