The heat was on at The Great East Coast Chilli Festival, powered by Titanium Media South Africa (TMSA), held on Saturday, 26 April 2025, at the Northwood Crusaders Sports Club in Durban North. Spice lovers turned out in their numbers for a day packed with fun, flavour, and fiery competition – with the spotlight firmly on the sizzling Chilli Pod Eating Contest, where Chris Morton (48) (PMB, KZN) claimed his scorching victory.
Mortan overcame a record-breaking 14 rounds of blistering spicy heat to outlast some serious competition and claim the title of 2025Chilli Pod Eating Champion., His fiery victory has earned him the coveted championship belt, where his name will soon be engraved alongside past winners.
The event’s explosive success drew in thousands of chilli enthusiasts from across the region for an unforgettable day. Among the guests was 2023 winner, Royce McCain who watched with pride as Morton claimed this year’s victory. Next year, Mortan will get to defend his title against an even fiercer group of chilli lovers going for the top spot.
As sweat, tears and noses ran uncontrollably, paramedics were on standby to oversee this daring and dangerous feat. Those who missed this momentous event can relive all the sizzling action on ‘The Great East Coast Chilli Festival‘ YouTube Channel.
In addition to the Chilli Pod Eating Contest, attendees were treated to a day filled with exciting activities, including the announcement of this year’s winners of the ‘Awesome Sauce’ Competition, the Crazy Korean ‘Speed Wings and Ramen Challenge’, and the ‘Kadipore Farms Hot Panu Puri Challenge’.
A variety of food vendors who served up everything from spicy wings to exotic sauces, were absolute crowd pleasers! While the KZN Bee Farmers Association added a sweet twist to the event, making it a true celebration of all things flavourful.
“We are thrilled with the success of this year’s festival,” said Nick Papadopoulos, Founder of The Great East Coast Chilli Festival. “Seeing the community come together in such a passionate and exciting way reinforces the true spirit of this festival.
“It’s about celebrating local talent, creating opportunities for artisanal chilli producers, and making this an event where spice enthusiasts from all walks of life can come together. We are proud to be part of an event that keeps growing and evolving every year, and we’re excited to continue supporting the chilli community on this fiery journey.”
Big Plans for the Future
Festival organisers, in partnership with Titanium Media South Africa (TMSA), will be launching an e-commerce store for vendors and chilli entrepreneurs to provide resources that support a local -and eventually international – distribution platform for local chilli products. Additionally, skills development workshops will be provided for local growers focusing on
· Agricultural techniques
· Culinary instruction for recipe creation
· Manufacturing and production, including labelling
The festival’s success was also made possible by the incredible support from local vendors, sponsors, and the media, including title sponsor, Titanium Media South Africa (TMSA), and long-time partners East Coast Radio (ECR). This unwavering support contributed to making this year’s event one of the most memorable yet.
“The festival serves as an innovation hub, offering business networking opportunities for food entrepreneurs, spice traders, and industry investors while strengthening Durban’s role in the African spice trade, commented Sheetal Cross, Director of TMSA.
“This event is a great way to showcase Durban and KZN, while uplifting and resourcing all participants. By integrating food, culture, and tourism, the festival contributes to sustainable economic growth, increasing opportunities with retail establishments, while generating potential employment across multiple industries, including hospitality, logistics, event management, and agribusiness.”
Cross added, “We are proud to partner with Nick and associates because it’s all about elevating local brands through media exposure and creating much-needed awareness. It was a natural fit as the festival aligns perfectly with our ethos of supporting community-driven initiatives, especially ones that showcase the vibrant culture of KZN.”
As the chilli community grows, so does the excitement for future festivals. The Great East Coast Chilli Festival continues to ignite a passion for spicy food, bringing together seasoned competitors, food lovers, families, and vendors from near and far.
Watch the full highlights of the Chilli Pod Eating Contest on YouTube:
To find out more about other upcoming events, media interview opportunities and new sponsorship opportunities, becoming a vendor, or entering the next competition, contact Nick Papadopoulos: +27 84 505 0113, hello@thegreateastcoastchillifest.co.za or www.thegreateastcoastchillifest.co.za
