Published on July 24, 2024
Our team had the exciting opportunity to sit down with Angela Thomson and Haico Krijgsman, the passionate organizers behind "Heating Up the Capital."
In this exclusive interview, they share the journey of creating Ottawa’s premier hot sauce expo, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the spicy surprises attendees can look forward to at this year’s event, taking place on September 14th, 2024. Get ready to dive into the fiery world of hot sauce and discover what makes this event a must-visit for spice enthusiasts!
What inspired you to start Heating Up the Capital, and how has the event evolved over the past four years?
As a hot sauce enthusiast, we noticed Ottawa lacked an event dedicated to fiery foods and spicy cuisine. After attending several hot sauce expos worldwide, we realized our capital city needed a similar event. Heating Up the Capital was born from this idea. Although we initially planned to launch in May 2020, the pandemic forced us to postpone until September 2021. Our first event took place at Smoky Ridge Vineyard, where we grow our peppers, and it was a great success. Over the years, we’ve moved to different venues to accommodate growing attendance and to avoid the unpredictability of outdoor events. Our main sponsor, Better Networks, has allowed us to continue to grow and host the fourth annual event.
This year, Heating Up the Capital is being held at the Shaw Centre for the first time. What motivated this venue change, and what new experiences can attendees expect because of it?
The Shaw Centre offers great accessibility and transportation options, both from Ottawa and Quebec, making it easier for attendees to get there, whether by LRT or bus. Our previous indoor location had limited transportation options. The Shaw Centre also allows us to create a more climate-controlled environment for our one-day event, ensuring a better experience regardless of weather conditions. This year, we’ve increased our budget and publicity, aiming to make the event even bigger and better.
With 40-50 booths and 40 hot sauce makers participating, what are some unique and standout sauces or vendors that attendees should look out for?
Canada boasts many excellent hot sauce makers that deserve as much recognition or more as their US counterparts. This event features Canadian hot sauce makers exclusively, offering a unique opportunity to discover sauces not typically found in major stores. With over 400 sauces to sample, attendees should take their time and speak with the makers, many of whom grow their own peppers. The makers are happy to answer questions and share knowledge, making it an educational experience for aspiring hot sauce makers as well. Heating up the Capital welcomes people new to the chili world as well as pepper heads looking for their next favourite sauce.
How do you select the vendors and hot sauce makers that participate in the event? Are there any specific criteria they need to meet?
Vendors must make their sauces in a commercial kitchen to comply with health and safety regulations, and they must have liability insurance. We also require that they be Canadian. There’s no requirement for how long they’ve been in business or how many products they have. We cap the number of hot sauce makers at 40 to ensure a fair distribution of attendees’ spending. We prioritize supporting Canadian hot sauce makers, promoting their products, and fostering a sense of community.
How has the Shaw Centre’s central location in Ottawa impacted the accessibility and expected turnout for the event?
The Shaw Centre’s central location and proximity to transit makes it more accessible, encouraging walk-in traffic and attracting attendees from nearby areas like Quebec. Our first event was held in a remote outdoor location, limiting access to those without vehicles. The Shaw Centre’s central location increases the potential for an even higher turnout and spontaneous visits from people in the area, making it an ideal venue for Heating Up the Capital.
Can you tell us more about the Capital Punishment Stage and the spicy entertainment lined up? What can the audience expect from the pepper eating challenge and spicy sausage eating competition?
Massine’s Capital Punishment Stage features various spicy challenges where participants test their limits. We will also be announcing the winners of the YOW! Awards. Whose sauces will be the best in Canada? The hot pepper eating challenge involves eating increasingly hot peppers, with participants receiving a certificate for their efforts plus bragging rights. The spicy sausage eating competition is notoriously hot, providing both entertainment and a significant challenge. There is also an Extreme Chili Alliance (ECA) hot pepper eating competition that offers a $250 prize and an ECA belt that the winner gets to show off for a year. Additionally, we will present information about Sons of Fire, an organization of chili enthusiasts who raise money for charity.
Judging hot sauces in six categories sounds like a tough job! Can you give us some insight into how the judging process works and what criteria the judges use to pick the winners?
Sauces are submitted in six categories: mild, medium, hot, extreme, condiment, and BBQ sauce. We judge them based on taste, smell, texture, overall impression, and whether they fit their category. Judges sample sauces over three days to avoid overwhelming their palates, using various palate cleansers like milk, crackers, cheese, and even pickle juice. The highest-scoring sauce across all categories wins the King of Sauces award. We ensure fair judging by having knowledgeable judges who can handle the heat levels of the sauces they evaluate.
For those new to the hot sauce scene, what advice would you give them to fully enjoy and experience Heating Up the Capital? Are there any beginner-friendly activities or tastings?
Our advice is to pace yourself and not try all the sauces in a short time frame. Most hot sauce makers offer a range of heat levels, so even those new to hot sauce can find something enjoyable. Talk to the makers, ask questions, and learn how to use hot sauce in cooking to enhance flavors. The event is a great opportunity to explore different heat levels and flavors, and the makers are always willing to help and share their knowledge.
In addition to hot sauces, the event features adult beverages, food, and even jalapeno beer. Can you highlight some of the must-try food and drink offerings at the expo?
Expect foods that pair well with hot sauces, like tacos, flatbreads, sausages and hamburgers. There will also be ice cream. The Shaw Centre will provide vegan and gluten-free options to ensure there’s something for everyone. One vendor will offer spicy cookies, and we’re working on bringing in vendors with spicy coffee, chocolate and other spicy items. Collaboration with small manufacturers often results in unique creations, such as spicy fudge made with our hot sauce. The variety of food and drink options will complement the hot sauces and enhance the overall experience for attendees.
