2013 North Market Fiery Foods Weekend

I have much much fun traveling to all these special shows, but I do not think I feel more at home than when I visit Columbus’ North Market for this show. Maybe it is how welcome I feel when I see my good friends CaJohn & Sue Hard in their element. Their show, their home and they really do bring the hospitality. Especially with their Annual Open House event. I know it isn’t just me they welcome with open arms, but everyone that comes into their spicy lair. They have treated me so much like a family over the years I get all warm and fuzzy when I see them and get a empty feeling in my belly when I leave. Of course the tummy issue could be a result of the fiery imbibing throughout my stay that has incinerated my innards. I am no Doctor, but I swear it is from leaving all my chilehead friends behind, not just the Hards, but I think I miss them the most.

Okay enough of the mushy sentimental stuff! If you are reading this, then you want some details, right? So let me get right to the sched-jewel of activity. Friday is CaJohn’s Open House which in layman’s terms is a chilehead hangout at the home of CaJohn’s Flavor & Fire. You do not ask for permission to come, you just show up anytime after 12pm-9pm. I am sure people will still be there past 9pm, so if you are running late just go and see for yourself. Many of the vendors will be setting up their booths at the North Market about 20 minutes away, so if you fail to see anyone you wish to see, then hangout longer.
Address:
CaJohn’s Fiery Foods’
816 Green Crest Dr.,
Westerville, OH 43081
Toll Free: 888-703-FIRE • Tel: 614-418-0808

Before I get to the show sched-jewel, let us discuss the after hours activities. Saturday night will be the Annual Fiery Asian Dinner(Facebook page for RSVP) to be held Chine Dynasty 1930 E Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus, Ohio 43229. Click on the Facebook page for the menu. It won’t all be spicy, but the dishes that will be, will be quite challenging. BYOM (Bring Your Own Milk). Johnny McLaughlin of Heartbreaking Dawns might try to further Saturday evening with some after meal karoake somewhere nearby. Time will tell on that one. Sunday evening after the show we usually head to CaJohn’s favorite Mexican joint, which I can’t ever remember. CaJohn told me it is Fiesta Jalisco 2670 E. Dublin-Granville Rd. Columbus, OH 43231, phone: 614-890-2666

Here is your weekend’s itinerary…

Fiery Foods Festival Schedule:

Saturday, February 16

9-11 a.m., music by Ira Chaiffetz (banjo)

10 a.m., Guacamole contest in Dispatch Kitchen

11 a.m. – 2 p.m., face painting

10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Mark Wood Fun Show

11 a.m., Chef Chili Challenge in northwest corner of mezzanine ($5 sample fee includes chef chili sampling)

11 a.m., kids giveaways including cowboy hats, bandanas and sheriff badges

11 a.m. – 1 p.m., music by Ian Hummel

12:30 p.m., Hot Sauce Contest in the Dispatch Kitchen

1-3 p.m., music by Island Breeze

1:30 p.m., Fiery Cornbread eating contest sponsored by Heartbreaking Dawns in Dispatch Kitchen

2:30 p.m., “Schweaty Samballs” Spicy Meatball eating contest sponsored by Race City Sauce Works in Dispatch Kitchen

3-5 p.m., music by The Piano Peddler

3:30 p.m., Jalapeno eating contest in Dispatch Kitchen

Sunday, February 17

12-2 p.m., music by Angela Perley

12:30 p.m., Amateur Chili Cook-off Contest in northwest corner of mezzanine ($5 sample fee includes amateur chili sampling)

1 – 4 p.m., face painting

2 p.m., Amateur Salsa Contest in Dispatch Kitchen

2:45 p.m., Volcanic Popcorn Husker Balls from Hell eating contest sponsored by Volcanic Peppers in Dispatch Kitchen

2-5 p.m., music by Willie Phoenix

3:30 p.m., Hot Wing eating contest in Dispatch Kitchen

The North Market Fiery Foods Festival will take place on Saturday, February 16 and Sunday, February 17 and is a free event. A tasting fee of $5 on Saturday enables onlookers to sample the chili of the professional chefs. A separate $5 tasting fee on Sunday applies to the chili by the amateur contestants. All tasting opportunities available only while supplies last. Market hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and 12 – 5 p.m. on Sunday. Sign up for the all fiery foods consumption contests will take place in the Dispatch Kitchen on the day of those events.

Vendors:

Aimee’s Blue Ribbon Spices
A Bit of a Bite Salsa
Bigfat’s Hot Sauce
Black Swamp Gourmet
Blaze Gourmet
Born to Hula
CaJohns Flavor & Fire
The Chesterville Pepper Company
Chuck Evans’Montezuma Brand
Heartbreaking Dawns
The Madison Chocolatiers West
Mild to Wild Herb & Pepper Co.
Mudflats Chef Inspired Sauces
Race City Sauce Works
Rippin’ Red Sauces
Smoking J’s Fiery Foods
Sweet Thing Gourmet
Volcanic Peppers

Website: http://www.northmarket.com/activities-and-events/2013-02-16/fiery-foods-weekend
Facebook: CLICK ME

I did leave out the Great Spicy Chicken Salad Challenge. Anyone who wishes to sample the chicken salad better get to the show early Saturday at around 9am, because we did not get a spot from the show to do this. With a need to keep everyone tasting fresh and cold without going outside, I will collect all the entries and line them up by the bar. I will have judging sheets, mini-forks and mini-cups. To be a judge, you must be willing to try everything and be fair. While appearance is a score, the taste/flavor will get more weight. I look forward to seeing all my friends and new ones in a few days.