Sawtell Chilli Festival

Planning is now underway for the 10th Anniversary Sawtell Chilli Festival, to be held on Saturday 5th July 2008 on First Ave, Sawtell.

The Sawtell Chilli Festival is known to delight people of all ages with its range of chilli-related foods and products, activities and entertainment. Whether you like it hot and spicy or milder, there will be a huge range of stalls, cafes and restaurants to cater to your tastes

Australia’s leading chilli product manufacturers will join regional restaurateurs as the international diversity of chilli cuisine is put on show. The myriad of chilli products, some of which have even won international awards, is guaranteed to satisfy the expected 6,000 visitors, from the spicy foods novice through to the fussiest chilli connoisseur.

At the Festival we will have a range of street theatre and buskers, school cook off, a hat parade sponsored by Moonlight Pearls, the annual Chilli Eating Competition and more.

Looking to come and enjoy the festival from out of town? Here is a link to your Sawtell Accommodation options - book early to avoid being disappointed...

The chilli, a variety of capsicum, belongs to the Solanaceae family of vegetables, which also includes tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants. Chillies seem to have originated in South America and were cultivated in ancient times. Christopher Columbus took some back to Europe with him and they soon spread throughout Asia and Africa.

The heat in chillies comes from peppery compounds called capsaicins. This is located in the membrane holding the seeds. For less heat remove both the membrane and the seeds.