{"componentChunkName":"component---src-pages-articles-press-releases-js","path":"/articles/press-releases/","result":{"data":{"allStrapiArticles":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Articles_6a353924eec87e0002eb0574","sn":1045,"title":"Nathan's Famous Announces the Chinet® Brand is Official Plate of the Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest","createdAt":"2026-06-19T12:42:12.312Z","coverPhoto":{"childImageSharp":{"fixed":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","width":400,"height":267,"src":"/static/cddfbd95869b751531760330fda03310/2244e/725ba931a775f365f52734aa1366eebf.jpg","srcSet":"/static/cddfbd95869b751531760330fda03310/2244e/725ba931a775f365f52734aa1366eebf.jpg 1x"}}},"content":"\n\nMajor League Eating Press Contact: clare@sheacommunications.com\n\n**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**\n\n*The Chinet® Brand to Provide Competition Plates for Annual Coney Island Event*\n\n---\n\n**June 11, 2026** – Nathan's Famous today announced that the Chinet® Brand will be the Official Plate of the 2026 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in Coney Island. The collaboration brings together two iconic American brands in celebration of one of the nation's most enduring holiday traditions.\n\nThe Chinet® brand, a premium disposable tableware brand, will provide Chinet Classic® plates for the men's and women's contests. The historic Nathan's event, held on the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues, attracts tens of thousands of fans and is viewed by millions around the world live on ESPN.\n\nWhen the pressure is on, competitors need a plate that can keep up. That's why the Chinet Classic® plate, known as America's Plate™, will serve as the official plate of Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest. Strong, sturdy and designed to carry hearty portions and messy meals, Chinet Classic® plates are built to hold up to the demands of the greatest eating contest of the year.\n\n\"For more than a century, the Nathan's Famous contest has represented the spirit of American summer, bringing together celebration, patriotism and competition in the heart of Coney Island,\" said Phil McCann, Vice President of Marketing at Nathan's Famous. \"It is an honor to welcome the Chinet® brand to the event as we celebrate America 250.\"\n\n\"Tradition has always been at the heart of the Chinet® brand. For nearly 100 years, our products have been part of America's gatherings, from backyard barbecues to holiday celebrations,\" said Melissa Rakos, Senior Product Manager for the Chinet® brand. \"We're honored to put our plates to the test, supporting one of the country's most beloved Fourth of July traditions.\"\n\n\"The professional eaters and the fury of this event place extraordinary stress on our plates,\" said George Shea, Chair of Major League Eating. \"America's Plate is a best-in-class product that ensures the safe delivery of hot dogs on the 250th anniversary of our nation.\"\n\nChinet Classic® plates are proudly made in the USA, making them a natural fit for an iconic Fourth of July tradition. Made with at least 50% recycled materials, they are strong, dependable and BPI compostable — built for the moments when Americans gather to eat, celebrate, and compete.\n\nFor generations, the Chinet® brand has been part of backyard cookouts, holiday celebrations, and family gatherings across America. The 2026 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Championship will take place on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at the Nathan's Famous flagship restaurant in Coney Island, Brooklyn.\n\n\\###\n\n**About Chinet®**\n\nThe Chinet® brand, a premium disposable tableware brand made by Huhtamaki, Inc., was proudly created in the USA in the 1930s. With a long heritage of innovation, the Chinet® brand offers a full range of products designed for the experience. This includes everyday tableware in the Chinet Classic® line, premium partyware in the Chinet Crystal® line and insulated hot cups in the Chinet Comfort® line. For more information, visit [www.MyChinet.com](https://www.mychinet.com) or stay connected with the brand on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest at @mychinet.\n\n**About Nathan's Famous**\n\nNathan's Famous, Inc. (NASDAQ: NATH) is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and 20 foreign countries through its product licensing activities, foodservice sales programs, and restaurant system. For additional information about Nathan's, please visit our website at [www.nathansfamous.com](https://www.nathansfamous.com).\n\n**About Major League Eating**\n\nMajor League Eating (MLE), the world governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 80 events annually, including the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y. The competitive eating community is made up of hundreds of veteran and rookie gurgitators who travel the nation in search of top titles and the glory that they provide. For more information, visit [www.majorleagueeating.com](https://www.majorleagueeating.com), [www.facebook.com/eatfast](https://www.facebook.com/eatfast) or Instagram / Twitter: @eatingcontest."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_6a353923eec87e0002eb0573","sn":1044,"title":"Joey Chestnut and World's Top Eaters Prepare for Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest","createdAt":"2026-06-19T12:42:11.862Z","coverPhoto":{"childImageSharp":{"fixed":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","width":400,"height":267,"src":"/static/cddfbd95869b751531760330fda03310/2244e/725ba931a775f365f52734aa1366eebf.jpg","srcSet":"/static/cddfbd95869b751531760330fda03310/2244e/725ba931a775f365f52734aa1366eebf.jpg 1x"}}},"content":"\n\nNathan's Famous, Inc.\nOne Jericho Plaza, Jericho, NY 11753\n\nMajor League Eating Press Contact: clare@sheacommunications.com\n\n**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**\n\n*The Chinet® Brand Joins as Partner for Annual Competition at Nathan's Coney Island Flagship on July 4, 2026*\n\n---\n\n**JERICHO, N.Y., June 11, 2026** – Champion eater Joey Chestnut will return to Coney Island to seek a new world record at the 2026 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Championship on Saturday, July 4, 2026. The annual contest, an American holiday tradition, will once again be held at the iconic Nathan's Famous flagship restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island.\n\nLast year's contest delivered one of the most unforgettable performances in the history of competitive eating. Joey Chestnut reclaimed the Mustard Belt with a staggering performance of 70.5 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes (his record is 76), reminding the world why he remains the greatest eater of all time. Meanwhile, Miki Sudo continued her dynasty on the women's side with 33 hot dogs and buns (her record is 51). Fans packed Coney Island and millions tuned in around the world to the ESPN broadcast to witness a Fourth of July spectacle unlike any other.\n\nOn July 4, 2026, the world's top male and female eaters from across America and around the globe will once again gather in Brooklyn to challenge Chestnut and Sudo. Pre-show festivities begin at 10:00 a.m., featuring live musical and dance performances. The women's competition begins at 11:00 a.m., and the men's competition starts at 12:30 p.m. Nathan's Famous will also continue its annual charitable tradition by donating 100,000 Nathan's Famous hot dogs to the Food Bank For New York City prior to the event.\n\n\"Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest remains one of our nation's most beloved holiday traditions,\" said Phil McCann, Vice President of Marketing at Nathan's Famous. \"Every July 4th, Coney Island becomes the center of the American summer celebration, and we are thrilled to welcome fans from around the world back to Surf and Stillwell.\"\n\nThis year's contest also marks the debut of Nathan's Famous' new partnership with the Chinet® brand, America's trusted name in premium disposable tableware. The Chinet® brand joins the event as an official partner for the 2026 championship, providing its best-in-class plates for the contest.\n\n\"The chaos of the contest creates extraordinary stress on our plates, and we have turned to the Chinet® brand to provide a superior product that offers strength and dependability,\" said George Shea, Chair of Major League Eating. \"This is the biggest day of the year for eating, and we need a plate that rises to the challenge.\"\n\n\"The Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest stands as an enduring beacon of freedom for our nation and the world,\" said Shea. \"We look forward to watching the greatest eaters compete once again on the most celebrated stage in international sports.\"\n\nThousands make the pilgrimage to Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island each year to witness the spectacle in person. According to Major League Eating archives, the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Championship has been held each July 4th in Coney Island since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, sanctions the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures contests are judged professionally and conducted under strict safety standards.\n\n\\###\n\n**About Nathan's Famous**\n\nNathan's Famous, Inc. (NASDAQ: NATH) is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and 20 foreign countries through its product licensing activities, foodservice sales programs, and restaurant system. For additional information about Nathan's, please visit our website at [www.nathansfamous.com](https://www.nathansfamous.com).\n\n**About Chinet® Brand**\n\nThe Chinet® brand, a premium disposable tableware brand made by Huhtamaki, Inc., was proudly created in the USA in the 1930s. With a long heritage of innovation, the Chinet® brand offers a full range of products designed for the experience. This includes everyday tableware in the Chinet Classic® line, premium partyware in the Chinet Crystal® line and insulated hot cups in the Chinet Comfort® line. For more information, visit [www.MyChinet.com](https://www.mychinet.com) or stay connected with the brand on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest at @mychinet."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_6850392a0933310015b19567","sn":1043,"title":"Joey Chestnut and World's Top Eaters Prepare for Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest","createdAt":"2025-06-16T15:32:58.422Z","coverPhoto":{"childImageSharp":{"fixed":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","width":400,"height":267,"src":"/static/cddfbd95869b751531760330fda03310/2244e/725ba931a775f365f52734aa1366eebf.jpg","srcSet":"/static/cddfbd95869b751531760330fda03310/2244e/725ba931a775f365f52734aa1366eebf.jpg 1x"}}},"content":"# Annual Competition to be Held at Nathan's Flagship on July 4, 2025.\r\n _______\r\n\r\nJERICHO, N.Y., June 16, 2025 – Joey Chestnut will return to seek a new world record at the 2025 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Championship to take place in Coney Island on Friday, July 4, 2025. The annual contest, an American holiday tradition, will be held at the iconic Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island. \r\n\r\nLast year, World Champion Patrick Bertoletti claimed his first victory with 58 hot dogs and buns in the 10-minute, all-you-can-eat contest. Miki Sudo, the number-one-ranked female in the world, dominated the competition with a world record 51 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes for her 10th win. On July 4, 2025, top male and female eaters from throughout America, and from England, Canada, Brazil, Czechia, and Australia will seek to break the men’s world record of 76, set by Joey Chestnut, and the women’s world record of 51.\r\n\r\nPre-show festivities begin at 10:00 am, featuring live performances from musical and dance acts. The women’s competition begins at 11:00 am, and the men’s competition will start at 12:30 pm. Nathan’s Famous will also make its annual donation of 100,000 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs to the Food Bank for New York City prior to the event.\r\n\r\n“Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest is the highlight of summer and one of our nation’s greatest holiday traditions,” said Phil McCann, Vice President of Marketing at Nathan’s Famous. “Nathan’s flagship restaurant on the corner of Surf and Stillwell stands at the patriotic epicenter of the year each July 4.”\r\n\r\nLast year, Geoffrey Esper of Oxford, MA, finished in second place with 53; James Webb of Sydney, Australia in third with 52; Nick Wehry of Port Ritchey, FL, in fourth with 46.75, and King Yamamoto of Japan in fifth with 46.\r\n\r\nIn last year’s women's competition, Mayo Ebihara of Japan finished in second place with 37; Michelle Lesco of Tucson, AZ, finished in third place with 23.5; Larell Marie Mele of Long Pond, PA, in fourth with 14.5, and Tandra Childress of San Francisco, CA in fifth with 13.\r\n\r\n“The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest stands as an enduring beacon of freedom for our nation and the world,” said Major League Eating Chair George Shea. “We look forward to watching the greatest eaters as they compete on a celebrated platform for international sports.”\r\n \r\nThousands make the pilgrimage to Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island each year to watch the event in person. According to Major League Eating archives, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Championship has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY, since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. MLE, the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event.\r\n\r\n \r\n###\r\n \r\nAbout Nathan’s Famous \r\n\r\nNathan’s Famous, Inc. (NASDAQ: NATH) is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and 20 foreign countries through its product licensing activities, foodservice sales programs, and restaurant system. For additional information about Nathan’s, please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_6813a9c6cc88810015d72839","sn":1041,"title":"AUSTIN EATER DEFENDS TEXAS’ HONOR AGAINST TOP-RANKED EATERS AT MANORPALOOZA WORLD TEXAS SAUSAGE EATING CHAMPIONSHIP","createdAt":"2025-05-01T17:05:10.474Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"# World’s Best Competitors Converge on Manor in Pursuit of $4,000 in Prize Money\r\n _______\r\n\r\nMANOR, TEXAS, April 2025--In a move that will inspire future generations of eaters, Greg “The Savage” Wilson, who lives in Austin and is the #24-ranked eater in the world, will face the world’s top competitive eaters at the ManorPalooza World Texas Sausage Eating Championship. The contest will take place at 4:00 PM on Saturday, May 3rd, at the 5th Annual ManorPalooza held at East Manor Development No. 1, 15317 US Hwy 290 E. Manor, TX.\r\nIn addition to Wilson, the contest will feature the #4-ranked eater James Webb, from Australia, the #38-ranked eater Radim Dvoracek, from the Czech Republic, and the 2024 Rookie of the Year, Tanner Gray from Fort Mill, SC. Last year, James Webb ate his way into the record books, downing 51 Texas sausages in just 10 minutes. \r\n\r\n“This is an ideal opportunity for Greg to defend the honor of Texas and set a new world record,” said Sam Barclay, emcee at Major League Eating. “This promises to be one of the greatest athletic events in the history of Texas.”\r\n\r\nThe contest is part of ManorPalooza, a two-day family-friendly festival that celebrates the heart and spirit of Manor and its community. The annual event features a variety of activities for all ages, including fun games, arts & crafts, delicious food trucks, local vendors, live music performances, carnival rides, photo booths, and much more. \r\n\r\nAbout Major League Eating\r\nMajor League Eating (MLE), the world governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 80 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y. The competitive eating community is made up of hundreds of veteran and rookie gurgitators who travel the nation in search of top titles and the glory that they provide. For more information, visit our website at [www.majorleagueeating.com](https://majorleagueeating.com), like our [FaceBook Page](https://www.facebook.com/eatfast) and follow @eatingcontest on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/eatingcontest/) & [X](https://x.com/eatingcontest)\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_68114e60eac68b0015145eae","sn":1040,"title":"National Buffalo Wing Festival Tickets on Sale Now","createdAt":"2025-04-29T22:10:40.135Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"\r\nBuy now and receive a FREE Buffalo Bison Baseball ticket\r\n\r\nBuffalo, NY – April 29 – Tickets for the 24th annual National Buffalo Wing Festival Empower FCU are now on sale. Wingfest organizers and the Buffalo Bisons announced today with the purchase of a Wingfest pre-sale ticket you will receive a free general admission ticket valued at $22 to a Bisons game during the May 13th to 18th homestand against the Worcester Red Sox. Tickets must be ordered by May12th.\r\n\r\nThe festival is heading back to Sahlen Field, its original home in Downtown Buffalo on August 30th - 31st. WINGFEST general admission tickets are $20 with kids 8 and under admitted free.\r\n\r\nTickets can be purchased through the festival website at [Buffalowing.com](https://buffalowing.com).\r\n\r\n“This is a true homecoming for the Wingfest. The return of this festival to its original location is a powerful reminder of how Buffalo continues to shine as a culinary destination and how much pride we take in our beloved wings.” The Buffalo Bison Baseball organization wanted to show our appreciation of this partnership with this unique FREE TICKET offer said Anthony Sprague, Buffalo Bisons GM.”\r\n\r\nThe festival will continue its tradition of giving back to the local community. Since 2002, over $500,000 has been donated back to local charities. Last year 23,000 people attended, including people from 48 different states and 26 countries.\r\n\r\nThe 24th annual festival will take place Labor Day Weekend on August 30-31 in 2025 and will feature an incredible lineup of more than 20 local and national wing vendors, offering everything from classic buffalo wings to unique, creative takes on the iconic dish. As always, the National Buffalo Wing Festival will include live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and the much-anticipated US Chicken Wing Wing Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nMore info is available at [https://buffalowing.com](www.buffalowing.com)"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_67c60b47db314200159da84a","sn":1039,"title":"MLE Presents Commendatore Award to British Eating Pioneer Mark S. Mishon","createdAt":"2025-03-03T20:04:23.412Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Prestigious Once-in-a-Decade Recognition Reasserts Special Relationship Between U.S. and UK\r\n\r\nIn 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.\r\n\r\nMishon’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.\r\n\r\n\"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.\"\r\n\r\nMLE has contacted UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, offering to hold a joint award presentation for Mishon in Parliament."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_64cbe824bfda820015f1954c","sn":1038,"title":"Charles Hardy, Commissioner of Major League Eating, Dies","createdAt":"2023-08-03T17:47:16.431Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Charles Hardy, a former New York City Corrections Officer and long-time commissioner of Major League Eating, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 57.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nHardy, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, served as a Corrections Officer for 20-plus years before retiring in 2006. Hardy served on the elite Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT) at Rikers Island.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nHardy began eating competitively in 1998 and quickly rose in the rankings, winning top contests nationally and earning recognition in local, national and international media. He was known as the Godfather of Competitive Eating to those on the eating circuit and as “Hungry Charles Hardy” to fans. In 2004, at the height of his career, he was ranked number five in the world.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nHardy won the civil service qualifier for the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest six years running and competed at the Nathan’s July 4 contest in Coney Island eight times. He is the former American hot dog eating champion.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nHardy won the World Matzo Ball Eating Championship in 2000, consuming 15.5 giant matzo balls in five minutes and 25 seconds. He competed in Japan on two occasions, eating no less than 15 feet of sushi in one sitting. \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nHardy won the Hibernation Cup in Alaska with record-breaking performances in shrimp (4.5 pounds in 12 minutes) and boiled cabbage (6.5 pounds in nine minutes). Hardy still holds multiple world records.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nAs commissioner of Major League Eating, formerly the International Federation of Competitive Eating, Hardy oversaw the world’s most important eating contests. He was commissioner and head judge during the heated battles between Takeru Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut on the Fourth of July. \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nHardy appeared in a broad range of media, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and was featured in numerous documentaries on the sport, including Discovery Channel’s “Gutbusters.” He appeared alongside many celebrities and public figures, including New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“Charles was my brother in this sport and we came up together. He was a leader for all of us, which is why we call him the Godfather. He cared about all the eaters and was the glue that kept us together. He is a great friend, and I will miss him,” said Badlands Booker, a fellow competitive eater and world chugging champion.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“Hungry Charles Hardy is a competitive eating legend, and was instrumental in growing the sport to the popularity it has today. May he rest in eternal peace,” said Mike Devito, former commissioner of Major League Eating and a fellow competitive eater.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“Charles Hardy built an enduring legacy in competitive eating based on his incredible skill and outstanding character,” said George Shea, chairman of Major League Eating. “He will be missed by all who knew him, and we will never forget his powerful spirit.”\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“Charlie played an outsized role in the development of our league and we will forever be grateful to have worked and laughed alongside him. Whether it was Anchorage, Los Angeles or Little Italy, he made every journey fun and meaningful,\" said Richard Shea, President of Major League Eating.