Meet Our Celebrity Judges for ‘Comin’ In Hot
WHO MAKES THE BEST HOT SAUCE IN HOUSTON?
Is it one of Houston’s red-hot chefs or an undiscovered amateur?
Get ready, Houston! Saturday, August 3, 2024 the heat is on as we present our 1st annual ‘Comin’ In Hot’ Pro-Am Hot Sauce Competition from 11 AM to 1 PM at Hope Farms. This sizzling party promises to be a fiery showdown between Houston’s hottest chefs and some gutsy amateur set to take them on. Four hot-stuff judges bring fiery passion for flavor. Just who do they think they are?
BAO ONG | Restaurant Columnist
A classically trained chef, Bao relocated to Houston from New York to join the editorial staff at The Houston Chronicle where he is the restaurant columnist. He is no stranger to Recipe for Success! Bao recently volunteered to teach a Chefs in the Fields Cooking Class at Hope Farms where he taught both kids and adults how to make fresh spring rolls.
Fun Fact: When asked, Whats a “must have hot sauce in/on it” dish in your opinion? Bao replied, “I want to say rice or any noodle dish but that seems a bit broad. So final answer: dumplings. I’ll always put hot sauce on my dumplings with a spoon or two of soy sauce.”
GABI DE LA ROSA | Editor
Gabi is an award-winning writer and editor for Culture Map Houston, Chron.com, Memorial Lifestyle and River Oaks Lifestyle. She enjoys a huge following of fans who depend on her advice and eagerly await her reviews.
Fun Fact: When asked, “How many days can you go without hot sauce?” Gabi replied “I typically use it daily, so I think if I go a week without it, someone should check on me.”
RUBEN DOMINGUEZ | TV Reporter
Ruben is the Morning & Entertainment Lifestyle Reporter for Fox26 News, which enjoys the largest morning audience in Houston. He loves to cook and a favorite part of his show is when he connects with chefs for their insights and recipe advice.
Fun Fact: When asked to tell us about best hot sauce he has ever tasted, Ruben demurred, “I’ve had some good ones, but I haven’t had the “best” one yet.”
MINH T TRUONG | Writer and Editor
Minh contributes to Eater Houston and Houston Food Finder and enjoys a robust following of in-the-know foodies who devour her delicious stories.
Fun Fact: When asked, “What the best hot sauce you ever tasted …where…what dish?” Minh replied “It was a beautiful dish I had at Botanico, a restaurant in Mexico City. The tuna tostada starter was drizzled with salsa macha. There were layers of flavors that worked together perfectly – it was smoky and acidic and bright at the same time – and nothing overpowered each other – you could still taste the tuna.”