COLUMBUS, OH / ACCESSWIRE / May 6, 2015 / The Hot Sauce Hall of Fame Foundation of New York City announced its inaugural inductees at ceremonies last week in Brooklyn, NY. Among the hot sauce legends being inducted were John "CaJohn" Hard of CaJohn's Fiery Foods of Westerville, Ohio, alongside hot sauce pioneer Edmund McIlhenny, the founder of Tabasco. "It is a real honor to be recognized by my peers and the industry at the opening of the hall," states CaJohn, who founded his fiery foods company in 1997. "We have seen the hot sauce and spicy food world come a long way over the last 20 years. I think our products and vision have helped meld hot sauce into the mainstream American palette."

The winners were selected by members of the specialty food industry. Chefs, food writers, store owners and manufacturers voted along the lines of the Grammy or Oscar awards, based on the influence the nominees have had in the market and impact they have made promoting hot sauce. Ten nominees were considered and five were chosen as the first inductees into the Hot Sauce Hall of Fame - each winner receiving a bright red blazer and a dazzling Hall of Fame Ring.

CaJohn is a four-time world hot sauce champion, and the most awarded fiery foods personality in the world - amassing over 500 awards, including 225 first place honors at various food competitions, shows and cooking contests. No one-trick pony, he has won awards for hot sauces, salsas, spice rubs, barbecue sauces, wing sauces, and a variety of other products. He's been featured multiple times on the Food Network, The Cooking Channel, The History Channel, The Travel Channel, and all 4 major networks. See some of his many award winning sauces by clicking here, https://www.cajohns.com/store/cajohns-specialty-products/award-winners.

When you talk to leading voices in specialty foods, they'll tell you CaJohn's real mark on the industry has been the ability to create successful products using the world's hottest chile peppers so they deliver flavor along with fire. CaJohn was instrumental in bringing India's Ghost Pepper to the U.S. back in 2007, and more recently the new fiery champs, Trinidad Moruga Scorpion and Carolina Reaper chile are in his "arsenal," (see some of his "arsenal" of specialty sauces using these chiles here, https://www.cajohns.com/store/Hot-Sauce/Specialty-Sauces) That being said, there are plenty of milder award winners in his extensive line of products, "something for all tastes."

"It's great seeing one of Columbus' own receive a well-deserved honor like this," states Ed Kowalski, Executive Chef for Nationwide Arena & The Columbus Blue Jackets. "Although I have been a long time lover of spicy foods, it was CaJohn who introduced me to the chilehead community and its incredible members. I couldn't be prouder to call John my friend." Chef Kowalski is like many people across the country that 'The Godfather' of Hot Sauces (CaJohn's industry nickname) has introduced to the wild and colorful world of fiery foods. In this role, CaJohn has been a voice and mentor to many budding hot sauce makers and has helped launch a number of them into businesses.

"I love what I do, I love spicy foods, I love this industry! The sauce makers, Chileheads, and hot sauce fans are a demographic that enjoys all things hot and spicy. I relish being one of the primary ambassadors and spokesmen of this group. We are somewhat fanatical about our chile peppers, but we really are a community trying to help each other succeed. Better products and successful companies help the industry grow – and that's good for everybody."

Before beginning his fiery foods company, John ironically ran a "fire protection system" company. See his background story from "putting out fires" to "starting fires" with his delicious hot sauces and spicy products by clicking this link, http://www.cajohns.com/about-us/.

John "CaJohn" Hard, The Godfather of Hot Sauces, Inducted into Hot Sauce Hall of Fame in New York City

CONTACT:

John "CaJohn" Hard
Mobile: 614-206-1105
CaJohn@CaJohns.com

SOURCE: CaJohns Fiery Foods Company