How to add some spice to your weekend

So you like it a little hot? 

The Herb and Chilli Festival 2025 is set to ignite Wandin, Victoria, with a celebration of international flavours, live music, and culinary delights on the weekend of March 15-16. 

The weekend will combine innovative food offerings, spirited and spicy competitions, and non-stop entertainment to celebrates the much-loved spice.

Festival-goers will embark on a global culinary adventure under one roof, as this year's festival promises a hot mix of vendors. 

Be among the first to savour a bold, spicy twist on Vegemite with the debut of the festival’s new Vegemite Chilli by Chooks Hot Sauces. 

Or discover an Indian-accented South African hit at Durbalicious’ South African pickle stall, offering zesty pickles that bring a tangy kick to your palate. 

There will be  over 70 vendors peppering the festival grounds. 

To add to the vibrant atmosphere, six-piece band, Harmaniax will return this year to create a fun soundtrack to the fiery celebration. 

There will be cooking demos and beverages to wash down the tasty morsels. 

There will be a dedicated Chilli Express bus service from Lilydale Station to and from the event. 

Early bird ticket purchases made on the official Herb + Chilli Festival website come with a bonus - a free chilli hat on arrival. 

For more info, or to purchase a day pass or bus ticket, visit https://herbchillifestival.com.au/

Yarra festival celebrates food with serious heat

It is always a joy to visit the Yarra Valley, but even more so when it is celebrating one of its many gourmet festivals.

Highlighting multicultural Australia through food, The Herb and Chilli Festival returns in 2023 celebrating spice, flavour and fun.

The Herb and Chill Festival will be held on March 18-19 and is founded and organised by nursery owners Di and Clive Larkman.

Over 20 different cuisines will be featured through tastings, eating competitions and cooking demonstrations, along with entertainment for all ages.

The itinerary includes a cooking class run by a surprise celebrity chef, blues music performed by Steve Boyd’s Rum Reverie and there will also be the Stinger Wing Challenge for those foolhardy enough to enter.

With a passion for herbs and chilli, the Larkmans and their family are now into the 11th year of this celebration of fiery food.

They encourage festival-goers to get outside their comfort zone and experiment with unique flavours and cultures on show ranging from Mexico, Turkey, India, South America and many more.

The Stinger Wing eating race sees the brave trying to survive eating five super hot wings coated in mouth-numbing hot sauce.

The Larkmans have made getting to and from this year's festival easier than ever with the introduction of the festival's very own Chilli Express Bus. The bus will be completing trips from Lilydale Station every half hour from 9.30am-4.30pm and returning on the hour from 10am to 5pm. Tickets are $10 return and can be bought online in conjunction with a festival ticket.

Tickets for the event are $27 for adults and kids under 14 are free. See https://herbchillifestival.com.au/