ZestFest 2006

[LinNJoe]

We know that many of you are still basking in the afterglow (or perhaps hangover) of the Fiery Foods Show last week, but is anyone planning on going to ZestFest this year?

http://www.thehotzoneonline.com/blog/2006/03/10/zestfest-2006-part-1/

With great satisfaction, you can write us in as definitely going to be there!!!

[imaguitargod]

I will not be attending, but if one comes to Los Angeles or near it...I'll be there in a heart beat(a whale heart beat, not a humming bird heart beat).

[DEFCON Creator]

Of course we will. Who else would pick up my Golden Chili award(s)? :lol:

[onehottamale]

I think we are focusing on that show as our next one. I think we still need to get more input on that :)

[Tina Brooks]

Again arises the difficulty with being Canadian and taking money from Americans in the States... Government hoops can be a pain. I doubt we'll have our US incorporation done by then, but it is on our list of shows to do.

T

[onehottamale]

AWWWW come on Tina, we need some pictures with you :( Maybe we can make our own T-shirts :twisted:

[Tina Brooks]

I don't have great difficulty with attending the show, I have difficulty selling product at a show where I can't sell product.

T

[onehottamale]

uh oh, whatcha sayin... I should reconsider, or is it the whole Canada/States thing?

[Tina Brooks]

No.. I'm saying YOU should go, it should be a great show. I can't sell my sauces there, unless I hire an American to sell my sauces for me or bring someone with me who knows my sauces but also has a US citizenship.

It seems that I'm allowed to come down there, set up a booth, show off my stuff, let everyone taste it, but I can't sell it directly to Americans, I have to take orders then send them from Canada.

I dunno about you, but going to a hot sauce show to wait two to three weeks for a jar of sauce is daft. Blame the FDA.

I don't mind seeing about planning for a visit. But it would be a vacation thingy, it's more a retail show than a trade show. IYKWIM.

T

[onehottamale]

Dam FDA!! :?

[Tina Brooks]

Actually, I'm not sure it's the FDA, I think its the IRS actually.

I think I'll just have to throw my own fiery foods show up here!

T

[DEFCON Creator]

Ahhhh, the FDA and the IRS, two of my favorite friends. One gives me huge tax refunds, and the other allows me to sell my wares. :party:

[Dan@BLP Labels]

heh Sad as it may be... the FDA is job security for me. :roll:

[Tina Brooks]

Hmmph, well, if I do throw a Fiery Foods of some sort, I'll invite you two anyway.

T

[MSK]

onehottamale

Gotta do Ft. Worth girl! The show is great but as an added bonus the town doesn't have all the hangups one suffers in ABQ, NM. :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party:

[MSK]

Is there such thing as "Emoticons Abuse":think:

[Cap'n Bones]

:lol:

:cheers:

:beer:

:oops:

http://capefearpeppercompany.com/images/animations/smiley_puke.gif

:pray:

http://capefearpeppercompany.com/images/animations/xbonessmiley.gif

[huvason]

I guess not :D

[huvason]

Love the guy throwing up and the SKULL. How to add the custom ones?

[Dan@BLP Labels]

Hmmph, well, if I do throw a Fiery Foods of some sort, I'll invite you two anyway.

T

HAH I was just kiddin. Actually it ticks us off too. We partner with many small companies and sometimes the FDA just makes it impossible for these little companies to survive. It seems as though avery other week the FDA is making you guys change your Nut Charts. I try to stay on top of it as much I can. We are in the process of printing some labels for a smaller Co. right now and are highly recommending that Co. to get their Trans Fat info on the label so they don't have to do it down the road. It's amazing how many products do not have trans fat listed.

[imaguitargod]

We partner with many small companies and sometimes the FDA just makes it impossible for these little companies to survive.
The FDA is so corrupt it sickens me.

[DEFCON Creator]

The whole "trans fat" thing is an absolute joke. If you're sitting down to a big fat plate of hot wings, I really don't think you're concerned about trans fatty acids. The FDA is a mixed blessing and necessary evil. Yeah, sometimes the laws seem stupid and petty, sometimes not. However, without them, there would be no controls. Personally I prefer not having to seriously worry about ingesting a pathogen soup every time I open a container of anything to eat.

[Tina Brooks]

Well, ya know, it could be worse. The FDA could make y'all do the danged things in TWO languages.

