Whoa Doggie, a Knoxville-based hot sauce manufacturer, took first place in the Habanero category for its Alpha Dog hot sauce at the 11th annual NYC Hot Sauce Expo held September 21-22, 2024, in Brooklyn, New York.
Judges included celebrity chefs and food writers and bloggers.
The competition includes 19 categories, each with winners named in first, second and third place. The hot sauce with the highest total score, Hell’s Kitchen’s Cinnamon Ghost Punch, was crowned the 2024 Grand World Champion.
“I crafted Alpha Dog to have a spicier version of our signature low spice cayenne garlic hot sauce,” said Billy Rivet, Whoa Doggie founder.
Artisan crafted in small batches in Knoxville, Whoa Doggie’s hot sauces are gluten free, vegan and part of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Pick Tennessee Products. “We are proud to be a homegrown Knoxville business, and we make and market our hot sauces locally,” added Heather Rivet, Whoa Doggie co-owner.
Whoa Doggie marked its first anniversary this October. The craft hot sauce company currently offers a line of six sauces online at www.whoadoggiesauces.com and at select locations, markets and festivals.
Jennifer Holder of Pirate Girl PR contributed information and quotes for this story.
