Gabriel Ruiz of Throggs Neck showcases his winning entry in the Bronx Hot Sauce Bronx 5K” pepper growing challenge on Friday, April 10, 2015 at Bronx Community College. Ruiz is flanked by (left) hip-hop pioneer DJ Kool Herc, who served as a judge in the contest, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
Today, Small Axe Peppers and nonprofit GrowNYC announced the winner of the Bronx Greenmarket Hot Sauce “Bronx 5K” logo design competition, along with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. at Bronx Community College. The winning logo was designed by Gabriel Ruiz of Throggs Neck.
The winning logo will brand the collaboration’s “Bronx 5K” pepper growing challenge in print and online marketing materials and on signage identifying serrano peppers growing in community gardens, public spaces and urban farms. Small Axe Peppers launched “The Bronx 5K” campaign to get more Bronx community gardens involved so they source at least 5,000 (or 5K) pounds of peppers from the Bronx for their tasty hot sauce.
The panel selected from nearly one hundred submissions. Bronxites were challenged to create a sign that visibly represents The Bronx, urban gardening or other unique aspects of the borough; the top three finalists were awarded cash prizes, including a $500 1st place prize.
The panel of judges for the event included:
· DJ Kool Herc, the father of hip hop, and his sister Cindy;
· Chris Gallant, General Manager and Co-Founder of Bronx Brewery;
· Alejandra Ramos, food blogger and on-air lifestyle expert;
· Gil Teitel, owner of Teitel Brothers, the 100-year institution on Arthur Avenue; and
· Ismael Vazquez, Vice President of Business Development at the Bronx-based Ghetto Film School.
The Bronx Hot Sauce is a partnership between GrowNYC and Small Axe Peppers. Bronx-educated chef King Phojanakong uses locally grown serrano peppers to create his fresh, all-natural and delicious sauce.
In the spring of 2014, Small Axe donated 3,500 serrano pepper plants to GrowNYC. The plants were distributed to community gardens throughout the Bronx that GrowNYC supports. Small Axe then bought back the peppers for a premium price at harvest time in the fall. This buy-back model keeps production local, while supporting community gardening projects in the Bronx.
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