The Chilli Review

Can you eat the world’s hottest chilli?

Andy — Mon, 21 May 2012 07:51:36 +0000

July’s North East Chilli Festival at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland will be holding a chilli eating competition and wants local volunteers to try to ensure the award goes to a north east heat fan.

The event on Saturday, 7 and Sunday, 8 July will be asking brave contestants to eat chillies ranging from the tongue tingling, through to the world’s current hottest specimen, the Trinidad ‘Moruga Scorpion’.

The chilli, which resembles a small wrinkled tomato, was recently rated as over two million times hotter than a pepper under the Scoville heat scale, recognised around the world as the official measure of chilli heat.

Chilli Fest North East

Organisers of the event are issuing a warning that the challenge is not for the faint hearted and that adult-only contestants will be required to sign a medical disclaimer before taking part.

July’s north east chilli challenge is being run by ‘Chilli Pepper Pete’, a legendary figure in the world of heat, and organiser of numerous eating events across the UK.

Mark Deakin, Northumberland-based owner of Hot Stuff Chilli, and one of the organisers of the event along with Newcastle-based deli mmm… and National Trust, says only the bravest need apply.

He said: “As a producer of hot sauces myself, I obviously like a bit of heat. But after seeing some of the contestants struggle to eat the hottest ones at other events around the country, I think I will be leaving this challenge to others.

“We are organising an amazing event this July, and the chance to crown the King or Queen of north east chilli fans will be the highlight of a great weekend.”

Brave hot heads can register their interest for the chilli eating competition by visiting www.chillifest-ne.co.uk or e-mailing ian@chillifest-ne.co.uk

Organisers are also telling non-chilli lovers the event will be a lot more than just heat – with a host of music, strolling bands, children’s activities, an international food marquee, picnic areas, history, walks, games and more.

Tickets for the event are now on sale – with 2-for-1 adult and children under 14 go free deals – online at www.chillifest-ne.co.uk and at mmm… in Newcastle’s Grainger Market.

The North East Chilli Festival will be held on Saturday, 7 and Sunday, 8 July at Seaton Delaval Hall, The Avenue, Seaton Sluice, Northumberland, NE26 4QR.

For ticket offers, news, opening times, travel details and exhibitor details visit www.chillifest-ne.co.uk

Social media users can also follow @chillifest_ne on Twitter or www.facebook.com/northeastchillifest on Facebook.

Peppers at the Beach 2012 Photos

brian — Mon, 21 May 2012 03:25:48 +0000

Peppers at the Beach Tailgate Party was another HUGE success! Now in it’s 3rd year, it’s just getting bigger and better and more fun. We spent Day 1 moving around the event, meeting new chileheads and new hot sauce manufacturers. We got a few interviews on Friday for our HotSauceWeekly podcast, and lots of pictures to share as well.

Our Slideshow of photos from Day 1:

Day 2 on Saturday was of course the big day!

Big crowds, 6 big wing contests, and big chilehead celebrities brought on the most fun of the weekend. A Guinness World Record was (unofficially) broken by Steve “The Machine” Smallwood, eating 8 Ghost chiles in 1 minute! The previous record was only 3 Ghost chiles in just over a minute. Add to that amazing fact, that within an hour or so, The Machine proceeded to eat 8 Trinidad Scorpion peppers in just as short a time, possibly establishing a new world record.

Check out the pics below, and we’ll be posting some videos from the day soon. The evening festivities featured a delicious dinner at Whiskey Beach in Dewey Beach, Delaware, followed by a huge Karaoke Contest sponsored by Johnny McLaughlin of HeartbreakingDawns.com.

Our Slideshow of photos from Day 2:

Day 3 on Sunday had smaller crowds:

But the hard-core vendors hung in there, braving the high winds and clouds to keep the crowd well-fed and sauced up! Johnny, assisted by Firehead Thomas Gately and the lovely Annabelle, kept cooking up the hits, as did many of the hot sauce manufacturers.

You’ll want to make plans to attend next year… everyone had a blast.

