Byline: Anna L. Mallory

Oct. 10--BLACKSBURG -- Close to 400 Virginia Tech students signed up to test their limits this week, and Tech executive chef Terry Reed is waiting with ladle in hand.

On Tuesday, Reed ratcheted up the spice in his signature chili con carne for the school's annual Chili Challenge. If his culinary tricks live up to years past, a few students are going to feel the burn.

Each year for the past 17, students have signed up to test their gullets and their penchants for hot foods. Each weekday, they're required to eat a bowl of chili, which gets progressively hotter each day thanks to a blend of peppers and spice.

If tasters can prove to a team ...