REGIONAL – Just back from attending Shark Week in Tampa, FL, Gabe DiSaverio is about to host the third annual New England Hot Sauce Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 27 at the scenic outdoor field behind Smuttynose Brewery in Hampton, NH.
What do sharks and hot sauce have in common? Disaverio is passionate about preserving sharks and protecting the oceans at the same time this former beer salesman owns and operates the Spicy Shark, a successful producer of craft hot sauces and spicy condiments in Portsmouth.
Disaverio, who drives a replica of the sheriff’s vehicle in the movie, Jaws, started the festival in 2022 after traveling the country attending spicy sauce festivals only to realize there was no such event in the Northeast or New England which promoted bold flavors for hot sauce enthusiasts.
New England in particular and the Northeast in general “are not known as a spicy sauce region,” Disaverio said last week. He was determined to remedy that while raising money for two environmental organizations that work to protect the oceans for his beloved sharks.
Building on the success of the festival’s first two years, where almost 2,500 heat-seeking party goers attended the festival, this year’s event promises an even hotter experience with a wide range of attractions and activities.
Festival goers will indulge in an array of hot sauce samples and they can watch or participate in hot sauce eating contests. Nine unique food trucks will offer ways to put out the fires, while a variety of local crafters showcase their specialty products.
The main event will be hot sauce celebrities from the U.S. and Canada, who will compete in a timed Carolina Reaper pepper-eating contest. This high-stakes challenge involves blistering hot Carolina Reaper peppers created and grown by Ed Currie of Puckerbutt Pepper Co., a festival sponsor and the creator of the Carolina Reaper pepper.
Bella and Dark from Heat 101 radio station will return as the master of ceremonies.
The New England Hot Sauce Fest is a family-friendly event with bouncy houses, face painting and magic shows for children, and a vibrant atmosphere that will delight guests of all ages.
Smuttynose Brewery, which just celebrated its 30th year producing award-winning beer, will be on hand to douse the flames of the hot sauces.
This spicy event is made possible by the generous support of our local sponsors: New Hampshire Lottery, Port City Veterinary Referral Hospital, Avery Insurance, Bangor Savings Bank, The City Beverage Centers and Great Island Realty.
A majority of the proceeds will again benefit the non-profit organizations the Blue Ocean Society and the Seacoast Science Center. They support efforts to protect the oceans and foster environmental education.
For information and to buy tickets, visit www.newenglandhotsaucefest.com
