The primo Dig In! Horticulinary Festival hot pepper challenge was a draw. A St. Albert firefighter and local councillor tied as the 2014 champs.
With flushed red faces, tears streaming down cheeks and gagging sounds sputtering from mouths, firefighter Lee Monfette and Coun. Tim Osborne took the title. They each ate four searing Trinidad moruga scorpion chilli peppers, the second hottest pepper in the world.
After the competition, held Saturday at the Enjoy Centre, Osborne was asked if he would volunteer for another scorpion contest.
“No, I can cross it off my bucket list. I don’t need to do it twice,” he whispered in a strangled voice, the scorching heat impeding his speech.
The Trinidad moruga scorpion is a small wrinkled red pepper about the size of your thumb. But it packs the heat of 400 hot jalapeńos. Its capsaicin (fatty oil in peppers) is so powerful, it is capable of reducing people to vomiting after one bite.
The scorpion has the equivalent burn as a shot glass full of law enforcement-grade pepper spray. Call it melt-your-mouth finger-lickin’ good.
Everyone quickly came to realize the competition was a feat of physical endurance and mental toughness. The first indication of the scorpion’s heat severity was when a huge garbage can was brought out for competitors’ use.
Five contestants sat in a straight line facing the audience – Monfette, Osborne, councillors Cathy Heron and Gilles Prefontaine as well as Strathcona councillor Brian Botterill.
Economic development officer Dawn Fedorvich and grower Jim Hole handed out the peppers, counted to three and the competitors chomped into the first pepper.
Within seconds of taking the first bite, Prefontaine’s face flushed to a pink that matched his rose-coloured suit jacket.
“I’ll be able to speak soon,” his normally smooth vocals morphing into a rasp.
Osborne gave it the thumbs up and Monfette said, “We’re ready for the next one.”
Heron added, “I challenge everyone to do one more.”
“Thanks Cathy,” muttered Osborne.
As competitors bit into the second pepper Prefontaine and Botterill waved their white surrender flag. They quickly gulped half-litre containers of milk hoping to douse the flames in their mouths and throat. It worked – barely.
By the third pepper, the three remaining competitors are swilling milk and dabbing tears running down their red faces.
“Anyone want a flag?” asks Prefontaine.
Heron bowed out and Monfette compared the fire in his mouth to a burning wax candle.
Osborne and Monfette each chowed down one last pepper, the extreme burning sensations causing uncontrollable sweating.
Hole declared it a draw and the sigh of relief on the two men’s faces was visible.
When asked about scorpion’s after-effects, Monfette said his mouth was on fire and his nose was completely clear.
“I’d do it again. Why not? It’s for a good cause.”
Last seen, Monfette was spotted walking out of the Enjoy Centre, the scorpion pepper plant held under his arm, a perfect gift for the fire hall.
