Things are hotting up at one of Manchester’s popular Indian restaurants, Zouk Tea Bar & Grill, and my nose is running and eyes crying just at the mere thought of it. To mark National Chilli Day on February 22, Zouk is creating the World’s Hottest Curry featuring the World’s Hottest Chilli (according to the Guinness Book of records) as the star of the show, The Carolina Reaper.
Mancs can try to complete the ultimate test of pain tolerance – and it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted. And when we say that, we mean, you’ll really have to sign a waiver if you want to try it. It’s that hot. The curry has even been described as ‘like eating molten lava’!
The Carolina Reaper Karahi (Chicken £15.95 and Veg £14.95) will be on sale from February 19 to 23 as a special. Plus, this year Zouk has also created a new and improved World’s Hottest Kebab, The Reaper Seekh Kebab (£7.95) also made with Carolina Reaper Chillies and mixed lamb and chicken keema. There is also a special Chilli Margarita for guests to enjoy although this is made with milder fresh chillies.
The curries and kebabs all include dried Carolina Reaper chillies in the form of both Carolina Reaper Chilli Powder and Carolina Reaper Chilli paste. They may look innocent, but beware these dishes have more than a little bite! Knowing the Carolina Reaper is officially the world’s hottest chilli, it may not surprise you to learn from the chefs that even cooking this curry is a bit of a challenge…
Owner Tayub Amjad commented: “The chillies are so hot that the chefs must be careful when handling them. You can feel them on your hands and stinging your eyes. The heat really is intense.
“We’ve also made a vegetable karahi suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Last year we made a kebab but this year we’ve upped the stakes and made a seekh kebab reaper dish, we believe it is the world’s hottest kebab. Last year only about 15 people completed the challenge and beat the reaper so I can’t wait to see who takes on this trio of Reaper dishes in 2024.”
If this all sounds a bit mad the restaurant is offering prizes for those bold enough to take these fiery dishes on. The prizes range from a £10 gift card to a Zouk Sunday Roast for two should you manage to complete the challenge.
What is the Zouk Chilli Challenge?
There are three options outlined below that you can take part in in order to test your nerves and win prizes.
- Finish the full Carolina Reaper Seekh Kebab in one sitting (maximum eating time 30 minutes and no helping from companions) and you will get your kebab for free and a £10 gift card to enjoy at Zouk and redeem against food or drinks at a later date.
- Finish the full Carolina Reaper Curry (either chicken or veg) in one sitting (max eating time 30 minutes and no helping from companions) then you will not only get your reaper on Zouk, but you will also win a Zouk Brunch for two. This is a very different kind of feast but gives you chance to indulge in some of Zouk’s more friendly fare.
- Finish both the full Carolina Reaper Seekh Kebab and the Carolina Reaper Curry in one sitting (maximum eating time 1 hour and no helping from companions) and you will get your kebab and curry on us, and you will also win a Zouk Sunday Roast Meal for two.
Anybody who finishes one of these challenges will also get a Zouk Ice Cream Sundae to help cool off those tastebuds too! Zouk believes this to be the World’s Hottest Curry, so if you fancy putting it (and yourself) to the test, you can make a booking here.