Daredevil chilli challenge leads to new job for chef Carl

Carl Redman, 42, concocted the super spicy snack by adding chilli powder and flakes from five ultra hot chillies to a Bombay Bad Boy Pot Noodle for a charity challenge.

His creation measured an eye-watering 10 million Scoville units on the chilli heat scale.

Carl made it to raise money for the St Catherine’s Hospice, where he is a volunteer chef.

His efforts were recognised by Pot Noodle who have now made him their chief spice consultant, where he will advise the brand on how much kick to add to each pot.

Dad-of-six Carl said: “I’m a genuine chilli monster, and I love a Bombay Bad Boy, but the intensity of this heat was like nothing before it.

“What really makes me feel warm inside though is helping the hospice reach their charity target - and we are well on the way.

“I’m delighted to have made it as a Pot Noodle flavour consultant, it’s a great opportunity and I look forward to imparting my considerable expertise.”

Carl’s super-hot combo was a mix of Trinidad Congo, Trinidadian Bubblegum Seven and the infamous Naga Morich Ghost Chilli, plus the Fatalii Gourmet Jigsaw, Carolina Reaper and Trinidad Moruga Scorpion varieties.

He added: “You can’t buy these chillies from a supermarket - there’s a huge following online of ‘hot heads’, and I look out for independent growers online.

“A jalapeño chilli is 7,000 on the Scoville heat scale. One of the chillies I added to the mix, the Fatalii Gourmet Jigsaw, is 2.3 million.

“I was eating close to 10 million combined Scoville units in one go.”

Carl, married to wife Steph for 11 years, poured a 5ml teaspoon of the super-hot mixture in his Pot Noodle.

He said: “It was like eating lava. It was the hottest thing I’ve ever eaten. It was extremely hot.

“I did very well and managed half of the Pot Noodle but for the rest of the day I was suffering with stomach cramps.

“Doing it for the hospice I wasn’t allowed to swear which added to the challenge even more.”

Lena Portchmouth of Pot Noodle said “We wouldn’t encourage Pot Noodle fans to replicate Carl’s incredible challenge but are mightily impressed by his commitment to raise money for such a good cause.

“We have asked Carl if he would like to be part of our flavour team and we will consult on all heat-related matters in the Pot Noodle portfolio.”

Emma Jacovelli, community fundraiser at St Catherine’s Hospice, said: “Even just watching Carl’s chilli challenge made our eyes water.

To donate to Carl’s chilli fundraiser www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chilliman.