CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Spices and slams are on the menu at Capitol Market this weekend, with the Green Chili Shootout and Market Mayhem bringing professional cooks and professional wrestlers together under one roof.
The day begins with a chili cook-off where pros and amateurs alike are whipping up some of the best the area has to offer.
“We’ve got 20 professional cooks and a bunch of amateur cooks, so you’ll be able to try the professional chili in the Green Chili Shootout, but we’ll have other kinds of chili too if that’s not your thing: with beef, with chicken, with beans, without beans,” Capitol Market Executive Director Chuck McGill said on 580 Live with Dave Allen.
Doors open at noon for the cookoff, with sampling continuing until 4 p.m. The focus on green chiles in the professional competition should make for some unique flavors for visitors to try.
“They’re hatch green chiles, and you can roast them, chop them, and everything like that. I got my first experience working at Marshall Athletics in 2017. Marshall got the New Mexico Bowl. Colorado and New Mexico are where green chiles are primarily grown. There’s a very small location where you can grow those,” McGill said.
The professional competition also serves as a qualifier for the International Chili Society World Championship. Between the focus on specific ingredients and qualification for larger competitions, a who’s who of chili cooks are expected to be in the field.
“This attracts champions from all across the country—award-winning green chili experts—and then the winner gets a berth into the world championship, so it’s a big deal,” McGill said.
Tasting tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 through the Capitol Market website or at the door for $15.
Once the chili tasting ends, Market Mayhem begins with Regatta Pro Wrestling bringing its high-flying action to the market for the third time. Promoter Adam Harris is looking forward to another chance to create new wrestling fans.
“Maybe you’re wrestling curious, as I like to say, and you’ve never experienced live professional wrestling. This is a perfect opportunity to do it. It does cost a little bit if you want to taste all the chilis there, but the wrestling is free. You can even bring your own chair, and I know there will be some diehards there, but the best part is turning on casual fans,” he said.
The wrestling takes place outside Capitol Market, and organizers are hoping for a good forecast, not only so the show goes on but also so the audience can get a boost. Harris thinks body-slamming excitement is just what everyone needs coming off a long winter.
“That’s the idea of professional wrestling. You get to kind of forget about your everyday life, remember that spring is here, and get out some of that anxiety that we all built up during the deep freeze,” he said.
Market Mayhem wrestling begins at 4 p.m. on Saturday and goes until 6 p.m.