Chile Taste-Off drew in hundreds

The scent of roasting green chile, the telltale aroma of autumn in the lower Rio Grande Valley, filled the Socorro Rodeo and Sports Complex over the weekend. With support from the New Mexico Chile Association, the annual Chile Taste-Off paid homage to chile growers and the culture they sustain of cuisine found nowhere else in the world.

On Saturday, growers competed for titles of best green chile and champion chile roaster as about 400 guests gathered to celebrate our state’s iconic crop, shop vendors, compete in cornhole, and buy chile directly from farmers and watch—and smell—it be roasted on site.

Event organizer Tommy Rosales, a member of the New Mexico Chile Association, said this year’s turnout exceeded expectations.

“It was a really good day—lots of families, vendors, live music, and, of course, plenty of chile roasting,” he said.

Ten growers from across the region participated in the green chile competition, which is judged blind to ensure fairness. Each grower’s roasted chile was processed and chopped by local restaurant Yo Mamma’s, then portioned into small sample cups and paired with flour tortillas for tasting. A panel of 11 judges scored entries primarily on flavor and texture to determine who produced the best-tasting chile.

Taking first place this year was Hatch Chile Market, followed by Grajeda Farms, of Hatch, in second place and Chile River, Inc., of Salem, in third—all three hailing from the Hatch Valley.

In addition to the tasting competition, festivalgoers enjoyed several side contests, including a Cornhole Championship and a Chile Roasting Challenge. Polvadera’s Bustamante Farms claimed the title of Chile Roasting Champion after impressing judges with the ease of peeling and overall roast quality of their chile.

“Each roaster had to light the fire, roast and package the chile, and then the judges peeled it to see which roasted the best,” Rosales explained. “Bustamante’s came out perfect.”

The family-friendly event featured vendors, food booths, and a Kids Corner complete with jumping balloons, slides, and a ball pit. Live music capped off the day while attendees purchased and watched chile roasted fresh on-site—a highlight for visitors unfamiliar with the New Mexico tradition.

“There were a few people who had never seen green chile roasted before,” Rosales said. “They were fascinated.”

Looking ahead, Rosales hopes to expand public participation in the judging process, imagining perhaps a people’s choice award that would let the public decide their favorite.

Rosales said the success of this year’s event shows continued enthusiasm for promoting local growers and keeping the state’s chile heritage alive.

“That’s one of my favorite parts,” he said. “Just being part of something that supports New Mexico farmers and celebrates what we’re known for.”