This September, compensate for the cooling temperatures with some added heat for your taste buds at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Chile Pepper Festival. The much-anticipated event returns to the Garden for the 22nd year on Saturday, September 27 for a full day of savory sounds, unique culinary creations, and fiery activities both showcasing and celebrating chile peppers in various forms and mediums. Visitors may tour the Garden’s chile pepper plantings, sample spicy culinary innovations, or relax with some live entertainment, chile-inspired dishes, and craft beers.

Throughout the festival, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Cherry Esplanade Stage will present a dynamic lineup of international musicians native to regions where the chile peppers are significant spices within the local food and culture. To further engage the senses and satisfy those with a penchant for more pungent flavors, the peppery celebration has organized a farmer’s market offering artisanal spicy and savory treats including salsas, kimchi, spice rubs, pickles, and pretzels. In addition to piquant purveyors, the festival will host an assortment of confectioners and chocolatiers that introduce savory, spicy, and smoky approaches to classic chocolates and sweets.

The event is held from 11:00am-6:00pm and admission is $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors (with ID) and free for members and kids under 12. For more information on all performances, purveyors, programs, and activities visit: http://bbg.org/visit/event/chile_pepper_festival_2014

Featured image via Mike Ratliff/Brooklyn Botanic Garden. All rights reserved