FORT WORTH, Texas - TelAve -- The blind taste test judging for the 30th Anniversary of the Fiery Food Challenge has officially been completed, with judges tasting hundreds of entries from spicy food creators across America and beyond. Final votes are now being tallied, and the winners of the prestigious Golden Chili Awards will be announced Friday night, May 29, at the Fiery Food Challenge Awards Dinner following the opening day session of ZestFest 2026.  Get tickets now.

The 25th Anniversary edition of ZestFest — the Ultimate Spicy Food & BBQ Festival — opens Friday, May 29 at 1 PM inside the Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits Hall at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

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Nearly 100 exhibitors are arriving today to begin transforming the hall into one giant celebration of flavor, heat, BBQ, sauces, snacks, seasonings, sweets, fiery creations, and culinary adventure. All exhibit spaces must be fully prepared by noon Friday before the doors officially open to the public at 1 PM.

Meanwhile, construction of the state-of-the-art Celebrity Chef Stage kitchen is already underway, preparing for an incredible weekend lineup of culinary talent from Texas, Florida, and New York City. Throughout the weekend, celebrity chefs and spicy food personalities will create mouthwatering dishes, cooking demonstrations, and delicious samples for thousands of spicy food enthusiasts attending the festival.

This year's Chef Stage lineup features legendary Texas BBQ master Eddie Deen appearing all three days, along with celebrity chefs James Nelson, Antonio Votta, Carlos Fuentes, and the entertaining trio of John "CaJohn" Hard, Buddy Taylor, and Jason Goodman bringing bold Cajun, Asian, BBQ, and spicy fusion flavors to the stage.

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Festival attendees will enjoy:

• Hundreds of free samples
• Celebrity chef demonstrations
• Atomic Karma Wing Eating Contest
• Shopping from top specialty food companies
• The excitement of the 30th Anniversary Fiery Food Challenge Awards
• Family-friendly entertainment all weekend long

Organizers are encouraging attendees to purchase tickets online now to avoid long waits at the door.

There is only ONE DAY LEFT to purchase the discounted 3-Day Weekend Pass for just $54.35, providing access to all three days of ZestFest 2026, including free sampling and Celebrity Chef Stage culinary presentations all weekend long.

"It's going to be a deliciously entertaining weekend for the whole family," organizers said. "The energy is building, the exhibitors are arriving, and Fort Worth is about to become the center of the spicy food universe."

Event Information & Tickets:
Info: Event Festival at ZestFest
Ticket Office: https://t.ly/wI6Hn