Entries open for annual chilli eating challenge.
Chilli lovers from across the city are being invited to take part in the annual chilli eating competition as part of this year’s Birmingham Chilli Festival at Brindleyplace.
Now in its fifth year and free for everyone to attend, the Birmingham Chilli Festival sponsored by Dares – a resurrection craft beer from Davenports – will return on Saturday 19th September, taking place in Central Square at Brindleyplace, with the hotly anticipated chilli eating competition kicking off at 3pm.
Entries are now open for the competition which will see 20 brave contestants battle it out to be crowned the Chilli King or Queen of 2015. To make it to the next round, each contestant will have to consume a whole chilli (ranging from the humble bell pepper to the hottest chilli in the world, the fearsome Carolina Reaper), with participants who are unable to complete the challenge eliminated, until just one brave person remains.
Alex Perrins, Marketing Executive at Brindleyplace, said: “The chilli eating competition is always a highlight of the Birmingham Chilli Festival with hundreds of people coming along to see the participants willingly set their taste-buds on fire! The competition is open to anyone who wishes to take part but places will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis so I’d encourage people to act quickly if they want to take on the chilli.
“The Chilli Festival isn’t just about all things hot and spicy, it also aims to showcase milder chillies and demonstrate how the colourful fruit can add depth to everyday dishes, regardless of whether you’re a spice fan or not.”
As well as numerous food and drink stalls – all of which will be selling chilli-inspired produce – the family-friendly festival will boast a variety of street entertainment and live music throughout the day.
Alex said: “As part of our 20th anniversary celebrations, there’ll be opportunities to win prizes donated by the stall holders and our festival sponsor, Dares. Both, Dares and Davenports beer are very famous names in the Midlands, with both having roots here for almost 100 years. It’s really exciting that we are able to showcase three new products from the historic brand, which is being resurrected for the first time in many years. The craft beers on offer are brand new to the market and the Birmingham Chilli Festival will be first opportunity the public will have to sample these delicious and flavourful creations – even before they hit the shelves and free houses across the city!”
On the Friday prior to the Chilli Festival (18th September), between 11am and 7pm, Brindleyplace will be holding a chilli-inspired local produce market in association with market operator, Sketts, helping people to prepare their taste buds for the festival.
Anyone wishing to enter the chilli eating completion should email alex.perrins@gva.co.uk before 6th September to secure their place. For further information about the festival, visit www.brindleyplace.com/event/birmingham-chilli-festival-2015.