It’s about to get saucy in Pittston.

The annual Sauce Wars competition will make its seventh appearance at the Pittston Tomato Festival this year.

Restaurants from far and wide and individual entrants will gather to taste and sample sauces from spicy to mild to just needing a pinch more pepper.

This year’s entrants will not compete for money, but for bragging rights to say they had the best sauce at the Pittston Tomato Festival — a feat they can brag about for the next 364 days.

Related Video

Last year’s winner, CrisNics Irish Pub in Wilkes-Barre, will return to defend its title against River Street Jazz Cafe of Plains, Grico’s Restaurant of Exeter, Abbella’s Cafe of Wilkes-Barre and Formaggi of Luzerne.

The Sauce Wars will take place throughout the entire Tomato Festival and the winner will be announced at the event’s closing on Sunday, Aug. 23. Voting will take place next to the festival committee stand. For a $1 donation, festival-goers can taste and vote on their favorite sauce.

All proceeds benefit the Greater Pittston YMCA.

The winner of the 2014 Sauce Wars was CrisNics Restaurant, Wilkes-Barre. From left, Mike Sowinski, Greater Pittston YMCA board president; Mary Ann Dziak, former Greater Pittston YMCA executive director; Mark Flaherty, winner and owner of CrisNics; and Courtney Richards, 2014 Tomato Queen.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_RGB_Sauce-Wars-2014.jpg.optimal.jpgThe winner of the 2014 Sauce Wars was CrisNics Restaurant, Wilkes-Barre. From left, Mike Sowinski, Greater Pittston YMCA board president; Mary Ann Dziak, former Greater Pittston YMCA executive director; Mark Flaherty, winner and owner of CrisNics; and Courtney Richards, 2014 Tomato Queen. Bill Tarutis File Photo | For Sunday Dispatch

By Jimmy Fisher

jfisher@timesleader.com

Reach Jimmy Fisher at 570-704-3972 or on Twitter @SD_JimmyFisher