This was my second trip of scoff to the fiesta, having been a few years back with the rents. If you love all things spice then this is the event for you. Any seasoned foodie will know the good haunts to find various chilli products and condiments, so when shopping here, be savvy and know that the prices are hiked up for the event and with a bit of knowledge you can find many of the products in your local farmshops and delis near home. That and you will save your wallet a considerable amount of beating because hand on heart, you could probably buy one thing from each stall here.
Set in the picturesque grounds of West Dean college, the chilli fiesta comprises of local produce, specialist chilli products, plants, entertainment and more importantly a feast of food!
West Dean Chilli Fiesta - The grounds
A touch of spice was just what the doctor ordered on what was quite frankly a seriously dull and grey day, as you can no doubt see from the pics. After parking up we headed over to pay. The entry cost for two adults at £9.00 each didn't come cheap, but hey, it's the price you pay for a bit of heat! We headed in and started to mosey about at the various stalls.
Fellow chilli lovers exploring the fiesta
The downside to the fiesta was that due to it being a Friday and pretty typical in the weather stakes, the event was slightly empty, well more empty then at a weekend, when the amount of visitors would get even the most cocooned chilli hater in a fiery mood. As I mentioned earlier, events like this are all about being savvy. Many stall holders were selling three jars of pickles, chutneys, jams or chill based sauces for ten pounds, and let's be fair, when does anyone need ten pounds of condiments at any one time? There are some true gems here, such as Edible Ornament Chillis, which were selling all varieties of rare and hard to find peppers at 6 for £2.
Edible Ornaments Chillis
I treated myself (I'm so outrageous and extravagent....) to £2 worth of sweet bell and jalepenos, after a suggestion from the stallholder that 30mins stuffed with soft cheese in the oven and these chillis would be a tasty delight. Burning delight morelike. Thirty minutes in the oven even stuffed with a cheese and chive filling I created and they were bordering on the realms of giving me and my boyfriend severe ring sting the next morning.
What was a true delight however, was when it came to lunchtime and us deciding what to eat. After about five undecided laps of the site we plummed for Carribean and our choice definitely didn't disappoint our buds.
Clara's Carribean Kitchen
We plummed for Clara's Carribean Kitchen and its curried Mutton with Rice and Peas. It was authentic, traditional and bloody tasty. At a reasonable £6 we had a tray stuffed to the brim of mutton rice and salad.
MMMMMmmm.... Mutton Rice and Peas
We were actively encouraged by the stall staff to help ourselves to the various sauces on offer as well; obviously we happily obliged! My boyfriend couldn't get enough of the hot pepper sauce and for me it was all about the chilli mayo, I could have literally eaten a TUB! Find the sauces here
Other highlights of the fiesta include the nursery field where you can buy your very own chilli plants ready to take home and start cooking with. For me personally, it's a must visit part of the event. The variety of chillies on sale were ideal for any location and home, whether big or small. After some deliberation I decided to go for a pot of Medusa Chillies, partly because they looked really cool....ok that's a bit of chilli vanity coming through there for you.
Chilli-tastic!
All in all this event is fantastic if you love your life with a bit of spice and are searching for some hard to find chillies or just want some advice growing your own. The event is annual and well worth searching out if you are in the area. From fiery firecrackers to burning birdseyes, it's guarenteed you will find it here.
