Community newspaper serving Kingsville, Leamington, Wheatley and surrounding area

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The Woelk family from Wheatley made their way to Colasanti’s on February 1st specifically for a bowl of chili. Pictured is Mark Muzzin of The Butcher of Kingsville serving bowls of chipotle lime chili to Patti and Rick, joined by their granddaughter Milaniah.

Chili Fest heats things up at Colasanti’s

By Paul Forman

A little spice on a frosty first day of February is just what the doctor ordered and six members of Eat Drink Dine Kingsville filled that prescription at the annual Chili Fest at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens

On hand serving their chili-inspired small dishes were Green Heart Kitchen, The Grove Brewing Company, Mettawas Station, The Goose Kitchen and Bar, The Butcher of Kingsville, and of course, Colasanti’s.

New at this year’s event was a unique offering from Kingville’s Grove Brewing Company. Head brewer Nickolay van Veenschoten combined Colasanti’s well known peach drink with a lager to create a light drinking radler. 

“Radlers are fruit based, so we put two and two together and thought peach would fit in perfectly’” said van Veenschoten proudly.

Sixteen local makers also set up beside the chili vendors as part of their own Crafters Market. 

One of 16 was Fuzzy Britches Alpacas with their toques and mitts made from a most unusual material. 

Owners Cheryl and Mike utilize their three pet alpacas for the yarn that Cheryl stitches together by hand to produce their wares. 

As a selling point, Mike said, “The fleece from our alpacas are seven times warmer than a conventional wool, extremely soft and far less prone to any sort of allergic reaction.”

Jason Baclig topped off the event with his smooth musical vibe as a packed house dug into one of the many delicious chilis on hand.

Megan Fraser and Nickolay van Veenschoten of the Grove Brewing Company are pictured with their specially brewed donut beer and peach drink radler at this year’s Chili Fest.
Fuzzy Britches Alpacas was one of the many vendors set up in the Crafters Market as part of Chili Fest. Owners Cheryl and Mike Robert are pictured behind their hand-knitted winter wear.

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Wednesday, February 5, 2025

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