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Food Karma NYC Presents: Sauce King NYC™

An International Sauce Competition 

After 10 years hosting food festivals and barbecue events like Brisket King NYC, Rib King NYC, Bowl of ‘Zole, and Pig Island NYC, Food Karma is excited to launch Sauce King NYC™.

In 2020 we are seeing the resurgence of backyard grilling and the rise of at-home smokers. More people are cooking for themselves than ever and that brings us back to the basics. The best sauces may just be the most important ingredients in your pantry.

About Sauce King NYC™

Sauce King NYC™ will determine the best barbecue sauces, hot sauces, marinades and more. A panel of expert judges from the NYC food, chef, and media community will taste each sauce, and select exclusive winners in each category who stand out for their bold flavors, excellent ingredients, and delicious taste. 

This is not your average sauce competition. It’s not about finding the hottest sauce that will blow your head off. Sauce King™ is about showcasing the wide range of top quality, all natural, barbecue sauces, hot sauces, and beyond that are perfect for backyard barbecue, grilling, and home cooking. We will be accepting a wide range of submissions – with the opportunity for people to submit their own categories.

Sauce King NYC Awards

October 2020

Sauce King NYC surveyed over 100 sauces submitted from all five boroughs of New York City, to Houston TX, Salem NC, Bowling Green KY, Seattle WA and even London, UK and Toronto, CA. The competition was not about finding the hottest sauce that will blow your head off. Instead it’s all about showcasing the wide range of top quality, all natural barbecue sauces, hot sauces, and beyond that are perfect for backyard barbecue, grilling, and home cooking. 

Ultimately one Sauce King champion was chosen along with 12 category winners and many more honorable mentions. 

Judging the sauces was a subjective process. Our 9 judges gathered for mini in-person and virtual tastings to have open conversations about the sauces that stood out. In many cases they embraced broad categories like “best flavor enhancer” or “best wing sauce,” but the judges also sought to recognize sauces for their niche appeal, creating sub-categories and honorable mentions for chili oils, condiments or sauces that pair with seafood. Each sauce was scored on these criteria: taste, appearance (including packaging), color, aroma, texture, and aftertaste. 

Read about the first annual Sauce King awards in The Smoke Sheet, NYC BBQ, and Total Food Service (p 56)

The Winners Are:

The Sauce King NYC Champion:

 Grand Prize: Memphis Mop BBQ Sauce, BBQ Buddha, NJ

Barbecue Sauces: 

Awards:

Best Flavor Enhancer: Belizean Season-All, Marie Sharp’s, NC 

Most Inventive BBQ Sauce: Somethin’ Somethin’ Sauce, B.T. Leigh’s Sauces and Rubs, KY

The Holy Trinity (Sweet, Spicy and Savory): Touch O Heat, Rufus Teague, KS

Honorable Mentions:

Fruit Based Barbecue Sauce: Mi Gente, Mi Tierra Spicy Guayaba Barbecue Sauce, Father & Son’s Kitchen, Bronx NY

Promising Amatuer Sauce: Honey Whole Grain Mustard BBQ Sauce, LondonOak, UK

International Barbecue Sauce: Sweet and Savory Korean BBQ Sauce, Firefly BBQ, UK

Barbecue Sauces for a Cause: 

KUREious Monkey Spicy Chipotle Sauce, Children’s Cord Blood Bank, Staten Island NY 

Fubar Elite BBQ Sauce, WarPig BBQ, TX. The Cause: giving back to our veterans by teaming up with 3 different veterans charities: The Folds of Honor, The Lone Survivor Foundation and the PTSD Foundation of America. 

