Chilifest

Canceled until further notice!

Chilifest

Chilifest 2022 is canceled, folks.

Sorry to say, we won’t be hosting our favorite pepper party this year. We’ve decided to wait before bringing everyone together to celebrate all things spicy.

If you’re looking for your annual hot pepper fix locally please visit River Valley Coop for a selection of our peppers!

Join us some upcoming September at Mike's Maze for our favorite weekend of the year featuring a chili cook-off and hot sauce competition, spicy food and local beer and great live music! Taste the hottest peppers from around the world grown right here in Sunderland. Or get a chili pepper tattoo. The Chili Cook-Off on Saturday is a battle of the Valley's best restaurant chefs, and registration for the Hot Sauce Competition is open to the public. Up to 15 hot sauces will compete! Here is the full Schedule of Events from 2019’s fest including music line-up, cooking demos and kids' activities.

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Chilifest Memories

chili cook-off & hot sauce competition

Registration for the Chili Cook-Off on Saturday is NOW CLOSED. Only restaurant chefs may submit. Entries can be vegetarian or not, in any style, and will be judged for texture, flavor, consistency, aroma and appearance. Recipes must feature local ingredients!

See you in 2022

Registration for the Hot Sauce Competition on Sunday is NOW CLOSED. Only amateur hot sauce makers may enter. Contestants should prepare 1 quart of hot sauce and deliver it to the festival at Mike's Maze, 23 South Main St, Sunderland on Sunday no later than 11am.

SEE YOU IN 2022

Tasting
& Judging

Chili Cook-Off tasting will be free and open to festival-goers from 12-3pm on Saturday. The panel of judges will taste and critique entries at the cooking demo tent at 3:15 pm.

Hot Sauce Competition tasting will be free and open to festival-goers from 12-3pm on Sunday. The panel of judges will taste and critique entries at the cooking demo tent at 3:15 pm. Prizes will be awarded around 3:45 so plan to be there in case you get lucky!

Prizes

First Place

The winners of the chili cook-off and hot sauce competition will receive a selection of Kitchen Garden Farm sriracha, salsa and swag, cookbooks from Storey Publishing - plus a framed prize certificate!