Weird World News: Recipes for disaster when entertaining guests

PHUKET: If you’ve ever had a friend or date come over for a meal only to wince in disgust, spit out a half-chewed mouthful of goop, make a few nonsensical excuses and promptly leave, then it’s safe to say you’re a dud in the kitchen.

If you don’t know a courgette from a zucchini or a spatula from a spade, then maybe it’s best to leave cooking to those more adept with all things food.

Playing host is never easy, but as the following stories show, entertaining guests with food is not always straightforward – sometimes guests come looking for trouble.

CHILI CONTEST LEAVES TWO IN HOSPITAL

SCOTLAND is not famous for its Chili making prowess. And it will stay that way after two competitors in an unofficial “Chili Eating Competition” were rushed to the hospital in Edinburgh this week.

Korean exchange student Curie Kim (real name) was so violently ill after slurping down “Kismot Killer”, she had to be taken to the hospital twice in a matter of hours, the Daily Telegraph reported.

She came second overall in the hotly contested competition at Kismot Restaurant, but lost a little dignity, and stomach content.

Of twenty competitors, 10 dropped out after seeing others vomiting, sweating, panting and writhing in agony on the floor.

One man was also carted off to the hospital and health authorities have asked the restaurant owner to review the ferocity of its chili.

Prior reactions to the Kismot Killer have been nosebleeds and one elderly man being admitted to the hospital.

If you’re planning a trip to Edinburgh soon, Kismot might make a good place for a “hot date”.

LAST MEAL REQUESTS BANNED IN TEXAS

ONE prisoner on death row in Texas last month did the unthinkable: He was responsible for prison officials banning “last meal” requests in the state.

The reason: He ordered food and didn’t eat it.

Lawrence Russell Baker ordered two chicken-fried steaks, a bacon cheeseburger, a pound of barbecue meat, a pizza, fudge and ice cream – and didn’t touch any of it, the Mirror reported.

He was executed on September 21 for the hate-crime murder of James Byrd Jr.

Prison official John Whitmire said he wanted an end to the “ridiculous” last meal request, and sought a state ban, which was upheld shortly after.

All last meals in Texas are now standard prison fare.

WELL, THERE’S NO NEED TO THROW YOUR FOOD!

ONE way to have your guests out the door before entrées is to throw food at them.

But in Bunyol, Spain this year (and every year since 1945), locals took great pleasure in smashing tomatoes in the faces of tourists at the Tomatina festival.

This is the world’s largest tomato fight, and for one hour, one day of the year, this quaint little town is transformed into a battlefield where tomatoes are the weapon of choice.

Forty thousand people attended this year’s festival on August 31, waging war with 120 tons of ripe red fruit grenades.

Participants dance and swim in red mush that floods the streets and the hosts revel in greeting first-time Tomatina-goers with a face full of puree.

Twenty six people needed medical care for minor injuries, including heat stroke and eye irritations at this year’s festival.

Now that’s hospitality. It takes a very special type of host to be able to command world recognition for wasting so much fresh food, assaulting tourists with pulpy missiles and reveling in anarchy. But it does sound like fun.

Remember to check back next week for more of the Phuket Gazette’s new Weird World News round-up.