The famous chef José Ramón Castillo, recognized for his participation as a judge on the show MasterChef Celebrity on TV Azteca, experienced an alarming moment when consuming a tarantula during a culinary challenge. Castillo shared in a podcast hosted by Pavo Gómez that this was the first time he tried this arachnid, which triggered a severe reaction in his health.
Due to the seriousness of the symptoms, the chef was forced to immediately contact his trusted doctor. The doctor informed him that tarantulas can numb their prey, which likely caused the reaction in his body. "We went back to record the show and we faced a challenge with poisonous animals. We were with a tarantula. I had never eaten a tarantula; I took it to my palate and my throat started to close horribly, and I had to call my family doctor," Castillo shared.
During the recording of an edition of the show, he faced a challenge that included exotic ingredients, among them, the tarantula. After trying a piece of this animal, he experienced an adverse reaction that caused his throat to close and intense distress. In Castillo's words, his doctor warned him: "Don't be an idiot; how do you come out of COVID and eat that crap? They numb their prey and that’s what happened to you."
This incident highlights the risks associated with culinary challenges that incorporate unusual ingredients and their potential impact on the health of the participants. Castillo reflected on the importance of being cautious when experimenting with unfamiliar foods, especially in television contexts where pressure and adrenaline can lead to risky decisions.
"It was very ugly because I almost died; it was extremely serious. I was already a dad, I already had my children, so that kind of situation makes you think a lot about things," the chef expressed. This experience makes it clear that it is essential to take precautions when facing culinary challenges that involve unconventional ingredients, as, as Castillo emphasizes, knowing the risks associated with these foods is crucial to avoid dangerous situations.
