Having attended the West Dean Chilli Festival the day previously I was still keen to attend one of my more local chilli festivals. Arriving just as the festival opened I wandered around the grounds to get a feel for which businesses where in attendance. With the revised date for the West Dean Chilli Festival clashing with Benington Lordship I was concerned that many regular names may have pulled out but it was good to see that many of the popular names such as Fire Foods, Cambridge Chilli Farm, Mr Vikki’s, and Chilli Pepper Pete were still able to attend. Several new exhibitors to Benington (but regular exhibitors on the chilli festival scene) such as Dartmoor Chilli Farm and Hot Headz were also present.
A Mariachi band provided musical entertainment, playing a mixture of traditional Mexico folk music as well as some great interpretations of current hits, whilst people enjoyed their lunchtime snacks.
Chillheads looking to purchase plants were well catered for with a wide variety of chilli plants available from the Garden’s own stall and Edible Ornamentals. Varieties of freshly harvested chillies were also available from Completely Chilli and Edible Ornamentals, the latter who were proving very popular with visitor as they selling superhot varieties such as the Dorset Nagas. Of course those looking for treats at the other end of the heat and flavour spectrum were well catered for too with a variety of chilli chocolate products being available from Cocoa Loco and Dartmoor Chilli Farm.
Things kicked off pretty easy with some Serrano chillies followed by unripe and then ripe Birds eye chillies. Unsurprisingly everyone was still in at this stage but things then moved up quite a few notches on the Scoville scale when the next variety brought out where yellow 7-Pot chillies. Whilst it clearly looked like some were struggling with the heat at this point, everyone managed to eat the pods. Unfortunately however shortly thereafter the first retirement came, when one of the contestants made a hasty exit to the milk station, having rubbed his eyes with the hand he used to handle the 7 Pot.
It was clear from the large amount of people who had gathered to watch the chilli eating competition that the festival was in full swing. There was definitely a warm and friendly atmosphere at this festival and this was confirmed when talking to many exhibitors (both new and old). As with previous years the festival was attracting large crowds of families and enthusiastic chilliheads alike and no doubt it was this balance of people, along with a generous dollop of bank holiday sunshine that was helping to create such a great ambience.
Possibly Related Articles:
[adshere]