LeFevre Takes Ribs in Bumpy Contest

Richard LeFevre won the Chinook Winds World Rib Eating Championship at the Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City, OR, to earn $1,250 and the title of the World Rib Eating Champion. This is a second major consecutive showing for LeFevre, who consumed 27 3/4 hot dogs and buns at the July 4 Nathan's championship. Cookie Jarvis placed second to earn $750.

Reports from several fronts suggest that judging of the rib weight may have been off, however. In a detrius food category, IFOCE judges weigh the total food before and after the event to determine the total amount of food eaten, rather than relying on a visual inspection of food as occurs in some contests.

The weights that came in for both LeFevre and Jarvis seemed well under expected quantities. Jarvis devoured 4.65 lbs of rib meat in 12 minutes last year. However, this year, LeFevre and Jarvis both hovered around the 3 pound mark, surprisngly low for eaters of their caliber. While all judges decisions are final, IFOCE chair George Shea has launched an operational investigation.

"There can be no question that Lefevre and Jarvis ended on top in this contest, but the numbers seem seriously out of whack and we will seek to determine the reason," Shea said.