For those who like a pepper that packs a punch, we’ve got a real treat in store for you next month. Our brand new Chilli Pepper Festival will take place at all three centres during July and provides the perfect opportunity for families to learn more about chillies, from how they’re grown right through to ideas for some deliciously spicy dishes.

Our Young Grower of the Year competition kicked off in March and since then children from Sherborne Primary School, Huish Primary School and Damers First School have been nurturing their chilli plants, proving just how little space you need to start growing your own produce at home. Our winners will be announced during the festival and I can’t wait to see how they’ve got on.

The pupils who grow the healthiest plants with the largest and most vibrant coloured peppers will be awarded with a certificate, a medal and some chocolate, not to mention a recipe for a three pepper pizza so they can put their chillies to good use!

At Brimsmore Gardens we’ll also have a chilli plant stand and a chilli trail to take part in. Just follow the clues around the centre to learn more about our fiery little friends, then hand in your form at the end to get a free coffee and to be entered into our prize draw to win a hamper full of chilli products. Our website will also have a taste bud tingling selection of recipes to download, so check back here next month if you’d like to spice up supper time.

Our Chilli Pepper Festival will take place at Brimsmore Gardens from 6 – 12 July, Poundbury Gardens from 13 – 19 July and Castle Gardens from 20 – 26 July. We’ll look forward to seeing you there, and if you’re visiting The Engine Room restaurant or The Apple Tree restaurant, look out for our voucher book containing great deals for every week of the summer holidays!

Mike