AN ILMINSTER couple have proven too hot to handle for their competition as they claimed the top prize at the Dorset Chilli Festival.

Ian Winstone and Louise Brownsey came away as chilli champions from the cook-off on August 6, and have qualified for the UK finals and the World Chilli Championships.

The pair, whose company is called Ghostown Chillito, have been working on recipes for around a year.

Ian said: “We have always been interested in food and wanted to get involved in some way, be it a café, streetfood or market stall. A great year or more ago I decided I was going to create an awesome chilli con carne, or similar.

“I started from scratch which involved a lot of research into Mexican cuisine. Over time, I started experimenting with different chilli combinations and the other ingredients.

“This lead to cooking for friends and getting good feedback. I heard about the Chilli Cook-Off competition and entered.

“We chose the name Ghostown Chillito, set up an Instagram and decided it is feasible business model.”

The pair created a burrito containing chilli known as the chillito, and with the support of their three daughters Poppy, Gracie and Minnie, won gold at their very first outing.

Now, the duo will compete in the UK final at the Chilli Fiesta in Fleet on September 23.

Ian added: “Since winning in Dorset, we have sorted our business logo and are getting closer to taking the next step into business. However, due to full time jobs, three children and a mortgage, we are not rushing.

“We have automatically entered into the World Food Championships at Orange Beach, Alabama, USA in November. However, we have to fund the trip ourselves, so we have to think long and hard about that one.”

A UK Chilli Cook-Off spokesman said: “They will join 11 other teams that have qualified throughout the UK. First prize is £1,000. They have also qualified for the world championships in Alabama, and the prize fund for that is $30,000.

“Three years ago one of our teams, the Wonky Donkeys, went out to America to compete and beat 60 other teams to win the people’s choice award, so British chilli is really rather good. We wish the members of Ghostown Chillito the best of luck in the finals.”