This year’s Grand Champion prize was awarded to NYC-based Elfassy Foods’ Mild Harissa Sauce, a small-batch Moroccan paste that is great with eggs, bread, and other dishes. Ethan Fedida and his family founded Elfassy Foods in honor of his grandmother Renee Elfassy Fedida—who emigrated from Morocco to New York City in 1959 and passed on her culinary traditions. Elfassy Foods had previously competed in Sauce King NYC, steadily gaining more fans.
The Metro NYC Startup Award, named for former judge Duane Joseph (who passed away suddenly in 2021), was awarded to Piketu Original Puerto Rican Hot Sauce. The founders of the sauce are Bronx-based but originally from Puerto Rico, and the sauce embraces Puerto Rican styles. One judge noted that this sauce has routine ingredients and is familiar in flavor, but is extremely versatile and delicious.
