It's going to be a scorcher of a day at food truck park Welcome to Brunswick this June 22, thanks to the mighty return of the Hot Sauce and Chilli Festival. Can you handle the heat?
The 2024 iteration of this spice fest includes a hot sauce market selling some of Melbourne's best chilli sauces, oils, spices and salts and other condiments guaranted to light a fire in your mouth (and possibly up your bum.) Expect to see the likes of Melbourne Hot Sauce, Six-Eyed Scorpio, Danny Balboa's Sauce Co., Derek's Hot Sauce, Cempasuchil Mexican, Keating and Co. Condiments and several more fiery hot vendors.
But aside from the chance to fill up your goodie bag with all things chilli, the biggest highlight of the day is the 3pm chilli eating contest. Brave contestants will attempt to conquer ten rounds trying seven to eight sauces and two to three types of chilli, with the crowned winner taking home a keg party.
Second and third place winners will take home Welcome to Brunswick vouchers, plus all who place will be gifted an assortment of hot sauces and oils. There’s only room for eight contestants to enter on the day, so turn up early if you want to give it your best shot!
Even if you're not game enough to enter, you should turn up on the dot anyway because the first 100 people at the festival get a spicy gift of exclusive merch. And of course, there'll be a drool-worthy line-up of food trucks on the day, dishing up all your fave eats with a spicy twist. Try Nashville hot chicken, ribs, sandwiches and ribs from Smokeyboiz or spicy burgs from Mr Burger. Time Out Food and Drink Awards winner CDMX will also be slinging their cochinita pibil tacos with extremely spicy habanero salsa.
And to cool down? You've got limited-release beers, spicy drink specials and lots more on offer to keep the good times flowing. What a day! If you're in a group of more than four, it's best to make a booking at the website. Otherwise, walk-ins are welcome on the day with plenty of space and tables. The festival happens at Welcome to Brunswick on Saturday, June 22 from noon to 5pm.