Hot sauce eating contest clears sinuses and proves strength

On January 31, 2018, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Jennifer Wolter and Natasha Blazer sport their Respond Inc. jerseys at the event. ~Photos by Emily Blackwood

By Emily Blackwood

Standing up in front of the crowd of 200-odd some people holding a shot of hot sauce, Josh Innocent was starting to have his doubts.

“This seems like a bad idea,” he said to the other willing participants in Respond Inc.’s annual Hot Sauce Tasting Contest. “What do I have to prove?”

Strong taste buds and a willingness to say no to that tempting glass of water proved harder for some. Out of the eight that started, only four lasted through all five rounds. Each tasting hotter than the one before.

After the contest, winner Laresa Meadows was found holding a glass of milk and a glass of wine. Neither of which had completely gotten rid of the burning.

“It definitely cleared my sinuses,” she joked.

Those who opted out of the contest spent their time at Respond Inc.’s 4th-annual Chili Cook-Off trying to decide between their favorite chili and sampling some of J.P. Lick’s “spicy” ice cream.

Ugo Cabre, 8, hands out chili from his family’s restaurant, Casa B Tapas and Cocktail Rum & Bar.

While the essence of the event is a fun night to get the community together, the nonprofit welcomed anyone who wanted to discuss just how they provide services to 70,000 survivors of domestic abuse on a daily basis.

Jennifer Wolter, who works as Respond Inc.’s coordinator of community-based services, said her favorite part of her job is being able to work closely with survivors.

“There are not enough hours in the day, she said. “I could work 24 and still not get everything done.”

“But when you see what they go through and deal with, and then how they want to give back; it’s amazing. The best part.”

The best part for the participants of the Chili Tasting Contest was, of course, when the winners were announced. Sound Bites won “Best Classic Chili,” Chef Patrick Lord was named the “Best Vegetarian Chili,” and River Bar was named the “Most Creative Chili.”

And Casa B Tapas and Cocktail Rum & Bar took home the coveted title of “Crowd Favorite.”

The following restaurants also participated: Cuisine en Locale, First Bite Catering, Holiday Inn Boston-Bunker Hill, Juliet, Orleans and Scorpion Bar Boston. Chris Muller of Boston University School of Hospitality Administration, Damien Smith of Yelp Boston, Lovern Gordon of Love Life Now Foundation, Inc., Detective McNeal of Malden Police Department and Pebbles of HOT 96.9 Boston were the guest judges.

For more information on Respond Inc., and their upcoming events visit www.respondinc.org.

 

Laresa Meadows shows her true feelings about entering the hot sauce eating contest.

 

Casa B Tapas and Cocktail Rum & Bar’s winning team: Alberto Cabre, Gabriela Cabre, 12, Ugo Cabre, 8, Sofia Cabre, 13, and Angelina Jackovich.

 

Comments are closed.