Cashing in on a really hot product

Peppers and More — Sun, 20 May 2012 14:45:07 +0000

New London - For 45 years, the late Hortencia Torres cooked up some of the best Mexican food this side of Durango at El Sombrero restaurant on Jefferson Avenue. Now, Torres' daughter and son-in-law plan to market some of her family recipes, starting with Miss Hortencia's Original Mexican Hot Sauce. The $4.99 bottles with attractive labels are selling well at four locations: Noank Community Market, Willimantic Food Co-op, Fiesta Market on Mountain Avenue and Terrace Bakery next to the space once occupied by the now-closed El Sombrero. It also is marketed by the business's co-backer, Ashburn Sauce Co., in the Virginia Beach, Va., area. "It's hot, but it's not hot like it's gonna kill you," said Porfirio "Phil" Ramos, owner of Terrace Bakery. Ramos reports that he ordered two cases of the hot sauce last month and quickly sold out. He asked for three more cases this month. "Whenever anybody tasted the sauce in that (El Sombrero) restaurant, they loved it," Ramos said. Continue reading →

Are you the North Easts Biggest Hot Head?

Hot Juan — Sun, 20 May 2012 10:00:34 +0000

North East Chilli Fest

The North East Chilli Festival is looking for the region’s biggest hot head to eat the world’s hottest chilli pepper this summer.

Simone Clarkin, Mark and Shelley Deakin

Organisers of the event are issuing a warning that the challenge is not for the faint hearted and that adult-only contestants will be required to sign a medical disclaimer before taking part.

July’s north east chilli challenge is being run by ‘ChilliPepperPete’, a legendary figure in the world of heat, and organiser of numerous eating events across the UK.

Mark Deakin, Northumberland-based owner of Hot Stuff Chilli, and one of the organisers of the event along with Newcastle-based deli mmm… and National Trust, says only the bravest need apply.

“We are organising an amazing event this July, and the chance to crown the King or Queen of north east chilli fans will be the highlight of a great weekend.”

Brave hot heads can register their interest for the chilli eating competition by visiting www.chillifest-ne.co.uk or e-mailing ian@chillifest-ne.co.uk

Tickets for the event are now on sale – with 2-for-1 adult and children under 14 go free deals – online at www.chillifest-ne.co.uk and at mmm... in Newcastle’s Grainger Market.

The North East Chilli Festival will be held on Saturday, 7 and Sunday, 8 July at Seaton Delaval Hall, The Avenue, Seaton Sluice, Northumberland, NE26 4QR.

For ticket offers, news, opening times, travel details and exhibitor details visit www.chillifest-ne.co.uk

Social media users can also follow @chillifest_ne on Twitter or www.facebook.com/northeastchillifest on Facebook.

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Dr. Atl in Mexico: A Painter’s Eye, A Painter’s Passion

Mexico Cooks! — Sat, 19 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

The painter's eye. Detail of Dr. Atl (Gerardo Murillo) 1962 self-portrait, oil on cardboard. Private collection. Gerardo Murillo was born in 1895 in the San Juan de Dios neighborhood of...

Peppers at the Beach 2012 Live Day 2

brian — Sat, 19 May 2012 13:00:36 +0000

Live from Peppers at the Beach 2012:

Peppers at the Beach – May 18, 19, 20th, 2012

Stay tuned here for our live updates from Day 2 of Peppers at the Beach 2012. With SIX wing eating contests and tons of Saturday crowds, there will be a lot going on today!

Audio Updates:

Click the big PLAY button below to listen to our live updates: (I always have to RELOAD the page in Chrome to get the audio player to show up).

Photo Updates:

Be sure to check out our Peppers at the Beach 2012 info page for all the activities.

We also have tons of stuff from the past 2 years of Peppers at the Beach in the following “related” links:

Mr Vikki’s – Apricot with Indian red chilli

Hot Juan — Sat, 19 May 2012 08:34:48 +0000

Mr Vikki's Apricot with Indian red chilli

Apricots have that freshness of flavour that always delights me, I am always happy with a few dried apricots to munch on, oddly I have never tried them with chillies.

As with all Mr Vikki’s products this one is just packed with flavour, the jar is make with 65% Apricots, they have been well chopped this is a very thick and sticky with little flecks of red from the chillies, it is much like an Apricot version of a Mango chutney.