Noteworthy:

Honey Sweet, Rufus Teague, KS

Can-O-Que Boulevard Wheat, Rufus Teague, KS

Steak Sauce, Rufus Teague, KS

Orange Chili, Five Monkeys BBQ Sauce, CA

The Clevelander, B.T. Leigh’s Sauces and Rubs, KY

Hot Sauce

Awards:

Best Hot Sauce: Serrano & Chipotle Pepper Smoky Hot, Silly Chilly Hotsauce, NJ

Best Wing Sauce: Mild Wing Sauce, Rippin Red Sauce Company, MD

Best Verde Sauce:  Bayou Gotham — Juju Guru Tropic Jalapeño, Scotty Peppers Hot Sauce Co., Manhattan, NY

When You Want Hot: Dead Red, Rocket Fuel Foods, Manhattan, NY

Honorable Mentions: 

Habanero Hot Sauce: Forbidden Angel Habanero Sauce, Rippin Red Sauce Company, MD

Seafood Hot Sauce: Bayou Gotham — Bayou Bourré Louisiana Boil, Scotty Peppers Hot Sauce Co., Manhattan NY

Calamari Style Sauce: Signature Pepper Sauce, 5 Island Blend, Bronx NY

Runner Up, Verde Sauce: Vermont Maple Sriracha, Sugar Bob’s Finest Kind, VT

Noteworthy “Everyday Hot Sauces:”

Trailer Park Boys Deeecent Hot Sauce, Coney Island Saucery, Brooklyn NY

Original Hot Sauce, 5 Island Blend, Bronx NY

Louisiana Classic Red Hot Sauce, Rocket Fuel Foods, Manhattan NY

Other: Marinades and Condiments

Awards:

Most Versatile Sauce: The Original Smoked Maple Syrup, Sugar Bob’s Finest Kind, VT

Best Barbecue Marinade: Japanese Miso BBQ, Just Add Beer Sauce & Marinade Mix, Queens NY 

Best Hot Ketchup: Granny Smith Apple Ketchup, Rocket Fuel Foods, Manhattan NY

Honorable Mention: 

Chili Oil: Sichuan Chili Oil, Blank Slate Kitchen, VT

Runner Up, Hot Ketchup: Hot Ketchup Rocket Fuel Foods, Manhattan, NY

Noteworthy:

Sweet Habanero Sauce, Marie Sharp’s, NC 

Mexican Tres Chiles, Just Add Beer Sauce & Marinade Mix, Queens NY 

Chipotle Marinade, Mustard and Co., WA

Metro NYC StartUp Category

This category includes sauces submitted by NYC restaurants that are not yet available for distribution.

Awards:

Gold: Pique Rojo, Que Chevere, Manhattan NY

Silver: Pique Verde, Que Chevere, Manhattan NY

Honorable Mentions:

Promising Amateur: Weekend Warrior, Sauce Man Ash, Queens NY

Condiment in Metro NYC StartUp: Cassato’s Giardiniera, Salvatore Cassato, Brooklyn NY

Noteworthy:

Silva Bullet Hot Sauce, Christian Silva, NY

About Metro NYC StartUp

In addition to accepting submissions from sauce companies around the world, Sauce King NYC welcomed New York City restaurants to submit their homemade sauces to the tasting as part of the Metro StartUp Category. While these sauces are not yet available for distribution, Sauce King is helping these chefs and restaurants take the next step towards launching a sauce product. 

Winners received a consultation with Christine Rico, Co-Chair of Slow Money NYC and the founder of CFO on Speed Dial as well as one-on-one sessions about getting their sauce ready for market with Rebecca Scott, founder of Sustainable Snacks. Winners have also been offered shelf space at The Bronx Beer Hall and the opportunity to sell their product online via Taste of the Bronx. 

Food Karma is proud to create valuable connections within the hospitality industry and offer support restaurants when they need it most.

Shoutout To the Sauce King NYC Judges

Ori Zohar, Burlap and Barrel

Will Price, Gear Patrol

Jaymee Sire, Food + Travel Blogger

Alyssa Levine, Totally Forked

Matt Bruck, Eaters Drinkers

Anthony Ramirez, Taste of The Bronx

Martin Johnson, Westside Market Pantry and Beer Buyer

Leiti Hsu, Journy

Nick Bandourveris, Film Producer and Epicurean

Duane Joseph, Friend of Food Karma Projects

Thanks to Our Sponsors 

Our grand prize is sponsored by Big Green Egg.

