02.05.2026 13:44
In the Kumluca district of Antalya, a hot pepper eating competition was held as part of the Agriculture and Greenhouse Festival. In the competition, which 36 people, 3 of them women, participated in, Celal Derin became the champion by eating 474 grams of hot peppers in 3 minutes. Nazime Sartık, who ate 146 grams of hot peppers in the same time, was chosen as the women's winner. Meanwhile, Mehmet Karakaya, who asked for help saying he couldn't withstand the spiciness of the hot peppers, had foam sprayed on him by a firefighter who came to the area.
36 people participated in the hot pepper eating contest held at Cumhuriyet Square. The jury members of the contest were Süleyman Örgel, Secretary of Akdeniz University Kumluca Vocational School, Orhan Okulu, Kırkpınar Chief Wrestler, and Hidayet Kökce, President of Kumluca Chamber of Agriculture. Contestants received the peppers they would eat by weighing them in front of the jury members. After taking the Jalapeno variety hot peppers and moving to the stand, contestants struggled to eat the most peppers in 3 minutes to win the gold prize. Contestants who couldn't stand the heat of the peppers drank buttermilk and ate tomatoes to suppress the spiciness.
"I WILL PARTICIPATE AGAIN NEXT YEAR"
As a result of the contest, Celal Derin, who ate 474 grams of hot peppers, came first. With 370 grams, Yetkin Tuncer took second place, and with 322 grams, Mehmet Yılmaz achieved third place. Among the 3 women who participated, Nazime Sartık, who ate the most hot peppers with 146 grams, became the women's champion. Celal Derin stated that he had also won in previous years and said, "I will participate again next year. I will win this contest for the third time."
GOLD PRIZES FOR CONTESTANTS
Various gifts were given to those who ranked in the contest. Women's champion Nazime Sartık was given half a gram of gold. In the men's category, first place Celal Derin was given half a gold coin, second place Yetkin Tuncer a quarter gold coin, and third place Mehmet Yılmaz a gram of gold. The protocol members presented the participation medals and gifts to the contestants. Meanwhile, the show put on by Mehmet Karakaya and Cahit Karataş, who participated as a father-son duo, attracted attention. A firefighter at the scene sprayed foam on Mehmet Karakaya, who stated he couldn't stand the heat of the hot pepper and asked for help.
"WE GROW EVERY TYPE OF VEGETABLE IN KUMLUCA"
Hidayet Kökce, President of Kumluca Chamber of Agriculture, said, "Today, the contest of Turkey's hottest pepper was held. We produce these peppers." Kumluca Deputy Mayor Erkan Karamıklı stated, "We grow every type of vegetable in the fertile soils of Kumluca. We organized a contest with hot peppers, one of the vegetables we grow. I thank all participants and everyone who contributed for not leaving us alone."