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Pork Belly and I have been to more than our fair share of food festivals, and they come in all shapes and sizes.
There are the big ones, like the Foodies Festival – slick, entertaining and not exactly dagger-cheap. They have top quality chef demos, plenty of free samples and innovative food and drink stands.
Others are more rough and ready – a “let’s do the show right here” approach. Home-made jams and pickles rub shoulders with the guess-the-weight-of-the-pig contest, apple squeezing and a kiddies-cupcake-decorating-experience. Bunting is usually involved, and it’s a fun, cheap ‘n’ cheerful day out.
Then you get the in-betweenies, like the Cheese and Chilli Festivals. Well-organised, but still with a family-friendly feel.
In 2016 we went to the one in Guildford and had a relaxed day out, strolling around, taking time to sample everything we could, without feeling crowded or rushed.
In the small demo tent there were talks on rearing chilli plants, pairing wines with spicy food and the ever-popular ale-tasting.
The best chilli products
A nice touch was allowing us, the festival goers, to vote for what we thought were the best chilli products of the day.
I made my choices in the Taste Tent only from the gentlest in the range of sauces and dips – Carrington’s Chillichup got the thumbs up from me, with Pork Belly plumping for the salted caramel sauce from Chimoulis.
Because some like it hot!
Chilli-heads were in their element, with everything from hot sauces to chilli-beer on offer and even an inflatable pub!
Children’s entertainment included a samba workshop, treasure trail, magic show and traditional Punch and Judy.
The grown-ups sipped cocktails, ciders and beer, while chillin’ to live blues and soft rock.
And the last event of the afternoon – a falconry display – was fun for everyone.
Cracking cheese!
And then there was the cheese.
Ah, the cheese!
It was a sweltering hot day, but that would never stop turophiles like us!
Lots of cow’s milk cheese for Pork Belly, but there were some non-cow alternatives for me to sample as well.
In the end, a goat’s milk cheese from Oxfordshire-based Dockwoods was our best purchase of the day. A smooth and creamy soft cheese raised to heights of excellence with “extras”.
One was doused in honey and black pepper, the other delicately smoked.
They also had two top quality accompaniments – a chilli glaze and a beetroot relish. A small range of products, but beautifully presented and elegantly packaged.
Admission for adults in 2025 is £9 if you pay in advance which keeps the festivals within most family budgets and free parking is available at the Christchurch and Guildford festivals. At the Winchester, Swindon and Chichester events, the local councils offer access to town centre parking or in Swindon’s case the council offer a chargeable pay and display facility at the event site.
Since first attending almost 10 years ago the Cheese and Chilli festival has grown and is the festival of choice if, like us, you like Chilli ‘n’ Cheese!
Disclaimer: We were the guests of organisers 33rd Management Ltd but paid for all goods. The opinions are, as always, our own.
Latest information about the Cheese and Chilli Festivals
The Cheese and Chilli Festival is held at locations across the south of England.
Ticket prices for 2025:
Adults: Early Bird Tickets £9.00 / £12 on the door
Senior: Early Bird Tickets £7.00 / £10 on the door
Carers/Disabled: Early Bird Tickets £7.00 / £10 on the door
Children under 16 – FREE
Tickets and updates can be found on the Cheese and Chilli Festival website.
Like Food Festivals? We have details of many more on our Food Festivals UK listings page
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