Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania’s Columns
  • Advertise
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • Midnight Flight Book
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Seniors
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • The Arab street Podcast
  • Submit a Press Release
  • Toggle search form
  • Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement. Photo courtesy of Berry M. Goldwater Jr.
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of Republican conservative icon, to keynote Gorman rally Friday Blogger
  • ormer City Hall reporter Ray Hanania, ShawnTe Raines-Welch and Nick Kantas, candidates for Judge in the 4th SubCircuit, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar.
    Arab Democratic Club forum hosts candidates for public office at brunch May 15 censorship
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair Business
  • Liz Gorman hosts Forum for Republican Candidates May 20. Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement, will be a keynote speaker
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of former GOP Presidential icon, headlines Gorman Republican Forum breaking news
  • Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the driver services facility in the Orland Township Building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Also attending the ribbon cutting were (from left): Orland Township Trustee Antonio Rubino, Orland Township Trustee John Lynch, Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly and Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort).
    Illinois Secretary of State’s race is a mess Blogger
  • Closure notice from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Arab and Muslim owned Citgo Gas Station at at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago.
    Mayor Lightfoot accused of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in gang crackdown Business
  • Two backpacks full of emergency supplies sit ready for action in John and Chloe Clayborn’s Lincoln Park living room — one “go bag” for each of them.
    Maintaining Calm Amid Chaos: Families Pack ‘Go Bags’ to be Ready for Natural Disasters Features
  • Fathers Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    Dad gains sole custody to protect son from reported abuse Chicago
  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
    Governor Pritzker joins Secretary Pete Buttigieg for ribbon cutting at Joliet Gateway Center’s new Pace bus facility Government
  • A Roe vs Wade support placard
    Casten and Newman vow to find to defend Roe vs Wade federal ruling Health
  • David Shestokas, Republican candidate for Illinois AttorneyGeneral in the June 28, 2022 GOP primary election
    Shestokas adds law and order professionals to his campaign for Illinois Attorney General elections
  • The Political Pundit Comic Strip for May 3, 2022. By Ray Hanania
    The Political Pundit Comic Strip: Anyone who criticizes me hates the police Blogger
  • Chicago Wolves face-off with Toronto Marlies Nov. 13, 2021
    Chicago Wolves sweep AH regular season awards Chicago
  • Classic and great tasting Shish Kabob plate with skewers of beef, lamb, and kuftah on a bed of yellow and red rice at Zwar in Orland Park. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Finally an Arab Restaurant in Orland Park Americans will love Entertainment
  • David Moore Talks w Germaine Light. Photo courtesy of David Moore
    Moore endorsed for Secretary of State by U.S. Rep. Davis and former Alderman Simpson elections

Scorching fun in Bridgeview

Posted on June 27, 2018June 27, 2018 By Steve Metsch No Comments on Scorching fun in Bridgeview
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Scorching fun in Bridgeview

Pepper eating contest caps first hot sauce expo

By Steve Metsch

Standing on the stage, shoveling into his mouth the hottest peppers known to man, Jonathan Gilbert appeared ready to keel over or hurl a few times Sunday.

But the 6-foot-10 man from Chicago’s Portage Park neighborhood managed to persevere. He ate as many Carolina Reaper peppers as he could in one minute.

Then, he passed another test – going another minute without drinking liquid and without throwing up.

Gilbert left the stage to applause from those attending the first-ever Chi-Town Hot Sauce Expo held Saturday and Sunday at Toyota Park in Bridgeview.

His wife, Andrea, filming on her phone, shook her head, smiled and said, “he’s crazy” when asked about Jonathan’s attempt to break the world record of 120 grams eaten in one minute.

“He may be spending the night in the spare bedroom,” she said.

Jonathan Gilbert, of Chicago, said eating Carolina Peppers was “awful,” but he wants to compete again next year at the Chi-Town Hot Sauce Expo held at Toyota Park in Bridgeview A representative from the Guinness Book of World Records, left, times Gilbert as promoter Steve Seabury urges him on June 24. Photo by Steve Metsch.

 

On Monday, 24 hours after the contest, Gilbert said he felt fine.

“For two hours after, I felt like I was out of my own body. We went to Chinatown for dinner and once I ate some rice, I wasn’t feeling like I was going to ‘lose my businesses.’ It was awful, awful,” he said.

