Things are heating up at the Ravenswood tavern on Saturday 26 November, where the inaugural Ravenswood Chilli Festival (Extra Spicy) is set to sizzle.
The Ravo’s head chef Matt Bock, a self-professed chilli enthusiast, said he often has to tone it down to cater for everyone.
“It’s not often that we’re left off our leash, so we’re going to have a few specials out there,” he said.
“We’ve got one of our butchers on board, who is making a reaper sausage out of the reaper chilli… and we’re going to have the slow-cooker going with some chilli brisket, and spicy lamb shanks.”
There’s no doubt that the chilli-eating competition is going to be a highlight on the day.
The contest has already attracted a number of punters keen to prove their stomach’s mettle, including Ravenswood chef Josh Hall, who said he signed up “for a bit of fun, and because I’m that stupid.”
“I’ve eaten my fair share of super hot chillis, and i’ve got a fridge with a drawer full of sauces,” Mr Hall said.
“I’m not saying to everyone yet i’m a dead set winner, but I know what I can eat.”
Mr Hall boasted eating several reapers in his time, but reckons his friend’s home-grown horns of fire score higher on the Schoville scale.
“Some people jump out of planes… We eat chillis,” he said.
“It’s got such an endorphin rush when you hit a real super hot one.”
The competition will alternate in rounds between chilli-seasoned foods, and fresh chillis.
For the rest of us, there’s plenty on offer, including food and market stalls, live music from blues musicians Mike de Velta and Ben Catley, and children’s entertainment.
Be sure not to miss:
- Chilli-eating competition at 4pm
- Chilli cheese dog with reaper sausage
- The Ravo’s ever-popular spicy wings (also come mild)
- Chilli ice-cream by Simmo’s
The festival starts at 12pm and wraps up at 6pm.
Milk, yoghurt and cucumbers will be on-hand for any chilli first-aid necessary.