Local chefs, business owners and entrepreneurs from across the city came together to showcase their hot sauce recipes at the Drake Hotel on Monday. The tasting was a part of their series of free food-based events called “86’d”.
Samples of the hot sauces were handed out to patrons of the restaurant as a complimentary side to their meals and beverages.
A number of customers from all across the city came to the Drake Hotel specifically for the tasting.
“I’m from Scarborough, so I usually don’t come out this way,” said self-proclaimed hot sauce lover Constantino Tzavaras. “But I came to try out all of these hot sauces and hopefully find one that I can use everyday.”
Local food truck Fidel Gastro displays their notoriously spicy hot sauce.
Carlos Flores is the co-founder of Number 7 Hot Sauce. The tasting gave him a chance to share his passion for hot sauce with others.
“I had a really good time at the event,” Flores enthused. “It gave everyone a chance to come out and support their favourite local brands.”
As a chef and entrepreneur, Carlos appreciates that this kind of event fosters respect for their recipes.
“I really liked that it was a tasting as opposed to a competition,” Flores explained. “Instead it was just like everyone was celebrating hot sauce.”
The Drake hosts free food events every Monday. Their next event is the St. Royals 5 Year Anniversary Party. It will feature live performances and free cocktails.