A popular chilli-eating contest where competitors go head-to-head to find out who can take the heat is to be held in Burnham-on-Sea this month.
The autumn Burnham-On-Sea Food & Drink Festival on October 25th will be hosting the second contest, called The Great Burnham Burn-Off, run by Clifton Chilli Club.
Different chillies of ever-increasing heat will take brave participants through the Scoville scale.
This year, the chilli-eating contest has a warm up – its little brother The Hot Wings Challenge!
It will see 15 hot wings and 10 competitors doing battle where the fastest to eat to the bare bones wins! The hot wings will be prepared by Passion & Soul BBQ.
Festival organiser Sarah Milner Simonds said: “There was probably over 1,000 people watching live and over 3,000 people have watched the You Tube videos of the competition last year so we are really pleased to be bringing this popular competition back to the festival.”
“I think the competitors are very brave as The Chillees have grown some amazingly hot chillies for this year’s competition. We want to thank R.T. Keedwell for the loan of the stage and Riverford Organic for the very important milk that help to cool off the challengers afterwards.”
Sign up online or enter on the day – there will be just 10 places available in each competition, which will be held live on stage at the junction of College St and Victoria St at 2:30pm (Hot wings) and 3.30pm (Chilli eating).
Festival organiser Beverley Milner Simonds added: “We have been approached by a local business that wants to get involved in the festival and showcase their creative talents – Hallmark Tattoos, based in College Street are offering a chilli tattoo as the prize for the winner of The Great Burnham Burn Off. We think this a unique prize for a unique competition! If the winner doesn’t want a tattoo the prize is transferable.”
David Hall, owner and artist at Hallmark Tattoos, said: “Hallmark Tattoos are very pleased to be supporting the Burnham food Festival this October. It is a fantastic event that goes from strength to strength each year, with a great atmosphere, mouth watering food and lots of it. Definitely not to be missed.”
Pictured: Above, last year’s winner Marc Brion, and the event in progress