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWhile Hardy always remained a New Yorker, after retirement he enjoyed spending time in the Dominican Republic.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_64a5d0390a0a38001585504f","sn":1037,"title":"Final Results From The 2023 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest","createdAt":"2023-07-05T20:19:05.776Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"**2023 Men's Championship Results:**\r\n\r\n1. Chestnut - 62\r\n2. Esper - 49\r\n3. Webb - 47\r\n4. Wehry - 45\r\n5. Weaver - 41\r\n6. Oji - 36\r\n7. Zosan - 29.75\r\n8. Suzuki - 29.5\r\n9. Thomas - 27.5\r\n10. Morgan - 27\r\n11. Moran - 26\r\n12. Hendrickson - 25.75\r\n13. Przybylowicz - 22\r\n14. Hartman - 16\r\n15. Conti - 15\r\n\r\n\r\n**2023 Women's Championship Results:**\r\n\r\n1. Sudo: 39.5 \r\n2. Ebihara: 33.5\r\n3. Lesco: 24.25\r\n4. Mele: 13.25 \r\n5. Prettyman: 11.5\r\n6. Young: 10.5\r\n7. Wong: 9.75\r\n8. Bowers: 9 \r\n9. Routar: 7 \r\n10. Brown: 6.5\r\n11. Horowitz: 5.5\r\n12. Goldberg: 4.5\r\n13. Salgade: 4.25\r\n14. DiBenedetto: 3.5\r\nLabarge: DQ"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_649effce6987260015e50dd8","sn":1036,"title":"NATHAN’S FAMOUS JULY 4 HOT DOG EATING CONTEST ANNOUNCES FIELD OF COMPETING EATERS","createdAt":"2023-06-30T16:16:14.291Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The 2023 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest will return to the iconic Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island. The event, an American holiday tradition, will take place on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, from 11am to 1pm at 1310 Surf Avenue. \r\n\r\nWorld champion Joey Chestnut of Westfield, IN, will return to defend his title. The number-one-ranked female eater, Miki Sudo will also return to defend her title.\r\n\r\nAt last year’s event, Chestnut consumed 63 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, beating Geoffrey Esper, who finished in second place, and James Webb, who finished third. Miki Sudo of Port Richey, FL, won the women’s contest last year by eating 40 hot dogs and buns. She will defend her title against Lesco, whose personal best is 32 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. \r\n\r\nA total of 16 men and 15 women will be competing in the 2022 contest. The men’s and women’s contests each offer $20,000 in cash prizes.\r\n\r\n**Competing in the 2023 Men’s Contest:** Number-one-ranked Joey Chestnut of Westfield, IN. Number-two-ranked Geoffrey Esper of Oxford, MA. Number-four-ranked Nick Wehry of Port Richey, FL. Number-seven-ranked Gideon Oji of Morrow, GA. Number-eight-ranked Max Suzuki of Tokyo, Japan. Number-ten-ranked James Webb of Sydney Australia. Number-12-ranked Ricardo Corbucci of Brasilia, Brazil. Number-14-ranked Adrian Morgan of Houston, TX. Number-15-ranked Adam Moran of Leeds, UK. Number-16-ranked Bartley Weaver IV of Tampa, FL. Number-20-ranked Ronnie Hartman of Buffalo, NY. Number-21-ranked Derek Hendrickson of Las Vegas, NV. Number-25-ranked Darrien Thomas of Bowmanville, ON, Canada. Number-31-ranked Crazy Legs Conti of New York, NY. Unranked Joey Pryzbylowicz of Jacksonville, FL. Unranked Ren Zosan of Tokyo, Japan.\r\n\r\n**Competing in the 2023 Women’s Contest:** Number-three-ranked Miki Sudo of Port Richey, FL. Number-nine-ranked Michelle Lesco of Tucson, AZ. Number-29-ranked Larell Marie Mele of Long Pond, PA. Number-32-ranked Katie Prettyman of Marysville, WA. Number-43-ranked Jocelyn Young of Sherman, TX. Number-47-ranked Kelly Wong of Chicago, IL. Number-49-ranked Mary Bowers of Gyeonggi, South Korea. Unranked Mayoi Ebihara of Tokyo, Japan. Unranked Cherish Brown of Edon, OH. Unranked René Rovtar of Basking Ridge, NJ. Unranked Julie Goldberg of Astoria, NY. Unranked Prudence "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_6495eec2dbcb28001596fce2","sn":1035,"title":"Nathan's Famous July 4th Contest History","createdAt":"2023-06-23T19:13:06.992Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"**Key Moments in the History of the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest**\r\nThe Mustard Yellow International Belt—worn only by the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Champion of the world—is to hot dog aficionados what Faberg Eggs were to Tsar Nicholas Ⅱ. For those who prefer modern sporting sensibilities, the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is competitive eating’s Masters and the Mustard Yellow Belt is the sport’s Green Jacket. The belt is of unknown age and is unveiled only on July 4th, as is the bejeweled pink belt, given to the Women’s Champion.\r\n\r\n**1916:** According to archives, the first Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest is held the year Nathan’s Famous opens on Surf Avenue. Irish immigrant Jim Mullen wins with 13 hot dogs and buns (HDBs).\r\n**1920s:** Stan Libnitz of Flushing, Queens, and Andrew Rudman of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, alternate victories for eight years until 1928, when Rudman wins by half an HDB. Libnitz alleges Rudman elbowed him in the gut during the competition, according to oral accounts.\r\n**1941:** Event canceled as a protest to the war in Europe. \r\n**1991:** Frank “Large” Dellarosa of Maspeth, Queens, eats 21.5 hot dogs and buns—or 21.5 HDBs.\r\n**1993:** Nathan’s champ Mike Devito defeats female Japanese phenom Orio Ito in a one-on-one contest.\r\n**1997:** Hirofumi Nakajima of Japan downs 24.5 HDBs to defeat U.S. champion Ed Krachie.\r\n**2001:** Takeru Kobayashi of Nagano, Japan, sets a new record by eating 50 HDBs. \r\n**2004:** Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas becomes the first woman to eat more than 30 HDBs.\r\n**2007:** Joey “Jaws” Chestnut of San Jose, CA, downs 66 HDBs to defeat Takeru Kobayashi and bring the Mustard Yellow Belt back to America. \r\n**2008:** Chestnut and Kobayashi battle bite for bite, finishing in an even tie. A dramatic five-hot dog eat-off ensues and in 50-seconds, Chestnut finishes his hot dogs to claim his second consecutive title. \r\n**2009:** Chestnut eats 68 HDBs in 10 minutes to secure his third consecutive Mustard Yellow Belt. \r\n**2011:** Nathan’s Famous introduces a separate Women’s Championship to recognize the growing number of female competitors in the sport. Three eaters representing China compete on the Fourth of July after competing in the first-ever Beijing qualifier.\r\n**2013:** The original Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island reopens after a months-long renovation forced by damages from Hurricane Sandy. Eating fans return in force on the Fourth of July to see Joey Chestnut consume 69 HDBs and secure his seventh consecutive title. \r\n**2014:** Miki Sudo eats 34 HDBs to beat Sonya Thomas to claim her first Women’s title.\r\n**2015:** Matt Stonie eats 62 HDBs to defeat Joey Chestnut. It marks Stonie’s first win on the Fourth of July and Chestnut’s first loss in nine years of sanctioned competition at Coney.\r\n**2016:** Joey Chestnut consumes 73.5 HDBs in Washington DC to set a new World Record. \r\n**2017:** Joey Chestnut wins his 10th Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Championship title after eating 72 hot dogs. Miki Sudo wins her fourth consecutive title after eating 41 HDBs.\r\n**2018:** Joey Chestnut wins his 11th title and sets a new World Record of 74 HDB in 10 minutes. Miki Sudo wins her fifth-consecutive title with 37 HDB.\r\n**2019:** Joey Chestnut wins his 12th title after eating 71 HDB. Miki Sudo wins her sixth-consecutive title after eating 31 HDB\r\n**2020:** Joey Chestnut wins his 13th Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Championship after eating 75 HDB. Miki Sudo wins her seventh-consecutive title after eating 48.5 HDB\r\n**2021:** Joey Chestnut wins his 14th Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Championship after eating 76 HDB. Michelle Lesco wins her first title after eating 30.75 HDB\r\n**2022:** Joey Chestnut wins his 15th Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Championship after eating 63 HDB. Miki Sudo reclaims her eighth title after eating 40 HDB\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_64934562056f5e0015cc6cd2","sn":1034,"title":"Nathan's Famous July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest Resource Center","createdAt":"2023-06-21T18:45:54.825Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"**The Men’s and Women's Championship** will take place on **Tuesday, July 4th, 2023,** at the Original Nathan’s Famous location on the Corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island. \r\n(1310 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224)\r\n\r\nPre-show festivities begin at **10:00 am ET,** featuring several live performances including musical and dance acts. The **Women’s Championship** begins at **11:00 am ET,** and the **Men’s Championship** begins at **12:30 pm ET.**\r\n\r\n__**Live Viewing**__\r\n\r\n**ESPN** has exclusive live broadcast rights from **10:45am ET** to the conclusion of the event, expected to be at **1:05 pm ET.**\r\n\r\nThe **Women’s Competition** coverage will begin at **10:45am ET** and will be telecast live on **ESPN3** and **ESPNEWS.** \r\n\r\nThe **Men’s Competition** coverage will begin at **12:00 pm ET** and will be telecast live on **ESPN3** and **ESPNEWS.** It will re-air on **ESPN2** at **4:00pm**. *Air times subject to change.*\r\n\r\n__**How to Get to the Contest**__\r\n\r\n**Subway**\r\nTake D, F, N and Q to the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Terminal\r\n\r\n**Driving**\r\nComing from the Belt Parkway West, get off exit 6 Cropsey Ave. Follow Cropsey Ave south. Cropsey becomes West 17th Street. Make a left onto *Surf Avenue.*\r\n\r\nComing from the Belt Parkway East, get off exit 6S Cropsey Ave. Follow Cropsey Ave south. Cropsey Ave becomes West 17th Street. Make a left onto *Surf Avenue.*\r\n\r\n**Bus**\r\n**B36** to Surf and Stillwell Avenues\r\n**B64** to Mermaid and Stillwell Avenues\r\n**B68** to Stillwell Terminal\r\n**B82** to Mermaid and Stillwell Avenues.\r\n \r\n\r\n**About Nathan's Famous, Inc.**\r\nNathan's is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and 17 foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. For additional information about Nathan's, please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com. \r\n\r\nFollow Nathan’s Famous on Twitter [@OriginalNathan’s](https://twitter.com/originalnathans)\r\n\r\nBecome a fan of the [Nathan's Famous Facebook Page](https://www.facebook.com/nathansfamous/)\r\n\r\nFor results to all Major League Eating Contests, follow [@eatingcontest](https://twitter.com/eatingcontest)\r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_62c3421be849e3001754bd46","sn":1033,"title":"Full Results From The 2022 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest","createdAt":"2022-07-04T19:40:11.364Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"**2022 Women's Championship Results**\r\n1. Miki Sudo 40\r\n2. Michelle Lesco 26\r\n3. Sarah Rodriguez 23.25\r\n4. Larell Marie Mele 15\r\n5. Katie Prettyman 13.75\r\n6. Sophia DeVita 12.25\r\n7. Jocelyn Walker 11\r\n8. Holly Titus 10.25\r\n9. Kathryn Tesch 8.5\r\n11. Rene Rovtar 7.5\r\n10. Julie Goldberg 7\r\n12. Prudence A DiBenedetto 5\r\n13. Catie Livermore 4\r\n\r\n**2022 Men's Championship Results**\r\n1. Joey Chestnut 63\r\n2. Geoffrey Esper 47.5\r\n3. James Webb 41\r\n4. Nicholas Wehry 40\r\n5. Patrick Bertoletti 33.5\r\n6. Pablo Martinez 29.5\r\n7. Gideon Oji 29\r\nBartley Weaver 29\r\nJuan Rodriguez 29\r\nDerek Hendrickson 29\r\n11. George Chiger 28\r\nAdam Moran 28\r\n13. Steve Hammond 27\r\n14. Derek Jacobs 25.5\r\n15. Ronnie Hartman 25\r\n16. Brett Healey 20\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_62c0724d7c3aba0017b50a80","sn":1032,"title":"How Do I Watch The 2022 Nathan's Famous Fourth Of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest?","createdAt":"2022-07-02T16:29:01.949Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"ESPN has exclusive live broadcast rights from 10:45am to the conclusion of the event, expected to be at 1:05 pm ET. The women’s competition coverage will begin at 10:45am ET and will be telecast live on ESPN3 and ESPNEWS. The men’s competition coverage will begin at 12:00 pm ET and will be telecast live on ESPN3 and ESPNEWS. It will re-air on ESPN2 at 4:00pm. Air times subject to change.\r\n\r\nThe 2022 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest will take place on Monday, July 4, 2022, from 11am to 1pm at 1310 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, NY.\r\n\r\nAbout Nathan's Famous, Inc.\r\nNathan's is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and 17 foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. For additional information about Nathan's, please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com. \r\n\r\nFollow Nathan’s Famous on Twitter @Original Nathan’s\r\n\r\nBecome a fan of the Nathan's Famous Facebook Page\r\n\r\nFor results to all Major League Eating Contests, follow @eatingcontest"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_62bf5f2a7c3aba0017b50a7d","sn":1031,"title":"Nathan’s Famous July 4 Hot Dog Eating Contest Announces Field Of Competing Eaters ","createdAt":"2022-07-01T20:55:06.610Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The 2022 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest will return to the iconic Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island after being forced to alternate locations in 2020 and 2021 by the pandemic. The event, an American holiday tradition, will take place on Monday, July 4, 2022, from 11am to 1pm at 1310 Surf Avenue. \r\n\r\nWorld champion Joey Chestnut of Indianapolis, IN, will return to defend his title. The number-one-ranked female eater, Miki Sudo (who last year was nine months pregnant and could not compete), will return in a bid to regain her title.\r\n\r\nAt last year’s event, Chestnut consumed 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, beating Geoffrey Esper, who finished in second place, and Nick Wehry, who finished third. Michelle Lesco of Tucson, AZ, won the women’s contest last year by eating 30.75 hot dogs and buns. She will defend her title against Sudo, whose personal best is 48.5 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. \r\n\r\nA total of 16 men and 13 women will be competing in the 2022 contest. The men’s and women’s contests each offer $20,000 in cash prizes. \r\n\r\n**Competing in the 2022 men’s contest:**\r\nNumber-one-ranked Joey Chestnut of Westfield, IN\r\nNumber-two-ranked Geoffrey Esper of Oxford, MA\r\nNumber-four-ranked Nick Wehry of Tampa, FL\r\nNumber-seven-ranked Gideon Oji of Morrow, GA\r\nNumber-ten-ranked James Webb of Sydney Australia\r\nNumber-eleven-ranked Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago, IL\r\nNumber-thirteen-ranked Steve Hammond of Kirkland, WA\r\nNumber-fifteen-ranked Adam Moran of Leeds, United Kingdom\r\nNumber-sixteen-ranked Bartley Weaver of Bowling Green, KY\r\nNumber-seventeen-ranked George Chiger of Pocono Pines, PA\r\nNumber-eighteen-ranked Brett Healey of Memphis, TN\r\nNumber-nineteen-ranked Juan Rodriguez of Seattle, WA\r\nNumber-twenty-ranked Ronnie Hartman of Buffalo, NY\r\nNumber-twenty-one-ranked Derek Hendrickson of Las Vegas, NV\r\nNumber-twenty-two-ranked Pablo Martinez of Visalia, CA\r\nNumber-twenty-three-ranked Derek Jacobs of Vandalia, OH\r\n\r\n**Competing in the 2022 women’s contest:**\r\nNumber-three-ranked Miki Sudo of Tampa, FL\r\nNumber-nine-ranked Michelle Lesco of Tucson, AZ\r\nNumber-twenty-four-ranked Sarah Rodriguez of Seattle, WA\r\nNumber-twenty-nine-ranked Larell Marie Mele of Long Pond, PA\r\nNumber-thirty-two-ranked Katie Prettyman of Marysville, WA\r\nNumber-thirty-three-ranked Sophia DeVita of Abilene, TX\r\nNumber-forty-two-ranked Holly Titus of Indianapolis, IN\r\nNumber-forty-three-ranked Jocelyn Walker of Sherman, TX\r\nNumber-forty-eight-ranked Kathryn Tesch of Dorchester, WI\r\nJulie Goldberg of Queens, NY\r\nRene Rovtar of Basking Ridge, NJ\r\nPrudence DiBenedetto of Queens, NY\r\nCatie Livermore of New York, New York\r\n\r\n“The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is a fundamental aspect of the American experience, and we are thrilled to be back at our Flagship,” said Phil McCann, Vice President of Marketing of Nathan’s Famous. “After two years of anticipation, we look forward to welcoming back our traditional crowd of 35,000 spectators.”\r\n\r\nFor decades, tens of thousands have made the pilgrimage to Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island to watch the event in-person. Pre-show festivities will begin at 10 am with musical and dance performances. The women’s competition begins at 11 am, while the men’s competition will start at 12:30 pm. An annual feature of the event is the Nathan’s Famous donation of 100,000 hot dogs to the Food Bank for New York City.\r\n\r\n“Joey Chestnut is a force from beyond who defies the laws of physics,” said contest host George Shea. “He is freedom made man, and the rock on which he stands is not a rock – it is the United States of America.”\r\n \r\nAccording to Major League Eating archives, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Championship has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY, since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. MLE, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event. \r\n\r\nESPN has exclusive live broadcast rights from 10:45am to the conclusion of the event, expected to be at 1:05 pm ET. The women’s competition coverage will begin at 10:45am ET and will be telecast live on ESPN3. The men’s competition coverage will begin at 12:00 pm ET and will be telecast live on ESPNEWS. It will re-air on ESPN2 at 4:00pm. Air times subject to change.\r\n\r\nTo learn more about Nathan's Famous, visit www.nathansfamous.com \r\n\r\nAbout Nathan's Famous \r\nNathan's is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and 17 foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. For additional information about Nathan's, please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com. \r\n\r\nAbout Major League Eating\r\nMajor League Eating (MLE), the world governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 80 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y. The competitive eating community is made up of more than 8,000 veteran and rookie gurgitators who travel the nation in search of top titles and the glory that they provide. For more information, visit www.majorleagueeating.com, www.facebook.com/eatfast or Instagram / Twitter: @eatingcontest.\r\n \r\n PRESS CONTACT:\r\nAllison O’Donnell, Shea Communications\r\nallison@sheacommunications.com\r\n212-627-5766\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_62bb06203cca3800171756de","sn":1030,"title":"How Do I Get To Coney Island?","createdAt":"2022-06-28T13:46:08.545Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"**The Men’s and Women’s Championships will take place on Monday, July 4th, 2022, at the original Nathan’s Famous location—1310 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224.**\r\n\r\nPre-show festivities begin at 10:00 am, featuring several live performances from musical and dance acts. The Women’s Championship begins at 11:00 am, and the Men’s Championship will start at 12:30 pm. \r\n\r\n**Subway—The Best Option** \r\nTake D, F, N and Q to the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station\r\n\r\n**Car** \r\nComing from the Belt Parkway West, get off exit 6 Cropsey Ave. Follow Cropsey Ave south. Cropsey becomes West 17th Street. Make a left onto Surf Avenue.\r\n\r\nComing from the Belt Parkway East, get off exit 6S Cropsey Ave. Follow Cropsey Ave south. Cropsey becomes West 17th Street. Make a left onto Surf Avenue.\r\n\r\n**Bus**\r\nB36 to Surf and Stillwell Avenues\r\nB64 to Mermaid and Stillwell Avenues\r\nB68 to Stillwell Terminal\r\nB82 to Mermaid and Stillwell Avenues\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_629f9842288d0200178f5272","sn":1029,"title":"Nathan’s Famous July 4 Hot Dog Eating Contest Announces Return To Surf And Stillwell","createdAt":"2022-06-07T18:26:10.719Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"New York, NY The 2022 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest will return to the iconic Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island after being forced to alternate locations in 2020 and 2021 by the pandemic. The event, an American holiday tradition, will take place on Monday, July 4, 2022, from 11am to 1pm at 1310 Surf Avenue. \r\n\r\nAt last year’s event, Chestnut consumed 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, beating Geoffrey Esper, who finished in second place, and Nick Wehry, who finished third. Michelle Lesco of Tucson, AZ, won the women’s contest last year by eating 30.75 hot dogs and buns. She will defend her title against the world’s number-one-ranked female eater Miki Sudo, whose personal best is 48.5 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. \r\n\r\n“The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is a fundamental aspect of the American experience, and we are thrilled to be back at our Flagship,” said Phil McCann, Vice President of Marketing of Nathan’s Famous. “After two years of anticipation, we look forward to welcoming back our traditional crowd of 35,000 spectators.”\r\n\r\nFor decades, tens of thousands have made the pilgrimage to Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island to watch the event in-person. Pre-show festivities will begin at 10 am with musical and dance performances. The women’s competition begins at 11 am, while the men’s competition will start at 12:30 pm. An annual feature of the event is the Nathan’s Famous donation of 100,000 hot dogs to the Food Bank for New York City.\r\n\r\n“Joey Chestnut is a force from beyond who defies the laws of physics,” said contest host George Shea. “He is freedom made man, and the rock on which he stands is not a rock – it is the United States of America.”\r\n \r\nAccording to Major League Eating archives, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Championship has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY, since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. MLE, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event. \r\n\r\nESPN has exclusive live broadcast rights from 10:45am to the conclusion of the event, expected to be at 1:05 pm ET. The women’s competition coverage will begin at 10:45am ET and will be telecast live on ESPN3 and ESPNEWS. The men’s competition coverage will begin at 12:00 pm ET and will be telecast live on ESPN3 and ESPNEWS. It will re-air on ESPN2 at 4:00pm. Air times subject to change.\r\n\r\nThe 2022 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest will take place on Monday, July 4, 2022, from 11am to 1pm at 1310 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, NY.\r\n\r\nAbout Nathan's Famous, Inc.