Every festival has a reputation.
For years, we’d heard people talk about Weekend of Fire at Jungle Jim’s International Market as one of the premier hot sauce events in the country. It’s a gathering of passionate sauce makers, adventurous food lovers, and serious pepperheads who all come together to celebrate one thing: incredible flavor. From fiery hot sauces and spice blends to unique foods that push the boundaries of heat, it’s the kind of event that’s been on our radar for a long time.
This year, we finally had the chance to experience it for ourselves.
Not only was it our first time exhibiting at Weekend of Fire, but it was also our opportunity to introduce Black Eyed Susan Spice Company to an entirely new audience. We packed the bottles, loaded the booth, and made the trip to Fairfield, Ohio, hoping people would connect with what we love most about our products: bold, creative flavors that happen to bring some heat along with them.
By the end of the weekend, we’d met hundreds of incredible people, made new friends throughout the hot sauce community, and walked away with something we never expected during our first appearance.
We were honored to receive First Place for Most Unique Hot Sauce.
One of the best parts of traveling to festivals is seeing someone try our sauces for the very first time.
Some visitors walked up knowing exactly who we were. Others had never heard of us before. Some proudly called themselves chileheads and wanted to sample the hottest thing on the table, while others admitted they usually don’t enjoy hot sauce because everything they’ve tried focused more on heat than flavor.
Those are some of our favorite conversations.
At Black Eyed Susan, we’ve always believed that great hot sauce should make food taste better, not simply make it hotter. Every recipe begins with ingredients that complement one another. The peppers are important, but they’re only one part of the story. Whether it’s smoky chipotle, bright citrus, roasted garlic, earthy spices, or unexpected flavor combinations inspired by cuisines from around the world, our goal has always been to create sauces that people reach for because they taste incredible.
Throughout the weekend, we watched people take a sample, pause for a moment, and then smile as they realized our sauces were something a little different. Those reactions never get old, and they’re a big part of why we love attending events like Weekend of Fire.
Weekend of Fire isn’t just about meeting customers. It’s also about connecting with the people who make this industry so much fun.
We had the opportunity to meet fellow sauce makers from across the country, sample products we’d been hearing about for years, and catch up with friends we’d made at other festivals. While everyone is technically competing for attention, there’s an incredible sense of community among small businesses in the hot sauce world.
Conversations naturally drift from peppers and recipes to bottling, label design, new product ideas, and upcoming events. Everyone shares the same passion for creating something people will remember, and it’s inspiring to see just how much creativity exists throughout the industry.
Being surrounded by so many talented makers challenged us to keep thinking differently, keep experimenting, and keep pushing ourselves to create sauces that stand out.
Receiving First Place for Most Unique Hot Sauce was an incredible surprise, especially considering it was our first year at the event.
The award means a great deal to us because it recognizes something that’s always been at the heart of Black Eyed Susan Spice Company. We’ve never wanted to create sauces that simply chase heat levels or follow trends. We enjoy exploring unexpected ingredient combinations, borrowing inspiration from different culinary traditions, and building sauces that people haven’t tasted before.
Some recipes come together quickly. Others take months of adjustments before they feel just right. There are plenty of ideas that never make it into a bottle, but every experiment teaches us something new.
That’s what makes this award so meaningful. It celebrates creativity, and creativity has always been one of the driving forces behind everything we do.
To receive that recognition during our very first Weekend of Fire made the moment even more special.
No award happens without the people who make these festivals so memorable.
Whether you stopped by to sample a few sauces, picked up your favorite bottle, introduced a friend to our products, or simply spent a few minutes talking food with us, thank you for making our first Weekend of Fire an experience we’ll never forget.
Your enthusiasm, your curiosity, and your support are what allow small businesses like ours to keep creating new products and traveling to events around the country.
As exciting as this award is, we’re already thinking about what’s next.
Every festival teaches us something. We learn what flavors people are excited about, what recipes inspire the biggest reactions, and what ideas are worth exploring in the future. Weekend of Fire gave us plenty of inspiration, and we’re already back in the kitchen experimenting with new concepts that we can’t wait to share.
If this year’s event was any indication, we’ll definitely be making the trip back to Jungle Jim’s.
In the meantime, we’ll continue bringing our sauces to festivals across the country, meeting new customers, reconnecting with familiar faces, and doing what we enjoy most: creating flavorful sauces that surprise people in the best possible way.
If you haven’t already, be sure to follow us on social media and join the Spice Crew newsletter to stay up to date on upcoming events, new releases, exclusive discounts, and everything happening at Black Eyed Susan Spice Company.
Our first Weekend of Fire exceeded every expectation we had going into the weekend. We arrived hoping to introduce more people to our sauces and left with new friends, unforgettable memories, and a First Place award that we’ll always be proud of.
To everyone who visited our booth, sampled a sauce, cast a vote, or simply stopped by to say hello, thank you for helping make our first Weekend of Fire such an incredible experience. We can’t wait to see you again next year.
Email us today to bring our award-winning sauces and rubs to your shelves.