Ingredients: Apricots (65%), Sugar, Fresh Root Ginger (5%), Vinegar, Fenugreek, Garlic, Mustard, Salt, Celery & Spices.

Jar kindly supplied by Mr Vikki’s

Comparing this to mango chutney just does not do the flavour justice, the apricot may not seem as exotic as the mango, but used like this it works so so well, the sweetness and flavour are ideal for cutting through the richness of a curry refreshing your taste buds.

We have a lot of curry kits arriving here at ChileFoundry HQ so I suspect this will be used up very quickly.

At only £3.00 for a 220g jar is a complete bargain, even at supermarket type prices a good quality mango chutney with this level of fruit cost more that this, and I bet this tastes better.

If you are a fan of mango chutney (Who isn’t) then get this and give it a go, you won’t be disappointed, you can order on-line at www.mrvikkis.co.uk or pick up a jar at one of the UK’s ever increasing number of chilli festivals.

Flavour	*********~
Heat	*½~~~~~~~~
Packaging	*******~~~
Value	*********~
Overall	********½~

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Jerky Contest Update…..

Peppers and More — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:00:57 +0000

All of our jerky has arrived and is the middle of being judged. Every year the entries get better and better and this year is no different. The contest is so close this year that Excalibur is adding another Prize!!! … Continue reading →

Buddah’s Peppers at the Beach Diary

Buddah — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:00:12 +0000

PRESHOW THOUGHTS
I sit Friday in the wee hours of the morning at my Mother’s NY home where I grew up. I think of the show to come, but my mind is on someone else. Maggie Dilley of Defcon Sauces yesterday was having some type of emergency operation as was announced by husband and partner John Dilley via Facebook. He alerted us that it was nothing too serious, but still problematic enough to keep her in the hospital throughout the weekend, and cancel their trip to Peppers at the Beach.

Some of you probably do not know the history of the show and how it came about. Well the show was the brainchild of Defcon Sauces who reached out to Chip Hearn of Peppers to see if he could organize something special for one of Defcon Sauces yearly appearances at Peppers. From the outset, without complete support from Peppers, John blazed the trail to make Peppers at the Beach a reality. A couple of years later, it is one of the most talked about events in the chile community, and Peppers has embraced the show like family. Which makes it even sadder that both John and Maggie can not be there to see how their seeds they planted 2 years prior have grown. They truly will be missed and a toast will surely be made in their absence thanking them for their vision and to wish Maggie our very best in her recovery.

Another thought going through my head right this very moment is my Dad. Today is his birthday, and I will be spending my morning with my Mom visiting him at his resting spot before heading to Delaware for the event. As I have tried to do since his passing, I will celebrate his life instead of morning his death. I hope my actions will be an indication of how I was raised by both my parents. I was taught to treat people as I would like to be treated, and I live with that as my motto. Hopefully I will make them proud along the way.

See everyone at the show, and I will report back as time permits. For information about the show and the vendors who will be there please visit our other posting HERE.

High River Sauces Top Fuel Verde Sauce…..

Peppers and More — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:26:00 +0000

Looking for a new flavor or a new way of spicing up your life? Well look no more. Top Fuel Verde will ignite your taste buds with its garden fresh flavors and “just right” kick of heat. Makes an excellent … Continue reading →

Peppers at the Beach 2012 Live Day 1

brian — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:00:18 +0000

Live Audio Reports:

Peppers at the Beach – May 18, 19, 20th, 2012

Throughout the weekend we’ll be updating these posts with our live, on the spot audio reporting, as well as photo updates.

Audio Updates:

Click the big PLAY button below to listen to our live updates: (I always have to RELOAD the page in Chrome to get the audio player to show up).

Photo Updates:

Be sure to check out our Peppers at the Beach 2012 info page for all the activities.

We also have tons of stuff from the past 2 years of Peppers at the Beach in the following “related” links:

Germano’s Chilli Sauce In Olive Oil

Hot Juan — Fri, 18 May 2012 08:48:34 +0000

Germano's Chilli Sauce in Olive Oil

I think this is the first chilli product I have been sent that comes from the Philippines, now chilli sauces are generally smooth blended products, maybe a few lump of chilli flesh in them, but not this one. The jar make a rattling sound as the contents hits the lid as you shake it, this is not your usual chilli sauce.