He entered the contest because he loves hot foods. In hindsight, he wished he had prepared better. Backstage, he noticed several contestants drinking milk, eating starchy foods or sipping Pepto-Bismol beforehand. But he loved the spotlight.

“It was exciting being up on stage, and having the world record pace for a half minute. I had a good run and I’d like to try it again next year,” Gilbert, 39, said.

When he coughed during the contest, pepper juice sprayed on his face and got into an eye, he said. But he was able to wash it out.

Gilbert, who works as a registered nurse, said he spit up and “had the dry heaves” in the first half-hour afterwards. But he said “everything burns, the shower, (going to ) the bathroom, everything.”

Steve Seabury, owner of High River Sauces, one of the expo’s presenters, was master of ceremonies for the pepper-eating contest that tried to set the Guinness World Record.

“These guys for the next 36 hours are going to experience more trauma and pain than they ever have in their lives. We had a woman in the contest in New York City. She said she’d rather give birth to quintuplets than ever do this again,” Seabury said.

About a dozen contestants, all male, tried their best to the cheers and jeers of several hundred spectators. One man wound up vomiting.

The standard jalepeno is about 1,000 Scoville Heat Units, he said. A Carolina Reaper is more than 2 million Scoville heat Units, Seabury said.

“Molten lava is about 1.5 million. These peppers are hotter than molten lava,” Seabury said.

The hot pepper eating contest was among several eating competitions held during the two-day expo. Some 40 hot sauce vendors from around the country were there, selling their wares and offering one and all samples on tiny plastic spoons.

A contestant who later yelled “Yes, it’s hot” struggles to down Carolina Reaper peppers during the contest. Photo by Steve Metsch.

 

The brave, like Jake Wyderski, of Wilmington, went all in, sampling the “Angry Irishman Why?” hot sauce.

“It ain’t that bad. That’s good, good sauce. That’s a (deleted) good sauce,” said Wyderski , who bought a $10 bottle.
“The flavor was fantastic, right on point. The heat did not kill you. Some people have a high tolerance for hot sauce. Some don’t. There are sauces that make me wince. But this was flavorful and good. You can put this on anything and you’ll be happy,” Wyderski said.

Kevin Mackey, who owns the Angry Irishman company in Woodville, Ohio., with wife Mary Ann Mackey, said the name confuses people: “Irishman Hot Sauce, it’s like freezer burn or jumbo shrimp. It doesn’t make any sense.”

It took him “seven years of trial and error” to perfect his first recipe. “We’ve had a very good response this weekend, and we’ll definitely come back.”

What’s the allure?

Rex Bacita , 36, of Chicago’s North Side, has been hooked on hot sauces since high school. He tested samples at booths.

“It’s like a drug,” he said. “Your mind almost gets addicted to it. It needs it.”

That’s where holsters come in handy.

A man who calls himself Canugator Steve owns Hot Sauce Holsters, based in Maryville, Tenn. He sold leather hot sauce bottle holsters, $30 for a five-once size, $20 for two-ounce.

The leather holsters, with a variety designs, can be attached with a belt loop or a swivel snap to a belt or bag. “You’ll never be without your hot sauce again,” he said.

Jake Wyderski, of Wilmington, sampled and liked the “Angry Irishman Why?” hot sauce. Kashmir heated things up by covering Led Zeppelin songs. Photos by Steve Metsch.

After the contest, Ed Currie, the man who developed the Carolina Reaper, tossed those not eaten to the crowd.

Eric Nuernbeg, of Palatine, refused to touch one: “I would never eat one. That’s ridiculous. But it was fun to watch.” His girlfriend, Lori Moss, gingerly held a stem between two fingers.

High River Sauces and FM Entertainment co-presented the expo, which Seabury said will return in 2019.

Frank Mastalerz, owner of FM Entertainment, said Monday: “I didn’t know what to expect because we had to create awareness from zero.”

“But it was fun. The people were having a great time. That’s half the satisfaction as a promoter, the gratification from seeing the people at our shows who are happy.”

He, ahem, did not sample a Carolina Reaper.

“A guy in our cleanup crew said one brushed up against his leg. He said his leg was burning for an hour,” Mastalerz added with a laugh.

