MLE Presents Commendatore Award to British Eating Pioneer Mark S. Mishon

Prestigious Once-in-a-Decade Recognition Reasserts Special Relationship Between U.S. and UK

In recognition of the 50th anniversary of his World Pancake Eating Competition victory in London, England, Major League Eating has awarded Mark S. Mishon the title of MLE Commendatore. This coveted recognition, presented only once in a decade by the governing body of competitive eating, is intended to honor both athletic and personal excellence.

Mishon’s feat, eating 61 pancakes in 7 minutes in 1975, helped lay the groundwork for the modern era of competitive eating. During the 1960s and 1970s, eating was overshadowed by soccer, football, hockey, baseball, basketball, tennis, fencing, racewalking, shuffleboard, badminton and curling. Mishon's performance is credited for motivating a new generation of eaters across the globe -- Ed Krachie, Birgit Feldon, Frank Dellarosa, Mike Devito -- to make their mark in eating, the most fundamental of sports.

"By bestowing this honor on Mark we hope to commemorate his historic achievement, while reaffirming the special relationship between the UK and America," said MLE Chair George Shea. "Competitive eating acts as a United Nations of sport--there are no borders in eating, and we celebrate this with our global commendatore award."

MLE has contacted UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, offering to hold a joint award presentation for Mishon in Parliament.