Nova Scotia couple hold spicy record
Mike Jack, a resident of Stellarton, Nova Scotia, has made a name for himself by setting an impressive 18 Guinness World Records for consuming incredibly spicy foods that most people would find too hot to handle.
One of his most notable records is for the fastest time to eat 100 Carolina Reaper peppers. In addition, he has also set records for eating 100 ghost peppers, 50 Carolina Reaper peppers, 25 Carolina Reaper peppers, and the most ghost peppers eaten in two minutes, among other spicy challenges.
Mike is not only a record-breaking eater but also the reigning four-time League of Fire Chilli Eating Champion. The League of Fire is a competitive platform that showcases intense chilli-eating matches similar to prizefights, with players going head-to-head in fiery challenges.
The League of Fire originated with the first World Title Chilli-Eating match at the 2019 Guildford Cheese and Chilli Festival in Guildford, England. It has since expanded to include various belts and a global ranking system that awards points to participants based on their performance in chilli-eating contests. The holder of the World Title Belt is recognized as the World Champion by the League of Fire.
Mike’s journey to becoming a world champion chilli eater began during his college days when he developed an interest in hot sauce. Starting with milder sauces like Frank’s and Tabasco, he gradually built up his tolerance for spicier foods.
His training regimen includes consuming a substantial amount of food before competitions to dilute the spiciness in his stomach. According to Mike, the real challenge begins when the heat reaches the stomach, not just the mouth. He also practices Buddhist breathing meditations to stay calm before matches.
Supporting Mike in his spicy endeavors is his wife, Jamie, who serves as his coach during competitions. Initially skeptical about the intensity of the challenges, Jamie gained firsthand experience of the heat when she tried a spicy challenge herself.
The couple even holds a Guinness World Record together for the longest habanero kiss, where they each consumed a habanero pepper and kissed for 15 minutes.
Turning their shared passion for spice into a business venture, Mike and Jamie have created their signature hot sauce line featuring flavors like Taco Tuesday, Rise and Shine, and Tropical Fury. These sauces offer varying levels of heat, with Tropical Fury being the hottest blend made with pineapple, ghost pepper, and habanero.
In addition to their spicy adventures, the couple continues to push the boundaries of their fiery pursuits while also expanding their business endeavors. For more Nova Scotia news and updates, be sure to visit our dedicated provincial page.