Category prizes are sponsored by Porter Road, Prime 6, and Kikuichi Cutlery. 

Plus a big thank you to Taste of The Bronx, Burlap & Barrel and Slow Money NYC.

  • Big Green Egg
  • Kikuichi Cutlery
  • Porter Road
  • Burlap & Barrel
  • Prime 6
  • Taste of the Bronx
  • Pork Mafia
  • Pig Island
  • Brisket King

Submitting Your Sauce: 2020

Submit your sauce, marinade or condiment between now and August 30, 2020. The awards aim to promote top sauces in a wide range of categories. Category winners and awards will be announced by October – date to come

ENTER YOUR SAUCE


Sign-up to the Food Karma Projects Newsletter:

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We welcome submissions from a wide range of categories in the world of sauce – the sky is the limit!

Categories

Best Overall BBQ Sauce (Submissions may include: Kansas City BBQ Sauce, Carolina BBQ Sauce, Whiskey or Bourbon BBQ Sauce, Red Chili BBQ Sauce, Spicy BBQ Sauce, White BBQ Sauce or others)

Best Innovative BBQ Sauce (Submissions may include fruit based BBQ sauces, or other non-traditional categories)

Best Everything Sauce (Sauces that can be eaten with a wide range of food)

Best Hot Sauce (Submission may include traditional hot sauce, sriracha, and more)

Best International Sauce

Best Marinade 

Best Grill Sauce

Best Condiment 

You can also suggest your own category upon submission!

How to Submit Your Sauce to Win

  1. Go to our “Enter a Sauce” page between now and August 30, 2020
  2. Register based on the number of products you are submitting
  3. Ship your sauce(s) to be judged by Sauce King NYC’s™ panel of expert judges

Media

NYC BBQ: Introducing Sauce King NYC, New York’s First Virtual Sauce Competition

“With food events canceled in New York City this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic, now’s a perfect time for virtual events to step up and provide some entertainment until things get back to normal.Enter Sauce King NYC… Sauce King will encourage sauce makers who specialize in BBQ sauce, hot sauce, marinades, condiments, and more to enter their sauces to be judged and given awards by top food media personalities.

From Food Karma: Sauce King NYC Judge Ori Zohar on Spicing Up Your Spice Cabinet

Food Karma’s Communications Director, talked with Sauce King NYC judge Ori Zohar. Ori is the co-founder of Burlap & Barrel, a single origin spice company working to build new international food supply chains that are equitable, transparent and traceable. Dylan asked Ori about what this mission looks like in practice, how home cooks can better utilize their spice cabinet, and what he’ll be tasting for as a Sauce King NYC judge. Read more.

Contact

For more information about submissions, sponsorships, and media inquiries, email foodkarma@gmail.com