T

[DEFCON Creator]

Or even worse, we could could have a "socialist" society. :lol:

[Cap'n Bones]

D'oooooh!! :doh:

[Tina Brooks]

I much prefer socialism to voluntary oppressionism. ;)

Uh oh... watch out, John, we're talking politics again.

Note to self: self, run away.

T

[Cap'n Bones]

Voluntary oppressionism, in my opinion, is better than forced oppressionism.. :P

[DEFCON Creator]

Thank you Cap'n, couldn't agree more.

[Tina Brooks]

Oh I dunno, personally I see something wrong with people simply having free rein to riffle through my things without requiring my presence.

But what do I know, I'm a socialist.

T

[DEFCON Creator]

Exactly, and in theory, you don't own anything, everything you have is everyones. Here, the only people worried and whining about being searched are the ones who have something to hide. Those are the same people who constatntly complain about everything, and then bleat like sheep for "security".

[Tina Brooks]

We're SOCIALISTS, not COMMUNISTS! Sheesh!

[DEFCON Creator]

And the pot isn't calling the kettle black. :lol:

[chuk hell]

Fort Worth is striking distance for me....Hmmm...

Don't forget about the Austin Hot Sauce Festival in August.

[LinNJoe]

Fort Worth is striking distance for me....Hmmm...

Don't forget about the Austin Hot Sauce Festival in August.

Whoa...someone actually talking about the actual theme of this thread. Somebody pinch me...

[Dan@BLP Labels]

For all of those attending, where are you staying? I heard the Stockyards is pretty cool and that is where most of the action is. We are getting real close to pulling the trigger on thhis show

[onehottamale]

Dan
I am waiting for June (who is running the show) to send me a packet of info with all the nearby hotels, ill let you know as soon as I get it :)

[Dan@BLP Labels]

Excellent, thank you. Did you already book? If so what booth do you have? We want to be by people we know. We have done the Fiery-Foods show twice but never ZestFest so it would be nice to be around people we know.

[imaguitargod]

Whoa...someone actually talking about the actual theme of this thread. Somebody pinch me...

:: pinch ::

[Tina Brooks]

Austin hot sauce Festival??? First I heard of that one. Houston Hot Sauce festival, we've heard of...

What I want to know is, from a retail sales standpoint, which show is the best and how many people attend each? If Albuquerque is the biggest, I'm thinking these are itty bitty shows and we're better off as industry attendees.

T

[MSK]

Tina.....Unless I'm mistaken, Austin HSF is a one day affair.

[onehottamale]

And it is also, I believe one week after the Zest Fest?? MSK you will be happy to know our booth is booked for Zest Fest.... YEAAAHHHY :twisted:

[MSK]

You go girls! Ya'll won't be sorry! It's one hellava party! :party: :cheers: :clap: :fireball:

And it's :hot: :hot: :hot:

[onehottamale]

Hey Dan
We have booth 907 and we were told the Marriott Courtyard on Riverfromt Drive was a nice (and close) hotel, we actually booked our rooms there, I think we were told it was 109/per night.

[Tina Brooks]

Wait a minute... Then when is Houston... Three shows for the pricetag of one??? we might be able to combine them and make the trip worthwile.

T

[onehottamale]

Tina I know that the Houston Hot Sauce Festival is the weekend after Zest Fest. I dont think we are going to stay for that one, Its bad enough Zest Fest is the same week the kids start school. :cry:

[Tina Brooks]

OHT... do what we do, take the kids out of school... Think of the education such a show will give them!

T

[Dan@BLP Labels]

Hey Dan
We have booth 907 and we were told the Marriott Courtyard on Riverfromt Drive was a nice (and close) hotel, we actually booked our rooms there, I think we were told it was 109/per night.

Excellent. We just got the Okay and are booked. Booth 1219 right next to Danny Cash and the boys :D We are now in the process of looking for a hotel. We are thinking about The Stockyards Hotel.

[LinNJoe]

Excellent. We just got the Okay and are booked. Booth 1219 right next to Danny Cash and the boys :D We are now in the process of looking for a hotel. We are thinking about The Stockyards Hotel.

Word on the street is that the Stockyards Hotel is mega-expensive, both for accomodations and for meals in their restaurant. Haven't heard any other recommendations, mind you, but that place is likely out of our budget for sure.

[Dan@BLP Labels]

Excellent. We just got the Okay and are booked. Booth 1219 right next to Danny Cash and the boys :D We are now in the process of looking for a hotel. We are thinking about The Stockyards Hotel.

