Peppers heats up the beach with 2nd Annual Spicy Foods Tailgate Party

Dozens of the hottest chefs and extreme food personalities in the world are converging at the second annual Peppers At The Beach Spicy Food Tailgate Party in Rehoboth Beach, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, May 20-22.

Hot-sauce guru and Peppers owner Chip Hearn, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as owner of the largest collection of hot sauces in the world, is hosting the event for his friends - a unique group who compete to win Scovie and Golden Chile awards, call themselves firetalkers and chile heads, and favor all things hot and spicy.

Mountaire Farms is adding to the excitement by providing 3,000 wings for a three-pronged wing contest that includes categories for Best Restaurant Wings, Most Unusual Wings and Best Buffalo Wings. There is no entry fee for the contest, which is open to restaurants and individuals.

“We want everyone to try to win with their wings, from the chef at a popular restaurant to your Aunt May,” said Hearn. “Remember, if you decide to compete for Buffalo style, it isn't you against some huge restaurant - it's you against the person who is cooking the wings for the restaurant that day - and I can't count the times that home cooking has hands-down beaten the best restaurant food around.”

The Food Channel's Extreme Food and Food Network personality John Dilley, creator of Defcon Sauces and winner of more than 50 coveted international awards since 2006, will join in the wing contests by hosting a Defcon Wing Eating Death Match.

Though the Death Match wings are not for the inexperienced or faint of heart, Dilley said it's not just about being hot. “There's no skill in making something hot - you just add pepper. The secret is in the flavor.”

Extreme Food and After Death superstar Blair Lazar, creator of sauces so hot that the 2007 Guinness Book of World Records recognizes him for concocting the world's hottest products, will be making a special guest appearance at the event.

Other renowned attendees returning from last year's event include multiple Scovie-Award, and Grand Champion winner Willard Ashburn of Ashburn Sauce Company, whose Bloody Mary mix and sassy sauce got rave reviews. Also returning are Cajun Island's Nicholas Ney, who won over countless attendees with his grilled blackened chicken breast dipped in Blackened Bourbon Sauce, Captain Thom's Chili Pepper Company with its much-loved classic Bite My Barnacles, and emerging Food Network personality Johnny McLaughlin of Heartbreaking Dawns.

The public is invited, free of charge, to join the fun and taste the heat as they watch food and cooking demonstrations, obtain recipes, help select the best wings in Delaware, and sample the cuisine of some of their favorite food personalities.

“This is a weekend to let your hair down and just have some fun,” said Hearn. “The creators of the hottest sauces and the chefs that use them are all coming to Peppers at the beach to have a tailgate and there will be loads of chili, wings, ribs and more for everyone to experience.”

For more information about the event call Peppers at 644-6900 or go to Peppers.com. Individuals and businesses interested in entering the contest should call Christina at 644-6900 or 800-998-3473.

EVENT INFORMATION:

Event: Peppers at the Beach 2nd Annual Spicy Foods Tailgate Party
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dates: Friday through Sunday, May 20-22
Wing Contests and Defcon Death Match: Noon, Saturday May 21
Place: Peppers parking lot, 18701 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach (next to the Roadhouse Steak Joint)
Charge: Free of charge.
Information: Call 302-644-6900, 800-998-3473, or visit Peppers.com