\r\nNathan's is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and 17 foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. For additional information about Nathan's, please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com. \r\n\r\nFollow Nathan’s Famous on Twitter @Original Nathan’s\r\n\r\nBecome a fan of the Nathan's Famous Facebook Page\r\n\r\nFor results to all Major League Eating Contests, follow @eatingcontest"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_620e4e2e5df8d20017c06174","sn":1028,"title":"USA Mullet Championships Partners With Major League Eating To Further Expand Mullet Competition Platform And Mullet Lifestyle","createdAt":"2022-02-17T13:31:26.863Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"# Expanded Series of Mullet Contests Planned for 2022 \r\n**NEW YORK, February 17, 2022** — Major League Eating (MLE) and USA Mullet Championships have announced a new partnership to further advance the mullet brand through a series of digital and in-person championships nationwide in 2022, including at existing MLE events.\r\n\r\nUSA Mullet Championships, the nation’s official mullet-ranking authority, has established a powerful platform within the mullet space, conducting an annual mullet championship across multiple categories, including adult male, adult female (femullet), teen and children. The sponsor-friendly platform has engaged audiences in live event and digital formats, building an avid following. \r\n\r\nMLE, which developed the sport of competitive eating and which conducts an annual circuit of 50 live events, including the Nathan’s Famous July 4 International Hot Dog Eating Contest, will use its experience with media, live event production and sponsorship relations to help expand the mullet franchise. \r\n\r\nUSA Mullet Championships has established a robust and fast-growing digital and social media presence featuring leading mullet idols. Acknowledged mullet veterans competing on the platform include 2021 kids division winner Allan Baltz, teen division winner Tyler Billingsley, men’s open division winner Clint Duncan and femullet division winner Cassidy Jenson.\r\n\r\n“We are excited to join forces with Major League Eating to expand the USA Mullet Championships to a host of new venues and fans,” said USA Mullet Championships founder Kevin Begola. “MLE’s experience building a sponsorship-driven live-event brand will help support the rapid growth of the competitive mullet world.”\r\n\r\n“The mullet is more than a hairstyle – the mullet is a lifestyle,” said Major League Eating Chair George Shea. “We believe that the USA Mullet Championships is a cultural phenomenon that lies at the core of the American experience and we are excited to help showcase the platform to new fans and sponsors alike.”\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_60dc52aa5918440017dc53ce","sn":1027,"title":"Meet The Competitors For This Year's Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest","createdAt":"2021-06-30T11:16:58.144Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, an American holiday tradition, will be held at Maimonides Park (formerly MCU Park), home of the Brooklyn Cyclones and only steps from the Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant on Surf and Stillwell avenues. These brave men and women are set to distinguish themselves by competing in this year's men's and women's championships.\n\n**Women's Field **\n\n1. Michelle Lesco, #9 in the world, Tucson, AZ\n\n2. Sarah Rodriguez, #26 in the world, Seattle, WA\n\n3. Larell Marie Mele, #30 in the world, Poconos Pines, PA\n\n4. Sophia DeVita, #33 in the world, Abilene, TX\n\n5. Kathryn Prettyman, #35 in the world, Marysville, WA\n\n6. Holly Titus, #42 in the world, Indianapolis, IN\n\n7. Kathryn Tesch, #44 in the world, Dorchester, WI\n\n8. Jocelyn Walker #45 in the world, Sherman, TX\n\n9. Kelly Wong, #47 in the world, Oakland, CA\n\n10. Rene Rovtar, Basking Ridge, NJ\n\n11. Julie Goldberg, Astoria, Queens, NY\n\n12. Prudence DiBenedetto, Astoria, Queens, NY\n\n13. Kristina Dunne-Rovtar, Flemington, NJ\n\n\n**Men's Field**\n\n1. Joey Chestnut, #1 in the world, San Jose, CA\n\n2. Geoffrey Esper, #2 in the world, Oxford, MA\n\n3. Darron Breeden, #3 in the world, Orange, VA\n\n4. Nick Wehry, #6 in the world, Tampa, FL\n\n5. Gideon Oji, #7 in the world, Zaria, Nigeria\n\n6. Gordon Hazzard, #10 in the world, Nashville, TN\n\n7. Steve Hammond, #12 in the world, Kirkland, WA\n\n8. Derek Jacobs, #13 in the world, Vandalia, OH\n\n9. George Chiger, #15 in the world, Pocono Pines, PA\n\n10. Juan Rodriguez, #16 in the world, Seattle, WA\n\n11. Adrian Morgan, #17 in the world, New Orleans, LA\n\n12. Ronnie Hartman, #18 in the world, Depew, NY\n\n13. Pablo Martinez, #21 in the world, VIsalia, CA\n\n14. Derek Hendrickson, #24 in the world, Las Vegas, NV\n\n15. Crazy Legs Conti, #27 in the world, NYC, NY\n\n16. Erik Denmark #29 in the world, Scottsdale, AZ\n\n17. Brian Dudzinski, #31 in the world, Phoenixville, PA\n\nOn a typical year, as many as 30,000 fans make the pilgrimage to Surf and Stillwell avenues to watch the event in person. The ESPN telecast of the contest routinely draws an audience of millions of viewers. An annual part of the event is the Nathan’s Famous donation of 100,000 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs to the Food Bank for New York City.\n\n“It is encouraging to hold this event live for fans, who last year were unable to celebrate July 4 as they traditionally do,” James Walker, Senior Vice President, Restaurants, Nathan’s Famous. “Next year, we hope to return to the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues, where we have held this event for decade after decade.”\n\n“The Nathan’s Famous contest is the crown jewel of the Fourth of July and stands as a beacon of freedom for all those who believe in American exceptionalism,” said George Shea of Major League Eating. “Joey Chestnut is a national treasure. The rock on which he stands is not a rock—it is the United States of America.”\n\nESPN has exclusive live broadcast rights from 10:45 am to the conclusion of the event, expected to be at 1:05 pm ET. The women’s competition coverage will begin at 11:30 am ET and will be telecast live on ESPN3 and the ESPN App. The men’s competition coverage will begin at 12:00 pm ET and will be telecast live on ESPN. \n\nAccording to Major League Eating archives, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Championship has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY, since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. MLE, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event.\n\n\n\n\nTo attend the event in person, go to the link below to secure FREE tickets for the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest at Maimonides Park, 1904 Surf Avenue, Coney Island. Doors open at 10 am, concessions available\n\nNote that proof of vaccination is no longer required, but if you prefer to sit in a socially distanced pod there are seats available in sections 11, 13, and 15. Sections 1, 2 and 3 are blocked off, as the view will be obstructed. Seats in sections 4 and 5 may not have a view of the entire stage. \n\nTickets are on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited. \n\nHere’s the link!\n\nhttps://link.edgepilot.com/s/7f66c8a9/GSUtcx7Q7U_bVcu5BoVkvA?u=https://mpv.tickets.com/?agency=MILB_MPV%26orgid=38130%26pid=8949353\n\nInstructions:\n1) Choose the number of tickets you are requesting.\n2) Enter Coupon Code: NATHANS1916 and then click on the red checkmark\n3) Select Section or Seat Map, then click OK, and a list of seating are available. (Sections 11, 13, and 15 are available for non-vaccinated people to sit in sectioned pods.)\n4) Click on your selected seating section and add to cart\n5) Sign Up for an account\n6) Review your ticket request, accept the terms and place order\n\nYou will receive an email confirmation with your ticket and how to access the event.\n\nIf you do not receive your ticket via email, you can go back into your account, view your inventory, click on your ticket and the bar code will show. You can either print your ticket or place it on your mobile device for redemption."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_60ccef01eea4b30017c09a9f","sn":1026,"title":"Get Your FREE Tickets for the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest! ","createdAt":"2021-06-18T19:07:45.908Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Go to the link below to secure FREE tickets for the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest at Maimonides Park, 1904 Surf Avenue, Coney Island. Doors open at 10 am, concessions available\n\nNote that proof of vaccination is no longer required, but if you prefer to sit in a socially distanced pod there are seats available in sections 11, 13, and 15. Sections 1, 2 and 3 are blocked off, as the view will be obstructed. Seats in sections 4 and 5 may not have a view of the entire stage. \n\nTickets are on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited. \n\nHere’s the link!\n\nhttps://link.edgepilot.com/s/7f66c8a9/GSUtcx7Q7U_bVcu5BoVkvA?u=https://mpv.tickets.com/?agency=MILB_MPV%26orgid=38130%26pid=8949353\n\nInstructions:\n1) Choose the number of tickets you are requesting.\n2) Enter Coupon Code: NATHANS1916 and then click on the red checkmark\n3) Select Section or Seat Map, then click OK, and a list of seating are available. (Sections 11, 13, and 15 are available for non-vaccinated people to sit in sectioned pods.)\n4) Click on your selected seating section and add to cart\n5) Sign Up for an account\n6) Review your ticket request, accept the terms and place order\n\nYou will receive an email confirmation with your ticket and how to access the event.\n\nIf you do not receive your ticket via email, you can go back into your account, view your inventory, click on your ticket and the bar code will show. You can either print your ticket or place it on your mobile device for redemption.\n\nThe annual contest, an American holiday tradition, will be held at Maimonides Park (formerly MCU Park), home of the Brooklyn Cyclones and only steps from the Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant on Surf and Stillwell avenues.\n\nOn a typical year, as many as 30,000 fans make the pilgrimage to Surf and Stillwell avenues to watch the event in person. The ESPN telecast of the contest routinely draws an audience of millions of viewers. An annual part of the event is the Nathan’s Famous donation of 100,000 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs to the Food Bank for New York City.\n\n“It is encouraging to hold this event live for fans, who last year were unable to celebrate July 4 as they traditionally do,” James Walker, Senior Vice President, Restaurants, Nathan’s Famous. “Next year, we hope to return to the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues, where we have held this event for decade after decade.”\n\n“The Nathan’s Famous contest is the crown jewel of the Fourth of July and stands as a beacon of freedom for all those who believe in American exceptionalism,” said George Shea of Major League Eating. “Joey Chestnut is a national treasure. The rock on which he stands is not a rock—it is the United States of America.”\n\nESPN has exclusive live broadcast rights from 10:45 am to the conclusion of the event, expected to be at 1:05 pm ET. The women’s competition coverage will begin at 11:30 am ET and will be telecast live on ESPN3 and the ESPN App. The men’s competition coverage will begin at 12:00 pm ET and will be telecast live on ESPN. \n\nAccording to Major League Eating archives, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Championship has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY, since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. MLE, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event.\n\n\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_60b250147c5eae0017c0b0fd","sn":1025,"title":"Nathan's July 4 Contest to be Held Live before Audience in Coney Island -- Tickets Available","createdAt":"2021-05-29T14:30:44.088Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Coney Island’s Maimonides Park (formerly MCU)\nTo Host Annual Competition on July 4, 2021\n\nWorld Champion Joey Chestnut to Defend Title Against Geoffrey Esper; Darron Breeden\nMichelle Lesco to Battle World’s Best Female Eaters\n________\n\nThe 2021 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest will take place before a live audience in Coney Island on Sunday, July 4, 2021, starting at 11 am. Last year, due to the pandemic, the contest was held for media only in a private location.\n\nThe annual contest, an American holiday tradition, will be held at Maimonides Park (formerly MCU Park), home of the Brooklyn Cyclones and only steps from the Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant on Surf and Stillwell avenues.\n\nThe free, ticketed event will follow all federal, state and city health and safety regulations. Tickets to this year’s contest will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket reservations here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPHhCushAtw2OjFZMNtgAeSmd6Q7qdkvsCznq3WPiIkyBgFg/viewform?embedded=true Or, email Nathanshotdogeatingcontest2021@nathansfamous.com.\n\nDoors will open at 10 am and the event will begin at 10:45 am with the introduction of the female eaters. The women’s competition begins at 11:00 am, while the men’s competition will start at 12:30 pm.\n\nLast year, Joey Chestnut of Indianapolis, IN, set a new world record, consuming 75 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to retain his championship title. Darron Breeden finished in second place, Nick Wehry in third, George Chiger in fourth, and Eric ‘Badlands’ Booker in fifth.\n\nIn the women's competition last year, Miki Sudo of Tampa, FL, broke the women’s world record and took first place, marking her seventh consecutive win by eating 48.5 hot dogs and buns. Larell Marie Mele came in second, with 18 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Sudo will not be competing this year. A total of 18 men and 10 women are expected to compete on July 4. \n\nOn a typical year, as many as 30,000 fans make the pilgrimage to Surf and Stillwell avenues to watch the event in person. The ESPN telecast of the contest routinely draws an audience of millions of viewers. An annual part of the event is the Nathan’s Famous donation of 100,000 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs to the Food Bank for New York City.\n\n“It is encouraging to hold this event live for fans, who last year were unable to celebrate July 4 as they traditionally do,” James Walker, Senior Vice President, Restaurants, Nathan’s Famous. “Next year, we hope to return to the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues, where we have held this event for decade after decade.”\n\n“The Nathan’s Famous contest is the crown jewel of the Fourth of July and stands as a beacon of freedom for all those who believe in American exceptionalism,” said George Shea of Major League Eating. “Joey Chestnut is a national treasure. The rock on which he stands is not a rock—it is the United States of America.”\n\nESPN has exclusive live broadcast rights from 10:45 am to the conclusion of the event, expected to be at 1:05 pm ET. The women’s competition coverage will begin at 11:30 am ET and will be telecast live on ESPN3 and the ESPN App. The men’s competition coverage will begin at 12:00 pm ET and will be telecast live on ESPN. \n\nAccording to Major League Eating archives, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Championship has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY, since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. MLE, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event.\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_600744605e25b7001784a569","sn":1024,"title":"MLE Leads First Major Culinary Advancement Since Gogurt","createdAt":"2021-01-19T20:43:12.610Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"**Propels Nation Forward From 7-Layer Dip to 8-Layer Dip** \n \n**Resolves Conflict Over Dip’s Official Layers in Time for Big Game**\n \n**(Bacon May Anchor New, 21st-Century Party Staple)**\n\n[TAKE THE SURVEY! HAVE YOUR SAY!](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M8WNY8H)\n\nMajor League Eating, the organization that governs all stomach-centric sport worldwide, has launched an initiative to advance American culture and the culinary arts by catalyzing a nationwide move from seven-layer dip to eight-layer dip.\n \nMLE will establish an official eight layer in time for the big game on February 7, 2021, when it will host and sanction the DraftKings Big Game Snackdown, a multi-food, steeplechase eating contest that will feature, for the first time, eight-layer dip.\n \n“Communications technology aside, our nation has endured three decades of stagnation without meaningful scientific or cultural innovation,” said Sam Barclay, Scientific Chair of MLE’s Research Division, who is leading the dip initiative. “Our acceptance of seven-layer dip, when eight-layer dip has been right there in front of us, is a glaring affront to American exceptionalism.”\n \nBarclay said MLE was further troubled by wide-spread inconsistency in the accepted ingredients for multi-layer dips and that the organization would seek to resolve this disparity. To that end, MLE has launched a global [survey](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M8WNY8H) to reach consensus on official ingredients. It has proposed a list of 16 possible ingredients that include hummus, black olives, cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, kale, nougat, guacamole, taco-seasoned ground beef, bacon, refried beans, salsa, sour cream, tomatoes, crème fraîche, jalepeños and blue-cheese dressing.\n\n“We invite all concerned citizens to weigh in on which layers should be certified as the standard for the party favorite,” Barclay said. “We hope to establish a dip that provides a compelling and satisfying eating experience that is built to endure.”\n \nMLE’s Research Division considered focusing its efforts on a nine-layer dip to demonstrate America’s ability to make exponential progress, or even a 10-layer dip in an effort to atone for America’s failed attempt to adopt the metric system in the 1970s. However, MLE food scientists found that the additional layers complicated the creation process, leading to unacceptably thin layers that compromised the flavor profile of the dish.\n \nThe MLE survey is available here. The DraftKings Big Game Snackdown will stream live at 4:30pm ET on February 7, 2021, on DraftKings’ YouTube channel and Twitch stream. \n \nThe 8-minute, all-you-can-eat event will feature six of the nation’s top eaters. Foods in the steeplechase will include an eight-layer dip, pepperoni pizza, boneless wings, chili, a sub sandwich, cheese balls, pigs in a blanket and jalepeño poppers\n \nIn a groundbreaking undercard, Badlands Booker, the number-24-ranked eater in the world and the undisputed world chugging champion, will face off against the number-two chugger in the world in the first-ever Easy Cheese Spray Cheese Chugging Contest, in which competitors will empty canisters of Easy Cheese directly into their mouths. For purposes of this contest, MLE has broadened Easy Cheese’s official food designation from processed cheese snack to processed cheese snack and liquid.\n \n“America has always been defined by innovation and reinvention, and Major League Eating is proud to play a small part in that legacy,” Barclay said.\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5f95cb5649506400170783d5","sn":1023,"title":"DraftKings And Major League Eating Announce Three-Part Competitive Eating Series","createdAt":"2020-10-25T19:00:38.443Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"DraftKings (Nasdaq: DKNG) and Major League Eating have announced a series of three holiday eating contests including a Halloween candy steeplechase on October 31, a complete Thanksgiving meal with a whole roasted turkey scheduled for the Thanksgiving holiday, and a contest featuring a Big Game party spread planned for February 7.\n\nThe events will be live-streamed on DraftKings’ digital platforms. Major League Eating will sanction and judge the events, and DraftKings will provide sports fans with numerous ways to interact.\n\n“Competitive eating has become a mainstay of the American holidays and we believe this series will provide an engaging focus for fans. Consumers have shown a clear appetite to engage beyond traditional sports with alternative offerings, and we look forward to a triple-header of superior competitive eating.” – Johnny Avello, Head of Sportsbook\n \nRichard Shea, president of MLE, said: “DraftKings is the preeminent leader in sports betting and daily fantasy sports, and we are pleased to join forces to offer fans worldwide this dynamic series of eating competitions featuring our sport’s top athletes. We expect each live stream to offer fierce and competitive eating battles and it is likely that we will see world-record performances.”\nFor more information follow @eatingcontest on Twitter.\n\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5f00d8964afbe600176eb7b2","sn":1022,"title":"CHESTNUT AND SUDO SET NEW WORLD RECORDS ON JULY 4TH!","createdAt":"2020-07-04T19:29:26.733Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey ‘Jaws’ Chestnut and Miki Sudo, the number-one-ranked male and female competitive eaters in the world, shattered the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Championship world records in both men and women's divisions. \n\nAfter consuming 75 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, Chestnut outperformed his personal best and previous world record, set in 2018, of 74 hot dogs and buns. This victory marks Chestnut's thirteenth Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Championship win and mustard belt.\n\nSudo, the number-six-ranked competitive eater overall, ate 48.5 hot dogs and buns breaking the women’s world record previously set by Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas in 2012. Sudo’s former personal best was 41 hot dogs and buns set in 2018. This year marks Sudo’s seventh consecutive win. \n\nMen’s Division\n5th Place: Eric ‘Badlands’ Booker from Selden, NY - 20 HDB\n4th Place: George Chiger from Pocono Pines - 24 HDB\n3rd Place: Nick Wehry from Torrington, CT - 39.5 HDB\n2nd Place: Darron Breeden from Orange, VA - 42 HDB\n1st Place: Joey Chestnut from San Jose, CA - 75 HDB\n \nWomen’s Division\n5th Place: Rene Rovtar from Montville, NJ - 7 HDB\n4th Place: Julie Goldberg from Brooklyn, NY - 8.5 HDB\n3rd Place: Katie Prettyman from Marysville, WA - 15, HDB\n2nd Place: Larell Marie Mele from Long Pond, PA - 18 HDB\n1st Place: Miki Sudo from Torrington, CT - 48.5 HDB "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ef9de63e455d10017755541","sn":1021,"title":"NATHAN’S FAMOUS 2020 FOURTH OF JULY INTERNATIONAL HOT DOG-EATING CONTEST BROADCAST SCHEDULE","createdAt":"2020-06-29T12:28:19.098Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The 2020 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest will be broadcast live at Noon Eastern on ESPN. The event will re-air on ESPNews at 2pm Eastern, on ESPN2 at 4pm and 8pm Eastern, and on ESPNews at 9pm Eastern. Additonal re-airs continue on both ESPN2 and ESPNews.\n\nESPN will televise the event for the 17th consecutive year, featuring Mike Golic Jr. who will do play-by-play of the eating competition. The show will also include an in-depth analysis by Major League Eating’s Richard Shea, with reporting by ESPN’s Jason Fitz.