One of his major tricks (formerly a secret but the word was now out) was to eat a tin of Watties creamed rice cold beforehand to line his stomach.
Paihia man Josh Shotter has endured a trial by fire to emerge as the New Zealand chilli-eating champion.
The 34-year-old made it sound like it was all in day's work after claiming the title for the second year running at the Sweatshop Brew Kitchen in downtown Auckland, where he eventually emerged as the last man standing after 17 rounds.
Nine men and two women qualified for the final from dozens of wannabes who lined up in heats around the country.
In the first round of the final the contestants took on a Scotch Bonnet Big Sun chilli, rated at 150,000 Scoville units (a measurement of intensity, about 30 times hotter than the average Jalapeno). They had to chew each chilli given to them in each round for 30 seconds then swallow it, followed by a break for a few minutes to allow the chilli to do its work before progressing to the next round.