Desplaines Valley News

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at sm4610@sbcglobal.net
Steve Metsch
Latest posts by Steve Metsch (see all)
  • All in the family - January 27, 2022
  • Forest View woman missing - January 26, 2022
  • Mount Kilimanjaro is calling - January 24, 2022
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Festival, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:Bridgeview, Chi-Town Hot Sauce Expo, FM Entertainment, Guinness Book of World Records, High River Sauces, Jonathan Gilbert, Kashmir, Steve Seabury, Toyota Park

Post navigation

Previous Post: Cardiac victim survives to thank Life Time employees and OFPD
Next Post: Moraine Valley accepting nominations for Alumni Hall of Fame

Related Posts

  • Oozi Corner Restaurant, 9115 S. Harlem Avenue, was the gracious host for the Arab American Heritage Month, April, celebration with Chicagoland elected officials and responsible members of the Arab American community. Photo courtesy of Tasneem Abuzir
    Arab American Heritage Month, April, celebrated by elected officials Chicago
  • Chicago crime rates 2013. Courtesy of WIkipedia
    America needs balanced discussion on racial injustice, not a political one Blogger
  • Summit loves Katie News
  • Wolves hockey game at Allstate Arena. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Wolves Hockey: Lagace rejoins the Wolves team News
  • Township buses get special care News
  • Flowers and balloons and candles placed at Liberty School in Cicero in memory of a 5 year old kindergarten student killed in a home fire on Tuesday Feb. 4, 2020. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Vigil held in Cicero for victims of Feb. 2 fire Fire

More Related Articles

Wolves lose Game 4 of Calder Cup Finals. Photo courtesy of the Wolves Wolves lose 3rd game in Calder Cup Finals Chicago
Lyons adds police vehicles Government
Pops Italian Beef and Sausage, 1866 W. Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois Pop’s Italian Beef and Sausage ‘Pops’ Up in Joliet Business
Former Cook County Commissioner and taxpayer advocate Liz Gorman Pekau is way off base in starting fight with Gorman Blogger
Lyons Mayor Chris Getty. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Lyons planting trees News
Drive-thru food pantry News

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement. Photo courtesy of Berry M. Goldwater Jr.
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of Republican conservative icon, to keynote Gorman rally Friday
    May 18, 2022
  • Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the driver services facility in the Orland Township Building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Also attending the ribbon cutting were (from left): Orland Township Trustee Antonio Rubino, Orland Township Trustee John Lynch, Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly and Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort).
    Illinois Secretary of State’s race is a mess
    May 8, 2022
  • The Political Pundit Comic Strip for May 3, 2022. By Ray Hanania
    The Political Pundit Comic Strip: Anyone who criticizes me hates the police
    May 3, 2022
  • Pekau Sign place along curb.
    Crime is down for everyone but Pekau, he claims
    April 29, 2022
  • Chicagos first minority and Woman Mayor Jane M. Byrne is often ignored by the mainstream media. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Remembering Great Chicago Mayors, not just one
    April 23, 2022
  • Gas station image gasoline pump. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Governor and legislature turn public need into campaign greed
    April 16, 2022

Subscribe

  • Ray-Hanania-Newsletter-300-wide-Banner.jpg

Trending

  • Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the driver services facility in the Orland Township Building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Also attending the ribbon cutting were (from left): Orland Township Trustee Antonio Rubino, Orland Township Trustee John Lynch, Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly and Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort). Illinois Secretary of Sta... Illinois Secretary of State's race is a mess Most elections are pretty muc... posted on May 8, 2022
  • Suspect Joseph Guzman, 20, charged in two separate homicides that took the lives of three people. April 28, 2022. Mugshot courtesy of the Cicero Police Cicero Police and Illinoi... Cicero Police and Illinois State police announce murder charges against two... posted on April 28, 2022
  • Closure notice from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Arab and Muslim owned Citgo Gas Station at at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago. Mayor Lightfoot accused o... Mayor Lightfoot accused of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in gang crackdo... posted on May 7, 2022
  • Classic and great tasting Shish Kabob plate with skewers of beef, lamb, and kuftah on a bed of yellow and red rice at Zwar in Orland Park. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Finally an Arab Restauran... Finally an Arab Restaurant in Orland Park Americans will love One of the b... posted on April 29, 2022
  • The Political Pundit Comic Strip for May 3, 2022. By Ray Hanania The Political Pundit Comi... The Political Pundit Comic Strip: Anyone who criticizes me hates the police... posted on May 3, 2022
  • NEWS
  • ormer City Hall reporter Ray Hanania, ShawnTe Raines-Welch and Nick Kantas, candidates for Judge in the 4th SubCircuit, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar.
    Arab Democratic Club forum hosts candidates for public office at brunch May 15
    May 17, 2022
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair
    May 17, 2022
  • Liz Gorman hosts Forum for Republican Candidates May 20. Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement, will be a keynote speaker
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of former GOP Presidential icon, headlines Gorman Republican Forum
    May 16, 2022
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Mother ordered to pay divorcing dad’s attorneys’ fees
    May 10, 2022
  • Closure notice from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Arab and Muslim owned Citgo Gas Station at at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago.
    Mayor Lightfoot accused of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in gang crackdown
    May 7, 2022
  • Two backpacks full of emergency supplies sit ready for action in John and Chloe Clayborn’s Lincoln Park living room — one “go bag” for each of them.
    Maintaining Calm Amid Chaos: Families Pack ‘Go Bags’ to be Ready for Natural Disasters
    May 6, 2022
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