\n\nThe event will feature 10-minute competitions for leading male and female eaters, including Joey Chestnut of San Jose, CA, and Miki Sudo of Torrington, CT. Twelve-time champion Chestnut holds the world record of 74 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Sudo, whose all-time best is 41 hot dogs and buns, has won the contest six times. The women’s world record is 45 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. \n\n“We’re ecstatic to make the announcement that the Hot Dog-Eating Contest will take place this year,” states James Walker, Nathan’s Famous Senior Vice President, Restaurants. “2020 has been a year for the history books, and the realization that this storied July 4th tradition would be able to occur, is a great feeling. With that being said, our country and our world has endured so much in the last couple of months, that we’d be remiss if we didn’t use this moment to honor those that have done so much for each of us during this time.” \n\nThis year, the contest -- which features an annual donation of 100,000 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs to Food Bank for New York City -- will be dedicated to raising funds for food banks and to raising awareness of food bank needs. Major League Eating and individual eaters will make donations to food banks and use the contest as a platform to highlight the work of these organizations. The contest also will be used as a platform to honor essential workers in New York City, many of whom have not received recognition for their efforts.\n\n“We owe so much to those that kept our communities fed and cared for during this unprecedented time, and we look forward to honoring them on July 4th,” continues Walker. \n\nAccording to Major League Eating (\"MLE\") archives, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY, since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. MLE, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event. \n\n ###\n\n\n**About Nathan’s Famous **\nNathan’s is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and ten foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. Last year, over 700 million Nathan’s Famous hot dogs were sold. Nathan’s was ranked #22 on the Forbes 2014 list of the Best Small Companies in America and was listed as the Best Small Company in New York State in October 2013. For additional information about Nathan’s, please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com. \n\nExcept for historical information contained in this news release, the matters discussed are forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended that involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which are based on the current belief of the Company’s management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company’s management. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include but are not limited to: the status of our licensing and supply agreements, including the impact of our supply agreement for hot dogs with John Morrell & Co.; the impact of the recent COVID-19 outbreak; the impact of our indebtedness, including the effect on our ability to fund working capital, operations and make new investments; economic; weather (including the impact on the supply of cattle and the impact on sales at our restaurants particularly during the summer months), and change in the price of beef trimmings; our ability to pass on the cost of any price increases in beef and beef trimmings; legislative and business conditions; the collectability of receivables; changes in consumer tastes; the ability to attract franchisees; the impact of the minimum wage legislation on labor costs in New York State or other changes in labor laws, including regulations which could render a franchisor as a “joint employee” or the impact of our new union contracts; our ability to attract competent restaurant and managerial personnel; the enforceability of international franchising agreements; the future effects of any food borne illness, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, BSE and e coli; and the risk factors reported from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking statements.\n\nPRESS CONTACT: Major League Eating, (212) 627-5766\nAdriana Ball, adriana@sheacommunications.com ; George Shea gshea@sheacommunications.com, Richard Shea rshea@sheacommunications.com\n\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ee8ecf6e2b53d0017b71612","sn":1020,"title":"","createdAt":"2020-06-16T16:01:58.341Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"## NATHAN’S FAMOUS TO HOLD 2020 FOURTH OF JULY INTERNATIONAL HOT DOG-EATING CONTEST \n\n#### Non-Public Event in Coney Island to Raise Funds for Food Banks, Honor Essential Workers\n\n#### One of the First Major [Televised] Post-COVID Competitive Events will Feature World Champions Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo Defending Titles\n\n\nNathan’s Famous will conduct the 2020 Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in Coney Island on Saturday, July 4, 2020. The annual contest, an American holiday tradition that traditionally has been held on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues for generations, will take place in a private location with COVID-19 safety measures in place. It is one of the first major [televised] post-COVID competitive events to be held in the United States.\n\nThe event will feature 10-minute competitions for leading male and female eaters, including Joey Chestnut of San Jose, CA, and Miki Sudo of Torrington, CT. Twelve-time champion Chestnut holds the world record of 74 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Sudo, whose all-time best is 41 hot dogs and buns, has won the contest six times. The women’s world record is 45 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. \n\n“We’re ecstatic to make the announcement that the Hot Dog-Eating Contest will take place this year,” states James Walker, Nathan’s Famous Senior Vice President, Restaurants. “2020 has been a year for the history books, and the realization that this storied July 4th tradition would be able to occur, is a great feeling. With that being said, our country and our world has endured so much in the last couple of months, that we’d be remiss if we didn’t use this moment to honor those that have done so much for each of us during this time.” \n\nThis year, the contest -- which features an annual donation of 100,000 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs to Food Bank for New York City -- will be dedicated to raising funds for food banks and to raising awareness of food bank needs. Major League Eating and individual eaters will make donations to food banks and use the contest as a platform to highlight the work of these organizations. The contest also will be used as a platform to honor essential workers in New York City, many of whom have not received recognition for their efforts.\n\n“We owe so much to those that kept our communities fed and cared for during this unprecedented time, and we look forward to honoring them on July 4th,” continues Walker. \n\nOn a typical July 4, thousands have made the pilgrimage to Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island to watch the event in person. While this is not possible this year, ESPN will air its 12 noon ET telecast of the contest, which routinely draws an audience of millions. Each of the contests will include five eaters, rather than the usual 15, to allow for social distancing.\n\n“The Nathan’s Famous contest is synonymous with July 4th, America and the celebration of freedom,” said contest host George Shea. “We are honored to use the contest to highlight the incredible spirit of those who have supported our city and nation through the current challenge.”\n\n\nThe women’s competition coverage will begin at 12:20 pm ET and the men’s competition coverage will begin at 12:40 pm ET. ESPN will televise the event for the 17th consecutive year, featuring Mike Golic Jr. who will do play-by-play of the eating competition. The show will also include an in-depth analysis by Major League Eating’s Richard Shea, with reporting by ESPN’s Jason Fitz.\n\nAccording to Major League Eating (\"MLE\") archives, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY, since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. MLE, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event. \n\n ###\n\n\n**About Nathan’s Famous **\nNathan’s is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and ten foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. Last year, over 700 million Nathan’s Famous hot dogs were sold. Nathan’s was ranked #22 on the Forbes 2014 list of the Best Small Companies in America and was listed as the Best Small Company in New York State in October 2013. For additional information about Nathan’s, please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com. \n\nExcept for historical information contained in this news release, the matters discussed are forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended that involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which are based on the current belief of the Company’s management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company’s management. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include but are not limited to: the status of our licensing and supply agreements, including the impact of our supply agreement for hot dogs with John Morrell & Co.; the impact of the recent COVID-19 outbreak; the impact of our indebtedness, including the effect on our ability to fund working capital, operations and make new investments; economic; weather (including the impact on the supply of cattle and the impact on sales at our restaurants particularly during the summer months), and change in the price of beef trimmings; our ability to pass on the cost of any price increases in beef and beef trimmings; legislative and business conditions; the collectability of receivables; changes in consumer tastes; the ability to attract franchisees; the impact of the minimum wage legislation on labor costs in New York State or other changes in labor laws, including regulations which could render a franchisor as a “joint employee” or the impact of our new union contracts; our ability to attract competent restaurant and managerial personnel; the enforceability of international franchising agreements; the future effects of any food borne illness, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, BSE and e coli; and the risk factors reported from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking statements.\n\nPRESS CONTACT: Major League Eating, (212) 627-5766\nAdriana Ball, adriana@sheacommunications.com ; George Shea gshea@sheacommunications.com, Richard Shea rshea@sheacommunications.com\n\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5d76b7f4b7a58e0017bd3810","sn":1018,"title":"Remembering Juliet Lee","createdAt":"2019-09-09T20:37:08.398Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating is saddened to announce that Juliet Lee, a long-time member of Major League Eating and the number-17-ranked eater in the world, has passed away. MLE, along with all of its members, expresses deep condolences to Juliet’s family.\n\nJuliet was respected as a fearsome competitor. She began eating competitively in 2006, and was one of the first females to compete in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest, where she routinely placed among top finishers.\n\nA former chemistry professor at Nanjing University in China, Juliet moved to the United States in the early 1990s. She lived in Germantown, Maryland, where she owned several hair salons. Juliet was mother to two highly accomplished daughters, Lily and Leah, and was enormously proud of them. In addition to her focus on family, Juliet attended college classes, studied modern dance and ballet, and also regularly swam and practiced yoga.\n\n“Juliet was a beloved member of the competitive eating community, and an enormously positive force in our lives,” said George Shea of MLE. “It is no coincidence that she was known as ‘The Lovely Juliet Lee’ because she was gracious, elegant and caring. We will miss her deeply.”\n\nIn lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Hunger Project, https://www.thp.org: Through women-centered strategies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the Hunger Project uses a three-pronged approach: mobilizing at the grassroots level in villages to build self-reliance, empowering women as key change agents, and forging effective partnerships with local government. The final goal is to teach families to build better futures for their children.\n\n\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5d1e82547f8f9e001767bc72","sn":1017,"title":"Joey Chestnut & Miki Sudo Win Nathan’s Famous Fourth Of July International Hot Dog-Eating Championship","createdAt":"2019-07-04T22:48:52.248Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Chestnut Knocks Down 71 HDBs in 10 Minutes While Sudo Eats 31\r\n________\r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut and Miki Sudo today won the male and female divisions of the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Championship in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Chestnut consumed 71 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes while Sudo consumed 31. The annual contest, an American holiday tradition, was held at the Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant on the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues.\r\n\r\nFor the men, Darron Breedan placed second with 50 HDBs, Geoffrey Esper third with 47 and Matt Stonie fourth with 46. For the ladies, Michelle Lesco placed second with 26.5 HDBs while Juliet Lee and Sarah Reineke tied for third with 23. Larell Marie Mele placed fourth with 18.\r\n\r\nPre-show festivities began at 10:00 am with performances by the Hot Hand Band, Brooklyn Community Choir, opera singer Alex Frankel and rapper Badlands Booker. The pre-show also included a special ceremony, The Procession of the Flags of the Nations and States, to honor each of the countries and states where the eaters reside. A gong ceremony also was held to honor the nine meals of the day. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, Assemblyman Peter Abbate, Jr., and NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill attended the event along with an estimated 35,000 fans.\r\n\r\nTo earn a seat at the table on July 4, male and female eaters must win one of 16 qualifying events held across the nation in the lead-up to July 4. Last year, Chestnut set a new world record by consuming 74 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Miki Sudo’s all-time best is 41 hot dogs and buns, set in 2018. The men’s and women’s contests each offer $20,000 in cash prizes. The ESPN telecast of the contest routinely draws an audience of millions of viewers. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5d1e5efe7f8f9e001767bc6e","sn":1016,"title":"Results From The 2019 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest","createdAt":"2019-07-04T20:18:06.442Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"THE CHAMPIONS DEFEND THEIR TITLES!\r\n\r\nAs is tradition, the Hot Dog Eating Champions of the world were crowned this July 4th, 2019, at the original Nathan’s Famous, located at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in sunny Coney Island, in beautiful Brooklyn, NY. The event marked the culmination of Nathan’s Famous annual cross-country qualifying tour. Full results below.\r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n\r\nLadies' Championship\r\n1 Miki Sudo 31\r\n2 Michelle Lesco 26.5\r\n3 Juliet Lee and Sarah Reinecke 23\r\n5 Larell Marie Mele 18\r\n6 Sophia DeVita 14\r\n7 Katie Prettyman 12.5\r\n8 Holly Titus 11 \r\n9 Kelly Wong and Kathryn Tesch 10.5\r\n11 Jocelyn Walker 9\r\n12 Mary Bowers 8\r\n13 Julie Goldberg and Rene Rovtar 7\r\n15 Kat Wong 6\r\n\r\nMen's Championship\r\n1 Joey Chestnut 71\r\n2 Darron Breeden 50\r\n3 Geoffrey Esper 47\r\n4 Matt Stonie 46\r\n5 Max Suzuki 39\r\n6 Nick Wehry 36\r\n7 Matthew Hazzard and Gideon Oji 34\r\n9 Juan Neave 29\r\n10 Ronnie Hartman and Adam Moran 28.5\r\n12 Derek Jacobs and Pablo Martinez 27\r\n14 George Chiger, Adrian Morgan and Juan Rodriguez 26\r\n17 Steve Hendry and Darrien Thomas 22\r\n\r\nAbout Nathan's Famous, Inc.\r\nNathan’s Famous has nearly 300 restaurants all over the world including Russia, Australia, Malaysia, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Panama, the Philippines, and the UK. There are Nathan’s restaurants up and down the eastern seaboard, and scattered across the Midwest and west including Texas, Illinois and Nevada. Nathan’s products are available in arenas and stadiums all over the country, as well as movie theaters, colleges and universities, travel plazas, amusement parks, casinos and hotels. Nathan’s available prototypes are full menu restaurants large and small, as well as carts, kiosks, trailers and trucks. Nathan’s Famous products are currently sold in more than 58,000 retail and food service locations, and are available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands, and in 12 foreign countries. Through all channels of distribution, over 600 million Nathan’s world famous beef hot dogs were sold last year. \r\n\r\nFor additional information about Nathan’s Famous please visit www.nathansfamous.com.\r\n\r\nFollow Nathan’s Famous on Twitter @Original Nathan’s\r\n\r\nBecome a fan of the Nathan's Famous Facebook Page\r\n\r\nBecome a fan of the MLE Facebook Page\r\n\r\nFor instant results to all Major League Eating Contests, follow @eatingcontest\r\n\r\n*All applicants must be 18 years of age or older and fully acknowledge and understand the inherent dangers and risks associated with participating in an eating contest. The applicant further acknowledges and understands that the MLE/IFOCE coordinates with event sponsor(s) to select and approve eligible participants, and that the MLE/IFOCE shall decide, at its sole discretion, whether an applicant is eligible to participate in any eating event, and/or related activities. The MLE/IFOCE may revoke an applicant's eligibility to participate in the eating contest, or related activities, at any time, for any reason, at its sole discretion. The MLE/IFOCE and the event sponsors reserve the right, at any time, to change any and all details concerning the event, including, e.g., time, duration, location and prize structure.tion, location and prize structure.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5d14c83d9b17f30017d6e1c8","sn":1015,"title":"Meet The Men Competing At The 2019 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest","createdAt":"2019-06-27T13:44:29.347Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"**Darrien Thomas**\nOrillia, Ontario • 5’9”, 160 lbs, 20 y/o\nHow He Got Here: Won Syracuse, NY, Qualifier with 19.25 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #27-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Making his first appearance at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\n• The top-ranked eater in Canada, a constitutional monarchy located to our north\n\n**Steve Hendry**\nPleasant Hill, CA • 6’2”, 215 lbs, 34 y/o\nHow He Got Here: Won Santa Cruz, CA, Qualifier with 25 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #22-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed 16th last year; 24 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Ate 69 Silver Dollar Pancakes in 8 min\n\n**Gideon Oji**\nZaria, Nigeria • 6’9”, 225 lbs, 27 y/o\nHow He Got Here: Won Washington, DC, Qualifier with 25 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #5-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed 6th last year; 37.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• World Green Chile Stew Eating Champion; 1.3125 gallons in 6 min\n• World Kale Eating Champion; 25.5 16oz Kale Salads in 8 min\n• Played college basketball (center) for Clayton State College\n• Born in the great city of Zaria, Nigeria. Currently lives in Atlanta, GA\n\n**Juan “More Bite” Rodriguez**\nSeattle, WA • 5’7”, 165 lbs, 36 y/o\nHow He Got Here: Won Denver, CO, Qualifier with 26 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #14-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed 9th last year; 32 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Works as a personal trainer; known for his deep commitment to manscaping\n\n**Adrian “The Rabbit” Morgan**\nNew Orleans, LA • 6’1”, 200 lbs, 36 y/o\nHow He Got Here: Won Valdosta, GA, Qualifier with 26 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #9-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed 8th last year; 33 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Ninth consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\n• World Short-Course Hard-boiled Egg Eating Champion; 20 eggs in 84 seconds\n• Ate 42 dozen Acme Oysters in 8 min\n\n**Juan Neave**\nAustin, TX • 5’5”, 177 lbs, 21 y/o \nHow He Got Here: Won San Antonio, TX, Qualifier with 27 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #20-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed tied for 12th last year; 27 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n\n**Pablo Martinez**\nVisalia, CA • 6’0”, 165 lbs, 33 y/o\nHow He Got Here: Won Miami, FL, Qualifier with 27.25 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #23-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed 16th last year; 24 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Works as a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist \n• Investigates the paranormal in his free time\n\n**Matt Hazzard**\nNormal, IL • 6’2”, 188 lbs, 25 y/o\nHow He Got Here: Won Des Moines, IA, Qualifier with 29.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #11-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed 14th last year; 25 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Works as a cyber security specialist, which means he can likely see your browser history\n\n**Ronnie Hartman**\nBuffalo, NY • 6’3”, 225 lbs, 30 y/o\nHow He Got Here: Won Cincinnati, OH, Qualifier with 29.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #18-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed 18th last year; 21.25 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Made his MLE debut in 2013 while on leave from US Army service in Afghanistan\n• Training to become a pro wrestler\n\n**Derek Jacobs**\nVandalia, OH • 6’5”, 200 lbs, 36 y/o \nHow He Got Here: Won St. Louis, MO, Qualifier with 30 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #15-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed tied for 12th last year; 27 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Enjoys weightlifting and obstacle course racing \n \n**George Chiger**\nPocono Pines, PA • 6’6”, 340 lbs, 40 y/o\nHow He Got Here: Won Lancaster, PA, Qualifier with 31.