The Scovie Awards judging panel of culinary experts have awarded the overall grand prize for 2012 to PanCali Foods of Walnut Creek, Calif., for its all-natural Panama Red Hot Sauce.
PanCali Foods was founded by cousins Mike Bross and Eddie O’Keeffe, who turned their love for all things spicy into a hot sauce. Panama Red, made in Panama with Habanero and Scotch Bonnet Peppers, has a fiery but flavorful finish.
The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint, a family-owned restaurant with locations in Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Mississippi, took home the grand prize award in advertising and marketing for their innovative product packaging. Their Barbecue Sauce comes packaged in a branded paint can with brush. Their products are available at their restaurants and online.
Competition was particularly fierce for the 2012 awards, with product entries up 177 over 2011. In all, 161 companies entered 792 products for a chance at Scovie glory.
Dave DeWitt, founder of the Scovie Awards and National Fiery Foods and Barbecue Show says entries came from 38 states and four countries including Australia, Sweden, Canada and the United States.
DeWitt, who is also known as the “Pope of Peppers,” was pleased with the variety and quality of the entries. “It’s thrilling to see more entries than ever in our sixteenth year of the Scovie Awards. I’m always impressed by the creative new ideas and delicious ways people showcase fiery foods,” DeWitt says.
Other top winners in their category include Lusty Monk Mustards for their Lusty Monk Altar Boy Honey Mustard (first place Mustard), Freshies Food Corporation for their Hot Mary Habanero Bloody Mary Mix (first place non-alcoholic spicy beverage), Treasure Valley Food Group for its 505 Southwestern Roasted Green Chile (first place prepared green chile sauce) and Bayou Seasonings Company for their Mardi Gras Mambo (first place Louisiana-style hot sauce).
Guests at the upcoming 2012 National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show, held March 2-4, 2012, at Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque, N.M., will encounter many of this year’s Scovie Award winners including overall grand prize winner PanCali Foods, famous wing sauce maker Sean’s BooYah and salsa makers Garden Fresh Gourmet. For more information please visit: www.fieryfoodsshow.com.
