WENT to a Bombay Blaster yesterday with TVB presenter Oliver Tan and, boy, didn't we work up a sweat.
Although the reference might invoke thoughts of high-decibel revelry at an Indian discotheque, this particular Bombay Blaster was a seriously hot affair.
Oliver, one-time Formula 3 racing driver turned model and television host (though soon to go into showbiz as a singer), was at the Koh-i-Noor in Tsim Sha Tsui to check out the restaurant chain's Chilli Challenge for TBV's Eye On Hongkong. And foolishly Ihad allowed myself to be talked into assisting him with his research.
The centrepiece in this caper is the Bombay Blaster - a red chilli stuffed with a spicy mixture of meat or vegetables dipped in an extra strong vindaloo sauce. And believe you me, it is evil. On a scale of 1-10, this one would easily register 11.
Anyone brave or foolhardy enough over the next few weeks to attempt to eat three of these at one sitting at any of Koh-i-Noor's three establishment's (suggest you find out which one is situated in close proximity to a fire station) and lives to tell the tale will go on to a territory-wide contest to choose Hongkong's chilliest person.
But back to our tasting, where Oliver was first to go. Tentative at first, Oliver - ''a lover and adventurer of exotic food'', he claimed - then went straight for the quick bite, which he masticated thoughtfully while the cameras rolled.
