Curry contest is hot ticket

AN Indian restaurant has been inundated with requests to take part in tonight’s annual hot chilli challenge, despite last year’s competition landing some diners in hospital.

Abdul Ali, owner of the Kismot restaurant in St Leonard’s Street, said he would be toning down the contest after the 2011 challenge saw competitors writhing on the floor in agony, vomiting and fainting.

One participant, Curie Kim, was so ill she had to be taken by ambulance to the ERI twice in a matter of hours.

However, Abdul said that all ten slots for this year’s battle were filled two days after the challenge was announced, and that he had been knocking back requests ever since.

One participant from last year’s competition, who did not need medical attention, has even returned for a second helping.