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Note to self: Do not drive in Little Village on Mexican Independence Day. It took me twenty minutes to drive there…normal…and then once off the highway it took me another hour to go the last mile!
Luckily I gave myself plenty of time to get there! And why was I going there, you might ask? Well it was time for the annual La Costena Jalapeno Eating Contest! Massive rains and flooding kept me from going last year, so nothing was stopping me this year!
This year’s contest was crazy! It was a pretty decent-sized crowd and there were lots of great posters cheering on the favorites. The contest was exhilarating…so fast pace as competitors stuffed their mouths with the big green peppers. I don’t know how they did it! I am not a spicy-girl so I certainly wouldn’t have gotten far at all! In the end, as the tallying of totals began there was a buzz in the crowd. It seemed as if first place was a tie.
Pat was the defending champion and Sonya was out for a win so there was much tension when they announced there would be a one-minute overtime battle. More plates of peppers were placed in front of them and the eat-off began! It looked close, but Sonya’s technique seemed to be dead-on. She managed to shovel more into her mouth, and in the end was declared the winner!
It was a crazy day! They handed out medals and bottles of Pepto Bismol to the winners. I loved the Pepto Bismol. Awesome.
Afterwards I went to Pat’s for an after party. He is not only a great eater but a great chef! Who knew I would love a cream cheese/jelly/bacon sandwich? Or balsamic cheese curds? Unfortunately I had to leave before some of the real craziness began…but it was a fun time none the less! Can’t wait to do it all again this Sunday at the Krystal Square Off!
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Val: Just want to say thanks for keeping us all up to date with photos and comments on the contests.
Your pictures bring life to the words & numbers.
Being Gravy’s number one fan its hard to keep up when you live in Maine.
Thank you!
What a professional job you did with that B & W photography! Thank you so much for taking the time to post them!
Affectionately,
Rhonda Lee Evans
Thanks Rhonda!