Hot spicy way to hearts

IT’S often known as a hot tasty treat – but chilli has so much more to bring to the table.
This year’s Herb and Chilli Festival will be held on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 March from 10am to 5pm at 125 Quayle Road, Wandin.
Organiser and local businessman Clive Larkman said the intention of the festival is to provide a venue where visitors, both recreational and professional, can spend a day learning about herbs and chillies, how to use them, how to grow them, how they fit into our lives and even taste them.
There will be talks from experts and renowned herbalists on various aspects of the plants.
A series of cooking demonstrations will be held along with some entertainment with South American influences.
“We are real foodies and love all the different flavours and taste we can get from well cooked food using herbs and chillies and have hand picked all the food outlets,” Mr Larkman said.
He said the festival had 67 stalls, all offering different flavours from all around the world.
“Imagine browsing in and out of the stalls, selling all types of delicious international dishes from Mexico, Turkey, Greece, South America, Senegal, Nepal, the list goes on,” he said.
“And to wash it down, we’ll be serving real ales, chilli beer, fine local wines, specialty wines such as kiwifruit wine, superb juices, refreshing slushies, a soothing chai or a great coffee.”
There will be something happening all weekend long at the festival.
The program includes interesting talks from gardening experts, cooking demonstrations, dance troop performances from Peru, to music and dancing from Red Horse the Apache Indian, a Nepalese dancer, Flamenco musicians, African drums and soul music, and a classic Latin dance band on Saturday night.
For more information see www.herbchillifestival.com.au.