The world of competitive eating has a new champion of heat. Stephen Curgan, known in the chili eating circuit as “Fiery Red,” has set a scorching new world record by eating 85 ultra-hot 7 Pot Primo peppers in a single sitting.
The fiery feat took place during a local spice and food expo in Terre Haute, Indiana, where Curgan battled intense pain to surpass the previous record of 77 peppers.
The 7 Pot Primo is considered one of the world’s most potent chili peppers, clocking in at an astronomical 1.79 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU). To put that into perspective, it is nearly 700 times hotter than a standard jalapeño. The pepper is characterised by its distinct, stinger-like tail and its immediate, searing heat.
New Record: 85 7 Pot Primo Peppers
Previous Record: 77 Peppers
Pepper Heat: Up to 1.79 million SHU
Cheered on by a massive crowd, Curgan pushed through the intense physical challenge that accompanies consuming peppers of this magnitude, which often includes severe abdominal cramps and intense burning sensations.
Curgan, a seasoned global chili competitor, not only secured the world record but is also leveraging his “Fiery Red” persona to launch his own hot sauce brand. His achievement is a testament to the extreme dedication and pain tolerance required to dominate the competitive chili-eating scene.
The event, which featured other eating contests, celebrated the vibrant community of “chiliheads” who pursue the limits of human spice tolerance.
