A food lover from Manchester was left violently ill after a valiant but ultimately failed attempt to conquer a colossal 9,000-calorie chilli challenge at a Devon steakhouse.
The Mammoth Meal That Defeated a Duo
Jonny Adams, 42, travelled across the country to Cattleman's Steakhouse in Paignton, Devon, to take on the infamous feast. The staggering spread, weighing a total of 4kg, comprised a full kilogram of chilli served with rice, chips, garlic bread, nachos, cheese, and a side salad.
Opting for the team option, Jonny enlisted a friend's help. The pair were given 20 minutes to finish the meal, compared to the one-hour limit for solo contenders. Despite initial confidence, their efforts crumbled at the 16-minute mark, with a daunting half a kilogram of food still remaining.
'I Felt Like I Couldn't Breathe'
Jonny described a rapid descent from optimism to agony. "At first, it tasted good and I love chilli," he said, "but at around five minutes in I started to feel ill." The intense spice and sheer volume quickly became overwhelming.
"The chilli was so spicy and I felt like I couldn't breathe," Jonny explained. "I’m 5ft 10in and I love chilli but I don’t know how someone could fit it into one person. The pot of chilli was never ending."
The aftermath was immediate and unpleasant. "We left about 0.5kg and we were gutted we couldn't finish it," he admitted. "As soon as we’d finished, I had to throw it up. I felt sick as a dog."
A Challenge Few Can Stomach
The steakhouse charges participants £50 to attempt the challenge, with a £100 prize and a refund for those who succeed. However, victory is exceptionally rare.
Since its launch one year ago, only 38 people have dared to try the challenge, and a mere three have completed it. The current record for the fastest finish stands at an astonishing 13 minutes, set by a solo diner.
Jonny's experience serves as a stark warning about the extreme physical demands of such competitive eating feats, even when tackled as a team.
