Terryorisms

Jalapeño-eating contest one hot time October 9, 2006

Star-Telegram.com | 10/08/2006 | Jalapeño-eating contest one hot time
In the most impressive gastrointestinal display this side of Fear Factor, professional eater Rich “The Locust” LeFevre swallowed 247 peppers up to their stems in eight minutes to take the title. The 60-year-old retired Nevada accountant, who drives across the country entering eating contests, won $2,000. His wife accompanies him on his trips.

The pros knew a few tricks the amateurs didn’t. Erik “the Red” Denmark said he took Pepto Bismol beforehand to coat his stomach. All four pros took their own drinks — milk and juice — knowing that the water that was provided didn’t stand a chance against the acids and oils in the peppers.

Huang, meanwhile, went into the contest with a strategy he called “all heart, no talent.” He downed 53 jalapeños, although he was unable to talk about it for several minutes. He could manage only guttural groans.

When he regained the ability to form words, the first thing Huang said was, “I can’t feel my face.”