A crowd packed Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine on Monday, October 24, 2011 as the restaurant hosted an eating contest, challenging 21 willing participants in a race against the clock to devour the spiciest food their chefs could create. The event was held in three stages, each progressively spicier as contestants were eliminated until only five remained. The final round was comprised of two dishes: a soup and a chicken bowl seasoned with ghost chili. The last round left one contestant ill, and most guzzling as much water as possible. Even the winner, Sunsern Lee, spent some time in the cool air outside the restaurant before collecting his full $300 prize.
Sweet Basil chef Robin Robertson cooks up a spicy chicken dish in preparation for the eating contest. The dishes became progressively spicier over the three rounds, the final round being seasoned with ghost chilis. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Jason Mahnesmith, a student at Springfield High School, looks on as the dishes for the final round are served. The anticipation of the intense ghost chilis made the contestants hesitant to even begin their last course. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
The second round begins as contestants chow down on three spicy thai dishes, one with noodles, one chicken, and the third a soup. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Exhausted from the competition, Sunsern Lee has his arm held up – with his cash prize of $300 in hand -€” by Sweet Basil chef Chinpat Thongping. (Jeff Matarrese/Oregon Daily Emerald)
