AWARDS

Join the Dutch Chili Fest Awards 2025!

Once again, we’re putting the very best spicy creations in the spotlight – and this year, we have an exciting addition: alongside Hot Sauces and Sambals, there is now an award for the Best Chili Oil!

Who can participate?

2024 winners best Sambal from “Bareza”

Dutch Chili Fest especially wants to encourage Dutch and Belgian hobbyists and newcomers to participate. So, if you’re a chili enthusiast and home cook who creates delicious and flavorful products using our beloved chili peppers, this is your chance!

We ask participants, especially potential winners, to be present at the festival. This helps strengthen the community and ensures a festive award ceremony.

Please note: Each participant (individual or organization) may submit only one entry per category. So, send us only your very best creations.

How to participate?

Make sure your entry reaches us by Monday, March 24, properly packaged (minimum 100 ml) along with the following information:

  • The recipe

  • The name of your creation (sauce, sambal, or chili oil)

  • A short profile about the creator

  • Your contact details

Shipping Address:
Dutch Chili Foundation
Lijmbeekstraat 87
5612 NA Eindhoven

Some members of our 2024 jury team

Judging & Evaluation Criteria

Two weeks before the festival, our professional jury will come together to select the top five entries per category. The jury will evaluate based on the following criteria:

  • Aroma

  • Taste

  • Pepper used / Heat profile

  • Flavor development / Aftertaste

  • Creativity

  • Usability

  • Consistency

  • Color

Are you in the top 5?

If you make it to the top five, we will ask you to send extra samples of your creation so that the festival audience can taste and vote on your product. You will be informed a few days before the festival if you are among the best five entries.

Prizes & Recognition

On April 13, 2025, during the festival, the winners will be announced on the main stage at 4:30 PM. Prizes include:

  • An exclusive Dutch Chili Fest Trophy for your collection

  • A digital badge for your social media and website

  • A sauce package filled with delicious goodies

  • Eternal glory as the official Dutch Chili Fest Awards 2025 Winner

New this year: The Audience Favorite Award!

In addition to the jury's evaluation, the festival audience will have the chance to taste and vote for their favorite Hot Sauce, Sambal, and Chili Oil. The entry with the most votes will win this special award, including a featured spot on our website and social media.

Extra opportunity for hobbyists

If the jury determines that most main winners are (semi-)professional entrants, we will also select the best entry from non-commercial participants. This way, we ensure that hobbyists and newcomers get extra recognition for their passion and creativity.

Participation Rules

  • All entries are blind-tasted by the jury.

  • The evaluation is impartial; correspondence about the results is not possible.

  • Entries are assessed upon arrival – if spoiled, they may be disqualified.

  • Each participant (individual or organization) may submit only one entry per category (Hot Sauce, Sambal, or Chili Oil).

  • Participants, especially potential winners, are expected to attend the festival.

Do you dare to take on the challenge? Let your spicy creation shine, and who knows, you might take home the prestigious Dutch Chili Fest Award 2025!

Sign up now and take your passion for chili peppers to the next level.

For questions, email our jury / Award chef jasper@dutchchilifest.nl