I’ve been invited to speak, demonstrate, and cook at the West Dean Gardens’ 22nd Chilli Fiesta, August 11-13. This is the largest chilli (or chili or chile) event in the U.K. We will be staying at the modest guest house at the gardens:
I’m really looking forward to this event! From the West Dean Gardens’ press release:
Sarah Wain, West Dean Gardens’ chilli expert, will be giving informal talks and tours around the Victorian glasshouses in the Walled Garden. Chilli-lovers can see around 250 varieties of chillies in the glasshouses and learn how to grow them at home. Sarah has grown 300 plants which will be available exclusively to buy at Chilli Fiesta in support of the Save the Glasshouses Appeal.
There will be a selection of bars around the site and a wide range of chilli-related foods to enjoy and set your taste buds alight.
With over 140 stalls – many new this year – there will be a great variety of quirky gifts on offer from hot and spicy foods to eat to chilli plants, seeds and produce so you can experiment with the dishes inspired by the Chilli Fiesta back at home.
Since this is a festival, it’s outdoors and there’s plenty of entertainment. Around 25,000 visitors come to the family-friendly Chilli Fiesta to enjoy the full programme of live music, entertainment and food. Great camping facilities are on offer for the weekend in the spectacular grounds of the estate in the heart of the South Downs.
