The heat is on as 80 Chilli sauce artisans compete for glory at the great East Coast Chilli Festival
The heat is on as 80 Chilli sauce artisans compete for glory at the great East Coast Chilli Festival
In the lead-up to the main event of The Great East Coast Chilli Festival 2025, a heated showdown took place on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, as the Artisanal Chilli Sauce Competition brought together some of the most flavour-forward sauce makers from across the country and beyond.
Hosted at the Northwood Crusaders Sports Club in Durban North, the competition featured a curated selection of entries in five hotly-contested categories including Chutneys, Relishes, Medium, Hot, and Super-Hot, with an additional specialist section for Fermented Hot Sauces.
About 80 entrants submitted sealed, professionally labelled bottles with full ingredient lists, adhering to the festival’s strict criteria. After a rigorous pre-approval process, bottles were shipped in from across South Africa and internationally. To ensure impartiality, all sauces were decanted into unbranded containers before judging. Only one official was aware of the sauce identities, preserving the anonymity of the entries throughout the evaluation.
A panel of esteemed judges - including chefs, restaurateurs, food and beverage managers, media representatives, food critics and culinary influencers - assessed the entries based on colour, texture, aroma, and consistency, scoring each out of five for a total of 20 points.
With five to six expert judges per category, the competition maintained a fair and focused process, particularly vital when assessing intensely flavoured entries.
“This competition is about championing the incredible talent behind every bottle,” said Nick Papadopoulos, founder of The Great East Coast Chilli Festival. “It’s a platform to spotlight our chilli artisans, those passionate creators who blend tradition, flavour and innovation. By creating a space where their work is respected and rewarded, we’re helping to build sustainable businesses and open up new opportunities in local and international markets. The festival is as much about empowerment as it is about entertainment, and we are proud to uplift these producers and their fiery craft.”
Winners will be announced during the festival on Saturday, 26 April 2025, where they will be awarded framed certificates for first, second, and third place in each category - a prestigious accolade they will proudly display at their vendor stands.
The Artisanal Chilli Sauce Competition stands as a key feature in a festival that blends culture, cuisine, and community, affirming Durban’s growing status as a leader in the African spice trade and culinary innovation.
Sheetal Cross, Director of Titanium Media South Africa, added, “Celebrating chilli culture is not just about heat, it's about creating meaningful economic opportunities. Through our upcoming e-commerce store, we are giving local chilli sauce creators access to global markets and equipping them with tools to elevate their craft. By integrating digital platforms with expert-led support, we’re helping producers not only showcase their products, but also scale them for commercial success. This competition is part of a wider mission to build a stronger ecosystem for artisan producers, blending tradition, technology, and empowerment.”
Festivalgoers will also have the opportunity to browse and buy directly from vendors showcasing their winning and featured chilli products, alongside a host of spicy cuisine ranging from traditional Durban ‘Bunny Chows’ to Asian style hot wings and more. The festival marketplace offers an immersive flavour experience that celebrates creativity, quality, and fiery fun.
Attendees can also look forward to a variety of activations at this year’s festival, including:
· The Chilli Eating Champs Challenge
· The Hottest Bunny Chow Competition
· Live entertainment and a fun-filled Kids Zone
· The relaxing Chill Zone
· Celebrity influencer appearances
