Brindleyplace supported by the Broad Street BID will be turning up the heat this October by hosting the first ever Chilli Festival to be held in Birmingham.

As part of the new Birmingham Food Fest, on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd October, Brindleyplace will be turned into a hotbed of activity with the help of market operator, Sketts.

There will be a wide range of stalls offering both chilli-related produce such as jam, chutneys, breads, oils and chocolate as well as food to eat on the day from across the globe.

The fiery festival will also feature live cookery demonstrations with a chilli theme from a number of chefs around Brindleyplace including Bank Restaurant, Thai Edge and Edmunds and a “Ready, Steady, Shake!” cocktail demonstration from the popular bar, Nuvo.

For those with a real hunger for heat there will be a chilli eating competition with 12 chillis of increasing strength to work through. There will also be plenty of entertainment for all ages and palates with live music, dancing, a bouncy castle, face painting, street entertainment and event hosting courtesy of radio station brmb.

Ailsa Raine, Marketing Executive at Brindleyplace said: “We’re thrilled to be hosting the first Birmingham Chilli Festival. Thanks to the enthusiasm and welcoming nature of people that visit our Local Produce Markets, Brindleyplace has a good reputation with producers and has attracted chill specialists from further afield.”

“There are so many countries which have spicy specialities; the festival will be a showcase for a diverse range of cuisines from Caribbean to Spanish and Thai to Italian complemented by live music, dancing and entertainment that everyone can enjoy.”

Russell Dean of market operator Sketts said: “A number of major cities and counties across the country hold chilli festivals which are incredibly popular with both locals and those travelling from further afield. Until now there has been a gap in the Midlands and the cosmopolitan nature of Birmingham’s food scene seemed to be the perfect fit. We anticipate that the Birmingham Chilli Festival in Brindleyplace will become a major date on our annual calendar of events.”

Emma Gray, Director of Marketing Services at Visit Birmingham, the team behind Birmingham Food Fest, said:

“Birmingham has a growing reputation as a hotbed of culinary creativity. From our diverse range of cuisines to Michelin stars, the city is a foodie lovers’ haven and Birmingham Food Fest this October provides an opportunity to celebrate and sample all it has to offer.

“With over 100 fringe events taking place throughout Food Fest, Brindleyplace’s Chilli Festival is yet another great opportunity for visitors to Birmingham to get hands on by sampling fresh produce, as well as eating out at some of the city’s best restaurants.”

The Birmingham Chilli Festival is part of the new 10 day gastronomic celebration of food and drink throughout the city from 14th – 23rd October. Birmingham Food Fest is set to showcase the revolutionary talent of the city’s culinary scene with over 80 restaurants producing irresistible festival menus at discounted prices and a mouth-watering programme of food and drink themed events taking place throughout the city.

For more information about the Birmingham Chilli Festival email ailsa.raine@brindleyplace.com or to download Food Fest vouchers and receive your restaurant discounts visit Birmingham Food Fest’s brand new interactive website www.birminghamfoodfest.com.

If you would like to sell your own produce at the Birmingham Chilli Festival, please contact Russell Dean of market operator Sketts by email to russell@sketts.co.uk.