Gregory foster eating chilli peppers and close up of peppers

Gregory Foster (USA) has broken another scorching speedeating record with Ghost - or Bhut Jolokia - chilli peppers. 

The chilli enthusiast took on the challenge on 14 November 2021, attempting the record for the most Bhut Jolokia chilli peppers eaten in one minute.

Racing against the clock, Gregory managed to put away 110.50 g (3.98 oz) - or 17 - of the insanely hot peppers to break the record. 

He attempted the record in San Diego, California, USA in a public park so the venue was open to the public. Many passers-by stopped to watch the record.

The Bhut Jolokia chilli pepper can register 1 million - or more - Scoville Heat Units (SHU). That means in one minute, Gregory consumed roughly 17 million SHU. For comparison, a Jalapeño pepper registers around 2,500 - 8,000 SHU.

Gregory also holds two other records:

  • Most Carolina Reaper chillies eaten in one minute (120 g/4.23 oz)
  • Fastest time to eat three Carolina Reaper chillies (8.72 seconds)

The first of which he broke back in 2017, the latter he broke in December 2021.

Gregory has always loved spicy food and even grows his own peppers at home. He has spent decades pushing his tolerance level for spicy foods, and he is now able to stomach the hottest peppers in the world. 

"This record attempt is a personal challenge to see how far I can push myself and my love of the super hot peppers," said Gregory.

Gregory attempting most Bhut Jolokia chilli peppers eaten in one minute

"As a chili lover, I’ve been trying to advance the awareness and the excitement surrounding the super-hot chillis out there."

"This attempt was solely a personal endeavour to achieve another Guinness World Record alongside my currently standing [ones]. I love chilli eating and pushing myself."

Gregory loves chillies so much that he created a company named Inferno Farms, a "craft hot sauce purveyor", devoting the last five years of his life to chilli peppers and flavour.

This record was previously held by vegan speedeater Mike Jack, who managed to eat 97 g (3.42 oz) of the hot peppers in London, Ontario, Canada, on 2 March 2019.