HOW IT STARTED…

Youngsoo Kim is an old Arconaut who would hold a spicy food contest for those who stayed at Arcosanti during Burning Man. The setup was simple: three tables with the display of ‘Lil’ Mercy'‘ on one table, “No Mercy” on another, and the last would be a “cooling table.”

Bringing a dish for one of the three tables was strongly encourged…

Especially NO MERCY.

In order to participate in the event, you had to eat something hot, or else you would be shown the door.

Now at the High Desert Research Station we continue the tradition for our fellow burners not heading out to Uncle Larry’s Family Reunion. We only added a sticker for your participation reward…and some other fun weirdness.