Change of date for Chilli Festival (From Smallholder)

Change of date for Chilli Festival

12:03pm Tuesday 17th July 2012 in News

The country’s largest chilli event, West Dean’s Chilli Fiesta, has been moved to the August Bank Holiday weekend due to unprecedented amounts of rainfall in the area over the past few months (50% more rainfall for the year-to-date than average and 24 inches of rain in the last 4 months alone). Originally scheduled to take place over the weekend of 27, 28 & 29 July, the decision was taken to reschedule the event to minimise any potential damage to the historic Grade 11* listed landscape caused by up to 20,000 visitors expected over the weekend.

The event will now run from Saturday 25 August to Bank Holiday Monday 27 August and will once again become a mecca for those wanting to immerse themselves in the heat, flavour, history and variety of the chilli, while enjoying an eclectic line-up of talks, music and dance.

Drawing inspiration from the 300 varieties of chillies grown and displayed in West Dean’s glasshouses, over the past 16 years the Chilli Fiesta has grown and this year will see over 100 stallholders presenting chillies to eat and grow, specially prepared sauces, homeware, clothes and jewellery embellished with the vibrant chilli icons. New for 2012: an extensive programme of entertainment across two stages; new bar-team; extended opening hours on Saturday evening. Adjacent to the Main Stage will be Hire the Barman who will be performing daily cocktail presentations. On stage, he will demonstrate how to make the Westdeani, our signature cocktail for the event. This cocktail will be made using the Chilli Fiesta’s sponsor spirit, Stolichnaya Hot, and will be available on all our bars at the event. There will also be homemade chilli & orange ginger beer with demonstrations so people can make this at home.

Demos with West Dean's resident cookery expert Rosemary Moon will include her creative twists on modern and traditional recipes all liberally laced with specially selected chillies. Rosemary will be matching chilies to her dishes and explaining her choices, helping you to choose the right plants to buy to match your style of cuisine.

www.westdean.org.uk

 

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