The Newark Show ground was an ambitious location for the first East Midlands Chilli Festival, which was held on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th August.
The large open space was unforgiving to the gales which blew across the market when we visited on
Sunday, and had thinned the number of chilli loving visitors, having opened to 250 people on the Saturday morning. The idea, the brain child of Bob Price, also known as Chilli Bob was born following UK wide publicity on the BBC, and his own experiences with ‘pick-your-own’ chilli sales in Newark. Great for the chilli lover, it hosted an array of exhibitors from the Midlands and the UK including some of the worlds hottest chillies and spices as well as artisan food stores, pop up shops and street food.
There was entertainment over the two day event. We caught a set by the James Jones Trio and a young lady whom the program billed as Natters Sings. You had to feel sorry for them. Performing on a large stage, they could be heard throughout the festival and beyond but only a handful of people actually sat before the stage braving the elements. The latter commented on her chilly fingers. I assume she meant due to weather or maybe she it was just from handling chillis.
Other entertainment over the weekend included the Newark Town Band, Madame Zucchinis Vegetable theatre, Vegetable Creature Workshops, a lemon eating competition for children, face painting and a Chilli eating competition for adults.
There were cooking demonstrations in the Newark Pavilion by Chef Craig McKnight. We tried to catch one but 20 minutes after the start time there was no sign of any cooking going on. A chilli cook-off was however taking place, the winners of which received £200 and entry to the National Cook-off finals.
You name it and you could probably buy it made of Chilli. Pulp Friction served chilli smoothies including the chocolate chilli espresso shake and the lemon-chilli spritzer. Chilli plants were available to buy to nurture your own hot stuff from Nottingham family-run business Chillihydro. Fiery treats were on offer from Chilli Junkies, Chilli Wizards, the Chilli Pepper Company, Chilli Devil, Galloway Chillies. Grim Reaper Foods, The Wiltshire Chilli Farm, The Chilli Jam Man, Chilli Fundamentals, the Chilli Alchemist and the Twisted Chilli – bit of chilli there then!
For the non-chilli lovers, other stalls included The Little Chocolatier, Rolys fudge, Platinum Pancakes, Mr Fitzpatrick’s Vintage Cordial and Sultan Olives who we bought Baklava from – not olives. Rebels
Other stalls included stalls by The Real Thai Pie Company, Exotic Meats, Cantina Carnitas Mexican Street Food and Now Now South African Street Food from whom we bought a Bunny Chow. A sweet tasting minced beef curry.
Camping and caravan facilities were also available on site for the hardy chilli fan.
The weather can make or break a festival such as this one and unfortunately it wasn’t being kind. There also seemed to be a lack of outdoor seating. The stalls were a little samey with a lot of chilli sauces on offer but hey – the clues in the name. What do you expect from a chilli extravaganza?
For more information visit www.em-chillifest.co.uk or you can contact Chilli Bob on 07901820914
By Tanya Raybould
