1.4 Billion and Not a Single Competitive Chili-Eater in Sight: Are You the Local Hero to Take on These Foreign Hordes?

You'd think that in a land with 1.4 billion people and with entire areas of the south known for little more than their population's penchant for eating bowls of liquid fire it would be easy to find a chili-lover to compete in our annual Hot Chili Pepper Eating Competition on Saturday, Dec 2 at Punjabi. Alas, so far we have come up short.

Foreign contestants have otherwise been coming in thick and fast for the Maovember event, with the current lineup hailing from numerous countries around the world, including Canada, India, Liberia, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, and the United States (see the contestants' full bios below). However, we won't truly be happy until we find a Chinese hot-head to utilize the soothing balm of fierce competition that comes from a home advantage.

If you think you (or a friend) has what it takes, send an email with your name, nationality, phone number, and details of your prior chili-eating experience to marketingteam@truerun.com.

Those who prove themselves to have the best in asbestos mouth stand to take home a whole bounty of prizes, kindly donated by some of Beijing's fierest outlets. Here's what they stand to win:

1st Place: RMB 1,000 voucher for Punjabi
2nd Place: RMB 500 voucher for Punjabi
3rd Place: RMB 500 voucher for Punjabi
Remaining contestants: RMB 100 voucher for Punjabi

All contestants will also receive a free black forest pizza from Bodensee Kitchen as well as six different hot sauces, including Ayam Brand's Thai chili, Thai sweet chili, and tuna in chili sauces; Herb Whisperer's regular and pickled jalapeno hot sauces; and Caravan's harissa sauce.

Just coming along to watch people sweat it out? Don't worry, by bidding on the winning chili eater you'll also have the chance to win 10 prize packs that include vouchers for Q Mex Taqueria, Saigon Mama, Pak Pak Thai Kitchen & Bar, and Punjabi (totaling RMB 1,000) and the yummy sauces mentioned above.

RMB 100 tickets to watch this high-intensity eating contest are selling fast, so if you would like to feast on an Indian buffet spread courtesy of Punjabi as well as sip on Slow Boat beers, simply scan the QR code below. All money from tickets goes toward the Maovember cause and the chosen charities of Bread of Life and The Library Project.

Sign up by scanning the QR code via WeChat below
(spots are limited to 100, so be quick!):

Now that you know what's at stake, behold our eight brave contestants, willing to risk life, limb, and belly for this year's Hot Chili Pepper Eating Contest (and spitting some fighting talk along the way). In no particular order:

Already spot your favored hopeful? Grab a ticket and join in the fun come Dec 2, all in the name of charity (and lighthearted pain).

Finally, special thanks go out to the sponsors of our 2017 Hot Chili Pepper Eating Contest:

Images: the Beijinger