[CH] Mexican Seeks World Chile-Eating Record
Dave Drum (dirty_dave@chillicooks.org)
Tue, 06 Feb 2007 06:39:20 -0600
Mexican taxi driver with extraordinary endurance aims to become world
champion chile eater
MEXICO CITY, Feb. 5, 2007
By IOAN GRILLO Associated Press Writer
(AP)For most people, even the smallest bite of a raw chile pepper
means a flushed face and a rush for a gulp of water. But Manuel Quiroz
can guzzle down dozens of Mexico's spiciest chilies, rub them on his
skin and even squeeze their juice into his eyes without so much as
blinking.
The 54-year-old Mexico City taxi driver said Saturday that he has made
thousands of dollars with his talent and wants to become the world
champion chile eater. But first he needs to find an organization that
can crown him with that title.
"Chilies don't sting me. They don't affect me. It's just like eating
fruit," Quiroz said at a market in the Mexican capital. Shoppers
stared in amazement as he crunched on a habanero, the hottest chile
pepper in a country that likes its food spicy.
Quiroz said he discovered his talent when he was 7 and grew up betting
people that he could eat more chilies than they could. He never lost.
"I'm the best. No one can rival me," he said.
His biggest windfall came when he entered a competition organized by a
local television station and took home the $2,000 purse.
Quiroz said he plans to try to get his abilities recognized by
Guinness World Records. To his knowledge, no one in the world can
swallow more chilies.
"Chilies are the pride of Mexico," Quiroz said. "The world
chile-eating champion has got to be here."
Quiroz said he has never been examined by a doctor to find out if
there is a medical explanation for his extraordinary endurance to the
spice.
"Why would I go and see a doctor?" he said. "There is nothing wrong
with me. Eating chilies makes me feel great."
©MMVII The Associated Press.
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