Cheese and Chilli Festival 2023 exceeds expectations

Organisers enjoyed a “busier than expected” turn out on Saturday afternoon (May 20) as thousands came to enjoy some sun, cheese and the odd bit of chilli.

Scores of stalls handed out free samples of their products, including cheeses, chilli jams, chutneys, glazes and more.

One of the entrepreneurs who visited this weekend is Kayla Harkins, who set up her business Somerset Chilli Garden after one too many in the pub with her friend. 

Kayla Harkins, Somerset Chilli Garden (Image: Daily Echo)

She said: “This business is actually a drunken idea that got out of hand. Me and my friend were in a pub one day and we came up with the idea to plant hundreds of chilli seeds in our garden. 

“The next morning, with slightly sore heads, we did so and now we have a business. Then lockdown hit and we were in a position to grow the business. 

“I grow a lot of the chillies in my garden, but it can depend on the season. The crowd's favourite is the jams because they go so well with the cheese and the crackers. 

“We have been going for three years and this is our second year of attending festivals, including this one.” 

Weymouth 51's offerings (Image: Daily Echo)

David Tamlin, co-owner of Weymouth 51, came from the Dorset town for Christchurch’s festival for a second year. 

He said: “Most of our chilli sauce is made from fermented chillies and it is all handmade and hand bottled by me and my wife Mikka. 

“Our moo glaze, a Korean BBQ glaze, has won four awards so far and we are hoping to bag another one here today.” 

Dee Darnell, founder of Deelicious, handmakes her award-winning chilli jams from her home in Ferndown. 

Dee Darnell, of Deelicious (Image: Daily Echo)

She said: “All our produce is sourced locally from greengrocers and we try to keep them as local as possible. 

“The process is a labour of love, really, involving a big pan and a wooden spoon and there are no funny gadgets.” 

Amongst the well-established cheese businesses was also Harry Goodwin, whose business Ripe was started just two weeks ago with a mate. 

Cheese and Chilli Festival 2023 (Image: Submiited)

Harry, from Wimborne, said he works with family farms across Dorset to supply him and that customer’s favourite so far is the Spicy Dorset Mexicana. 

Event organiser Simon Stewart hailed the first day as a success, adding: “The weather has been great for us and we are expecting around 7,000 people to turn up throughout the weekend which, if tomorrow is anything like today, we will achieve.

“It has been busier than expected.”