On cracking open the lid the smell is an intoxicating blend of olive oil, roasted garlic with just a mild hint of chilli, there is a few millimetres of the oil below which the ingredients can been seen. As I dip my spoon in I can feel and hear a firm crunchy texture of the cooked chillies and garlic, some of the pieces are quite large. and very crispy.

Ingredients: Fresh Chillies and Garlic, Olive Oil, Seasoning, Sugar & Iodized Salt.

Jar kindly provided by Marsh Trading

Now the flavour is amazing and very hard to describe, I love roasted garlic, and there is plenty if that, the heat and flavour from the chillies is hot and so very moreish, it is hard not to keep going, I just want one more crunch of this hot salty garlic crunch.

I don’t feel I am doing this justice, the ingredients have been cooked until they are almost burnt, but somehow they are not, there are hints of smokeyness. This is one hard product to review and describe, but I have to say I love it

Now on youtube you can see some videos of the sauce being made, unfortunately there are only a few recognisable words, but it worth a watch as you get see what this is all about.

This 100g jar costs £3.95 and it is very easy to just finish the jar, the heat builds, but the flavours just deep you going back for more, I am saving what is left for tonights leak and potato soup, I think this will be awesome drizzled in the bowl just before eating, or for dipping crusty bread in..

You can order this on-line at www.marsh-trading.com, they are looking for retailers and stockists for this very unique product, I think it is going to be a bit like Marmite, your either going to love it or hate it, it is not what I expected, but I love it.

Flavour	********~~
Heat	*******~~~
Packaging	********~~
Value	*******½~~
Overall	********~~

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The Machine reviews Dragonfire Sauces’ Seven-Zen BBQ sauce

Buddah — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:00:53 +0000

We are mere hours away from the Peppers at the Beach tailgate party. I thought it would be good to share a review from the Machine for a company that will also be at the show. If you are coming to the show then come by the Dragonfire Sauce booth and say hello to owner and sauce maker, Rick Villafrade. You will also get to meet soon to be Guinness Book of Records holder The Machine as well, so say hi to him as well before he is too famous.

Seven-Zen is a unique blueberry-infused BBQ sauce with the super hot 7-Pot chile pepper. Their is mild version without the 7-Pot, but this BBQ sauce is by no means super hot as you will soon see from The Machine’s review. I have had this sauce, and even though I am not the biggest blueberry fan, this sauce makes me rethink my decision on the fruit.

DragonFire Foods
PO Box 3638
Easton, PA 18043
DragonfireHS@Gmail.com
www.dragonfirehotsauce.com
Facebook: CLICK ME

GREEK STYLE (PRETTY DOG HABANERO SAUCE)

chilebrown — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:21:58 +0000

Sit back and enjoy this journey to the Greek Isles. ‘Pretty Dog Hot Sauces’ has created a habanero hot sauce that has captured the flavors of Greece. Lemons, Greek oregano, olive oil combined with habanero peppers are the vehicle of our journey. This is one of the latest of many flavored hot sauces Pretty Dog Hot Sauces has created. Peter Fikaris of Berkeley,California is the mastermind and owner of this new and upcoming hot sauce company. ‘Greek Style’ hot sauce will be sampled with some chicken and then some pizza. Click this link and a little music will put us in the mood. Continue reading →

Win a Curry With Love – The Complete Menu

Hot Juan — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:24:28 +0000

We have the Complete Menu from the nice people at Curry With Love to give away..

The Complete Menu from Curry With Love

The Complete Menu consists of kits for:-

Curries

Sides

Curry With Love is a mother and daughter team, they make and test recipe themselves, each kit comes with a unique blend of ingredients along with a step by step guide on how to cook them.

They are happy to ship their complete menu in one go or even over a few months, as part of the service you can even request how hot you would like them made, this is truly a custom package just for the winner.

All you have to do is enter your details and then answer this simple question.

Entries will be accepted until 12 midnight on the 15th June 2012 and the draw from the correct entries will take place on the 16th June 2012. This competition/Draw is only open to UK residents and can only be delivered to a UK mainland delivery address, please read our competition terms and conditions before entering this competition.