Professional Hot Sauce Judging Built on Merit, Transparency, and Real Evaluation
The CAPS Awards were created to recognize craft hot sauces based on what truly matters: flavor, balance, quality, execution, and overall craftsmanship.
This is not a popularity contest. It is not based on clicks, likes, votes, or social media reach. Sauces are judged on how they actually perform in tasting.
The Host Festival
Wabash Valley Pepper Fest
& Hot Sauce Expo
Building on a strong inaugural year with 400+ attendees and expanding significantly for 2026. CAPS winners are announced live at the festival.
League of Fire Belt Match
The "Road to the Americas" Belt Match brings world-class competitive eating to the festival stage.
LIVE Guinness Record Attempt
Hot Pepper Eating World Champion Stephen "Fiery Redd" Curgan attempting a LIVE Guinness World Record.
Media & Crowd Energy
Major attractions bringing strong attention, media interest, and engaged spice-loving audiences to the event.
Winners Announced Live
CAPS Awards winners are revealed in person at the festival — recognition with real audience presence and momentum.
Our Foundation
Built on a Real Festival Awards Foundation
Real awards were presented at the Wabash Valley Pepper Fest & Hot Sauce Expo last year. The CAPS Awards are an expansion of that effort.
The purpose this year is to create a more organized program that allows more sauce makers to participate — including makers who may not be able to attend the festival in person.
This page exists to clearly explain how the program works, how the entry fees are used, and why the competition is being structured in a professional and credible way.
What Makes Us Different
A Legitimate Competition
Every aspect of CAPS is designed to protect the integrity of the judging process and the credibility of the awards.
Real Judging Panel
Entries are evaluated by a 5+ person judging panel with culinary, tasting, and food evaluation experience.
Blind Evaluation
Sauces are judged through blind tasting procedures so entries are evaluated on merit.
Defined Scoring
Judges use structured scoring criteria focused on the actual quality of the sauce.
Professional Structure
CAPS is organized to operate like a real professional food competition.
Real Awards
Winners receive meaningful recognition through the CAPS Awards program and festival.
Transparency
The structure and judging process are clearly explained, because credibility starts with openness.
The Process
How the Judging Works
Judging Criteria
- Overall flavor profile
- Ingredient balance
- Aroma
- Heat integration
- Texture and consistency
- Creativity and uniqueness
- Overall execution
- Market readiness
Evaluation Standard
- Each sauce evaluated independently
- Blind coding used to reduce bias
- Entries compared within category structure
- Recognition based on merit
- Judges focus on tasting performance
Award Categories
Heat Levels & Specialty Awards
Each sauce is placed into one heat-level category and is automatically eligible for applicable specialty and overall awards — no separate entry required.
Heat-Level Categories
- Best Mild
- Best Medium
- Best Hot
- Best Extra Hot
- Best Super Hot
Specialty & Overall Awards
- Best in Show · Best Overall Flavor
- Best Heat Experience · Best Label Design
- Best Verde · Best Fermented · Best Fruit-Based
- Best Jalapeño · Best Habanero · Best Cayenne
- Best Ghost Pepper · Best Carolina Reaper
Salsa Awards
CAPS Salsa Categories
Salsa entries compete across five heat-level categories. Same $20 entry fee, same professional blind judging, same no-limit policy.
Heat-Level Categories
- Best Mild
- Best Medium
- Best Hot
- Best Extra Hot
- Best Super Hot
Award Categories
- Best Label Design
- Best Overall Flavor
- Best Overall Heat Experience
- Best in Show
Transparency
Why There Is a $20 Entry Fee
Every dollar collected through entry fees goes into running a legitimate, professional competition.
Qualified Judges
Recruiting and coordinating experienced judges takes planning, organization, and resources.
Blind Tasting Setup
Legitimate blind judging requires coded entries, organization systems, and preparation.
Tasting Materials
Judges require tasting supplies, palate cleansers, and organized serving systems.
Scoring Materials
Structured score sheets, category systems, and result tracking are required.
Administrative Logistics
Entries must be tracked, sorted, stored, documented, and managed professionally.
Awards & Recognition
Entry fees help support trophies, awards, certificates, and presentation materials.
Optional Add-On
Sauce Evaluation Report
Get More Value From Your Entry — $45 Per Sauce
For sauce makers who want deeper insight, we offer an optional CAPS Awards Sauce Evaluation Report. This written report gives you feedback on what stood out, where your sauce was strongest, and where there may be room to improve. It is a great option for makers looking to refine their recipe, strengthen their brand, or better understand how their sauce performs in a judged setting.
Setting Expectations
What This Competition Is Not
- Not a social media popularity contest
- Not based on clicks, likes, or traffic
- Not an automatic award for paying an entry fee
- Not a pay-for-praise system
- Not a random tasting with no standards
Key Details
Entry Information
Competition Details
- Entry Fee: $20 per entry
- Maximum Entries: No limit — submit as many as you like
- Received By: August 1st
- Winners Announced: September 19, 2026 at the festival
Submission Requirements
- Heat Categories: Mild, Medium, Hot, Extra Hot, Super Hot
- 2 Bottles Required per entry
- FDA acidified food compliance required for all sauces
- Professional Blind Judging for all submissions
The Mission
Our Purpose
The CAPS Awards were created to recognize excellent sauces, reward craftsmanship, and give makers another meaningful opportunity to showcase the quality of their work.
If you believe in your sauce, this is your opportunity to have it judged on what matters most: what is in the bottle.
2026 entries now open
Enter the CAPS Awards
Professional judging. Real evaluation. Real recognition. Winners announced live on September 19, 2026 at The Meadows in Terre Haute, IN.