Word on the street is that the Stockyards Hotel is mega-expensive, both for accomodations and for meals in their restaurant. Haven't heard any other recommendations, mind you, but that place is likely out of our budget for sure.

Thanks for the heads up. We looked into it and we decided on staying at The Courtyard Marriott (thanks for the recommendation Lisa). It's only a couple blocks from the convention center and I heard downtown rocks. Plus it's only a 2.5 mle cab ride to The Stockyards area if everyone is, shall we say, having a coporate meeting in that area. :D

[onehottamale]

Tina.... ohhh not a good idea to bring the kiddos, you do realize I have 3 of them (11,9 and 3) It would be impossible to be at the show with all of them, they can stay home with Grandpa and have alot more fun :wink:[/quote]

[MSK]

I have to agree! I don't remember anyone having their kids there. Oops...CaJohn did! But he's in the early 20s :D

[MSK]

OHT...

Girl if you have a booth next to Danny Cash, all I can say is be ready to ROCK!

[Dan@BLP Labels]

OHT...

Girl if you have a booth next to Danny Cash, all I can say is be ready to ROCK!

We have the booth next to Danny Cash and I think CaJohn is really close also. Mike and I are really looking forward to this show. We have been wanting to do this one for a while.

[onehottamale]

Dont think it matters where we are too much, we will find everyone, or visa versa :) cant wait

[Dan@BLP Labels]

Dont think it matters where we are too much, we will find everyone, or visa versa :) cant wait

I think you're right. Every one seems to congregate sooner or later. You girls are smack dab in the middle of it all with your booth, aren't you?

[onehottamale]

Yes Dan, it seems we are.. Like I said, no matter where we are it is definitley going to be a blast :P

[Dan@BLP Labels]

AARRGGHH... All rooms sold out at the Courtyard Marriott. Not to mention that they are $189.00/night. Time to tkeep looking :shock:

[onehottamale]

Dan try the one we are at the lady from the show said it was a really nice hotel, accessible to everything :) and I think it was 109 a night

[LBTC]

OHT... do what we do, take the kids out of school... Think of the education such a show will give them!

T
We were going to bring our youngest son (15 Years old) but he is on the High School Football team and the world would have to implode before we could get him to miss a practice let alone skip a game.

Not even the bribe of letting him help with the drive down on his newly aquired driving permit swayed him.
:shock:
Pam

[Tina Brooks]

Something tells me I should figure out something to do with the kidlets.

T

[DEFCON Creator]

A couple drops of chloroform in the pillow always works wonders.

[Tina Brooks]

A couple drops of chloroform in the pillow always works wonders.

lol... don't tempt me!

T

[PicantePut]

I've thought about going to this. But I don't really know where to start. I look at expedia and the like and see stuff to get me there and to stay but beyond that I am clueless as to what to do?

[DEFCON Creator]

Simple prospect. Go to the show, eat everything possible, go to the bar, drink heavily, go to sleep...Repeat.

[imaguitargod]

Simple prospect. Go to the show, eat everything possible, go to the bar, drink heavily, go to sleep...Repeat.
Minus the show, you just described the start of the week for me.

[PicantePut]

Well I have the room in order and now making sure of my arrival time and plans and I am there! I cannot wait because it looks like an awesome group is going to be there. Can't wait to hang out with everyone

[Chango]

I'm looking at the dates for the Houston Hot Sauce Festival and ZestFest, if anyone is curious. I can't find any new info on the Austin Hot Sauce Fest, but I'm told it generally happens in late August.

http://www.zestfest2006.com/
Sept. 8(vendors only)-10

http://www.houstonhotsauce.com/
Sept. 16-17

[LBTC]

I'm looking at the dates for the Houston Hot Sauce Festival and ZestFest, if anyone is curious. I can't find any new info on the Austin Hot Sauce Fest, but I'm told it generally happens in late August.

http://www.zestfest2006.com/
Sept. 8(vendors only)-10

http://www.houstonhotsauce.com/
Sept. 16-17

I called the Austin Chronicle (responsible for event) regarding the festival. The very nice lady on the phone explained that there will be no information available until May or June and that the event takes place late summer. Apparently we chiliheads are a persistent lot as they have been getting a flood of calls on this event.

[chuk hell]

I called the Austin Chronicle (responsible for event) regarding the festival. The very nice lady on the phone explained that there will be no information available until May or June and that the event takes place late summer.

That's a typical Austin non-answer. Frick'n hippies. Yeah, it's usually one of the last two Sundays in August.