The 2019 Great New Mexico Chile Taste-Off drew hundreds of chile lovers to the Socorro Rodeo and Sports Complex.
John Larson | El Defensor Chieftain

 

The New Mexico Chile Association and New Mexico Certified Chile Program have announced that the third annual Great New Mexico Chile Taste-Off will be held in person on September 18, 2021, at the Socorro Rodeo and Sports Complex. The event will include a judged chile tasting to decide on New Mexico’s best green chile grower and best red chile grower.

A panel of judges will conduct blind tastings in the following categories:

Best Green Chile, Best Red Chile, and runner-ups for both categories. Chile will be rated on a five-star scale, and the chile with the highest score for each category will win that category.

The public is invited to stop by and sample chile directly from growers.

Guests will have an opportunity to purchase roasted chile from participating New Mexico chile growers and others from around the state including those from Deming, Hatch, Socorro, Lemitar and Farmington.

The free, family event will also feature vendor booths, food and drinks, and red and green fireworks.

“We’re excited to bring back The Great New Mexico Chile Taste-Off as an in-person event for the whole family,” said Joram Robbs, Executive Director, New Mexico Chile Association. “The event will provide a great way for New Mexico residents to find their favorite chile, as well as support our local industry.”

The New Mexico Chile Association will provide a winner’s trophy for all four winning categories that can be used by the winning growers to promote their chile and chile products produced in 2021.

The event will kick-off at 3 p.m. following the parade in Socorro at 2 p.m., and the chile winners will be announced at 6:30 p.m., to be followed by the roasting of the giant chiles and evening fireworks.

It is free admission to all of the festivities, tastings and fireworks. Learn more by visiting https://www.nmchiletasteoff.com.

Those interested in attending the event as a grower or a sponsor can register at nmchiletasteoff.com.

About the New Mexico Chile Association

The New Mexico Chile Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that the chile industry remains and prospers in New Mexico. The organization has been representing the industry for over a decade and is comprised of growers, processors, and manufacturers.

More information can be found at https://nmchileassociation.com/.