Are women still spicier than men?

That's the question Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey will explore as it launches the annual Great American Grill Out "The Secret is in the Sauce" Recipe Competition.

The contest challenges participants to create an original barbecue sauce recipe prepared with at least a cup of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey. Out of the 300 recipes collected last year, 58 percent of women packed their sauce with a punch, while only 42 percent of men used spicy ingredients. The most common fire-laced ingredient used was chili powder, followed by cayenne pepper, Tabasco sauce, red pepper flakes and jalapeños. Women also dabbled more with exotic spice additives than men, with Thai chili paste, Wasabi and hot Chinese mustard topping the list.

"We enjoyed learning the saucy details of what women and men mix up in the kitchen," said Lynne Tolley, Jack Daniel's great-grand niece and proprietress of Miss Mary Bobo's Boarding House in Lynchburg, Tenn.

"Not only did we discover the differences between the sexes, but we also learned the latest sauce recipe trends."

According to Tolley, the biggest trend revealed during last year's contest was fruit based barbecue sauces, with 53 percent of all entries containing fresh fruit, fruit juices or zest ingredients.

Lemons topped the fruit list, with oranges, pineapples and peaches also commonly used. Tropical fruits, such as mango, papaya and guava were other popular items. Another big trend was Asian influences, with nine percent of all entries containing Eastern flavors. Peanut butter was the most common Asian/Thai ingredient used.

Topping the list of the most uncommon flavor additions were catnip leaves and black fig vinegar.

"Jack Daniel's is hosting the competition again this year to determine other great sauce trends and secrets," said Tolley.

Enter the Annual Jack Daniel's Great American Grill Out "The Secret is in the Sauce" by sending an original barbecue sauce recipe prepared with at least a cup of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey along with your name, complete address, phone number and date of birth (to verify that you are at least 21 years of age) to:

Jack Daniel's "The Secret is in the Sauce" Recipe Competition
P.O. Box 198996
Nashville, TN 37219-8996

Or enter by e-mail by following the instructions at the Jack Daniel's website

One Grand Prize and 20 Honorable Mentions will be awarded. The Grand Prize consists of a trip for two to attend the Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue Contest in Lynchburg on October 27, 2001, round-trip air transportation, hotel accommodations for two nights, $300 spending cash and a Weber grill.

Edited by Nicole Cerchio