The Political Pundit

Political Pundit Aug. 24, 2021. Taliban thanks president for boxes of MAGA hats
  • WORD PRESS REVIEWS
  • MyCloud by Western Digital, a hard drive that doesn't last. Don't purchase Western Digital.
    Western Digital tubes its loyal customers for profit
    October 17, 2021
  • Macho Themes website front page. Don't buy their themes. They don't work
    Difficulties with Macho Themes for WordPress
    August 21, 2021
  • TECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
  • Netflix is the best streaming service, despite drop in stock price
    April 20, 2022
  • Book Cover "Laptop from Hell" by Miranda Devince
    Questions remain unanswered about Hunter Biden’s ties to Ukraine
    February 20, 2022
  • Amazon.com's "Day 1" tower in Seattle, WA in January 2017. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Clifford Law to sue Amazon after employee is killed by tornado at downstate distribution center
    January 16, 2022

Follow Ray Hanania at
Gab.com, MeWe.com
IDobbinate.com,
Twitter, Facebook

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

What We’re Reading

Arab News Newspaper Leading English Language Publication in the GulfArab News Newspaper

Ray Hanania on Politics
SW News Newspaper Group

  • SPORTS
  • Chicago Wolves face-off with Toronto Marlies Nov. 13, 2021
    Chicago Wolves sweep AH regular season awards
    May 1, 2022
  • Muhammad Ali Center United Way
    Muhammad Ali Center, Metro United Way partner for Greatest Give Back
    April 29, 2022
  • Chicago Wolves lose to Toronto Marlies in overtime at AllState Arena Nov. 14, 2021
    Chicago Wolves wrap up home schedule in style
    April 29, 2022
  • Chicago Wolves Artyom Serikov courtesy of the Chicago Wolves
    Chicago Wolves break franchise mark for Best Record
    April 25, 2022
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair
    May 17, 2022
  • Liz Gorman hosts Forum for Republican Candidates May 20. Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement, will be a keynote speaker
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of former GOP Presidential icon, headlines Gorman Republican Forum
    May 16, 2022
  • Two backpacks full of emergency supplies sit ready for action in John and Chloe Clayborn’s Lincoln Park living room — one “go bag” for each of them.
    Maintaining Calm Amid Chaos: Families Pack ‘Go Bags’ to be Ready for Natural Disasters
    May 6, 2022
  • Candidate for Cook County Board President Richard Boykin in the June 28, 2022 Democratic Primary election
    Preckwinkle challenger Richard Boykin unveils 7-point Holistic Public Safety Plan to address the County’s escalating crime rates
    April 21, 2022
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Children rescued from abusive home now safe, Dads’ Rights attorney Leving reports
    April 19, 2022
Two Guys on PoliticsTwo Guys on Politics

John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications
  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair
    May 17, 2022
  • Closure notice from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Arab and Muslim owned Citgo Gas Station at at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago.
    Mayor Lightfoot accused of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in gang crackdown
    May 7, 2022
  • John Husnick provides direction at Worth Township Career Fair
    Building Trades Career Fair offers opportunities for students
    April 29, 2022
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Leving to present on dad’s rights legal issues at Horasis Global meeting Friday March 4, 2022
    March 3, 2022
Click this link to watch or use the widget below:

Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.
Email Ray Hanania for more information about performing at your event at rghanania@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme