The Herb and Chilli Festival 2024 is almost here! The organisers are turning up the heat for its 12th annual celebration, promising a weekend of mouth-tingling experiences, live music, and entertainment.
Held over the weekend of March 16 and 17, 2024, the event is set to be every chilli lover’s dream with an array of sweat-inducing products, competitions, and live cooking demonstrations. Beckoning spice enthusiasts to the scenic grounds in Wandin in the Yarra Valley, the festival boasts a scorching lineup of food trucks and market stalls.
Founded in 2012 by Clive and Di Larkman, owners of Romantic Nursery, the Herb and Chilli Festival serves as a dynamic platform for both indulgence and education, showcasing Australia’s finest herb and chilli products. The festival is an extension of their enthusiasm for exotic flavours and the couple’s dedication to sharing their passion with others.
Founder Clive Larkman said: “Our event is about bringing people together who have a love for flavour and spice. It introduces people to the world of herbs and chillies; not just in their food but also in drinks, general health and the many cultures for which they are basic parts of life.”
2024’s event brings a number of new food vendors, providing festival-goers the chance to explore unfamiliar flavour combinations and to venture out of their comfort zones. This includes new chilli-infused ice creams crafted by Bill Choi from Mrs C Chilli Oil – a chilling but thrilling experience.
Boasting its largest participation of vendors to date, with close to 100 businesses within the herb and chilli realm, the two-day festival is a chance to revel in unique offerings and sample the enticing world of spice-infused consumables.
Hot Sauce Alley returns this year, expanding from 8 to 11 vendors and each one will unveil at least one new hot sauce product in 2024.
This year’s festival will include new stalls featuring unique flavour combinations, showcasing sauces, rubs, and herb mixes across the Scoville scale. In addition to consumables, Renaissance Herbs, clothing, and accessories will be available.
Enjoy live music, including the debut of the Harmaniax band, and a honey show with hot honey varieties. Attendees can participate in chili cook-offs, cooking demonstrations, and spice tolerance tests like chili eating competitions. The festival caters to all ages with free activities such as horse riding, jumping castles, and face painting.
Celebrating multicultural cuisine, the weekend invites festival-goers to taste a diverse range of food and drink, featuring both Australian-grown and imported goods, representing 20 distinct cultures. From West Africa to Tibet, Cambodia to Jamaica, and Sri Lanka, the festival encourages exploration beyond familiar preferences, presenting an opportunity to indulge in undiscovered flavours.
Festival tickets can be purchased through Trybooking here. For more information, visit https://herbchillifestival.com.au/
Images: Supplied
