Hot Sauces and the use of chilies in cooking date back to the earliest annals of human culinary history as a means of imparting flavor to the foods we eat. If you enjoy learning about different hot sauces, how they differ from one another, and where to locate new and different hot sauces outside of what you find on the supermarket shelves, this is the podcast episode for you.

This episode features Mr. Scott Roberts, someone I have long respected for his passion for hot sauces, their production, nuanced differences, and history. Scott has owned and operated for 10 years, which has the largest online database of Scoville rankings, information on chilihead-related events, and much, much, more.

In this session of the BBQ Beat Podcast, we’ll cover some hot sauce basics, how you can get the most out of attending a Hot Sauce Convention like the New York City Hot Sauce Expo, the National Firey Foods and BBQ Show, and more.

It’s Not Just About Burning Your Skull Off!

One of the things I like about this discussion with Scott is that he does a great job of sharing how the very best chefs and cooks out there using hot sauces or chilies understand how they can impart real flavor to dishes. Yes, some folks will always seek out the hottest sauce for its “dare you to try it” factor, but the world of hot sauces has so much more to it than just heat.

Fix Hot Sriracha Style Hot Sauce

NYC Hot Sauce Expo

National Firey Foods & Barbecue Show

About the Show

The BBQ Beat Podcast, hosted by Kevin Sandridge, shares all that’s good in competition and backyard BBQ and grilling. Guests include competition BBQ pitmasters, food industry insiders, BBQ and grilling product manufacturers, and event promoters from the US as well as abroad. If you love BBQ and have an appreciation for southern culture and live-fire cooking – this is the BBQ podcast for you.

Episode Summary

In this podcast episode, you’ll discover:

How the different hot sauces available are categorized in terms of both heat level and flavor
The wonders of Spicy Caramel Sauce used on apple pie with vanilla ice cream or a little chili pepper in some hot chocolate or hot fudge
A small Sriracha hot sauce maker you’ve never heard of that Scott bets you’ll really love!
How pairing hot sauces with food the right way makes all the difference
The aspects of Jerk sauces that make for a great change up in your hot sauce game
Some of the sauce companies Scott really likes:
- Dragon’s Blood Elixir
- CaJohns Fiery Foods
- Race City Sauce Works
- Born to Hula Hot Sauces
- High River Sauces
- Heartbreaking Dawns
- Marie Sharp’s
Which Hot Sauce events to visit, what to check out, how to really enjoy them
- NYC Hot Sauce Expo
- Texas Hot Sauce Festival
- ZestFest
- National Fiery Foods Show
- I Like it Hot Festival
The best ways to see if your hot sauce recipe can be a hit selling to the public (see my podcast on marketing sauces here)
How to get the best out of Hot Sauce forums like TheHotPepper.com – great info on sauces, growing your own peppers, etc. Been around for years!
Where to get a hold of quality pepper seeds for growing your own at home. Not just habanero or ghost peppers, but some of the milder peppers like Aleppo and Poblano. Check out Refining Fire Chiles.

Complimentary Podcast Episodes

Questions, Comments or Suggestions?

Have a question or a podcast guest suggestion? Please leave me a message on my contact page. You can also find me on Twitter and via the BBQ Beat Facebook Page.

Be Sure to Listen to More Episodes!

If you enjoyed this episode of the BBQ Beat Podcast, you can see the full podcast archive here. Or, simply catch up on some of the other most popular BBQ podcast conversations listed below.

Razorracks BBQ on Winning Big with a Small Footprint
Talking with Drew Davis of Razorracks BBQ about how teams without big rigs, toy haulers, or trailers can still win big on the competition BBQ trail! Topics discussed include the importance of having the right mindset, tips for making the most out of your team’s competition dollars, and much more. Keep Reading »
Duce Raymond of Sweet Baby Ray’s
In this episode, I talk with Duce Raymond of Sweet Baby Ray’s about the origins of the world’s most popular barbecue sauce. But we go way deeper than that. Duce shares the origins of the iconic Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce, but he also details how one very important lesson from his uncle continues to drive the family’s successful restaurants and catering business forward. Keep Reading »
Black Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue
It was my great pleasure to sit down for a chat with James Beard Book Award Author Adrian Miller to discuss his latest book, Black Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue. A true scholar, historian, and lover of smoked meats, Adrian and I talk about the contents of this text, along with the reasons he felt it needed to be written. Keep Reading »
Ted Reader on Making it Tasty with Live Fire
No one embodies the spirit of crafting amazing food with live fire better than Canada’s Chef Ted Reader. I can’t thank Teddy enough for sitting down and allowing me to record this EPIC chat! Keep Reading »
Chris Becker of CookinPellets.com
Chris Becker founded CookinPellets to make the best premium BBQ pellets available. Join me for an in-depth look at how and why he did it. Keep Reading »
Amy Mills – BBQ Business and the Legacy of Mr. Mike
Amy Mills of 17th Street BBQ shares loving memories of her Dad, Mr. Mike Mills, the impact COVID has had on their business, and more. Keep Reading »
2021 Hog Drop Champion John Lindsey
In this episode, I talk with John Lindsey of All Q’ued Up BBQ about his recent Grand Champion win at the 2021 Hog Drop held at the Jack’s Old South compound in Unadilla, GA. Keep Reading »
Rusty and Anthony of the Pitmasters Podcast
Rusty Monson and Anthony Lujan host the Pitmasters Podcast… and they are on a mission to ignite the passion of cooks everywhere-from amateur to pro-to continue to exceed their own expectations on their journey to Master the Pit! Anyone who loves cooking with live fire and the fun and fellowship of BBQ should make the … Read more
Montana Max on Food Sport and His BBQ Champs Academy Series
Great chat with food sport professional Montana Max about his new ancillary classes offered up on BBQ Champs Academy! Keep Reading »
Protecting Knives in Style – Talking with Mick Kerkham of Maka Leathergoods
with “Maka” Kerkham from Maka Leathergoods in Tasmania. His leather knife rolls are sought after by top chefs and BBQ pitmasters worldwide. Keep Reading »