Man V Food challenges have become all the rage in the last couple of years. From huge pancake stacks to a 42 fast food item challenge that you have to sign a waiver to try, there's plenty on offer for those who want to test the limits of their stomach.
Recently, me and my colleague Ben Ashurst tested our mettle when we attempted the Hotter than the Sun Hot Wing challenge at Bunny Jackson's in Manchester city centre. The task was simple, we had 10 minutes to eat 10 wings - but the catch was that they were drenched in a hot sauce made up of five of the hottest chillies in the world.
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The dread started way before me and Ben had even got our hands on the piping hot food. Upon entry, the Bunny Jackson staff met us with glee, posing like nefarious Bond villains who have concocted a devastating elixir for two unsuspecting heroes.
Before feasting we were told about the rules and assured that tissues, water and milk in ice will be on offer to aid us through the challenge. Due to the chicken wings not being halal, I was given cauliflower wings garnished with celery and jalapenos for good measure.
As my spice tolerance is quite high, the first two bites were deceiving as I found myself handling it much better than expected - my mouth was on fire but that is normal for me. This raised a false sense of confidence, as by the third bite I realised how mistaken I was.
The build up of heat is gradual and it started on the right side of my brain, with what can only be described as a light migraine. After that my body started to itch - it felt like a million ants were biting every inch of me.
The sauce really began performing its magic once digested. I could only describe it as like having a steam engine in your stomach pumping hot air out of your body. But at this point I was at cauliflower wing number four or five, and, conscious of the ten minute time limit, I was focused on completing the challenge.
Thankfully, I managed to make my family proud and conquer the mighty challenge - and I got a t-shirt and picture on the winners' wall to show for it. Although I must say I had a inkling that my task was made somewhat easier by having to breakdown soft, gushy cauliflower as apposed to Ben's traditional chewy chicken, which he made a valiant effort of finishing, with only three left on his plate.
Speaking about his experience, Ben said: "I couldn't feel my mouth and my lips felt like they were horrendously chapped. For the next few hours after doing the challenge I could barely move without feeling sick.
"Easily the hottest wings I've ever tried, and the hardest challenge I've taken part in. I don't think I'll be able to even look at a hot wing for a good few months."
Bunny Jacksons, 1 Jack Rosenthal Street, M15 4RA
If you know of a food challenge we should check out, get in touch ramazani.mwamba@reachplc.com.
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