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #12-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed 15th last year; 24.75 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Despite appearances, is a warm-hearted and kind man—a true gentle giant\n\n**Adam Moran**\nLeeds, United Kingdom • 5’10”, 155 lbs, 33 y/o\nHow He Got Here: Won Queens, NY, Qualifier with 32 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #1-Ranked Eater in the UK—and, until Brexit, the #1-Ranked Eater in Europe\n• #13-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Making his first appearance at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\n• His BeardMeetsFood YouTube Channel has over 600k subscribers\n\n**Nick Wehry**\nTorrington, CT • 5’10”, 205 lbs, 30 y/o \nHow He Got Here: Won Cape Coral, FL, Qualifier with 34 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #8-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed 10th last year; 31 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Works as a diet coach and competes in bodybuilding\n\n**Max Suzuki**\nTokyo, Japan • 5’11”, 155 lbs, 38 y/o\nHow He Got Here: Won Las Vegas, NV, Qualifier with 41 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #1-Ranked Eater in Japan\n• #7-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed 7th last year; 34 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Ate 20.5lb of ramen noodles in 45 min\n\n**Darron Breeden**\nOrange, VA • 6’0”, 165 lbs, 30 y/o\nHow He Got Here: Won Norfolk, VA, Qualifier with 47 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #4-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed 3rd last year; 43 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• World Cheese Curd Eating Champion; 5lb, 2oz in 6 min\n\n**Matt Stonie**\nSan Jose, CA • 5’8”, 130 lbs, 27 y/o\nHow He Got Here: 2015 Men’s Champion\n• #3-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Ate 62 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min to win 2015 Championship\n• Placed 5th last year; 40 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Ninth consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\n• World MoonPie Eating Champion; 85 in 8 min\n• World Pumpkin Pie Eating Champion; 20 lbs, 13 oz in 8 min\n• His YouTube channel has over 8.3 million subscribers\n\n**Geoffrey Esper**\nOxford, MA • 5’7”, 195 lbs, 44 y/o\nHow He Got Here: Won Central Islip, NY, Qualifier with 47 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #2-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed 4th last year; 41 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• World Pizza Eating Champion; 83 slices of 10-inch pizza in 10 min\n• Works as a teacher and holds a graduate degree in physics\n\n**Joey “Jaws” Chestnut**\nSan Jose, CA\n6’1”, 230 lbs, 35 y/o \nHow He Got Here: Eleven-time and Defending Nathan’s Famous Men’s Champion\n• #1-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• World Hot Dog Eating Champion; ate a World Record 74 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min at last year’s Championship\n• Claimed his 11th Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July title last year\n• Winner of eight consecutive Fourth of July titles from 2007 to 2014\n• 15th consecutive year as a Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contestant\n• Won his first Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Championship in 2007, eating 66 Hot Dogs & Buns in 12 min to snap Takeru Kobayashi’s streak of six Fourth of July wins\n• Defeated Kobayashi head-to-head for three consecutive years—2007, 2008 and 2009\n• Currently holds 49 World Records, which is a World Record of World Records\n• World Twinkie Eating Champion; 121 Twinkies in 6 min\n• World Hard Boiled Egg Eating Champion; 141 hard-boiled eggs in 8 min\n• 2012 Graduate of San Jose State, Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering \n• Learned to eat fast while growing up with five siblings\n\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5d14c8279b17f30017d6e1c7","sn":1014,"title":"Meet The Ladies Competing At The 2019 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest","createdAt":"2019-06-27T13:44:07.783Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"**Katherine Wong**\nBoston, MA • 5’4”, 23 y/o\nHow She Got Here: Won Syracuse, NY, Qualifier with 6 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Making her first appearance at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\n\n**Dr. René Rovtar**\nBasking Ridge, NJ • 5’7”, 60 y/o\nHow She Got Here: Won Des Moines, IA, Qualifier with 7 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Placed tied for 15th last year; 6.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Serves as the Superintendent of Schools in the Montville, NJ, School District\n• Awarded the Morris County Superintendent of the Year for 2016-2017\n\n**Julie Goldberg**\nBrooklyn, NY • 5’5”, 33 y/o\nHow She Got Here: Won Queens, NY, Qualifier with 9.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Making her first appearance at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\n• Studies competitive eating under the tutelage of MLE legend Crazy Legs Conti\n\n**Kathryn Tesch**\nPrior Lake, MN • 5’9”, 31 y/o\nHow She Got Here: Won San Antonio, TX, Qualifier with 9.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #49-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed tied for 11th last year; 8 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Works as a dairy farmer and serves in the Air Force as a Technical Sergeant\n\n**Jocelyn Walker**\nSherman, TX • 5’9”, 38 y/o\nHow She Got Here: Won Valdosta, GA, Qualifier with 10 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #48-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed 10th last year; 10.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n\n**Mary Bowers**\nBeverly Hills, CA • 5’3”\nHow She Got Here: Won Cape Coral, FL, Qualifier with 10.25 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #47-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Seventh year competing at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \n\n**Kelly Wong**\nOakland, CA • 5’7”, 28 y/o\nHow She Got Here: Won Miami, FL, Qualifier with 11.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #41-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Making her first appearance at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\n• Created and ate a 5lb avocado toast and a 12lb acai berry bowl\n\n**Holly Titus**\nMuncie, IN • 5’3”, 41 y/o\nHow She Got Here: Won St. Louis, MO, Qualifier with 13 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #42-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed tied for 11th last year; 8 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n\n**Sophia DeVita**\nChicago, IL • 5’7”, 24 y/o\nHow She Got Here: Won tied Cincinnati, OH, Qualifier with 14 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #35-Ranked in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed 6th last year; 14 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Served as goalkeeper for Division 1 Fairfield University’s Soccer team\n\n**Katie Prettyman**\nMarysville, WA • 5’5”, 36 y/o\nHow She Got Here: Won tied Cincinnati, OH, Qualifier with 14 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #36-Ranked in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed 9th last year; 21 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Works as the Regional Volunteer Services Officer for the NW Region of the Red Cross\n\n**Larell Marie Mele**\nLong Pond, PA • 5’6”, 55 y/o \nHow She Got Here: Won Central Islip, NY, Qualifier with 18 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min \n• #30-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \n• Ninth consecutive year competing at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \n• Placed 5th last year; 19 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n\n**Sarah Reinecke**\nSeattle, WA • 5’6.5”, 32 y/o \nHow She Got Here: Won Denver, CO, Qualifier with 20 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min \n• #26-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \n• Placed 4th last year; 21 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Ate 67 Peeps in 5 min\n• Works as a fitness and nutrition coach\n\n**“The Lovely” Juliet Lee **\nGermantown, MD • 5’5”, 54 y/o \nHow She Got Here: Won Washington DC Qualifier with 23 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #17-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \n• Placed 3rd last year; 25 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• World Jellied Cranberry Sauce Eating Champion, 13.23 lbs in 8 min \n• Former chemistry professor in Nanjing, China; now operates a hair salon\n\n**Michelle Lesco**\nTucson, AZ • 5’4”, 35 y/o\nHow She Got Here: Won Las Vegas, NV, Qualifier with 28 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• #10-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• #2-Ranked Female Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Placed 2nd last year; 28 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• Ate 10.5 lbs of boysenberry pie in 10 min \n• Ate 158 chicken wings in 10 min \n\n**Miki Sudo**\nTucson, AZ • 5’7”, 33 y/o\nHow She Got Here: Defending Women’s Champion \n• #6-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• #1-Ranked Female Eater in the World by Major League Eating\n• Defending 5-time Women’s Champion; ate 37 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min in 2018\n• Has a personal best of 41 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\n• World Kimchi Eating Champion; 8.5 lbs in 6 min\n• World Ice-Cream Eating Champion; 16 .5 pints in 6 min\n• Ate 71 Twinkies in 6 min\n• Ate 61.5 bratwursts in 10 min\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5d14bc889b17f30017d6e1c2","sn":1013,"title":"How Do I Get To Coney Island?","createdAt":"2019-06-27T12:54:32.984Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"**The Male and Female Championships will take place on Thursday, July 4th, 2019, beginning at 10:50am at the original Nathan’s Famous location—1310 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224.**\n\n**Best Option—Subway:** \nTake N, Q, D, F to the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station\n\n**Car:** \nComing from the Belt Parkway West; get off at Exit 7B Ocean Parkway. Go onto Shore Parkway then make a left onto Ocean Parkway. Ocean Parkway will then turn into Surf Avenue.\n\nComing from the Belt Parkway East; get off exit 6 Cropsey Ave/Coney Is. Make slight left onto Shore Parkway. Make slight left onto Bay 52nd Street. Make first right on Cropsey, Cropsey becomes West 17th Street, make left onto Surf Avenue.\n\n**Bus: **\nB68 to Stillwell Terminal\nB82 to Mermaid and Stillwell Ave\nB36 to Surf and Stillwell Ave"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5d111258670e4e00176f4d8a","sn":1012,"title":"Geoffrey Esper Downs 17 lbs of Strawberry Shortcake to Win Mattituck Lions Club Event!","createdAt":"2019-06-24T18:11:36.828Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Geoffrey Esper stood firm as powerful winds blew in from Long Island Sound over the Mattituck\r\nstrawberry fields. Tents ripped from the ground, hats flew and audience members sought shelter\r\nbehind flatbed trucks stacked high with strawberries. In addition to the onslaught from the wind,\r\nthe number-three-ranked Esper knew he would face a major challenge from Darron Breeden, the\r\nnumber-five-ranked eater in the world.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhile the Mattituck Lions Club World Strawberry Shortcake Eating Championship presented by\r\nPeconic Bay Medical Center/Northwell Health sounds like a delightful festival of dessert, it is in fact\r\nan epic battle. The strawberries are enormous, the shortcake is robust, and the cream covers\r\neverything.\r\n\r\nEsper and Breeden began the eight-minute contest in synch and remained even for two minutes\r\nbefore Breeden appeared to take the upper hand. However, Esper, the stalwart body builder and\r\nmulti-title champion of the world, dug deep, increasing his speed and downing 17.5 pounds of\r\nstrawberry shortcake to Breeden’s 14 pounds to win the title of World Strawberry Shortcake-\r\nEating Champion.\r\n\r\nThird place went to Darrien Thomas, with 11 pounds; fourth to Adam Moran with 10.75 pounds;\r\nfifth Wayne Aljeno 10.75 pounds; sixth Ronnie Hartman 10.5 pounds, and seventh George Chiger\r\nwith 9.75 pounds.\r\n\r\nThe Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Festival celebrated its 65th anniversary in grand style\r\nthrough Esper’s victory.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5d11116c670e4e00176f4d85","sn":1011,"title":"Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest","createdAt":"2019-06-24T18:07:40.204Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The 2019 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest will take place in Coney Island from 11 am to 1 pm on Thursday, July 4, 2019. The annual contest, an American holiday tradition, will be held at the Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant located at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Brooklyn, NY.\n\nPre-show festivities will begin at 10:00 am with performances by a variety of musical and dance acts. The women’s competition begins at 11:00 am, while the men’s competition will start at 12:30 pm. Some 35,000 fans are expected to attend.\n\nLast year, Joey Chestnut of San Jose, CA, set a new world record and held on to his championship title, fending off his arch-rival Carmen Cincotti, of Newark, NJ, by consuming 74 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Darron Breeden finished in third place, Geoffrey Esper in fourth, and Matt Stonie in fifth.\n\nIn the women's competition last year, Miki Sudo of Las Vegas, NV, took first place, marking her fifth consecutive win by eating 37 hot dogs and buns. Miki’s all-time best is 41 hot dogs and buns, set in 2018. Michelle Lesco of Tucson, AZ, came in second, with 28 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. The women’s world record is 45 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. \n\nTo earn a seat at the table on July 4, male and female eaters must win one of 16 qualifying events held across the nation in the lead-up to July 4. A total of 18 men and a total of 15 women are expected to compete on July 4. The men’s and women’s contests each offer $20,000 in cash prizes.\n\nESPN has exclusive live broadcast rights from 10:50 am to the conclusion of the event, expected to be at 1:05 pm ET. The women’s competition coverage will begin at 10:50 am ET and will be telecast live on ESPN3 and the ESPN App. The men’s competition coverage will begin at 12:00 pm ET and will be telecast live on ESPN2. It will re-air on ESPN2 at 3:00pm ET, 4:00pm ET, and 1am ET, and on ESPNEWS at 7pm ET and midnight ET. Air times subject to change.\n\nAccording to Major League Eating archives, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY, since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. MLE, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda415a","sn":1009,"title":"Darron Breeden Sets New 10-Minute Tamale Record!","createdAt":"2018-10-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Lewisville, TX! Mark the date, place and time: On September 29, 2018, on the steps of City Hall in Lewisville, TX, at 1.48pm, Darron Breeden was declared to have eaten 70 two-ounce tamales in 10 minutes. In doing so, he was deemed the winner of the 2018 Western Days Festival World Tamale Eating Championship Presented By Market Street and earned his second world record-setting performance of his burgeoning career. His tamales title comes hot on the heels of his stellar performance in the Cheese Curd discipline some six weeks earlier. \r\n\r\nThis year’s Championship was contested over 10 minutes of competition for the first time ever. As a matter of course, a new 10-minute record in the tamale discipline was to be be set—that was unless, of course, the MLE emcee on duty was required to disqualify every contestant at the table. The cynical would say that the record was set by default. It was not. It was set by the grace of God. With this new record on the line, we stand in wonder and amazement at the long-form, 12-minute tamale-eating record on the books: The 102 tamales that Joey Chestnut ate over a dozen minutes in 2012. That record will stand until the last bird flaps its wings for the last time. Pour one out.\r\n\r\nMiki Sudo, your 2015 Western Days Festival World Tamale Eating Champion, would have to settle for second, with an impressive 55.75 tamales in 10 minutes. Adrian Morgan rounded out the medal positions with 50.5. Others ate less but all gave their best account of themselves. \r\n\r\nFull results below. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1. Darron Breeden 70 2oz Market Street Tamales in 10 mins!\r\n2. Miki Sudo 55.75\r\n3. Adrian Morgan 50.5\r\n4. Michelle Lesco 46.5\r\n5. Juan Neave 43.5\r\n6. Scott Rohne and Nathan Biller 28\r\n8. Brent Ricord 25\r\n9. Katie Prettyman 20\r\n10. Jocelyn Walker 14\r\n11. Moose Perez 12\r\n12. Mark Poland 6\r\n\r\nThis contest took place at 1pm Central, on Saturday, September 29, 2018, at the City Hall Stage at the Lewisville Western Days Festival, 151 W Church Street, Lewisville, TX 75057!\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda415c","sn":1010,"title":"Geoffrey Esper Smashes Pork Roll Record!","createdAt":"2018-10-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Trenton, NJ Let’s call it what it is: Utter dominance. Geoffrey Esper, the world’s #3-ranked eater, turned in the signature performance of his career to date to down 50—yes, 50—four-ounce Case’s Pork Roll sandwiches to win 2018 edition of The Trenton Thunder World Famous Case's Pork Roll Eating Championship. In doing so, he set a new world record in the discipline, smashing the previous mark by seven Pork Roll sandwiches. Those who witnessed his effort will never forget where they were on this day. It is forever etched in their memory as something perfect, profound and good. \r\n\r\nEsper started fast and sped up during the contest, according to MLE Chairman and event host George Shea. That Esper is still improving at the table will not go unnoticed by his foes. They will ask: What is Esper’s ceiling? Will I catch him? Will he, ask the exalted one or two, catch me? And what happens when he works out how to eat hot dogs for real? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves but let us note that we are witnessing something special when it comes to the man they call Esper. \r\n\r\nAnd a special day it was. The sun shone brightly on Trenton, NJ’s own ARM & HAMMER Park on this day. Badlands Booker rocked the mic to great applause. Former Trenton mayor Mr. Jackson oversaw the affairs alongside with Case's Pork Roll president Mr. Dolan. At the table, Joey Chestnut, the former world record-holder in this discipline, struggled to find a rhythm and sync his swallowing. He would not be able to catch Esper on this day; he would finish with 38 for second place. He was, as befits a champion, gracious in defeat. One imagines his total will be considerably larger next year. Rookie Nick Wehry continues to impress. He finished tied for third, alongside Gideon Oji, with 29. Others ate less. Tip of the boater to René Rovtar, who consumed 6.5 Pork Roll sandwiches to her daughter Kristina’s final tally of 4.5 to win the Rovtar Bowl. Mother knows best, Kristina. \r\n\r\nFull results below. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1st - 50 pork roll sandwiches in 10 minutes - Geoffrey Esper\r\n2nd - 38 - Joey Chestnut\r\nTie for 3rd - 29 - Gideon Oji and Nick Wehry \r\n5th - 22 - Brian Dudzinski\r\n6th - 20 - Badlands Booker \r\n7th - 14.5 - Darrien Thomas \r\n8th - 12 - Crazy Legs Conti\r\n9th - 9.5 - Wild Bill Myers Himself\r\n10th - 7 - Scott Voegele\r\n11th - 6.5 - Rene Rovtar\r\n12th - 4.5 - Kristina Rovtar\r\n\r\nThis contest took place at 3.30pm Eastern, on Saturday, September 29, 2018, at the home of the Trenton Thunder, ARM & HAMMER Park, 1 Thunder Rd, Trenton, NJ 08611\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda415b","sn":1008,"title":"Chestnut Remains Undefeated In Cincinnati Brats","createdAt":"2018-09-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Cincinnati, OH The streak continues. Joey Chestnut ate 65.5 Brats in 10 minutes to win the 2018 Oktoberfest Zinzinnati World Bratwurst-Eating Championship to remain undefeated at the event. The victory marked his ninth straight, the first dating back in 2010. \r\n\r\nTo understand how long ago that was, consider that 2010 was marked by the remarkable rescue of miners at the San José copper and gold mine 28 miles north of Copiapó, Chile. Unless you’re overinvested in Chilean mining stocks and have constantly bemoaned their lack of growth over the past nine years—some ups, some downs, sure, but basically sideways—we would posit that it’s been a long time since you thought about Chile and mining and the plight of that industry’s proud workers or much else from 2010. Which is to say nine years is a long time. Chestnut’s total was but 4.5 Brats shy of his Cincinnati brat record of 70 Brats in 10 minutes, set in 2013. \r\n\r\nAfter three minutes of contest time had elapsed, the result—barring disaster—was not in doubt. Chestnut is a brat-master and understands their tubular charms and challenges better than anyone. He would best Darron Breeden, who finished second with 48.25 brats in 10 minutes on debut, by a considerable margin, especially considering Breeden’s clear raw natural talent. (One imagines that Breeden’s sophomore effort next year will be another matter entirely.) Tip of the boater to Matt Hazzard, who continues to impress. He ate 39, to edge higher-ranked foes Gideon Oji and George Chiger by one brat. Derek Jacobs ate in jeans but no shoes, which was odd but his prerogative, for sixth with a tough 35. \r\n\r\nFull results below. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1. Joey Chestnut 65.5 Brats in 10 Minutes\r\n2. Darron Breeden 48.25\r\n3. Matt Hazzard 39\r\n4. Gideon Oji and George Chiger 38\r\n6. Derek Jacobs 35\r\n7. Darrien Thomas 26\r\n8. Michael Whities 18\r\n9. Sean Mulcahey 13\r\n10. Randi Rico 7.25\r\n11. Matthew Raible DQ"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4157","sn":1007,"title":"Chestnut Defends White Hut Cheeseburg Crown","createdAt":"2018-09-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"West Springfield, MAThe Big E began back in 1916. Something about that year and its ties to competitive eating. Feels right. And Something about The Big E, White Hut and the O’Brien crew. Just feels right. \r\n\r\nSaturday’s contest marked year three of the event and it was the most amazing White Hut Cheesburg Eating Championship yet. Geoff Esper stood between Joey Chestnut and Gideon The Truth Oji. But really, he was standing between Joey and a second White Hut belt. Esper set the pace and led most of the way. If not shock and awe, Esper inspired awe. The Oxford, MA man was holding tough, two cheeseburgs at a time and two cheeseburgs ahead of Joey. It was around minute eight that Joey started to realize Esper wasn’t gonna wane.\r\n\r\nFor the final 90 seconds the two great competitors traded cheeseburg for cheeseburg. The enormous crowd cracking with each exchange. It was loud. Big E loud. While Esper put forth an amazing effort for his fellow Massachusetts residents, Joey was able to reach that extra gear that makes him the best eater of all time. In the end, Joey hoisted the belt.