Woman takes out chilli chocolate eating competition at Murphys Creek Chilli Festival outside Toowoomba

A Toowoomba woman has proven she can take the heat, scorching her competition at the famous Murphys Creek Chilli Festival. But her gain wasn’t without pain.

Rong Zeng had never entered an eating competition in her life, let alone one that left her whole body shaking from pain.

But the spicy food lover scorched her rivals at the chilli chocolate eating contest, a showpiece event for the Murphys Creek Chilli Festival on Sunday.

Ms Zeng, who outlasted the fierce competition to win $100 worth of free chocolate, said she didn’t know what compelled her to enter it.

“I just feel like it’s the maddest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” she said.

“Because I come from an area where everyone eats chilli, I thought I might stand a chance.

“There was $100 worth of chocolates to win so I put my hand up.”

Ms Zeng ate a variety of spicy treats — not that she could properly taste any of it.

“My mouth doesn’t feel anything, it’s my whole body (that is),” she said.

“My hands and legs are shaking, and also I feel numbness everywhere, so I can’t stand still.

“I’ve got my strategy (to win) – put it in your mouth, chew three times and swallow.

“All I can taste is chilli — the chocolate is the unimportant part of that event.

“I’m sure I’ll enjoy the chocolate prizes, but in that moment I wasn’t thinking about chocolate at all.”

Hundreds attended the annual festival, which raised funds for the Murphys Creek Wildlife Rescue Rehabilitation and Education Association, as well as Rural Aid.