Great Dorset Chilli Festival

01/04/2026

In their wisdom it looks increasingly likely that DEFRA will bring into force an amendment to the Injurous Weeds Act 1959 meaning superhot chilli varieties measuring over 1m Scovilles will soon become illegal to cultivate, harvest or consume. Departmental sources suggest this is in order to protect the public from stomach upset. Environmental benefits include a reduction in the use of perfectly drinkable water being used for each flush.

Penalties for infringement of the new rules carry a fine of up to 1 million Creme Eggs.....

14/02/2026

09/02/2026

CHILLI PLANT COMPETITION: 3238 red chillies on just one Rooster Spur chilli plant? This is how many Sea Spring Seeds counted, plus a lot more little green chillies too.

We’re launching our annual Chilli Plant Competition, and this year the variety for the Class 1 competition will be the Rooster Spur, a small, viciously hot chilli which grow in vast numbers on low bushy plants. But since the judges won’t have time to count thousands of chillies, your plant will only be judged on its appearance, health and apparent yield. Just bring it to the GDCF on Saturday 1st August by 1.00pm. Class 2 is for any chilli variety.

Seeds are available from Sea Spring Seeds who have a vast range of chilli and vegetable seeds. They’ve generously given us 20 packs of Rooster Spur seeds to give away, so if you’d like some just like this post and EMAIL your postal address to [email protected]

Competition sponsored by Sea Spring Seeds , Simpsons Seeds, at Keepers Yard and Harts Of Stur See website for competition rules.

02/02/2026

If you've ever fancied having a go at the cook-off competition, be quick as it's almost full!

1st and 2nd August at the Great Dorset Chilli Festival.

You guys!!! 😮

Well within 12 hours of our initial post, we only have 3 team spots left for this year’s cook-offs!!

We love how much the teams love this competition!! It’s very humbling….❤️

If you’d like to grab one of the remaining spots please read the post from yesterday and apply via the link.

❤️🌶️

22/01/2026

Should it be every day......?

Happy International Hot Sauce Day! Get that delicious liquid on your food!

11/08/2025

🌶Chilli Eating Competitions

Saturday: 1st Sam Sach
2nd Charlie Harris
3rd Ben Tinson

Sunday: 1st Charlie Neale
2nd Holly Meaden
3rd James Eastaugh

🌶Chilli Plant Competitions

Class 1 – Bolivian Rainbow variety
1st Andy Brooks
2nd Andy Storey
3rd Jean Rogers

Class 2 – any chilli variety (there were 17 entries!)
1st Jean Rogers (Mystic Nebula)
2nd Andy Brooks (Filius Blue)
3rd Jake Markin (Peach Habanero)

🌶Chilli Sauce Competitions

Mild: 1st Carrington’s - Chillichup
2nd Kimchi With Everything – Korean BBQ
3rd Jethro’s – Green Chilli with Garlic

Medium: 1st Hot Star Honey - Chipotle Chilli Honey
2nd Fat Man Chilli – Fire Garlic
3rd Wiltshire |Chilli Farm – Fire Garlic

Hot: 1st Simpson’s Seeds – Fruity and Smokey
2nd Henry Brothers Hot Sauce – Naga
3rd Plot 34A Chillies – Drunken Bee

🌶Curry Cook-off Competition (Saturday)

Winner: The Wonky Donkeys
2nd - Lekker Bru BBQ (their first ever cook off!)
3rd - Joker Smokers
People’s choice - The Wonky Donkeys

🌶Chilli Cook-off Competition (Sunday)

Winner: The Wonky Donkeys
2nd - The Smoking Gun
3rd - The Slozzled Cook
People’s Choice - Joker Smokers

04/08/2025

Done and dusted (almost!).

The litter picking team found £3.42 in total. If you think it’s yours please apply in writing, with the letter witnessed and signed by all 8 of your great grandparents, by 7.52pm this evening.

Still a bit to do so will post all results in next couple of days.

Chilli love x

03/08/2025

A bit of evening sun on the chilli signs, snapped as I drove round the park this evening saying goodbye to traders. Another awesome day to round off the weekend - a bit of rain then the sun came out again in time for the chilli eating.

I won't waffle on this evening as it's getting late, but I do want to thank all my team for all their hard work, in particular my tireless site manager, Ian, who I had to instruct to go home this evening otherwise he'd still be there tidying up. Thanks as ever to all the traders, competitors, chefs, speakers, entertainers, bands, paramedics, security, traffic management, electricians and cook-off teams. I'll stop there as if I try to give a complete list I'll probably forget someone, but lastly thank you to you all for coming and supporting us, and for being such a fun and friendly bunch.

Much chilli love to you all x

03/08/2025

Perfect chilli festival weather! See you laters, alligators!

02/08/2025

This is what a thousand people all with eyes on the stage for today’s chilli eating competition looks like! What a crowd and what a competition!

Thank you everyone for coming today, and the good news is that we are doing it all again tomorrow. Gates open on Sunday at 10am . Tickets available on the gate. Don’t miss it, because it won’t happen again for another 364 days.

Chilli love xx