\r\n\r\nAcclaim to Nick Wehry for downing 28 White Hut cheeseburgs and taking 3rd place. It was at The Big E last year when Nick first competed in the cheeseburg contest, his first MLE event. Kudos to all who competed, assisted and cheered. A new rap called Dear Prudence II was also unearthed. Wanna hear it? Watch this space.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4159","sn":1006,"title":"Esper Wins In Brat-Eating Debut","createdAt":"2018-08-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Snowbird, UT Never before in his illustrious eating career had Geoffrey “Geoff” Esper faced down the mighty bratwurst in sanctioned competition. Not that it mattered much at the 2018 installment of the Snowbird Bratwurst Eating Championship: On debut in the discipline, the world’s #3-ranked eater put away 33 4.5oz brats—big boys—in 10 minutes. He was, as we have become accustomed of late, supremely composed, smooth, fluid and powerful. It was a damn pleasure to watch, frankly. Sorry for the cussing. \r\n\r\nEsper’s golden 2018 continues. He is the master of his destiny, it would seem. Esper finished just one-and-a-half brats shy of the record in this discipline—34.5 4.5oz brats in 10 minutes, set by Gideon Oji at the 2017 Snowbird event. Oji would finish in second today with 24 brats; Miki Sudo would have to settle for third, with 21. Michelle Lesco, who, like Esper, also made her brats debut at the event, finished in fourth with 19.5. Make of that what you will. Others ate less. \r\n\r\nBut the real winners today? Every single person in attendance—those at the table, your humble host, the crowd, even those foolish enough to be at Snowbird at the same time as our fair sport but who chose other entertainment options instead, such as taking in a recital by skilled Alpine horn players far away from the contest stage. Even them. Snowbird’s Oktoberfest attracts over 60,000 visitors and was voted one of America's 10 Best Oktoberfests by Men's Journal Magazine. And, well, Men’s Journal is right: Snowbird’s Oktoberfest is a perfect slice of alpine merriment. How could it not be, nestled as it is high in the mountains, glowing in the late summer sun? MLE members who have not competed in this event might wish to re-evaluate for the future. The place is stunning. \r\n\r\nIn closing, and not to nitpick with our friends at Men’s Journal, but the August 2018 issue features the coverline: “28 Ways To Upgrade Your Grill Game.” Might we suggest but one: If you're hosting, cook more good food, please. No need to get more complicated than that, people. \r\n\r\nLife can be easy if you want it to be: A mountain paradise, delicious brats, golden light, and the company of good men and women. We need no more. \r\n\r\nFull Results!\r\n1 Geoff Esper 33 4.5oz brats in 10 min\r\n2 Gideon Oji 24\r\n3 Miki Sudo 21\r\n4 Michelle Lesco 19.5\r\n5 Ryan Rodacker 10.5\r\n6 Russ Adair 10.25\r\n7 Scott Rubin 7.5\r\n8 Jonny Dingo 6\r\n9 Darin Hanson 5.25\r\n10 Luke Mulholland 3.75\r\n11 Brooke Mangum 3"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4158","sn":1005,"title":"Chestnut Defends Gyoza Title","createdAt":"2018-08-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Los Angeles, CA Joey Chestnut won the 2018 Day-Lee Foods World Gyoza Eating Championship with a dominant 359-gyoza haul. One imagines a feeling of vindication, perhaps even relief, overcame the Great One when the results were read. His previous three efforts at the MLE table did not yield a victory, an eternity between wins the world of Chestnut. Such is the burden of greatness. Perhaps even Einstein forgot to carry the zero every now and then. \r\n\r\nThis was vintage Chestnut. This was pure Chestnut. This was controlled power in eating form. The contest emcee would remark at the four-minute mark that Chestnut had long settled into a rhythm. He did not need to eat violently or recklessly or with abandon. When Chestnut is smooth, foods gets munched. It was like watching a gazelle but, like, a super-powered gazelle, remarked one onlooker named Shauna after the event. Which kind of nailed it. \r\n\r\nTake nothing way from the other contestants. Esper's 2018 career year is not diminished by finishing second with 297; Darron Breeden's 232 for third suggests his rise continues. Others ate less. All MLE contestants cracked the 100-gyoza mark for the first time in history, a credit to everyone who competed. \r\n\r\nWe may not all win and many of of us never do. But it is the will to try that we can happily allow to define us. Indeed, our finest hour—the greatest fulfillment of what we each hold dear—is that moment when we work our hearts out in a good cause and lie exhausted in pursuit of our dreams. \r\n\r\nAll may sleep well tonight. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1 Joey Chestnut, 359 Day-Lee Foods Gyoza in 10 minutes\r\n2 Geoffrey Esper, 297\r\n3 Darron Breeden, 232\r\n4 Matt Stonie, 222\r\n5 Adrian Morgan, 205\r\n6 Miki Sudo, 192\r\n7 Juan Rodriguez, 175\r\n8 Michelle Lesco, 168\r\n9 Rich LeFevre, 167\r\n10 Juan Neave, 155\r\n11 Derek Jacobs, 153\r\n12 Steve Hendry, 143\r\n13 Erik Denmark and Pablo Martinez, 118\r\n15 Eric Booker, 117\r\n16 Jon Bello, 113\r\n17 Sarah Reinecke, 110\r\n18 AMP Radio's Mr Moote, 38\r\n19 AMP Radio's Mr McCabe, 21"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4155","sn":1004,"title":"Breeden Sets World Cheese Curd-Eating Record!","createdAt":"2018-08-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"West Allis, WI! Take a bow, Darron Breeden. The man from Orange, VA, ate 5lb, 2oz of cheese curds over six minutes to win the Wisconsin State Fair World Cheese Curd Eating Championship. In doing so, he set a world record in the discipline. This is the first certified and sanctioned eating record to his name. One imagines that it will not be the last. \r\n\r\nNot if you witnessed Breeden’s incredible performance at the table on this day. He was smooth and clean throughout the contest, pausing only briefly when he needed to partake of his liquids. He came to Wisconsin to win. And that is what he did. Perhaps in his journal he referred to the state as “Winsconsin.” If he did so, who are we to judge? The road to victory starts with positive visualization. If an eater doesn’t see himself or herself as a winner, how will anyone else? It’s okay to dream of success, to see the future in terms that suit you. That said, Anthony Robbins probably can’t eat half a pound of cheese curds, no matter what his goals and mind’s eye postulate. Even with that giant set of teeth of his. \r\n\r\nBut we digress. Breeden. This day is his. And no-one can take that away from him. He should feel the pride swelling in his boots. \r\n\r\nFull results below. Many thanks to everyone at the Wisconsin State Fair. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1 Darron Breeden 5.125lb\r\n2 Gideon Oji 4.875lb\r\n3 Joey Chestnut 4.75lb\r\n4 Darrien Thomas 2.625lb\r\n5 Matthew Raible and Eric Hucke 1.5625lb\r\n7 Wild Bill 1.4375lb\r\n8 Andrew Kogutkiewicz and Amanda Reitenbach 1.375lb\r\n10 Keith Branch 1.25lb\r\n11 Meliss Klabel 1lb"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4154","sn":1003,"title":"Esper Takes Ice Cream Crown","createdAt":"2018-08-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Indianapolis, IN Well, will you look at that? Geoffrey Esper ate 15.5 pints of ice cream in six minutes to claim the second annual World’s Ice Cream Eating Championship At The Indiana State Fair. This is the same Geoffrey Esper who won the Fresno Tacos World Taco Championship before that, and who won the Vaughan Pizza Fest International Pizza Championship before that. Three events, three wins in a row. They call that a three-peat because that’s what it is. Hail, Esper! He has cemented his reputation as not only one of the contemporary greats of the league, but as one of the greats of all-time. Speak of him when you speak the hallowed names. \r\n\r\nEsper, man. An Indiana State Fair employee named Alexis, tasked with the crucial responsibility of in-contest ice-cream resupply, mentioned, sotto voce, to the emcee on duty at the three-minute mark with head nod toward Esper, “That dude is a machine.” Yes. He is fast, he is clean, he wastes no effort, and he’s . . . like Joey Chestnut? Not today he wasn’t, but that’s on Chestnut. The #1-ranked eater in the world remarked after the event that he struggled with rhythm and cleanliness; he incurred a debris penalty as a result. He would finish with 14.5 pints, half a pint shy of his personal best. Miki Sudo’s record of 16.5 pints of ice cream in six minutes withstood this afternoon.\r\n\r\nFull results are below. In closing, a warm thanks to everyone at the Indiana State Fair and to the great people of Indiana. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1 Geoffrey Esper 15.5 pints in 6 min\r\n2 Joey Chestnut 14.5\r\n3 Juan Rodriguez 12\r\n4 Dud Lite Dudzinski and Derek Jacobs 11.5\r\n6 Adrian Morgan 11.25\r\n7 Gideon Oji and Matt Hazzard 11\r\n9 Matthews Raible and Cohen 7.25\r\n11 Meliss Klabel 5.5\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4156","sn":1002,"title":"Results from The 2018 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest","createdAt":"2018-07-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"CHESTNUT SETS NEW WORLD RECORD!\r\n\r\nSUDO DEFENDS WOMEN'S TITLE!\r\n\r\nThe 2018 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest took place in Coney Island from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. The annual contest was held at Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Brooklyn, NY.\r\n\r\nMen's Results\r\n1. Joey Chestnut 74, New WR\r\n2. Carmen Cincotti 64\r\n3. Darron Breeden 43\r\n4. Geoffrey Esper 41\r\n5. Matt Stonie 40\r\n6. Gideon Oji 37.5\r\n7. Max Suzuki 34\r\n8. Adrian Morgan 33\r\n9. Juan Rodriguez 32\r\n10. Nick Wehry 31\r\n11. Rich LeFevre 28\r\n12. Derek Jacobs and Juan Neave 27\r\n14. Matt Hazzard 25\r\n15. George Chiger 24.75\r\n16. Steve Hendry and Pablo Martinez 24\r\n18. Erik Denmark and Ronnie Hartman 21.5\r\n20. Jim Reeves 21\r\n21. Badlands Booker 20\r\n\r\nWomen's Results\r\n1. Miki Sudo 37\r\n2. Michelle Lesco 28\r\n3. Juliet Lee 25\r\n4. Sarah Reinecke 21\r\n5. Larell Marie Mele 19\r\n6. Sophia DeVita 14\r\n7. Jingru Chen and Holly Titus 13\r\n9. Kassandra Zapata 12\r\n10. Katie Prettyman 11\r\n11. Jocelyn Walker 10.5\r\n12. Tracie Dickerson and Kathryn Tesch 8\r\n14. Brittany Powell 7\r\n15. Rene Rovtar and Brynn Szeles 6.5\r\n17. Kristina Rovtar 5\r\n18. Prudence DiBenedetto 4\r\n\r\nAbout Nathan's Famous, Inc.\r\nNathan’s is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and ten foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. Last year, over 500 million Nathan’s Famous hot dogs were sold. Nathan’s was ranked #22 on the Forbes 2014 list of the Best Small Companies in America and was listed as the Best Small Company in New York State in October 2013. \r\n\r\nFor additional information about Nathan’s Famous please visit www.nathansfamous.com.\r\n\r\nFollow Nathan’s Famous on Twitter @Original Nathan’s\r\n\r\nBecome a fan of the Nathan's Famous Facebook Page\r\n\r\nBecome a fan of the MLE Facebook Page\r\n\r\nFor instant results to all Major League Eating Contests, follow @eatingcontest\r\n\r\n*All applicants must be 18 years of age or older and fully acknowledge and understand the inherent dangers and risks associated with participating in an eating contest. The applicant further acknowledges and understands that the MLE/IFOCE coordinates with event sponsor(s) to select and approve eligible participants, and that the MLE/IFOCE shall decide, at its sole discretion, whether an applicant is eligible to participate in any eating event, and/or related activities. The MLE/IFOCE may revoke an applicant's eligibility to participate in the eating contest, or related activities, at any time, for any reason, at its sole discretion. The MLE/IFOCE and the event sponsors reserve the right, at any time, to change any and all details concerning the event, including, e.g., time, duration, location and prize structure.tion, location and prize structure.\r\nuding, e.g., time, duration, location and prize structure.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4151","sn":1001,"title":"How Do I Get To Coney Island? ","createdAt":"2018-07-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Car Coming from the Belt Parkway West; get off at Exit 7B Ocean Parkway. Go onto Shore Parkway then make a left onto Ocean Parkway. Ocean Parkway will then turn into Surf Avenue.\r\n\r\nComing from the Belt Parkway East; get off exit 6 Cropsey Ave/Coney Is. Make slight left onto Shore Parkway. Make slight left onto Bay 52nd Street. Make first right on Cropsey, Cropsey becomes West 17th Street, make left onto Surf Avenue.\r\n\r\nSubway Take N, Q, D, F to the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station\r\n\r\nBus \r\nB68 to Stillwell Terminal\r\nB82 to Mermaid and Stillwell Ave\r\nB36 to Surf and Stillwell Ave\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4152","sn":1000,"title":"Nathan’s Famous Fourth Of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest ","createdAt":"2018-07-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Annual Competition in Coney Island on July 4, 2018\r\n\r\nWorld Champion Joey Chestnut to Defend Title Against Carmen Cincotti\r\n\r\nMiki Sudo to Battle Michelle Lesco\r\n\r\nConey Island, NY The 2018 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest will take place in Coney Island from 11 am to 1 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. The annual contest, an American holiday tradition, will be held at Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Brooklyn, NY.\r\n\r\nPre-show festivities will begin at 10:00 am with performances by a variety of musical and dance acts. The women’s competition begins at 11:00 am, while the men’s competition will start at 12:30 pm. Some 30,000 fans are expected to attend.\r\n\r\nLast year, Joey Chestnut of San Jose, CA, held on to his championship title fending off new arch-rival Carmen Cincotti, of Newark, NJ, by consuming 72 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Chestnut’s all-time best is a world record 73 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Many believe Cincotti will beat 10-time champion Chestnut this year. \r\n\r\nLast year, in the women's competition, Miki Sudo of Las Vegas, NV. took first place, marking her fourth consecutive win by eating 41 hot dogs and buns, 11 more than former champion and world record holder Sonya Thomas. Michelle Lesco of Tucson, AZ came in second, with 31 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Sonya Thomas holds the Women’s world record with 45 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes. \r\n\r\nTo earn a seat at the table on July 4, male and female eaters must win one of 19 qualifying events held across the nation in the lead-up to July 4. A total of 21 men and a total of 19 women are expected to compete on July 4. The men’s and women’s contests each offer $20,000 in cash prizes.\r\n\r\nThousands make the pilgrimage to Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island each year to watch the event in person. The ESPN telecast of the event routinely draws an audience of millions of viewers. As part of the event, Nathan’s Famous makes a donation of 100,000 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs to Food Bank for New York City. Coney Island Brewery is official beer sponsor of the event.\r\n\r\nESPN has exclusive live broadcast rights from 10:50 am to the conclusion of the event, expected to be at 1:05 pm ET. The women’s competition coverage will begin at 10:50 am ET and will be telecast live on ESPN3. The men’s competition coverage will begin at 12:00 pm ET and will be telecast live on ESPN2. It will re-air on ESPN2 at 4:00pm ET and 7:30pm ET. \r\n\r\nAccording to Major League Eating archives, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY, since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. MLE, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4150","sn":999,"title":"Cincotti Smashes Strawberry Shortcake Record","createdAt":"2018-06-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Mattituck, NY! When the history of strawberry shortcake is written*, spare a chapter for the efforts of one Carmen Cincotti at the 2018 edition of the Mattituck Lions Club World Strawberry Shortcake Eating Championship. The world’s #2-ranked eater ate 22lb of strawberry shortcake in eight minutes to set a new world record in the discipline. He earned $1,750 for doing so—money, one imagines, that will be spent on the finer things in life. Cincotti is, after all, a Gucci man through and through. He is also partial to some Burberry when the mood strikes. (The luggage, of course, not the god-awful threads and knits Burberry peddle. Perish the thought. Sheesh.)\r\n\r\nNone of which is to say that Cincotti had it easy. Geoffrey Esper—not sure of his position on Gucci, to be honest—ate 20lb of strawberry shortcake for second. Gideon Oji—more commonly seen in his beloved Barcelona jersey when not sporting a MLE contest T-shirt—finished third. \r\n\r\nFull results below. Hat tip of the boater to newly minted MLE members George Chiger and Nick Wehry, who ate 12 and 11 pounds respectively, and finished in the money.\r\n\r\nMay those who finished on the podium of the paid spend their money wisely and well. No point saving for a rainy day with savings account and certificates of deposit interest rates being as low as they are.\r\n\r\n* Maybe it will be called Strawberry Shortcake: A History?\r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1. Carmen Cincotti 22, new WR\r\n2. Geoff Esper 20\r\n3. Gideon Oji 14\r\n4. George Chiger 12\r\n5. Nick Wehry 11\r\n6. Dud Light 9.5\r\n7. Eric Badlands Booker 8.5\r\n8. Darrien Thomas 8\r\n9. William Myers of Pennsylvania 5.75\r\n10. Jason Smith 3"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4153","sn":998,"title":"Esper Sets New World Aebleskiver-Eating Record!","createdAt":"2018-05-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Elk Horn, IA Geoffrey Esper ate 107 aebleskivers in eight minutes to set a new world record in the discipline at the 2018 Tivoli Fest World Æbleskiver Eating Championship. It marks his second world record-setting performance of the year and speaks to his greatness, of which there can be no question. In this event, he was composed, smooth, consistent and relentless. Those things, plus God-given talent, result in glory, friends. And money. Two grand in this case. \r\n\r\nThe top three finishers in this event—Esper's 107; second-place finisher Darron Breeden ate 98; and third-place finisher Gideon Oji ate 96—all surpassed the previous record of 87, set in 2017. It speaks to the standard of competition in the league at present and the growing talents of even the best eaters. Cynics will point to a game-time temperature of 99 degrees and argue that this year's aebleskivers were lighter and looser as a result. Pish tosh. The results were due to talent and competition—two cornerstones of greatness. \r\n\r\nFor those with a below-par appreciation for the many delights of Danish cuisine, the æbleskiver is best described as a round puff pancake. The name translates to \"apple slices,\" of course, but apple is but rarely used in modern examples of this fine dessert snack. The æbleskiver is delicious, or lækker, if you prefer. \r\n\r\nMany thanks to all at the Tivoli Fest for their trademark hospitality and kindness. Elk Horn, IA, in early summer is a special place. Major League Eating is proud and fortunate to call it home, if only too briefly. Full results below.\r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1 Geoff Esper 107. New WR\r\n2 Darron Breeden 98\r\n3 Gideon Oji 96\r\n4 Matt Hazzard 58\r\n5 Ethan Teske 46\r\n6 Mark Williams 36\r\n7 Matt Raible 35\r\n8 Das Loomis 23\r\n9 Keith Branch and Meliss Klabel 21"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda414e","sn":997,"title":"Chestnut Sets New Mutton Sandwich World Record In Dominant Display!","createdAt":"2018-05-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Owensboro, KY If this were a simple one-paragraph write up about a recently completed sporting event, the first sentence would go like this: Joey Chestnut, the #1-ranked eater in the world, ate 81 quarter-pound chopped mutton sliders to win the 2018 Owensboro International Bar-B-Q Festival World Mutton Sandwich-Eating Championship, held in Owensboro, KY, on Saturday, May 12, 2018. The second sentence would acknowledge that this total marked a new world record in the discipline, possibly comparing and contrasting the feat of 81 sandwiches in 10 minutes with the previous mark, also posted by Chestnut, of 55. If column space remained, the writer would note that Geoffrey Esper ate 53 sandwiches for second and that Gideon Oji ate 52.5 for third. And that’d be that. All good. Nothing more to see here. Journalism 101. \r\n\r\nBut that is not the world we wish to inhabit and so we don’t. Competitive eating stirs something in all of us that demands a more robust and passionate declaration. Why trade in minutiae—the dull drip of numbers and times—when the skies are broad and the world’s greatest symphony is ringing in your ears and you can feel the very blood in your heart? It was one of those days, people. \r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut simply proved himself once more to be the greatest eater known unto God himself. No one since the dawn of time has done—and continues to do—what he does at the table. It is brutal. It is savage. It is mastery. It is control. It is violent. It is precise. It is unrelenting. It knows your name and it knows where you live. If you step to it, it will have its vengeance and that vengeance will be swift and that vengeance will be final. You will know your place, be told your place, or be taught your place. Your call. Pick a box. \r\n\r\nSo, yeah. That’s what happened. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1. Joey Chestnut 81, new WR\r\n2. Geoff Esper 53\r\n3. Gideon Oji 52.5\r\n4. Derek Jacobs 31\r\n5. Matt Hazzard 27\r\n6. Matthew Raible 18.5\r\n7. Steve Martin 13\r\n8. Dylan Carpenter 9.5\r\n9. Dee Martin 9\r\n10. John Wells 9\r\n11. Adam Coleman and Garrett Ingleheart 8\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda414d","sn":996,"title":"Esper Crushes Field To Set New Pizza Record!","createdAt":"2018-04-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Westminster, CA Bow down and hope he don't hurt you. Geoffrey Esper. A world record 83 slices of John's Incredible Pizza Co. 10-inch pizza in 10 minutes. First place. A fetching Championship belt. Two thousand dollars. And an utter beatdown brought upon everyone else who dared shared the stage with him on this day. \r\n\r\nThis was not pretty but the purity and completeness of Esper's win made it a thing of beauty. It was like watching the most violent thing imaginable move with grace and poise, like a tidal wave wrecking complete and utter devastation come landfall. This was 100 timpanis beating in unison. This was a Howitzer battery in full roar. This was complete and total domination. \r\n\r\nWhich is to take nothing away from others who celebrated the return of pizza to MLE's slate of sanctioned eating championships at the John’s Incredible Pizza World Pizza-Eating Championship. They did their best and we live in a world where that's enough for some people. It's simply that Esper's performance cast such a shadow that it's hard to see their place in history. Note that Matthew Stonie, world number three, ate 61 slices to Esper's 63, and that Gideon Oji managed 48 slices. Others ate less. Full results below. \r\n\r\nFor those keeping score at home—and you are keeping score at home—that's two wins in a row for Esper. You wouldn't bet against a third when next he steps to the Major League Eating table. