Hanapepe’s Salty Wahine Wins 2018 Fiery Food Challenge in Texas

Salty Wahine owner Laura Cristobal-Andersland, right, and Jessica Montoya, executive administrative for the business.

Salty Wahine Gourmet Hawaiian Sea Salts, of Hanapepe, came back home from an important food challenge on the Mainland carrying several awards in its luggage earlier this year.

On Jan. 26, the most prestigious awards in the spicy food industry were distributed at the Fiery Food Challenge Awards dinner in Irving, Texas. Salty Wahine Gourmet Hawaiian Sea Salts won six awards: two for the Hawaiian Rub, three for the Island Volcano Seasoning, and another for the Island Curry.

“Salty Wahine made a huge splash at the Fiery Food Challenge with our first entry in this prestigious event. Island Volcano Seasoning won the People’s Choice Award during blind taste testing by the people attending the event. Island Volcano has become a Great Award-Winning Seasoning! I can’t believe we beat all these Texas barbeque rubs! It is nice to know that Kaua‘i products can compete internationally and hold our own,” said Laura Cristobal Andersland, Salty Wahine owner.

The Fiery Food Challenge pits products from across the Unites States and internationally against each another in more than 85 categories. Professional judges evaluate hundreds of sauces, salsas and other spicy treats and award first, second and third place prizes in each category. Awards are proudly displayed at Zest Fest, a spicy, zesty and flavorful food event held the same week as the Fiery Food Challenge at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas.

Hawaiian Rub: Golden Chile 1^st Place Cook-Off — Dry Seasoning/Rub Fowl; and 3^rd Place Cook-Off Food — Dry Seasoning/Rub Fruit Vegetable.

Island Volcano Seasoning: Golden Chile 1^st Place for People’s Choice Award Spice /Rub; 2^nd Place Best New Product Cook-Off; and 3rd Place Cook-Off Food — Dry Seasoning/Rub Fowl.

Island Curry: 3^rd Place Cook-Off Food — Chili, Soup/Stew Mix.

These new awards add to Salty Wahine’s collection of multiple awards.

Hawaiian Rub has now won three awards: Scovie Award 1^st Place for Dry Rub Seasoning, Fiery Food Challenge 1^st Place Golden Chile for Dry Seasoning/Rub Fowl, and Fiery Food Challenge 3^rd Place Dry Seasoning/Rub Fruit Vegetable.

Island Volcano Seasoning has now won six awards: Scovie Award 2^nd Place for Hot & Spicy table seasoning, Scovie Award 3^rd place for meat required dry rub/seasoning all purpose, World Hot Sauce Awards 2^nd place Pork Rub, Fiery Food Challenge 1^st Place People’s Choice Award for Spice/Rub, 2^nd Place Best New Product Cook-Off, and 3^rd Place Cook-Off Dry Seasoning/Rub Fowl.

Island Curry has now won three awards: Scovie Awards 3^rd Place for Meat Required – Unique Category, World Hot Sauce Awards 2^nd Place for Fish Rub, and Fiery Food Challenge 3^rd Place Cook-Off Chili, Soup/Stew Mix.

Passion Fruit, Orange, Guava Pepper has won two awards: Scovie Awards 3^rd Place in the Cook It Up Unique Category and World Hot Sauce Awards World Champion Table Seasoning.

Visit www.saltywahine.com for more information on their award-winning products. Contact Salty Wahine at info@saltywahine.com or (808) 378-4089.

Visit www.zestfest.net or contact June DeRousse at june@zestfest.net or (210) 882-0952 for more information on the Fiery Food Challenge and ZestFest.