10 August 2025 - Written By
So yesterday was the big day. I got up, had my matcha and mushroom coffee, and got ready for the competition ahead. It was a miracle I even got the opportunity to take part in this competition, as I had only found out about it once all the slots were filled.
The League of Fire had expanded to my area, so with no travel expenses, nor time needed to be taken off work, I had to jump onto this rare opportunity. Participating in an official competition like this was a dream of mine that had come up in the last few years. Never could I have imagined that opportunity would come so soon.
When the wife, kid and I got to the festival, my initial impression of it was that it was smaller than I anticipated. The vendors there however were fantastic! This festival was a chilihead’s fantasy; chili galore! Every detail was dedicated to the large span of pepper people. You had hot sauces, salsas, tinctures, even care products for beards, skin, scents and the like! It’s a shame I had to put off trying everything in site. My event was on the horizons.
There wasn’t only the big, official League of Fire championship there. They hot a hot wing competition designed for the locals, even an amatuers’ hot pepper competition with a trophy and cash prize! It was the place to be for a person like me. It was this festival’s first year, and my first hot sauce festival — I’ll definitely be returning to it next year.
This post is for my mom, who called me today stating that she has been waiting for me to make a post about it — because when I got up there, even though I had no idea I would get that far, I had finished the competition as a new League of Fire champion! Now I have a 2nd trophy, a most awesome belt, added to my collection — and what a prized belt it is!
I wish to give thanks to the League Of Fire for granting me this amazing opportunity and all the people there that welcomed my new feat with open arms. I’m looking forward to doing more with you guys in the future. Thank you.
After the event ended, I got loads of support from the other competitors, especially the guy sporting a spartan helmet and a belt from his previous win. I even got asked by one of the participants if I was joining everyone for dinner. I really appreciate her for stopping me and mentioning it, as I knew nothing about it prior. Later that evening, I met up with everyone for a Mexican dinner, the spartan covered my meal costs which was another blessing. I had a very pleasant time chatting with the people within close range to me until everyone left, but I was invited to join up at an air bnb after dinner.
Arriving at the air bnb, I was deemed ‘The Python’ by my fellow competitors. We shared stories and laughs; I was even bestowed some free hot sauces to take home — delicious, quality sauce at that. All in all, it was an awesome day and made for one amazing weekend. I even got sent an image of me, animated. This weekend is one that I shall always remember. 🔥
