The world’s hottest chilli challenge returns to Zouk this week

Zouk’s famous chilli challenge returns this week, with prizes on offer for those who are able to handle the heat.

Three limited edition new dishes will be available from Mon 19 Feb – Fri 23 Feb, all of which have been made using dried Carolina Reaper chillis — the hottest in the world deemed suitable for human consumption.

The new dishes include a Chicken Reaper Karahi Curry, Vegetable Reaper Karahi Curry and Mixed Keema Reaper Seekh Kebab. There is also a special Chilli Margarita for guests to enjoy although this is made with milder fresh chillies.

To give you some idea of what we’re dealing with here, all three fiery dishes will all be prepared by chefs wearing protective gloves and goggles, with the Carolina Reaper reaching over 1,500,000 units on the Scoville Scale.

For those who like a challenge, Zouk will also be hosting a fearsome ‘Reaper Challenge’, where challengers will be in with a chance of winning a range of prizes, plus their meal for free.

Taking place on National Chilli Day on (Thu 22 Feb) the Reaper Challenge is available on all Carolina Reaper dishes, with prizes ranging from £10 gift cards and a £50 brunch for two, to a £100 Sunday Roast dining experience. You can read more about the ins and outs of the challenge here.

Tayub Amjad, Owner of Zouk Tea Bar & Grill said “What I love most about National Chilli Day is the excitement it creates and the fact that we now have Carolina Reaper Connoisseurs who come back every year to take the challenge on. With constant queries for our too-hot-to-handle curries and Mancunians having the biggest appetite for heat that I’ve ever seen, we had to create something extra spicy for our customers for 2024.

“Paying homage to a chilli that packs serious punch, there are lots of prizes up for grabs for those who manage to complete the challenge, and they’ll also have their reaper on us – it’s the least we can do. Last year, we saw around 15 diners complete the challenge, so it will be interesting to see how many feel up to the challenge this year and who can beat the reaper!”.

You can read more about what Zouk has in store here.