Chilli festival to spice things up in Wellingborough town centre

The free event, which was launched for the first time last year, is being organised once again by Discover Wellingborough, the town’s Business Improvement District (BID).

It will take place in Orient Place, just off Market Street, from 9am on Saturday, May 21.

Some of the best chilli producers from across the UK will be there to showcase their products.

There will also be the opportunity to participate in the famous Chilli Challenge, which invites competitors to sample the Carolina Reaper sauce, made from the world’s hottest chilli pepper.

Reactions to the sauce will be photographed and used in a book publication.

John Cable, manager of Wellingborough BID, said: “Last year’s Chilli Fiesta was a huge success and proved to be a great way to entice people into the town centre.

“Once again, stallholders will have a range of chilli-based products available to buy from pasties to pickles and sauces to dips.

“For the more adventurous spice lovers, there will be chilli tequila, beer and cider also available to purchase.”

The festival is organised by the BID – which is paid for by town centre businesses – through the Discover Wellingborough campaign.

The BID has also launched a competition, via its website, where participants can enter for the chance to win a chilli hamper worth approximately £100.

The UK’s first Chilli Fiesta took place in 2011 in Shoreham.

Following the success of the event, festivals celebrating the chilli are now held across the country.