Lowvelders can stand the heat in chilli-eating contest
The competition comprised eight rounds with different kinds of chillies - with red habaneros, measured at 250 000 Scoville heat units, as the decider.
Eleven Lowvelders who thought they could handle the heat took part in the Crossing SUPERSPAR Chilli-eating Contest on Saturday September 21.
This year’s contest was won by a Crossing SUPERSPAR staff member, Given Chiloane, who walked away with a grocery voucher worth R5 000, redeemable at any SPAR or SUPERSPAR.
The second and third runners-up received grocery vouchers worth R2 000 and R1 000 respectively.
The heated competition comprised eight rounds with different kinds of chillies and a bonus round of a shot of Rooibaard Kwaadbaard.
The contestants were provided water for a palate cleansing and full cream milk, but if they drank the milk they were automatically eliminated.
ALSO READ: Lowveld Clivia Club celebrates 21st anniversary with Spring Fair
One contestant stepped down after round three. This left 10 contestants in the running until the rules changed from round five.
Here, participants had to finish Padrón peppers and the last man to finish would be eliminated.
In round six, two more contestants were eliminated for being the last to finish their small bowls of serenade chillies.
Another two were eliminated in round seven under the same terms for yellow habanero peppers.
Five contestants participated in the final round to finish a small bowl of red habaneros measured at 250 000 Scoville heat units.
ALSO READ: Traversing the picturesque Lowveld on vintage wheels
Spectators visited Crossing SUPERSPAR to watch these chilli lovers in action. Some crowd members who answered simple questions even walked away with prizes of their own.
