Scalia Fest Welcomes the League of Fire

Scalia Fest Welcomes the League of Fire: A Celebration of Chilli, Heritage and International Competition 🌶️🇮🇹

Against the magnificent backdrop of Scalea’s medieval centro storico, the League of Fire was honoured to stage the Scalea Belt Match, an event that brought together chilli-eating athletes from across Italy and even from Hungary and the UK. Organised in less than 30 days, the competition was a remarkable achievement, demonstrating what can be accomplished through passion, collaboration and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

The contest produced a thrilling finale, with famous Italian Chilli Head Carmelo Francavilla securing his first ever League of Fire Belt after narrowly defeating Hungary’s Jakab János, a three-time League of Fire Belt holder and current Diamante Belt Champion, by only a matter of seconds. It was a shock outcome as Jakab was the strong favourite going into this match, that was seen as a preparation bout for his World Title Match against Stephen Fiery Redd Curgan at the Detroit Hot Sauce Festival in a few weeks. Now, Jakab goes to America as an underdog having been defeated by the legendary Italian journey-man, Carmelo. This will surely be a wakeup call to Jakab and remind him there can be no complacency in elite level competitive chilli pepper eating! His training starts now.

Behind the scenes, the event presented significant logistical challenges. Sourcing fresh, competition-grade superhot chillies at such short notice required an international effort involving specialist growers from Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Peru. Coordinating the supply of peppers capable of meeting League of Fire standards was no small feat, making the successful delivery of the competition all the more rewarding. Thanks to our European Ambassador ‘Mr. Spicy’ Arturo Rencricca, we had a great line-up of pods – including the famous Primo’s Peppers 7 Pot Primo – which measures on average 1.79 million Scoville Heat Units and is thought to be the hottest pepper actually available to the masses.

The setting itself could hardly have been more appropriate. Perched dramatically above the Tyrrhenian Sea, Scalea is one of Calabria’s oldest settlements, with a history stretching back well over a thousand years. Its labyrinth of narrow medieval streets, ancient Norman fortifications and panoramic coastal views reflect centuries of cultural influence from the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Normans. Even today, the historic town remains one of southern Italy’s most captivating and authentic destinations, where history, gastronomy and community life continue to flourish.

Calabria has long been recognised as Italy’s spiritual home of the chilli pepper. Introduced to the region following the Columbian Exchange in the sixteenth century, peppers found an ideal environment in Calabria’s hot summers, fertile soils and abundant sunshine. Over generations they became inseparable from the region’s culinary identity, featuring prominently in traditional products such as ‘nduja, spicy salami, preserved vegetables and countless local recipes. Today, Calabria’s reputation for chilli cultivation extends far beyond Italy, making it one of Europe’s most important centres of chilli culture.

Much of that international recognition is owed to the remarkable work of the Accademia italiana del peperoncino, founded in 1994 by Professor Enzo Monaco. More than simply celebrating spicy food, the Academy has spent over three decades promoting scientific research, agricultural development, cultural education and international cooperation surrounding the chilli pepper. Through publications, conferences, educational initiatives and festivals, the Academy has helped elevate the peperoncino from a regional ingredient to an internationally recognised symbol of Calabrian heritage. Professor Monaco’s lifelong dedication has played an instrumental role in preserving and promoting one of Italy’s most distinctive culinary traditions.

The League of Fire extends its sincere gratitude to the organisers of the Scalia Festival for their exceptional hospitality and warm welcome, making the team feel truly part of this wonderful celebration. Again, special thanks is due to Professor Enzo Monaco, whose support and vision were instrumental in bringing the League of Fire to Scalea and helping establish what we hope will become a lasting tradition.

The event was proudly hosted in English for the international audience, by the UK Chilli Queen, Shahina Waseem, internationally recognised as one of the world’s leading ambassadors for competitive chilli eating and the inspiration of the League of Fire. Through her work promoting the sport across multiple continents, she continues to champion fairness, international friendship and the celebration of chilli culture, helping unite competitors and festivals from around the world under a shared passion for extraordinary heat.

Finally, our heartfelt thanks go to every athlete, grower, volunteer, official and spectator whose enthusiasm made this event such a memorable success. The Scalea Belt Match demonstrated once again that the chilli community transcends borders, bringing together history, culture, agriculture and sport in a uniquely inspiring way.

We look forward to returning to Calabria – and, as always, the next challenge promises to be even more magnificent. 🌶️🔥