Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Hot Stuff: Chichen Itza Hosts Chili-Eating Comp This Sunday
(Photo credit: Krista Simmons)
If you're one of those whackadoodles that dreams of one day having Adam Richman's job, here's your chance to train. This Sunday, as part of Mercado la Paloma's Father's Day festival, Chichen Itza restaurant will be having its second annual habanero eating competition. Last year the competition was done with the restaurant's famous habanero-based hot sauce. Things have changed this time around, though. The comp will be done with whole chilis. Why?
"One of the conestants decided to drink the sauce instead [of eating it with a taco]. He was advised not to, but we went ahead and did it anyways," says executive chef Gilberto Cetina Jr. "He beat everyone by a landslide, but it didn't end up well for him. He had to go to the hospital."
Needless to say, you'll have to sign a waiver to get in on the hot-headed action. Everyone who enters gets a commemorative t-shirt, and the winner will receive a $200 gift certificate to the restaurant. And the glory, of course.
You can sign up at the restaurant or by phone from now through Sunday morning at noon. The festival at the Mercado will go from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., with the chili-eating competition beginning at 2 p.m. In addition to the face-searing competitive eating, there will be baile folklorico, salsa dancing classes, a burrito making contest, remote control car races, and a neck tie tying competition -- none of which will land you in the hospital, unless you're a really bad dancer.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