Thank You to Our Sponsors

foodkarmanyc

The rise of kosher bbq ! Great article in @wsj by The rise of kosher bbq ! Great article in @wsj by writer @chazpbg praising our 2 kosher bbq @brisketkingnyc winners, 2016 @gotcholent @wanderingque , and 2017 Izzy's Sruli Edelman, which is opening a new kosher bbq restaurant on the Upper West Side. Mazel!
Thanks for the Brisket King (R) shout out!
*** join us April 21 outdoors at @pigbeachnyc #brooklyn for the 9th Brisket King ( R) of NYC , ticjets at brisketking.com 
#brisketkingnyc #brisketking #nycbbq #kosherbbq
Announcing: chef Leland Avellino, award winning pi Announcing: chef Leland Avellino, award winning pitmaster, @avellinofamilybbq will be contending April 21 at the 9th Brisket King NYC. Welcome back, chef @cheflee17 ! Look at that brisket! 
Vip and early bird tickets available at brisketking.com @brisketkingnyc 
*** New location, outdoors at @pigbeachnyc #gowanusbrooklyn 
*** community partner @friendsoffirefighters 
#brisketkingnyc #brisketking #bossbbq #brooklynbbq #nycbbq #smokedbrisket
Brisket King NYC is back April 21 , outdoors in Br Brisket King NYC is back April 21 , outdoors in Brooklyn
Tickets at brisketking.com @brisketkingnyc 
Come taste @hillcountrybbq chef @ashfulk classic Texas smoked brisket #brisketkingnyc #brisketking
Brisket King NYC 2021 featured chefs: @carlitos_t Brisket King NYC 2021 featured chefs:  @carlitos_tacos #newjersey
Contenders in 2019, they are back with an all star team, @bigpapasmokem with the slice, local beer @alementary ...gotta respect the metro NYC  restaurants that persevered and served their communities through out covid.,
VIP and early bird tickets, chef line up at brisketking.com @brisketkingnyc 
** outdoor event, following CDC guidek8nes, April 21, 2021
***community partner @friendsoffirefighters 
** thanks to our venue host @pigbeachnyc #gowanusbrooklyn ,may portion of our net proceeds will go theirv#jeffmichner bbq family fund.
#brisketkingnyc #brisketking #bossbbq #brooklynbbq #nycbbq #jerseybbq
With @brisketkingnyc coming back April 21 outdoors With @brisketkingnyc coming back April 21 outdoors at @pigbeachnyc #brooklynbbq , we interviewed the 2018 Brisket King winner @lawrence_bbq of @cherrystbbq #toronto for our weekly @foodkarmanyc newsletter. Whats going on in Toronto during the  pandemic and the beauty of good bbq! Nice write up @feedsstrong 
*** tickets at brisketking.com 
**community partner @friendsoffirefighters #brisketkingnyc #brisketking
Brisket King NYC : 2017 photo by @miguelrivasphoto Brisket King NYC : 2017 photo by @miguelrivasphotography , @mightyquinnsbbq Hugh Magnum and team won a top trophy award, with Texas Monthly's BBQ critic Daniel Vaughn @bbqsnob as one of the judges. 
@brisketkingnyc is back April 21. Outdoor at @pigbeachnyc #gowanusbrooklyn , social distance, cdc mask wearing guidelines.
**Vip and early bird tickets at brisketking.com 
** headliner chefs will be announced this week
**community partner @friendsoffirefighters 
* portion of net proceeds will benefit #jeffmichner bbq family fund
#brisketkingnyc #brisketking #nycbbq #brooklynbbq
Check out @moonrisebakehouse in #sunsetparkbrookly Check out @moonrisebakehouse in #sunsetparkbrooklyn,  watch on @jimmypotsandpans latest @heritage_radio IGTV #dinnerwithjimmy 
Repost: Going with the grains, Cynthia Lamb.
Meet homebaker turned pro,  Cynthia Lamb of @moonrisebakehouse , in #sunsetparkbrooklyn . Inspired by @grownycgrains, she talks about regional grains, and milling her own flour. How to work local grains into your baking recipes? Pancakes, banana bread? traditional rye breads like #volkornbrot ....There is more to baking than just the sourdough starter... it starts with freshly milled grains from regional farmers. Cheers to @northeastgrains @mainegrains @groundupgrain @mnf11211 . 
#localmalt #foodradio #heritageradionetwork #dankorye #redfife #winterwheat
Read the latest @foodkarmanyc newsletter: "Dr  M Read the  latest @foodkarmanyc newsletter:
"Dr  Michelle Pfannenstiel is a veterinarian who started a food safety planning consulting business called Dirigo Food Safety after her time in the Army, where it just so happens veterinarians are in charge of food safety. We talked with her about what the public should know about her field, how Covid has impacted her business and clients and the most important things to know when curing your own meat. You can learn more about food safety by listening to Dr. Pfannenstiel’s podcast “Food Safety University” here @foodsafetyuniversity
"I started in food safety as a veterinarian for the US Army. What most people don’t know is that the veterinarians are in charge of food safety for the whole Department of Defense from the food at the gas stations on base all the way to the White House. I realized that small farmers, ranchers and food processors needed to know about food safety when I was shopping at local farmers market to feed my growing family. Everyone was so concerned about what was and wasn’t legal. Starting my own business after getting out of the Army was a natural fit..." ( interview by @feedsstrong )
( Dr. Michele regularly posts in the Facebook group The Salt Cured Pig @saltcuredpig )
*** we're planning our 2021 outdoor events including :  @brisketkingnyc April 21, 5 boropicnyc/ @ribkingnyc May 29, and Pig Island NYC Sept11th @pigislandnyc ,  for starters....
*** support our community partner @friendsoffirefighters 
#pigperfect #pigislandnyc #brisketkingnyc #brooklynbbq #nycbbq
Support our community partner @friendsoffirefighte Support our community partner @friendsoffirefighters this Valentine's  donate $14 or more , more info at friendsoffirefighters.org 
Cookies by @bestdamncookies 
#friendsoffirefighters #nycbbq #valentinescookies
Announcement: YES Brisket King NYC will happen Apr Announcement: YES Brisket King NYC will happen April 21, 2021 in a new location : the outdoor area at @pigbeachnyc Gowanus, Brooklyn. We will follow all CDC, social distance, mask guidelines. Limited chef slots available, DM or email foodkarma@gmail.com for more info, sponsorships.
Special VIP tickets with 1 hour early access, guaranteed seating, and a @cabotcheese gift box available for a limited time, all tickets and info at brisketking.com @brisketkingnyc 
** a portion of proceeds will benefit Pig Beach's Jeff Michner fund in honor of Jeff Michner who passed 3 years ago.
** Community partner @friendsoffirefighters , join their valentine's day fundraiser at friendsoffirefighters.org 
Photo 2017 by @thebeertrekker of the @brisketkingnyc judges table with @franklinbbq @chefjohntesar @peterkaminsky1 @nicksolares @katzsdeli @wdurney @bbqsnob 
#brisketkingnyc #brisketking #bossbbq #brooklynbbq #nycbbq
Country ham month: @holycityhog made some cured co Country ham month: @holycityhog made some cured country hams with @bentonsbacon and @holycityhogs pork, that inspired us during #hammonth,  check out his aged ham at @mjtoscano @lefarfallechs restaurant in #CharlestonSC ,
*** We're looking forward to hosting several @foodkarmanyc outdoor events in nyc this spring and summer. Buy your tickets now for 2021 @pigislandnyc at pigisland.com 
** Community partner @friendsoffirefighters 
#pigislandnyc #pigperfect #snugharborculturalcenter #ruizing #friendsoffirefighters #hammonth #countryham #curedham
This week's Food Karma NYC Newsletter features an This week's Food Karma NYC Newsletter features an interview with @hillcountrybbq 's @mglosserman ,  transforming and surviving during covid....
(Its almost Brisket King NYC season
Link on Facebook too! https://sh1.sendinblue.com/vahm3yxitt7e.html?t=161season.
#brisketkingnyc #brisketking #nycbbq #brisket
Join our award winning sauce makers at the upcomin Join our award winning sauce makers at the upcoming @foodkarmanyc 5 Boro PicNYC  event, May 29 at @snugharborccbg . More info coming mid February. Register to sell and sample your sauce at the event  and you'll be featured in our media rollout mid February. Email foodkarma@gmail.com to register.
