Rhythm N' Spice 2025

Get ready to spice up your taste buds and groove to the rhythm of global flavors at the Rhythm N’ Spice Hot Sauce Fest! Join us for a day filled with spicy goodness on Saturday, May 3rd for two sessions: 12-4 PM and 4:30-8:30 PM. Stay tuned for this year’s program! Festival Map.

League of Fire Joins this year’s festival!

🌶 Are You Brave Enough? The Williams Agency is thrilled to offer The League of Fire Greater Boston Belt Chili-Eating Challenge at the 2nd Annual Rhythm N’ Spice Hot Sauce Festival. The winner of the Cambridge contest will qualify to compete in the League of Fire U.S. Championship in Gettysburg, PA on October 11-12, 2025. Cambridge/Boston will join major U.S. host cities like Tampa, Denver, Dallas, and Austin as an official League of Fire (LOF) competition site. We have a minimum of five spots available for Boston area competitors. You can also sign up for other Spicy Food Challenges in Session 1 (12-4pm). This event is presented by the Cambridge Office of Tourism. 

🔥What is the League of Fire? The League of Fire (LOF) is the world’s premier chili-eating competition league, with events spanning Europe, Africa, and the U.S. These contests have been featured in The Guardian, Huffington Post, and the hit documentary series SUPERHOT: The Spicy World of the Pepper People, now streaming on Hulu and Disney+. The League of Fire’s Boston Belt Match will bring international recognition to Cambridge, drawing national competitors, media attention, and food enthusiasts to the city.

📢 What will you face: Hosted by Shahina Waseem (UK Chili Queen), 10 challengers will compete for the Boston Area Champion and a spot for the US. Champion Belt in October. The last man or woman standing will win the spot. The UK Chilli Queen will meet-and-greet photos with attendees. Check out Shahia in action! 

Festival includes:

  • Globally inspired hot sauces and food offerings for sale by community small businesses
  • Spicy Challenges and prizes featuring local food where audience members are engaged and vendors are celebrated (Session 1)
  • League of Fire Chilli-Eating Challenge (Session 2)
  • VIP Lounge with tastings of sizzling cocktails, and spicy alcoholic beverages from sponsors
  • Tasting corner featuring a curated selection of sauces from local restaurants, caterers, and international purveyors of hot sauces.
  • Cinco de Mayo Sugar Skull Face painting for adults by Painting as Art & Ritual
  • The Spicy Food Lab will offer demos including cooking demos from local Chefs featuring global spicy recipes
  • The Spice Lounge offering bar drinks, including spicy cocktails and beverages makers and cultural drinks
  • Live entertainment of global rhythms including Salsa lessons, steel pan performances, African Dance, Afrobeats Dance, and more
  • Kids & Culture zone will be just for kids and offer hands-on interactive activities, including face painting, henna art, and hands on steel pan lessons by the Cambridge Youth Steel Orchestra and Tempo International

Spicy Challenge Schedule
Session 1 (12-4 PM) -   Hot Sauce EXPO
1-1:30 PM - Spicy Oggi's Gourmet Pizza Challenge
2:15 - 2:45 PM - Spicy Jamaican Patty Challenge
3:15 - 3:45 PM - Spicy Bone Sauce Wings Challenge

Session 2 (12 - 4 PM) -   Hot Sauce EXPO
6 -7 PM - League of Fire Chili-Eating Boston Area Championship

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