1999
Food Distributors Magazine National Barbecue Competition
Awards and recognition
36 Scovie Awards since 1998.
The Scovie Awards are one of the best-known competitions for spicy and fiery foods. SpiceItUp! products have earned 36 of them since 1998, with the most recent wins in 2026.
How the Scovie Awards are judged
Entries are accepted over a two-month window each summer. Judging takes place on the Monday between the New Mexico State Fair and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Judging is blind. A panel of 80 to 100 food professionals scores each product on eye appeal, aroma, flavor and heat scale, and the scores are compiled and verified by staff.
SpiceItUp! by the numbers
- 36
- Scovie Awards since 1998
- 1999
- First Place Scovie Award, as noted by Nolan Ryan in a personal letter
- 2026
- Most recent Scovie wins
- 1995
- Jalapeño ketchup first commercially bottled
More awards
2000
Chili Pepper Magazine Fiery Food Challenge
2001
Houston Hot Sauce Festival People's Choice Award
2002
International Zesty Foods Show
Recognized beyond the judging table
In 2004, SpiceItUp! Jalapeño Ketchup was reviewed in D Magazine and on The Food Network. Cajun chef Justin Wilson personally called Ben at SpiceItUp! to say he put the jalapeño ketchup on an onion sandwich and loved it, and the product has been enjoyed by U.S. Marines and Navy personnel at home and abroad.
Questions
What are the Scovie Awards?
The Scovie Awards are an annual competition for spicy and fiery foods. Products are judged blind by 80 to 100 food professionals on eye appeal, aroma, flavor and heat scale.
How many Scovie Awards has SpiceItUp! won?
SpiceItUp! products have earned 36 Scovie Awards since 1998, with the most recent wins in 2026.