Taxi driver hot to make mark as world champion chile eater

Nation's Restaurant News,  Feb 19, 2007  by Elissa Elan

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

Mexico City -- For Manuel Quiroz the spice of life does not include the taste of raw chile peppers.

Though most people run for the nearest jug of water after even the smallest bite of one, Quiroz, a 54-year-old taxi driver here, said he can consume dozens, apply them to his skin and even squirt the juice into his eyes without having any kind of adverse reaction, the Associated Press reported.

"Chiles don't sting me," he said. "It's just like eating fruit."

Quiroz said he realized his unusual ability at age 7 and grew up betting people he could eat more chile peppers than they could.

He never lost a bet.

Now, however, he wants to win the title of world champion chile eater. Only problem is, he can't find an organization to crown him with the title.

Quiroz has never seen a doctor to explain his resistance to the peppers, and he doesn't plan to any time soon.

"Why would I?" he asked. "Eating chiles makes me feel great."

Compiled by Elissa Elan

COPYRIGHT 2007 Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning