The Louisiana Hot Sauce Expo attracts vendors from across the Bayou State and across the country. And each one brings their own unique flavor and flair.
With more than 60 vendors at this year’s expo, there are plenty of sauces to sample.
John Hard of CaJohns Fiery Foods is an Ohio native who fell in love with Louisiana culture. He’s a seasoned veteran of 18 years, and his CaJohn sauce has won at least 600 hundred awards. John is known as the Godfather of hot sauces for helping many others break into the business.
“Cajohs is cajun johns because I love the food and the funny thing is I’m an Irishmen from Ohio,” Hard tells KLFY.
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CaJohn says “You should have the flavor come first and then the heat come in…when you’re adding it to food you want it to do its part you don’t want it to overpower what you’re doing.”
Keith Jenkins, owner of Frog Bones Cajun Sauces says “Putting your touch to it it’s like grandma used to say it’s no measurement it’s a little this and a little that.”
Jenkins adds that it’s all about giving customers a unique experience, “when we go out of state to like Albuquerque I give the cajun atmosphere like it would be back home…we put a show on at the show. We come in our shrimp boots and do-rag here and we give them the whole thing.”
But it’s not all peppers and chilies. Barbecue sauces, like legendary, award-winning Ole Rays will also be showcased. Owner Ray Greene says it all started 25 years ago.
“Up north there wasn’t any barbecue that suited me they just didn’t have it so I said well I’ll just make my own. Finally when the big stores came around and asked me about putting my product in their stores I said no because the small independents put me in business and are keeping me in business,” Greene tells KLFY.Click here for more information about the Louisiana Hot Sauce Expo & Cajun BBQ Bash.