Fiery festival set to return

A TRAVELLING chilli and chocolate festival will return to Chinderah later this month, bringing food stalls, competitions and fundraising for Rural Aid.

The Chinderah Chilli and Chocolate Festival will be held at Seagulls Club on March 22 from 12pm to 5pm, with organisers expecting hundreds of visitors.

Founded by former chilli farmer and entrepreneur Jase O’Connor, the event combines community fundraising with a celebration of chilli inspired food and entertainment.

For a two dollar entry fee, visitors can sample more than 300 chilli themed treats including sauces, spicy chocolates and a chilli chocolate milkshake.

Food trucks from across Queensland will serve international dishes designed to complement the festival’s fiery theme.

O’Connor created the concept after floods devastated his hometown of Murphys Creek in south east Queensland in 2011.

“We started a festival in Murphys Creek because that was annihilated and it never really hit the press,” he said.

“The idea was to just put chilli festival love in regions that had suffered a natural disaster.”

This year’s Tweed event will raise funds for Rural Aid to support farmers affected by floods, drought and bushfires.

The festival’s signature amateur chilli eating competitions are expected to draw strong crowds, particularly the Chilli Dog Championship for over 18s.

“This is the serious one,” O’Connor said.

Contestants must remain standing as they attempt to eat hot dogs drenched in an intensely spicy sauce, with organisers keeping milk and yoghurt on standby.

“These guys stand up and sweat and start dancing,” O’Connor said.

“Their knees get wobbly.”

Winners are judged on their ability to remain on stage for two minutes after finishing without reaching for relief.

“If they purge or vomit or have to reach for that glass of milk they’re out,” he said.

O’Connor said the festival was about supporting charities, vendors and bringing people together.

“For us it’s about supporting charities, and the amazing vendors,” he said.

“And we’re having a bunch of hot fun doing it.”

Tweed MP Geoff Provest said the event helped showcase small businesses while supporting community causes.

“It’s a testament to the spirit of our community and the power of coming together for a flavourful cause,” he said.