It’s set to get hot and spicy in Brindleyplace as Birmingham Chilli Festival returns

Brindleyplace, supported by Broad Street BID, will be bringing all things hot and spicy to the city with the second annual Birmingham Chilli Festival on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th July.

Chilli FestThe festival, which is returning as part of Birmingham Food Fest, is guaranteed to get temperatures rising with a wide range of stalls offering chilli-related produce and food from across the globe, available to sample on the day.

The popular festival will also feature live cooking and cocktail demonstrations from the restaurants around Brindleyplace in addition to street entertainment, tempestuous tango performances, music from Free Radio and live music as part of the Birmingham International Jazz and Blues Festival.

Ailsa Raine, Marketing Executive at Brindleyplace said: “Brindleyplace has a busy summer of events planned and the Chilli Festival is set to be another triumph, following the success of the inaugural event last year, which attracted thousands of people.”

“The Festival will provide an excellent platform for a diverse range of cuisine, showcasing the best of Birmingham and beyond. Along with the fantastic food, there will be a range of live entertainment to entice visitors from around the West Midlands and further afield.”

The much anticipated chilli eating competition is the festival finale with contestants battling it out to be crowned the 2012 Chilli Conqueror and win a ‘hot’ prize. Nine places have already been snapped up through word of mouth on the “chilli vine”.

The Brindleyplace event forms part of Birmingham Food Fest, which will take place on 13-19 July 2012, returning after last year’s inaugural success with a week-long menu of food-filled events and restaurant offers throughout the city centre.

This year sees Visit Birmingham, the city’s leisure tourism programme, join forces once again with partners and leading chefs to showcase the very best of Birmingham’s culinary offer.

Emma Gray, Director of Marketing Services at Visit Birmingham, which is managing Birmingham Food Fest, said: “Last year’s Food Fest really helped put Birmingham on the map as a culinary destination and a haven for food lovers, securing interest from media across the globe.

“Birmingham Chilli Festival is a unique event in the city and underlines why collaboration is at the heart of Birmingham Food Fest. Working with partners throughout the city, the week-long festival will bring together a wide range of restaurants and events helping to cement Birmingham’s growing reputation as a culinary hotspot.”

Birmingham Food Fest will feature a mouth-watering line up of fringe events and irresistible restaurant offers as part of Visit England’s 20.12% campaign, promoting the UK’s visitor offer in the lead up to the Olympic Games. Last year’s festival saw an estimated 70,000 people tuck into food and drink offers from over 80 restaurants, leaving visitors hungry for seconds.

If you would like to sell your own produce at the Birmingham Chilli Festival, please contact Russell Dean of market operator Sketts by email to [email protected].

If you would like to register your place for the chilli eating competition, please contact Ailsa Raine by email to [email protected].

 For further information visit www.birminghamfoodfest.com