Yemeni content creator Mofarh Ali has reportedly won an extreme spicy chicken challenge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after successfully completing a contest featuring chicken described as having a heat level of 2.5 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU).
According to a report on the event, the competition was organised as part of activities marking the opening of a new branch of Nashvilles, a food-service brand specialising in Nashville-style chicken.
The contest attracted participants and spectators eager to witness the extreme food challenge.
Ali reportedly completed the challenge successfully, emerging as the winner amid cheers and encouragement from the audience.
Video footage of the event was also recorded, capturing the participants’ reactions and the different stages of the competition.
The Scoville scale is used to measure the heat intensity of chilli peppers and other products containing capsaicin, the compound responsible for the burning sensation associated with spicy food.
Developed by American pharmacist Wilbur Scoville in 1912, the scale remains a widely recognised reference for comparing the heat levels of different peppers.
According to Guinness World Records, Pepper X holds the title of the world’s hottest chilli pepper, with an average rating of 2,693,000 SHU.
However, the reported 2.5 million SHU rating of the chicken used in the Riyadh challenge has not been independently verified through a laboratory test in the sources reviewed.
The report also stated that participants were required to sign acknowledgement and liability-waiver forms before taking part, given the potential risks associated with consuming extremely spicy food.
The challenge formed part of Nashvilles’ promotional activities surrounding its new Riyadh branch, as the brand seeks to attract customers through unconventional dining experiences and food-related competitions.