Everything is bigger in Texas, so it should come as no surprise that this is one of the largest hot sauce festivals in the world.

The actual hot sauce competition has three levels: individuals (homemade), restaurants and commercial bottlers. The judges for the competition are some of the best chefs in Texas. Personally, I think that I should be a judge because aside from margaritas, Jell-o shots, and queso, hot sauce is one of the other few areas where I can claim to be an expert (not making it, mind you, just tasting it).

Hot sauce lovers, come early and come hungry! Each year, over 100 gallons of hot sauce are consumed and it keeps getting bigger and bigger. So even though there is more free hot sauce than someone can consume in a lifetime, the lines do get long and the day does get hot.

Of course there will be music.

Music line-up for the day:
11:00-11:30 – Aftermath
12:00-12:30 – Distant Lights
1:00-2:00 – El Tule
2:30-3:30 – Uncle Lucius
4:00-5:15 – David Garza

Admission: Free with the donation of 3 healthy, non-perishable food items or a cash donation to the Capital Area Food Bank.

Last year the festival raised more than $14,000 and over 29,000 pounds of food for Central Texans in need, well done Austin!

Time: 11:00-5:30pm

Location:

Waterloo Park
403 E. 15^th Street
Austin, Texas 78701

Tags: Annual Austin Chronicle’s Hot Sauce Festival

About the Author: Kristy Owen