Upset at Noodle Match

Competitive eating fans in Columbus, Ohio, witnessed intense emotional drama as a rookie prospect beat several veteran eaters in the final moments of the Zyng Asian Grill's World Noodle-Eating Championship.

An early lead established by Kevin Carr collapsed with nine seconds left in the contest and 19-year-old hometown boy, Brett Barna, finished first with 2 pounds, 7.2 ounces of noodles in 10 minutes. Buffalo Jim Reeves of Buffalo, New York, and Brian Subich of Pennsylvania, finished second and third, respectively, with 2 pounds 5.1 ounces and 2 pounds, 4.9 ounces of noodles.

IFOCE color man Ryan Nerz called the contest, which served as the grand finale of a week-long celebration for the grand opening of Zyng Asian Grill’s Columbus branch.

Zyng Asian Grill serves a wide variety of noodles, as well as dishes representing popular cuisines from China, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Singapore. The Columbus Zyng also has a full bar, which enabled guests to relax while watching the contest.

Zyng was founded in 1998 in Montreal after founder, Arnold Shostak, went on a culinary tour of Asia. Recent attention to the name, Zyng Asian Grill, and the addition of low carbohydrate menu options reinforce Zyng's competitive position in the fast-growing Asian segment. Now headquartered in Alexandria, VA, Zyng has 12 restaurants open and over 240 units in development throughout North America.

This was an IFOCE-sanctioned event.