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1. Geoffrey Esper 83 slices in 10 minutes, new WR\r\n2. Matt Stonie 62\r\n3. Gideon Oji 48 Zaria, Nigeria\r\n4. Michelle Lesco 38 Tucson, AZ\r\n5. Juan Rodriguez 34\r\n6. Pablo Martinez 32\r\n7. Jon Bello 31\r\n8. Sarah Reinecke 29\r\n9. Crazy Legs Conti 24\r\n10. Doug Ecks 22\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda414c","sn":995,"title":"Esper Claims Croquetas Crown","createdAt":"2018-03-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Miami, FL Eight down. Clue reads “A select part of a group superior to the rest.” Five letters. Starts with “E.” Those who witnessed Geoffrey Esper’s winning 154-croqueta haul at the 2018 El Croquetazo At Calle Ocho Presented By Catalina Championship would rightfully enter “SPER” in those four blank squares to spell the name of the man who stood tallest on this day. (Turns out the crossword was written years before Geoff Esper came to be a dominant figure on the MLE circuit. The correct answer in this instance was “ELITE.”)\r\n\r\nEsper. Elite. Same first letter. Same number of letters. Same meaning. He has ascended to the pointy end of consideration in quick time. A dominant 2017 season looks set to become a rankings-shaking 2018. Esper was all the things an eater aspires to be at the table—or should aspire to be. He was composed, clean, rhythmic. His every effort expended for maximum return. He is a results machine. He walked away from the stage the most popular man in Miami and with $1,750 in his pocket. His only disappointment was not breaking the current record of 158 in eight minutes. \r\n\r\nDarron Breeden ate 141 for second. Gideon Oji arrived late but not too late and ate 116 for third. Badlands Booker—beloved in the 305—ate 80 for fourth. MLE newcomer and reigning amateur Canadian poutine-eating champion of Canada Darrien Thomas finished fifth and with a case of sunburn. He ate 38. Others ate less but no matter.\r\n\r\nFull results below.\r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1. Geoffrey Esper 154\r\n2. Darron Breeden 141\r\n3. Gideon Oji 116 (4 Croqueta deduction)\r\n4. Eric Badlands Booker 80\r\n5. Darrien Thomas 38\r\n6. Jia Lee 34\r\n7. Alex Perez 26\r\n8. Victor Aldrich DQ"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda414b","sn":994,"title":"Cincotti Sets New Chili Eating Record!","createdAt":"2018-02-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Orlando, FL He wouldn't call it an upset, of course, for he is the Mutiny. But for the thousands of faithful basking under the blue umbrella sky above the 9th annual Orlando Chili Cookoff that's exactly what it was. Carmen Cincotti, the #2-ranked eater in the world, hit the three-pot: He won the World Chili Eating Challenge, set a new World Record in the discipline and bested his arch foe Joey Chestnut by a notable margin. At 0:00 on the clock, it was 9.75 32oz bowls of chili for Cincotti, less for everyone else. During the announcement of the results on stage, Cincotti made the same hand gesture he made before the start of the contest—cheaply caressing his thumbs and index fingers together as if to suggest, nay declare, that it would be he who left with the cash. He did. \r\n\r\nCincotti was fast, smooth and lead from the starter’s whistle. He would battle with Geoffrey Esper most closely in the event; Esper would finish in second with 8.75 bowls. Close behind was Darron Breeden, who finished in third with 8.5, a full bowl ahead of fourth-place finisher Chestnut, who consumed 7.5 bowls. Chestnut was undefeated in this event over the first five years of its existence. The Great One was gracious in defeat. It was not his day; other days will be. Sudo and Oji rounded out the money spots. \r\n\r\nAnd thus the 2018 MLE season begins. Cincotti with a clear statement win. Esper continuing his dominant 2017. Breeden scoring his first win over Chestnut and proving he belongs at the pointy end of the MLE rankings. Chestnut knowing how good his competition truly is. May it be a season of greatness and joy. See you on the road. Full results below. \r\n\r\nFINAL RESULTS!\r\n1. Carmen Cincotti 9.75 32oz bowls of chili in 6 min; 312oz; 2.438 gallons\r\n2. Geoffrey Esper 8.75\r\n3. Darron Breeden 8.5\r\n4. Joey Chestnut 7.5\r\n5. Miki Sudo and Gideon Oji 6.75\r\n7. Badlands Booker 4\r\n8. Sylvia Tough 1.5\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda414a","sn":993,"title":"Chestnut Makes It Five Straight At St Elmo Shrimp Cocktail","createdAt":"2017-12-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Indianapolis, IN Joey Chestnut—#1-ranked eater in the world, greatest eater of all-time, Californian, self-described \"goofy\" guy—made it five wins in a row at the 2017 installment of the World Famous St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail Eating Championship–At The Meijer Tailgate Party on Georgia Street. He ate 10lb, 6.4oz of St Elmo shrimp cocktail in eight minutes to remain undefeated at the event. He lead early and did not look back. He has mastered the St Elmo shrimp cocktail as he has mastered other disciplines. One day someone may well eat more St Elmo shrimp cocktail than Joey Chestnut but that day was not today. \r\n\r\nThe podium followed in rank order: Oji second with eight pounds, Jacobs third with 5lb, 1.6oz and Conti fourth with 4lb, 9.6oz, plus another solid showing from MLE newcomer Ivan Mendoza for fifth with 4lb, 3.2oz. Mendoza ate in a body-hugging lycra cycling that left little to the imagination. It is a good thing he is 20 years old. May he enjoy the bloom of youth. Sing while you have more of a future than a past, Ivan Mendoza. Time wins before you ever knew you were in a fight. Time remains undefeated. \r\n\r\nThe event, as is tradition, took place before the annual Big 10 Conference Championship football game between Ohio State University and the University of Wisconsin, a game that would be won by Ohio State on the back of big first-half offensive plays. Major League Eating congratulates coach Urban Meyer and the Ohio State University on this achievement. \r\n\r\nAin't like eating over 10 pounds of St Elmo shrimp cocktail in eight minutes, though. Just saying. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1. Joey Chestnut 10lb 6.4oz in 8 minutes\r\n2. Gideon Oji 8lb\r\n3. Derek Jacobs 5lb 1.6oz\r\n4. Crazy Legs Conti 4lb 9.6oz\r\n5. Ivan Mendoza 4lb 3.2oz\r\n6. Matthew Raible and Michael Deitz 4lb\r\n8. Andrew Kogutkiewicz 3lb 6.4oz\r\n9. Bryan Big Sexy Beard 2lb 6.4oz\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4149","sn":992,"title":"Esper Sets World Fortune Bay Indian Taco Record!","createdAt":"2017-11-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Tower, MN Hail, Esper! Geoffrey Esper—spell his first name with a J at your peril, people—ate 29 Fortune Bay Indian tacos in eight minutes to claim the inaugural Fortune Bay World Indian Taco Eating Championship, setting the World Record in the discipline in the process. \r\n\r\nEsper was as you have come to know and respect in the event: Clean, fast, simple. He eats with clarity and purpose. At the table, he is the living embodiment of the MED—Minimum Effective Dose—theory. He expends the smallest dose of effort to produce his desired outcome—anything beyond the MED is wasteful. For example, water boils at 100 degrees celsius at standard air pressure; water is not more boiled if you add more heat. Understanding this principle allows one to conserve resources and to allocate them toward increased productivity. Such as eating another Fortune Bay Indian Taco. And then another. Until you eat 29 of them and take the title, pipping the great Joey Chestnut by but one Fortune Bay Indian Taco at the buzzer. Gideon Oji would take third with 23. \r\n\r\nWhen the history of competitive eating is written—and it will be written—the dominant theme of 2017 will be the rise of Geoffrey Esper. A rise from great to elite. The man from Oxford, MA, has gone in short time from one of the greats of our sport to one of but a handful of eaters, past and present, who can beat anyone, anywhere, in any discipline. Except shrimp cocktail. Dude doesn't like shrimp, apparently. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1st\t29 Geoffrey Esper\r\n2nd\t28 Joey Chestnut\t\r\n3rd\t23 Gideon Oji\t\r\n4th\t11 Matthew Raible\r\n5th\t9 Sean Nichols, Mark Pedersen, Doug Porter\t\t\r\n8th\t7 Billy Copenace\t\t\r\n9th\t6 Jesse Sympson\t\t\r\n10th\t5 George Echum, John Tikkanen\t"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4148","sn":990,"title":"Esper's Elite Year Continues With Pumpkin Pie Domination!","createdAt":"2017-10-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Elk Grove, CA The 2017 installment of the Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival World Pumpkin Pie Eating Championship belonged to Geoffrey Esper. He ate 15.75lb of pie in eight minutes to secure the win and $2,500. His win was thorough, complete and dominant. He lead from the first minute to the last and never looked in trouble. He ate cleanly, never needing to stop to deal with crust debris, like so many of his rivals on this day. He was methodical. He was businesslike. Other synonyms one could use to describe his performance include, but are not limited to: analytical, deliberate, disciplined, efficient, meticulous, orderly, precise, structured and systematic. \r\n\r\nEsper is all of these things at the MLE table. He does not rush, he does not falter. And when he does not win, it is not because of errors on his part. Sometimes, others do better. Life teaches this lesson daily. The key to success is don’t beat yourself. Maintain possession. Don’t turn the ball over. Get on base. Make your free throws. Esper does all of these things and he does them well. \r\n\r\nCongratulations to Pumpkin Pie debutante Gideon Oji for a solid second-place finish. Miki Sudo finished second to round out the podium. Others ate less. \r\n\r\nA hearty round of applause and thanks to Elk Grove Police Officer Kristina Ramirez, who consumed three-and-a-half pounds of pumpkin pie in eight minutes to finish top among the community eater entrants in the event. For her efforts, the Cosumnes CSD—the hosts of the Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival—donated $350 to the charity of her choice, End of Watch, a group that supports families of law enforcement officers and employees experiencing tragedy. \r\n\r\nFull results below. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1. Geoffrey Esper, 15.75lb of Pumpkin Pie in 8 min\r\n2. Gideon Oji, 9.5lb\r\n3. Miki Sudo, 9lb\r\n4. Steve Hendry, 8lb\r\n5. Pablo Martinez, 6lb 14oz\r\n6. Ryan Buicko, 4.5lb\r\n7. Sergio Reyes Raya, 4.25lb\r\n8. Jon Davis, 3.75lb\r\n9. Kristina Ramirez, 3.5lb\r\n10. Dan Davis, 3.25lb\r\n11. Rod Brewer, 3lb\r\n12. Mary Bowers, 2.5lb\r\n13. Alex Moose Perez, 2lb\r\n14. Nick Flores, 1.75lb\r\n15. Joel Steinberg, 1.5lb\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4146","sn":989,"title":"Chestnut Claims First Bacon Title!","createdAt":"2017-09-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Lathrop, CA Joey Chestnut, the #1-ranked eater in the world, claimed the 2017 Dell’Osso Family Farm Baconfest World Bacon Eating Championship with a controlled, disciplined effort. It was not flashy, it was not boastful, and it was not dominant. It was simply enough to win. And under the baking Lathrop, CA, sun, on this Sunday, that was enough. Chestnut ate 7.75lb of bacon in eight minutes for the win.\r\n\r\nWhich is not to diminish the achievement. After the event, Chestnut confided to the assembled media throng: “I’ve never eaten bacon quickly before, now that I think of it.” The texture posed a question that Chestnut answered. One imagines that at future Dell’Osso Family Farm Baconfest World Bacon Eating Championships, Chestnut will improve upon this effort. \r\n\r\nGideon Oji continued his excellent 2017 with a clear second-place finish. Side note: We live in a world in which the kale-eating champion of the world can eat 6.75lb of bacon in eight minutes; that should give you some comfort in these trying times. Michelle Lesco could not match her 8lb effort from 2016; she would settle for 5lb and third. Others ate less. \r\n\r\nFull results below.\r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1. Joey Chestnut, 7.75lb in 8 minutes\r\n2. Gideon Oji, 6.75lb\r\n3. Michelle Lesco, 5lb\r\n4. Pablo Martinez, 3.75lb\r\n5. Steve Hendry, 3.25lb\r\n6. Sergio Reyes Raya, 3lb\r\n7. Miki Sudo, 2.5lb\r\n8. Mary Bowers, 1.75lb"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4145","sn":988,"title":"Chestnut Reclaims Gyoza Crown!","createdAt":"2017-08-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Los Angeles, CA Joey Chestnut won the 2017 edition of the Day-Lee Foods World Gyoza Eating Championship with a trademark display of powerhouse eating. He was relentless, fast and brutal. It was not pretty. It was beautiful. Like Rothko’s Four Seasons murals or Shostakovich’s darker works. Symphony Number 14 in G Minor comes to mind. His final tally of 377 Day-Lee Foods Gyoza in 10 minutes was just seven shy of his world record mark. The next highest finisher, Geoffrey Esper, would land 60 gyoza behind Chestnut. It is hard to remember as dominant a performance at this event because there has not been a performance as dominant. It was Chestnut’s day. \r\n\r\nWhich is to take nothing away from Esper. His 2017 continues its extraordinary run; consider that he ate 243 Day-Lee Foods Gyoza in 10 minutes last year and 317 this year. The Esper arrow points up. Matthew Stonie, attempting his third straight win this event, would finish third with 291. He will be disappointed with his placing and his total. Darron Breeden set a rookie record with 250, while Miki Sudo—who had never finished lower or higher than third in this event—would have to settle for fifth. Others ate less and placed accordingly. \r\n\r\nFull results below. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1 Joey Chestnut 377 Day-Lee Foods gyoza in 10 minutes\r\n2 Geoffrey Esper 317\r\n3 Matt Stonie 291\r\n4 Darron Breeden 250\r\n5 Miki Sudo 200\r\n6 Michelle Lesco 176\r\n7 Juan Rodriguez 173\r\n8 Rich LeFevre 167\r\n9 Steve Hendry and Badlands Booker 127\r\n11 Jon Bello 116\r\n12 Sarah Reinecke 85\r\n13 Doug Ecks 77\r\n14 Pablo Martinez 75\r\n15 Mrs Carlene LeFevre 66\r\n16 Aaron Stroope 58\r\n17 Mary Bowers 34"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4141","sn":985,"title":"Oji Defends Kale Crown!","createdAt":"2017-08-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Hamburg, NY He is the King of Kale and his name is Gideon Oji. The greatest kale-eater in the history of the world consumed 22.5 16oz kale salads in eight minutes at the 2017 installment of Kale Yeah!—The World’s Healthiest Eating Championship Presented By Healthy Options. In doing so, he defended his kale crown—Oji won the inaugural event in 2016, setting a World Record of 25.5 servings—and stared down an elite field of top MLE talent. Oji downed not only a fiercesome amount of kale but also names such as Chestnut, Cincotti and Esper in the process. \r\n\r\nOji is emerging as a new type of eater and one we have not seen in the entire history of our sport: A leafy greens specialist. He is undefeated at the event against more highly ranked opposition. What is it about Oji that makes him so dominant in kale? And how can his clear edge in this discipline translate to others? Who can say? What we do know, and this is a total cop out but it’s true: The guy’s got it. We just don’t know what it is. \r\n\r\nMaybe one day we will. For now, we will call it magic. Others ate less. Full results below. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1 - Gideon Oji - 22.5 16oz servings in 8 min \r\n2 - Joey Chestnut - 20\r\n3 - Geoffrey Esper - 19.25\r\n4 - Carmen Cincotti - 18.75\r\n5 - Darron Breeden - 15.5\r\n6 - Yasir Salem - 15\r\n7 - Buffalo Jim Reeves 10.75\r\n8 - Mike Landrich - 9\r\n9 - Daniella Gioia - 6"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4143","sn":986,"title":"Stonie Sets New World Chicken Spiedie Record","createdAt":"2017-08-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Nichols, NY Under black skies and a torrent of rain, Matt Stonie set a new World Chicken Spiedie-eating record by downing 20.5 chicken spiedies in 10 minutes at the 2017 edition of the Tioga Downs World Chicken Spiedie Eating Championship Presented by Lupo’s. In doing so, he bested his own previous world record of 20 chicken spiedies in 10 minutes, defended his spiedie title and fought off a stellar field of elite MLE talent. Count them by name, all vanquished by Stonie: Chestnut, Cincotti, Esper, Oji, Breeden and more. All came to win. All left without the crown. \r\n\r\nMake no bones about it: This was a statement win for Stonie. The same Stonie who fell to third at this year’s Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest proved his power, speed and strength against all comers. He should feel proud of his considerable achievement. In response to a photograph of Stonie hoisting aloft his trophy at the conclusion of the event, he remarked on social media: “I look so full lol..”\r\n\r\nAnd so he should look full. The 8oz Lupo’s chicken spiedie is a delicious meal in and of itself. Geoff Esper landed in second. Chestnut and Cincotti tied for third. Darron Breeden continued his incredible rookie season with fifth, while Oji fell to sixth. Others ate considerably less. \r\n\r\nThis was Stonie’s night. He left the arena full of heart and stomach. There is no greater feeling in our sport. It makes it worth the going, worth the ride. And you don’t need to finish first to feel it. But it helps.\r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1st - Matt Stonie - 20.5\r\n2nd - Geoffrey Esper - 20\r\nT3rd - Joey Chestnut and Carmen Cincotti - 18.5\r\n5th - Darron Breeden - 17.5\r\n6th - Gideon Oji - 14\r\n7th - Buffalo Jim Reevs 7.5\r\n8th - Wild Bill Myers - 5.25\r\n9th - Michael Deitz - 4.5\r\n10th - DJ Vinny - 1\r\n11th - Daniella Gioia - 0.75\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4144","sn":987,"title":"Sudo Sets New World Ice Cream-Eating Record","createdAt":"2017-08-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Indianapolis, IN Not going to lie: Didn’t see that one coming. And we are not talking about the fact that Miki Sudo set a new World Record with a staggering 16.5 pints of ice cream in just six minutes at The Prairie Farms World Ice Cream Eating Championship At The Indiana State Fair. She is Miki Sudo. She is the number-one ranked female eater in the world. She does stuff like this. We are talking about the utter intensity of this Championship event and the lengths to which Sudo was pushed by the rest of the field. Today, everyone on stage deserves to take a bow. \r\n\r\nYes, it was Sudo who ate 16.5 pints of Prairie Farms ice cream. This analysis does not suggest otherwise. But it was her rivals that pushed her to lengths she did not know she had. So let’s just get it out of the way: Props to Juan “More Bite” Rodriguez. He has never eaten harder. He has never eaten with more tenacity or more drive. He has never so richly deserved to win. That he finished second with 15 pints—equaling the existing world record—should not diminish his performance. No Juan Rodriguez at the table, no new Miki Sudo world record. Major League Eating is reluctant to speculate on the reasons for each wanting to beat the other so very much. Both gave all; the difference was simply God-given, perhaps. \r\n\r\nSo, hail to the queen. Hail to Sudo. Hail to the new world Ice Cream-Eating Record. But never forget the sound of footsteps and how the heart drives the stomach. We are one body—muscle and soul are roommates. \r\n\r\nFull results below. A hearty round of applause, too, to the people of the Indiana State Fair. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1. Miki Sudo 16.5 Pints of Prairie Farms vanilla ice-cream in six minutes\r\n2. Juan Rodriguez 15\r\n3. Brian Dud Lite Dudzinski 13\r\n4. Derek Jacobs 10.5\r\n5. Matt Hazzard 9\r\n6. Sophia DeVita, Matt Raible 8\r\n8. Ivan Mendoza 7.5\r\n9. Stacy Fitzsimmons 5\r\n10. Marcus Feldman 4.5"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4142","sn":984,"title":"The 2017 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest","createdAt":"2017-07-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Annual Competition in Coney Island on July 4, 2017\r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut to Defend Title Against Matt Stonie\r\n\r\nMiki Sudo to Battle Sonya Thomas!\r\n\r\nConey Island, NY The 2017 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest will take place in Coney Island from 11 am to 1 pm on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. The annual contest will be held at Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Brooklyn, NY.\r\n\r\nPre-show festivities will begin at 10:00 am with performances by a variety of musical and dance acts. The women’s competition begins at 11:00 am, while the men’s competition will start at 12:30 pm. Some 30,000 fans are expected to attend.\r\n\r\nLast year, Joey Chestnut of San Jose, CA, regained his championship title from arch rival Matt Stonie, also of San Jose, and set a new July 4th world-record by consuming 70 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Chestnut’s all-time best is a world record 73 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.\r\n\r\nIn the women's competition last year, Sonya Thomas of Alexandria, VA, who set a world record by consuming 45 Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes, fell to Miki Sudo, of Las Vegas, NV. Sudo took first place, eating 38.5 Hot Dogs, three and a half more than Thomas.\r\n\r\nThe annual event is a New York City tradition, with thousands making the pilgrimage to Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island to watch in person. The ESPN telecast of the event routinely draws an audience of millions of viewers. As part of the event, Nathan’s Famous makes a donation of 100,000 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs to the Food Bank for New York City. Coney Island Brewery is official beer sponsor for the event.\r\n\r\nESPN has exclusive live broadcast rights from 10:50 am to the conclusion of the event, expected to be at 1:05 pm ET. The women’s competition coverage will begin at 10:50 am ET and will be telecast live on ESPN3. The men’s competition coverage will begin at 12:00 pm ET and will be telecast live on ESPN2.