Sauce Contestant Entry Form

This application is for those entering their sauces into the BBQ Sauce, Hot Sauce, BBQ Rub, & Salsa contest!  

Join us for the 18th Annual NC Hot Sauce Contest and Festival, a sizzling celebration that ignites downtown Oxford with flavor, fun, and fiery competition! With over 20,000 attendees, including 41% first-time NC Hot Sauce enthusiasts, our first two-day event on September 6th and 7th promises an unforgettable experience for all. Explore the vibrant streets of historic Oxford as they come alive with the finest hot sauces, barbecue sauces, breweries, and wineries from across North Carolina. Interact with friends, merchants, fans, artisans, and vendors while indulging in delicious blends and textures that spice up our beloved city. Don't miss your chance to be part of this flavorful tradition! Apply now to showcase your products and join the excitement at the NC Hot Sauce Contest and Festival.

CONTEST JUDGING PROCESS:

• All entries MUST be produced in North Carolina. 
• All entries MUST have a professionally labeled bottle (ready for retail). 
• Each entry MUST fill must mail in and submit their sauces, including the category sheet BEFORE August 2, 2024. 
• No entry will be accepted if "pepper extracts" are used in the ingredients. 
• The Entry Form should NOT be written on except when checking the correct category 
   (any writing on entry form will lead to disqualification.) 

  *All sauce samplings will be conducted under the strictest of standards using fair, impartial, and blind judging. All judging is done by the Vance-Granville Culinary Team and local Chefs.    SAUCE ENTRY PROCESS: 

• Print & fill out the entry form (attached) for EACH bottled sauce, listing the category that sauce is to be judged. 
• Mail one (1) bottle of each sauce to be judged to the NC Hot Sauce Office, 300 Williamsboro St., Oxford, NC 27565 by AUGUST 2, 2024. 
• A cash prize of $500 will be given to each category Champion and medals will be awarded to the runner ups in each category. 
• Champions will receive a jpg "winner" seal in recognition of the sauce as a 2024 NC Sauce Contest Winner.

    In partnership with the Vance-Granville Community College Culinary Department - Sauces will be judged on the following:

• Heat Level
• Aroma
• Appearance
• Texture
• Taste
• Overall Impression