Organisers had 24 rounds planned, but had to go to 25 rounds to separate the top two. Photo / Digitally altered file image
Organisers had 24 rounds planned, but had to go to 25 rounds to separate the top two. Photo / Digitally altered file image
Te Awamutu has another national title-holder in Chilli Eating Champion Justin Rummel — and he had to go way beyond next level to achieve his goal.
Justin beat reigning champion Greg Miller of Christchurch at the Fire Dragon Chillis NZ Hot Sauce Festival and Chilli Eating Championships in Auckland onSaturday.
He also knocked out US chilli guru Johnny Scoville along the way.
Justin is from Melbourne, but has been in Te Awamutu for three years.
He says he has always liked heat in his food, and about 18 months ago ate a Carolina Reaper — a chilli pepper ranked as one of the hottest in the world.
He put the video on Facebook and was tagged and it was suggested he give the competition a go.
He entered and won the Hamilton Chilli Eating Contest and qualified for the 2018 national final, finishing third.
He teamed up with fellow Te Awamutu chilli lover Paul Merson and the pair started posting to Facebook and YouTube as Heat Hunters — doing chilli challenges, reviewing chillis and presenting recipes.
Te Awamutu mates Paul Merson (left) and Justin Rummel collaborate on Facebook and YouTube pages featuring chilli reviews, recipes and challenges. Photo / Supplied
Justin says it proved to be good training for the 2019 champs.
He won the Waikato and Bay of Plenty titles and Paul won the Hawke's Bay title so they both qualified for the finals last weekend.
To say he and Greg went next level is an understatement.
Overseas competitions usually run for 10 or 12 rounds. In New Zealand the organisers had 24 rounds planned, but had to go to 25 rounds to separate the pair.
