05/21/2026
I’m really looking forward to being a part of CAPS awards in August and Wabash Valley Pepper Fest and Hot Sauce Expo in September! Follow Wabash Valley Pepper Fest & Hot Sauce Expo to stay up to date on all of the exciting announcements to come!
🔥 CAPS Awards Leadership Announcement 🔥
We are proud to officially announce that Matt Stewart has joined the CAPS Awards Executive Leadership Team as our new Director of Competition Integrity & Judging Operations.
This is one of the most important leadership positions within CAPS Awards and plays a major role in ensuring the professionalism, fairness, and credibility of the competition as we continue building CAPS into a respected and nationally recognized hot sauce awards program.
Matt Stewart, owner of Dry Fork Micro-Farm in Fairland, Indiana, is a passionate grower and active member of the pepper-growing community. Along with beekeeping and raising chickens, Matt grows a wide variety of produce including garlic, tomatoes, and of course, peppers. Over the last several years, he has provided the community with an impressive selection of peppers while building a reputation for generosity and mentorship among new growers.
As an active member of Cap Crew, Matt enjoys encouraging others to explore their spicy side and discover the excitement of growing and enjoying peppers. He is also an avid collector of hot sauces and appreciates the creativity and craftsmanship behind unique spicy flavors. Whether he’s tending his farm, sharing growing advice, or preparing spicy dishes for friends, Matt’s enthusiasm for peppers and community shines through in everything he does.
As Director of Competition Integrity & Judging Operations, Matt will oversee:
• Judge recruitment
• Blind judging procedures
• Category standards
• Score verification
• Rules & compliance
• Sauce intake organization
• Conflict-of-interest prevention
As CAPS Awards continues to grow, maintaining integrity and consistency in the judging process is critical. This position helps ensure that every sauce maker can have confidence that the competition is organized, impartial, and professionally managed.
Please join us in welcoming Matt Stewart to the CAPS Awards leadership team as we continue building something truly special for the hot sauce community. 🌶️🏆