Louis Bruni is a two-time jalapeño eating champion seeking a third victory, and trying to beat Aniceto “Nuno” Mata, who edged him out for first place in last year’s jalapeño eating contest. We get tips from both of the champs on withstanding the burn, and hear what the jalapeño means to South Texas.

Check out some pictures from the La Costeña Jalapeño Eating Contest:

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A.C. Valdez comes to LatinoUSA by way of public radio shows like America Abroad, The Diane Rehm Show, WAMU-FM’s The Kojo Nnamdi Show, and Tell Me More. He’s worked with reporters from around the world, coordinated performances with groups like The Noisettes, and done in-depth work on the U.S. military’s counterinsurgency strategy in Iraq and Afghanistan. A native of Washington, D.C., A.C. Is a graduate of Emerson College. He kind of looks like Pitbull.