Chilli-Heads like nothing better than to get together and share their passion for all things hot and of course challenging each-other to eat hotter and hotter products. Many of the established events now hold competitions where success is prized by producers for International acclaim that frequently translates to economic success!

The list below is not exhaustive but hopefully will provide something in your area, or if not why not join many others in an annual pilgrimage! If you are the organiser of an event that's not yet listed then send us the details using the add event form.

	10th Annual Houston Hot Sauce Festival
	The Hottest Party in Texas - over 75 exhibitors in 2009 18 - 19 September 2010 Sat. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. / Sun. Noon to 5 p.m. Stafford Centre - 10505 Cash Rd. 77477. Houston. Texas. www.houstonhotsauce.com
	15th Annual Chile Pepper Food Festival
	The Chile Pepper Food Festival started out in the mid 1990s and now in addition to the wide array of vendors and food stands it famously hosts the Chile Pepper Song Contest and holds a Chile Pepper Eating Contest. 10th and 11th September 2010. 9:00am to 6:00pm. William Delong Park, 233 Bowers Rd Bowers PA 19511. USA. www.pepperfestival.com
	Benington Lordship Gardens Chilli Festival
	Started in 2006 the Chilli Festival is a very popular family event attracting thousands of visitors over two days, offering a chance to buy Chilli plants, products and sample foods from around the world. Sunday 29th & Monday 30th August 2010, 10am - 5pm. Benington Lordship, Stevenage, Hertfordshire. SG2 7BS. England. UK. www.beningtonlordship.co.uk
	The 3rd Lakes Chilli Fest
	At Chillifest 2009, there were more stalls than before featuring a wide range of chilli-related items such as jams, jellies, chocolate, ice-cream, sauces, seeds, powders, chutneys, clothing, plants, breads etc. 14th & 15th August 2010 Levens Hall, South Lakeland, Kendal, Cumbria. LA8 0PD. England. UK. www.levenshall.co.uk
	56th NASFT Summer Fancy Food Show
	The 2009 show saw more than 316,000 square feet of exhibit space filled with 140,000 specialty foods and beverages from across the U.S. and 70-plus countries. 27th to 29th June 2010 Javits Center, 655 West 34th Street, New York City. 10001. USA. www.specialtyfood.com
	Cajun Hot Sauce Festival
	People's Choice Hot Sauce Competition, Cajun Food Court, Jambalaya Cook-Off, Refreshments, Carnival, Arts & Crafts, Live Music through Weekend. 15,000 attendees expected. Thursday 8th Apr to 11th Apr 2010. 10:00AM SugArena, 713 Nw Bypass (Hwy 3212), New Iberia, LA 70560. USA. www.sugarena.com
	22nd Annual National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show
	Dave DeWitt of Sunbelt Shows, Inc. "The Pope" of peppers presents the internationally recognised Scovie Awards for Hot Sauce. 5th to 7th March 2010 Sandia Resort and Casino, I-25 and Tramway NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 87113. USA. www.fiery-foods.com
	10th Anniversary Hot Sauce And Fiery Foods Festival (HSFFF)
	Bringing together the best of Australia's Chilli manufacturer's, Gourmet Food, Wines, and Boutique Beers in the one location for a unique weekend away in Gippsland's prime Gourmet Country. Please, you don't have to eat fiery foods to be here, but it sure does help. Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st February 2010. Hours 10.00am till 5.00pm both Saturday & Sunday. Redback Chilli Co Farm, Jacksons Track Jindivick , West Gippsland, Victoria. Australia. www.hsfff.com
	35th NASFT Winter Fancy Food Show (2010)
	16,000 - 24,000 attendees. 250,000 products including confections, cheese, coffee, snacks, spices, ethnic, natural, organic and more. 1,300 - 2,500 exhibitors. 81 countries represented. 17th to 19th January 2010. Sunday - Monday 10am - 5pm, Tuesday 10am - 4pm Moscone Center, 747 Howard Street, San Francisco. 94103. USA. www.specialtyfood.com
	Fiery Foods UK
	Back at Victoria Gardens, which made it a fantastic event. We will be making it bigger and better than last time with more live music, cookery demos and fiery stalls. 19th - 20th September 2009. 10am - 6pm daily. Victoria Gardens, Grand Parade, Brighton , BN1 8TG. England. UK. www.fieryfoodsuk.co.uk
	Wessex Chilli Festival
	Simpson's Seeds are organising the first Wessex Chilli Festival for those looking to spice-up their lives, just pop down to Frome in Somerset to the Cheese and Grain Hall. Sunday 27th September 2009, Doors open at 10.30 and close at 4.30. Cheese and Grain Hall, Frome, Somerset. BA11 1BE. England. UK. www.simpsonsseeds.co.uk
	12th Hot + Spicy Food Festival
	The 12th edition of this festival features local and international chefs dishing up hot, sweet and spicy cuisine in demonstrations and workshops. Live music and dance enrich the smorgasbord of events which include the International Iron Chef Competition, the Red Hot Market and Toronto International Firefighter calendar chefs! Friday, September 4, 2009 at 4:30pm to Monday, September 7, 2009 at 6:00pm. Harbourfront Centre. 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8. Canada. www.harbourfrontcentre.com
	19th Annual Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival
	350 different kinds of hot sauce. Plus live music and cold beer. 30 August 2009 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Waterloo Park, 12th Street and Red River, Austin, Texas. 78701 www.austinchronicle.com
	West Dean Chilli Fiesta
	This cult event has been running since 1995 and brings devoted chilli fanatics from all over the world, creating a very special hotspot among the nation’s food events, to view the 300 chillies and sweet peppers on display in the immaculate glasshouses. 8 - 9 August 2009. Opening times: 10.30am - 5:00pm (last entry: 4.30pm) West Dean Gardens, Nr Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0RX. England. UK. www.westdean.org.uk

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