With dedicated festivals in both the North and South Islands, Kiwis love hot sauce.
The South Island saw the return of the infamous Hot Sauce Festival and Chilli Easting Competition on July 23. The event started with only 250 attendees and has since grown to attract over 1,000. It featured some of the nation's best hot sauce vendors and a Chili eating competition.
In the North Island, the NZ Hot Sauce Festival is set to be held on September 24. There are 13 spicy stallholders lined up, including Fire Dragon Chillies, Smokin Weasel Sauce Co., Morepork BBQ Kumeu, King Street Sauces, Spicy Boys, Wild West Worcester and more. Held at the Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen from 12-7 pm there will be over 100 sauces to try. It also hosts the NZ Chilli Eating Champs Final, where Jesse Painter will attempt to retain the title for the third year in a row.
