Lansdale Borough officials are having a little fun in the aftermath of the Great Ghost Pepper Incident of 2019.
For those who may have missed it, multiple units from the Lansdale Borough Police Department and Fairmount Fire Company were dispatched to the 300 block of West Main Street on Friday evening for a report of a strong, permeating odor. The odor, which originated from an apartment next to Stove and Tap, was strong enough that some of Stove and Tap’s customers began coughing and had to head outside for air.
Upon arrival, one police officer said he took two steps into the stairwell to the apartment, and had to turn around due to the potency of the odor. In fact, the smell was so strong that members of the fire department had to gear up—complete with oxygen masks—in order to enter the apartment and find the source of the smell.
Once inside, they found Paul Czeresko…cooking with ghost peppers.
Though we didn’t actually cover the incident at the time (even the best of us need an night off), we did post a photo to Facebook that we took on scene, which ended up reaching about 15,000 people and lead to more than 600 engagements.
Now Lansdale Borough is joining in on the fun.
In a letter dated Sept. 23, Mayor Garry Herbert addressed the situation and extended an invite to Discover Lansdale’s Chili Cookoff next month. The letter reads, in full:
Dear Mr. Czeresko,
In light of the emergency call dispatched last week to your residence, I am writing to issue an immediate cease and desist directive for the use of ghost peppers in your cooking.
However, in the spirit of Lansdale pride, I am willing to lift the ban for Professor Pepper, as you have been affectionately donned, and allow you to create your signature sauce for an entrance in Discover Lansdale’s First Friday Chili Cookoff taking place Friday, October 4, 2019.
Additionally, as any sauce of that magnitude should come with a caution label, I ask that you provide the attached warning label with your chili so testers can approach your concoction with care.
Sincerely,
Garry Herbert
Mayor, Borough of Lansdale
Lansdale Borough Communications Coordinator Tracy Flynn designed the warning label, which reads:
The hot sauce used to make this chili has been known to “sound the alarm” and dispatch Fairmount Fire Company and Lansdale Police.
The sauce bites back, so we suggest having a tall glass of cold milk on the ready, and be prepared to feel the heat!
There is currently no word on if Czeresko intends to enter next month’s chili cookoff. Should he choose to do so, we’ll be sure to make an announcement.
See also:
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Area Four Dems To Host Beer Fest Fundraiser, Portion Of Proceeds Going To Variety Club
Three Stages, 12 Bands, Art Showcase: A Look At The Upcoming Arts And Music Festival First Friday
