photo by Victoria Hart Glavin

A lot has been written (and shot for YouTube) about the hellishly hot Habañero chile.  Just to remind you of it’s healthy sting it rates 150,000–325,000 on the Scoville scale compared to the bland, nearly invisible heat of the pathetic jalapeño pepper that comes in at only 2,500–8,000 Scoville units.

Chichén Itzá Restaurant is getting ready for their fifth annual “Chichen Itza’s Chile Habanero Eating Contest”.  Does Dad (or you for that matter) have what it takes to chew up that chile and swallow?  If your Dad’s a macho kind of eater this might be the event for him and the whole family. Because who doesn’t love to take Dad somewhere special and laugh at his discomfort all at the same time?

The contest will be held on Sunday, June 15, as part of the Father’s Day Celebration at downtown’s Mercado La Paloma: 3655 S. Grand Av., Los Angeles, CA 90007. For more information please call 213-741-1075 

If you’re not into burning your esophagus, etc I recommend going to Chichén Itzá anytime for a taste of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.  The casual stand inside La Paloma has been on many of Mr. Gold’s “Best of” lists. Chef Gilberto Cetina and his son Gilberto Jr. make great food that’s kind of addictive.  I also love their cookbook SaboresYucatecos: A Culinary Tour of the Yucatán.