Join a special section of Sauce King NYC  2020 award winning sauce makers . 
***Photo features @silvabullet.hotsauce , Noteworthy in the Metro NYC start up category,  Silva Bullet Hot Sauce, Christian Silva, NY. 
Can't wait to taste and purchase your sauce May 29! 
Community partner @friendsoffirefighters
#saucekingnyc #hotsauce #5boropicnyc #nycbbq #statenislandny
Call to sauce makers for our 2021 outdoor events. Call to sauce makers for our  2021 outdoor events.
All Star Sauce Makers will be  sampling and selling their hot sauces at our 5 Boro PicNYC,  coming this spring May 29,  for more info email foodkarma@gmail.com ...At the event, there will be a Sauce Makers section of @saucekingnyc all stars , the @ribkingnyc bbq competition, and a lot more. Stay tuned.
**Last chance to register early, in February we will launch the event media headlining the sauces that have registered.
** Photo featuring @hellskitchenhotsauce newest hot sauce 
** Community partner @friendsoffirefighters 
#5boropicnyc #saucekingnyc #barbecuesauce #hotsauce
Highlight of @pigislandnyc 2020, photo by Robert L Highlight of @pigislandnyc 2020, photo by Robert Ladanza. @rob.iadanza
@mario.cookss enjoying a taste in frontn of @bigpapasmokem "Best in Show" booth. Masks on.  Happy 2021
Support @friendsoffirefighters
#pigislandnyc #pigperfect #snugharborculturalcenter #ruizing #friendsoffirefighters #nycbbq #porkmafia
Planning 2021 outdoor events. @coneyislandsaucery Planning 2021 outdoor events.
@coneyislandsaucery will be  sampling and selling their Deecent hot sauce at our 5 Boro PicNYC,  coming spring,  more info , email foodkarma@gmail.com .. There will be a Sauce Makers section of @saucekingnyc all stars , the @ribkingnyc bbq competition, and a lot more. Stay tuned.
Photo from 2020 @pigislandnyc
#5boropicnyc #saucekingnyc #barbecuesauce #hotsauce #ribkingnyc
Let's start off 2021 talking about NY state craft Let's start off 2021 talking about NY state craft beverages. This week on @beer_sessions , learn about the development of the new Excelsior Gold malting barley @cornelluniversitycals @nyscraftbeer @rustynickelbrewing . ***Tonight 6pm live @heritage_radio IGTV , meet beekeeper turned NY state farm distiller, Claire Marin @catskillprovisionsny #callicoonny with @jimmypotsandpans
Photi: Claire prepping black walnuts for her "nocino"
** support and become a member at heritageradionetwork.org #dinnerwithjimmy #drinknythinkny #foodradio #heritageradionetwork #nydistilled #nocino #beekeeping
Great photo, from 2017 Brisket King NYC.@brisketk Great photo, from  2017 Brisket King NYC.@brisketkingnyc .
Left to right: 2017 winner Sruli Edelman @izzysbbq , 2016 Ari White @wanderingque , judge @peterkaminsky1 , Jake Dell @katzsdeli , and far right @franklinbbq Aaron Ffanklin, judge.
Photo by @miguelrivasphotography 
**Last week's @foodkarmanyc newsletter featured an interview with Sruli Edrlman of Izzy's.
Be well. Shalom
#brisket #brisketking #brisketkingnyc
Its Ham month @pigislandnyc : showcase on Rising A Its Ham month @pigislandnyc : showcase on Rising American prosciutto, @casellasalumi . Chef Cesare @chefcasella , I remember your 60 month aged prosciutto ham at the @heritage_radio gala c. 2019. Bravo!
#hammonth #prosciutto #countryham #pigperfect #pigislandnyc #nystate
Happy 2021, it's ham month at @pigislandnyc ... ph Happy 2021, it's ham month at @pigislandnyc ... photo by @pattyybrown 2019 , chef @phillipkc  slicing a 24 month aged country ham by @dakotahams #nancykentucky  at our #ciderfeastnyc during #ciderweeknyc . 
Way back then, Tank Jackson @holycityhog rekindled our love of country ham and jamon.. .. all month we will share and repost ham photos , cheers @hamstoryofham @bentonsbacon @chefcasella @joedistefanoqns @peterkaminsky1 
***Buy New Year holiday ticket package to 2021 Pig Island NYC at pigisland.com 
** community partner @friendsoffirefighters
#hammonth #countryham #pigperfect #pigislandnyc
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