Tinian residents and visitors dance on stage during Pika Fest on Saturday evening
TINIAN — Dr. Tim Rolle, a radiologist of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, is the 19th Annual Tinian Hot-Pepper Festival’s donni sali eating contest winner in the male category.
He bested five other contestants in eating 100 pieces of Tinian’s famous donni sali or hot pepper.
“I was at the Pika Festival two years ago, but I didn’t do the hot pepper contest then,” he said.
Originally from Wisconsin, he said he was urged by a colleague to join the contest this year. “This is the hottest pepper that I have eaten — I was not expecting that it was this hot,” he added.
“I thought it was just okay, but then after eating the 100th hot pepper…whew!”
Rolle received $250 cash and two cases of Michelob Ultra for winning the contest.
In the female category of the hot pepper eating contest, Jessica Cabrera of Tinian retained her title.
The two-day event was held on Feb. 18 and 19 at the Fiesta Grounds in San Jose.
The Office of the Mayor of Tinian and Aguiguan, with support from the Marianas Visitors Authority, organized the competitions and games of the festival.
Dr. Tim Rolle poses for Variety after winning the 2023 Tinian hot-pepper eating contest, male category.
