SPICE lovers across Dorset can look forward to the return of the popular Great Dorset Chilli Festival this year.
Taking place from August 2 to August 3 at Stock Gaylard Estate, near Sturminster Newton, festival organisers say the it will see the largest selection of chilli sauce producers at any UK event.
The weekend will see music, entertainment and competitions, with plenty of great flavours untouched by chilli too.
Festival organisers are encouraging amateur chilli-growing enthusiasts to sow their seeds now in preparation for August.
The Great Dorset Chilli Festival are holding their annual Chilli Plant Growing Competition to be judged at the event on Saturday 2nd August
The chilli plant competition is a popular part of the Chilli Festival, where amateur chilli-growing enthusiasts can enter classes to compete for the best looking chilli plant.
“It’s a level playing field and anyone could win,” said festival director Miles Halton.
“Although it might help to have green fingers, sometimes complete beginners go home with a rosette.”
Chilli Plant Competition
There are two classes.
Class 1 is only for the chilli variety “Bolivian Rainbow”, a very hot and stunningly beautiful chilli plant.
The short bushy plants are ideal for growing in pots.
Class 2 is the open class into which any chilli plant can be entered.
Plants are judged on appearance, development, condition and fruiting.
Judging is by respected commercial chilli seed grower Matt Simpson of Simpson’s Seeds.
The winner of each chilli plant competition class will receive a £50 gift voucher from local instore and online cookware and gardening retailer Harts of Stur, who are based in Sturminster Newton.
Free seeds
The organisers of the Great Dorset Chilli Festival have been supplied by Sea Spring Seeds with a limited supply of ‘Bolivian Rainbow’ chilli seeds to give away.
For a copy of the rules and to claim seeds email info@greatdorsetchillifestival.co.uk
Leave a Reply