NEW YORK, June 7 /PRNewswire/ – The flavors of Southern BBQ just got a lot better for New York City residents with today’s announcement that Texas Pete(R) Hot Sauce is the official hot sauce of the city’s largest barbecue block party, the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party. The two-day event at Madison Square Park this Saturday and Sunday begins each day at noon.

“Texas Pete(R) is the right hot sauce for any barbecue so it’s only natural that our hot sauce be named the official hot sauce of New York City’s biggest and best barbecue event,” said Reg Garner, president of T.W. Garner Food Company, makers of Texas Pete.

The Big Apple BBQ Block Party annually draws more than 120,000 New Yorkers for a taste of America’s favorite barbecue flavors. More than a dozen of the country’s top pit masters will serve up their specialties to the crowd.

“Texas Pete(R) Hot Sauce defines so many types of barbecue that we invited them to share their unique bold and spicy flavor as our official hot sauce,” said Danny Meyer, founder of the charity event and president of Union Square Hospitality Group. Texas Pete(R) is also served at one of Danny Meyer’s premier New York restaurants - Blue Smoke. Pit master Ken Callaghan’s own special blend of American barbecue makes Blue Smoke one of the Big Apple’s favorite restaurants.

Callaghan will join Ed Mitchell as a featured pit master at this year’s event. Others include: Bryan Bracewell, Southside Market & BBQ of Elgin, TX; Chris Lilly, Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, Decatur, AL; Mike Mills, 17th Street Bar & Grill, Murphysboro, IL and many more. In addition to the food, the event offers barbecue seminars, live music and two days at one of the city’s most beautiful parks.

With a secret blend of peppers, Texas Pete(R) is one of America’s best- selling brands. This year, two new flavors, Texas Pete(R) Hotter Hot Sauce and Texas Pete(R) Garlic Hot Sauce, will make their debut at the block party. Free samples of hot sauce, recipes, face tattoos and coupons for Texas Pete(R) products will be shared with New Yorkers visiting the Texas Pete(R) booth at the park during the event.