\r\n\r\nAccording to archives, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY, since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda413e","sn":982,"title":"Stonie Sets World Æbleskiver Record!","createdAt":"2017-05-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Elk Horn, IA Matt Stonie ate 87 Æbleskiver in eight minutes at the First Annual Tivoli Fest World Æbleskiver Eating Championship to set a World Record in this new discipline. For those with a below-par appreciation for the many delights of Danish cuisine, the æbleskiver is best described as a round puff pancake. The name translates to \"apple slices,\" of course, but apple is but rarely used in modern examples of this fine dessert snack. The æbleskiver is delicious, or lækker, if you prefer. \r\n\r\nStonie was his true Stonie self throughout the contest—fast out of the gates and able to use his considerable swallowing skills and throat strength to separate himself from the competition. Not that the great Gideon Oji would take second place lying down. Oji used his enormous mitts to bring the æbleskivers to heel in a second, pausing to bite, swallow and repeat. His 73 æbleskivers in eight minutes impressed. Adrian Morgan was good for 53 and third place. \r\n\r\nThe First Annual Tivoli Fest World Æbleskiver Eating Championship stands as a credit to the men and women and children of Elk Horn, IA. The town is the epicenter of Danish-American culture and custom. One leaves Elk Horn south on Iowa road 173 headed to I80 for Omaha to the west or Des Moines to the east—back to the hustle and bustle of contemporary life—full of the warmth, pride and graciousness of Elk Horn's great citizens. It is a feeling that stays. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1 Matt Stonie 87 Æbleskivers in 8 minutes. New WR\r\n2 Gideon Oji 73\r\n3 Adrian Morgan 53\r\n4 Juan Rodriguez 45\r\n5 Sophia Devita 32\r\n6 Mark Williams 26\r\n7 Matthew Raible 24\r\n8 Dustin The Great 7"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4140","sn":983,"title":"Esper Claims First World Eating Record!","createdAt":"2017-05-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Fairmont, WV Major League Eating is proud to announce the date, place and time of Geoffrey Esper's first MLE world record-setting performance. The man from Oxford, MA, ate 36 Pepperoni Rolls at Palatine Park in downtown Fairmont, WV, on Saturday May 27th, 2017, in the evening light—call 8.43pm Eastern time. Those who were there to witness it will not forget it quickly. It was a performance for the ages, as Esper displayed complete and supreme mastery of the food in question. It will not be his first world record-setting performance in MLE competition. You can quote me on that. Esper is elite. No one—and I mean no one—will take him lightly from this night on. If they ever did previously, they are fools. \r\n\r\nEsper's mark of 36 Pepperoni Rolls bested the previous record of 34, set by Matthew Stonie in 2015. Those of you who know a thing or two about this competitive eating caper will know that Stonie used that record-setting win to drive a campaign that ended with him claiming the Nathan's Famous title that year. Which is not to say that Esper is a lock for the Nathan's title this year, it's just worth noting that success in Fairmont, WV, travels is all. \r\n\r\nHat tip too to Miki Sudo, with 30.5 Pepperoni Rolls in 10 minutes. That mark would have been good for the win 12 months ago. She is in impressive form as we enter the dense part of our season, a passage of time where men and women are tested and reputations count for nought. Sudo appears rested, relaxed and ready to extend her legacy. \r\n\r\nAnd let's not forget the impressive Pepperoni Roll debut of new MLE member Darron Breeden. He ate 26 Pepperoni Rolls in 10 minutes to best some MLE legends in this event. He will be closely watched from here on out, no doubt. \r\n\r\nFull results below. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1. Geoffrey Esper 36 Pepperoni Rollin 10 min, New WR!\r\n2. Miki Sudo 30.5\r\n3. Darron Breeden 26\r\n4. Dud Lite 20.5\r\n5. Juliet Lee 20\r\n6. Derek Jacobs 13\r\n7. Wild Bill Myers 9.5\r\n8. Michael Deitz 600 8\r\n9. Jeff Chapman 7\r\n10. Brett Shepherd 3.75\r\n11. Alicia Hill 3.5\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda414f","sn":981,"title":"Joey Chestnut Sets New Taco-Eating Record!","createdAt":"2017-05-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"There is a new World Taco-Eating Record and it is this: 126 tacos in eight minutes. The record was set at the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel World Taco Eating Championship by none other than Joey Chestnut—the #1-ranked eater in the world, the greatest eater of all time, the reigning hot dog eating champion of the world, et al. The feat chalks up world record number 41 for Chestnut, which is a world record of the most number of world records currently held.\r\n\r\nFor the curious types among you, which is to say all of you, the tacos utilized in sanctioned MLE events are a traditional-style soft taco, comprised of a three-inch tortilla, with beef and pico de gallo. They weigh two ounces a piece. \r\n\r\nLet’s do some math then, shall we. Chestnut ate 126 two-ounce tacos in eight minutes. That’s two times 126, which is a lot, which divided by 16 ounces to a pound, is 15.75lb of taco deliciousness in eight minutes, which is just shy of two pounds of taco a minute. So, that’s how science works, okay. America, don’t be shy of a little number work now and then. We can not allow this great republic to backslide into scientific and engineering irrelevance while the likes of Finland (really?) and Estonia ascend the ranks of excellence. We are better than that. \r\n\r\nSorry, let’s get back to the business at hand: American exceptionalism.\r\n\r\nChestnut remarked to MLE officials before the event that he felt confident of winning and besting the previous record of 103 tacos in eight minutes. He was true to his word, exploding at the outset of the contest and never letting a pause break his stride, save for an unfortunate cough at the three-minute mark. He commanded the contest and never let the field enjoy a look in at the top spot. Sudo, Oji and Morgan battled hardest, all logging totals in the 90s, a true reflection of the parity in our league among the top-10 eaters. An error in judging by the contest emcee, who shall remain nameless for his sins, initially failed to count one of Oji’s trays of tacos and announced Sudo as the second-place finisher. He was wrong. It was Oji who ate 97 tacos—not 77 tacos—who finished second. Sudo was classy and understanding in the post-contest demotion from silver to bronze. So too was Adrian Morgan, who descended from third to fourth. The results below are accurate and final.\r\n\r\nMany thanks to all at the beautiful Mystic Lake Casino Hotel for a memorable Cinco de Mayo. We can think of no better way to celebrate the Mexican Army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla. \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda413f","sn":980,"title":"Cincotti Sets Staggering Sweet Corn Record!","createdAt":"2017-05-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"West Palm Beach, FL Well, that was something. Bad news for corn, good news for the history books, one could posit, and so it was as Carmen Cincotti ate 61.75 ears of Florida sweet corn in 12 minutes to set a new world record at the 2017 National Sweet Corn Eating Championship. \r\n\r\nThe previous record, set in 2016 by Yasir Salem, stood at 47. Cincotti, as anyone who has paid scant attention to this column or to Mr Cincotti's various social media emissions, does not care about the past. He does not acknowledge the time before his ascent. It simply does not exist. It is immaterial. He had never eaten sweet corn in sanctioned MLE competition previously and had no idea how many he could eat. That is because he does not use the past results of others as a guide. He exists, simply, in a vacuum—a soundless cloud in which all he can hear is the beat of his heart and the pounding of his ambition. And so he ate 61.75 ears of sweet corn in 12 minutes. If you told him the record was five ears in 12 minutes, he would have eaten 61.75. If you told him the record was 105, he would have eaten 61.75. Because all he does his him. He is the living embodiment of the sentiment \"you do you.\" The Mutiny be The Mutiny. QED.\r\n\r\nAsked for a reaction to his world record-setting performance by MLE reporters, Cincotti replied that he thought it was “A-maize-ing.” \r\n\r\nSo that's that. Cincotti walks into West Palm Beach, opens his mouth, devours 61.75 ears of Florida sweet corn, MLE history, the souls of his fellow competitors and a giant trophy in 12 minutes of competition. He has stated that due to his commitment to education he will be sitting out MLE events until the upcoming Queens, NY, Nathan's Famous qualifier on June 18th. MLE, for the record, commends his stance on learning. But one fears for those hot dogs, just as one fears, dare we say it, for Joey Chestnut himself. \r\n\r\nTime will tell, of course, and history shall record. And it is not this columnist's place to get too far ahead of himself. But make no mistake: This record-setting feat is significant and it is chilling. The Mutiny offers no quarter. \r\n\r\nOthers ate less. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1st - Carmen Cincotti NEW WR 61.75 ears in 12\r\n2nd - Gideon Oji 49 \r\n3rd - Yasir Salem 45\r\n4th - Badlands Booker 31 \r\n5th - The One Called Dud Light 29.25 \r\n6th - Pedram Esmaeelzadeh 27.75\r\n7th - Mr Michael Rodriguez 20 \r\n8th - Matt Matador 17\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4147","sn":991,"title":"Cincotti Sets World Croqueta Eating Record!","createdAt":"2017-03-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Miami, FL Damas y caballeros, escucha me: Carmen \"El Motín\" Cincotti ate 158 Catalina croquetas to set a world record in the croqueta discipline. Major League Eating congratulates the young man on this feat; it is the first record of its kind. The record was etched into human memory at El Croquetazo At Calle Ocho Presented By Catalina—an eight-minute battle of man vs woman vs croqueta at the Carnaval Miami festival on the Magic City's famed Calle Ocho.\r\n\r\nCatalina croquetas are the finest in the world and a classic example of this savory Cuban delicacy, often enjoyed as a snack, often two or three at a time, perhaps with rich and sweet coffee. They are, frankly, delicious—recreational eaters are encouraged to explore the many possibilities of the croqueta. Let's just say it's hard to have a bad time eating one. Or 158 in eight minutes, as Cincotti did. He was ruthless in this event, not pausing for a second to consider the many indignities brought upon him by choosing to fly on Spirit airlines earlier that day. Cincotti has quickly established himself as a clean, powerful and smooth eater. He does not give in to unnecessary gesticulation or mastication. He gives each bite, each sip of water, the minimum required dose for an effective outcome, and repeats until the clock reads 0:00. Take nothing away from second-place finisher Geoffrey Esper—he was relentless in his application. Badlands was very hungry and very focussed; he would finish third. Others ate less, but all experienced the majesty of the Catalina croqueta and the many wonders of the Calle Ocho festival. \r\n\r\nFull results below. \r\n\r\nFINAL RESULTS!\r\n1. Carmen Cincotti, a WR 158 Catalina croquetas in 8 miniutes\r\n2. Geoffrey Esper 144\r\n3. Badlands Booker 92\r\n4. Michelle Lesco 90\r\n5. Nathan Figueroa 80\r\n6. Erik The Red Denmark 74\r\n7. Victor Aldrich 10, but admittedly he did eat in an amateur contest a few hours earlier, so there is that.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda413c","sn":979,"title":"Chestnut Opens 2017 Season With Victory!","createdAt":"2017-02-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Orlando, FL Major League Eating opened its 2017 season of sanctioned eating championships in Orlando, FL, with the fifth annual installment of the World Chili Eating Championship. This year's result was the same as it has been in each and every one of the years preceding it: Chestnut, J: Winner. The greatest eater in the history of the world opened his 2017 account with a powerful showing of his trademark simple, disciplined eating. His 8.5 32oz bowls of chili in six minutes was good enough for victory.\r\n\r\nThe win, however, was the closest one yet at the event for Chestnut. He edged second-place finisher Carmen Cincotti by just eight ounces. Chestnut put it best in a post-match tweet, when he said: \"First contest of 2017 was close. I won by only 8 ounces.\" He then permitted himself a quick glimpse of the coming months when he continued on the popular social media platform, \"@carmencincotti and @mattstonie are going to push me to new limits.\" The mind can only boggle as to what those limits may look like. They will be beautiful and terrifying all at once, one imagines. More hot dog and buns? More chicken wings? More of everything? Yes. More. More, more, more. More will be required from all to ascend the heights of competitive eating greatness in 2017. \r\n\r\nGeoffrey Esper ate well for third; Gideon Oji finished fourth; Miki Sudo's brief pause to compose herself at the four-minute mark relegated her to fifth; Badlands owned sixth; brave local college student Carlos Gonzalez disappointed himself and his family for a distant last place. \r\n\r\nAnd that's that. The 2017 World Chili Eating Challenge is in the books/The Internet. Chestnut is 1-0 and no one else is. That's how he likes it. Gauntlet thrown, people.\r\n\r\nHere's to a prosperous, fun and history-making season ahead. Do join us. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1st - Joey Chestnut, 8.5 32oz bowls of chili in 6 min\r\n2nd - Carmen Cincotti, 8.25\r\n3rd - Geoffrey Esper, 7.25\r\n4th - Gideon Oji, 6.25\r\n5th - Miki Sudo, 6\r\n6th - Badlands Booker, 3.25\r\n7th - Carlos Gonzalez, 0.75"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda413d","sn":978,"title":"2016: Major League Eating's Year In Glory","createdAt":"2016-12-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"1. Chestnut Regains Mustard Yellow Belt\r\nNever doubt a champion. Joey Chestnut set a Coney Island record on the Fourth of July when he ate 70 Nathan’s Famous hot dog and buns to reclaim the Mustard Yellow Belt. This year’s win marked Chestnut’s ninth title, but this one might have mattered more than any other. It cast Chestnut’s forgettable 2015 into the trashcan of history and sealed the lid tight. And we all learned an important lesson with each and every bite he took as the Brooklyn sun kissed his cheeks: the past is behind you if you want it to be. \r\n\r\n2. Chestnut Sets New Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Record\r\nWe are not done talking Chestnut and Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, people. That is because the #1-ranked eater in the world set a new—and, as of this writing, current—world record in the discipline when he ate 73.5 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes in Washington DC on June 25, 2016. Video footage of the event shows a man in complete control of his body, mind and surroundings. That this feat took place in our nation’s capital is no coincidence. \r\n\r\n3. Sudo Defends Nathan’s Famous Title\r\nMake it three in a row for the #1-ranked female eater in the world. Sudo ate 38.5 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns for the Fourth of July win, fending off a robust challenge from Sonya Thomas, who ate 35 in 10 minutes. Both Sudo and Thomas each hold three Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest Ladies titles. We look forward to the resumption of hostilities in 2017. \r\n\r\n4. Nathan’s Famous Turns 100\r\nNathan’s Famous was founded in 1916 by Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker, who borrowed $300 to open his hot dog stand at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, Brooklyn. That Nathan’s flagship restaurant thrives today and stands as the epicenter of competitive eating culture each and every Fourth of July. This year’s event paid tribute to the 100th anniversary of Nathan’s Famous. Here is to 100 more delicious years ahead of us. \r\n\r\n5. Cincotti Makes Himself Known\r\nCarmen Cincotti has no respect for the reputations of his fellow contestants, no respect for the proud history of our great sport, no respect for the chain of command and no respect for the order of things. This is why Major League Eating Chairman George Shea dubbed him The Mutiny. It is an apt moniker. Cincotti’s 42 Nathan’s Famous hot dog and buns on the Fourth of July was the highest debut total since 2001. He earned his first title at the Siegi’s World Championship Bratwurst Eating Contest, where he ate 101 brats to Joey Chestnut’s 100. His path of destruction has only begun. \r\n\r\n6. Oji Earns World’s Healthiest Eater Crown\r\nWhen the history of Zaria, Nigeria is written, spare a chapter for that proud city's finest son, Gideon ‘The Truth’ Oji. Oji ate 25.5 16oz servings of kale salad for the win at Kale Yeah!—The World’s Healthiest Eating Championship Presented By Healthy Options in Buffalo, NY. The event was the world’s first sanctioned kale-eating World Championship and his win marked Oji's first non-qualifier title. He also earned the right to call himself the world’s healthiest competitive eater, even if such a title is completely subjective and frankly impossible to quantify. But roughage. Very important. \r\n\r\n7. Stonie Bounces Back\r\nI think we can all agree that Masaru Emoto put it best when he wrote in Secret Life of Water, “If you feel lost, disappointed, hesitant, or weak, return to yourself, to who you are, here and now and when you get there, you will discover yourself, like a lotus flower in full bloom, even in a muddy pond, beautiful and strong.” Matt Stonie did not have a good Fourth of July, losing the Mustard Yellow belt to Chestnut and losing by a margin of 17 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns. Matt Stonie had an exceptional remainder of the year, setting records in Chicken Spiedies, White Hut Cheeseburgs and MoonPies. Matt Stonie returned to himself and returned himself to the top of the dais. \r\n\r\n8. Wild Bill Myers Embraces Globalism\r\nWhat can be said about Wild Bill Myers that hasn’t already been said? The man is a testament to the virtues of perseverance, dedication and lower gas prices. In 2016, Wild Bill went global, reveling in the nicknames Guy Sauvage in Francophone events and Guillermo Salvage in those with a Spanish-speaking orientation. Major League Eating looks forward to announcing Myers as Wildes Wilhelm at the 2017 Oktoberfest Zinzinnati World Bratwurst-Eating Championship. \r\n\r\n9. Chestnut Dominates Chicken Wings\r\nThere is no greater chicken wing eater in the history of the world (or in the history of chickens) than Joey Chestnut. That he is dominant in this discipline—one that demands total application of delicate technique and supreme manual dexterity—as well as in capacity events is a credit to the man. Weightlifters don’t make great ballerinas as a rule; Chestnut applies his sledgehammer with the precision of a surgeon. In 2016 chicken wing events, Chestnut was unstoppable, claiming both the Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Championship (194 Hooters wings in 10 minutes) and the U.S. National Buffalo Wing Eating Championship (with 188 wings in 12 minutes). We predict more bad news for chickens in 2017. \r\n\r\n10. MLE Welcomes New Foods!\r\nWhat a delicious world we live in. In 2016 Major League Eating introduced new events to our annual slate of sanctioned eating Championships and set World Records in a host of disciplines. These new benchmarks of excellence include Peeps (Matt Stonie, 200 Peeps in five minutes); Silver Dollar Pancakes (Matt Stonie, 113 in eight minutes); Kale Salad (Gideon Oji, 25.5 16oz servings in eight minutes); American Burger Company Roadstar Burgers (Joey Chestnut, four Roadstars in four minutes and 24 seconds); White Hut Cheeseburgs (Matt Stonie, 41 in 10 minutes); and New Mexico Green Chile Stew (Gideon Oji, 1.3125 Gallons in six minutes).\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda413b","sn":977,"title":"Cincotti Claims First Title And Sets New World Brat Record!","createdAt":"2016-10-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Tulsa, OK: Year ye, hear ye, hear ye: Carmen Cincotti, the #4-ranked eater in the world, ate 101 Siegi's bratwurst sausages in 10 minutes. In doing so, he claimed the 2016 Siegi’s World Championship Bratwurst Eating Contest At Linde Oktoberfest Tulsa title, set a new Bratwurst World Record, defeated the great Joey Chestnut and bagged a cool $2,000 for his efforts. It marks Cincotti's first non-qualifier win, his first Title, after many close calls with glory. He should be proud of his achievement. It is significant. \r\n\r\nIn social media comments following the event, Cincotti said*: \"First win finally. Bratwurst eating record holder of the world with 101 links.\"\r\n\r\nOne brat. That is all that stood between Cincotti and second-place finisher, Joey Chestnut. At full-time, as plates were counted, Chestnut remarked to the event emcee, \"Looks like we're going to overtime,\" thinking they had each tied with 100 brats—some 20 plates, all now empty that once provided home and comfort for five Siegi's brats. (Do that math.) And there it was on the table: Cincotti's magic plate, there for all to see. Twenty empty plates and that one plate upon which four, not five, brats rested. His total of 100 ticked up by one and the crown was his. Chestnut took the result in stride. He simply said: \"He got me.\"\r\n\r\nOne feels—nay, knows—this win will not be an isolated incident in the eating career of Mr. Cincotti. He has blazed a trail of utter devastation in 2016, casting aside the reputations and previous achievements of his fellow eaters with a disdain that borders on repugnance. He is The Mutiny. He has no respect for the chain of command. He does not look back and he does not fear tomorrow. To Cincotti, history is but a crutch on which old men lean when they can no longer run. And run he can. \r\n\r\nA tip of the boater to Mrs Carlene LeFevre and Mrs Candice Alcott who each brought civility and grace to the afternoon's proceedings. \r\n\r\nFull results below. \r\n \r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1 Carmen Cincotti 101 Brats in 10 Min\r\n2 Joey Chestnut 100\r\n3 Rich LeFevre 48\r\n4 Robert McKinney 39.5\r\n5 Chris Hobson 23.5\r\n6 Carlene LeFevre 20.5\r\n7 Moose Perez 14\r\n8 Mark Poland 11\r\n9 Joe Alcott 10\r\n10 Mr Linde Himself 7\r\n11 Mrs Tulsa Herself, Mrs Candice Alcott 2\r\n\r\n* Tweeted, more accurately. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4139","sn":976,"title":"IFOCE Poll: Election Driving Americans to Drink ","createdAt":"2016-10-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"More than 50 percent of Americans report that they have increased their consumption of alcoholic beverages as a result of the presidential election, according to a new nationwide poll. \r\n\r\nThe survey, conducted by the research arm of the International Federation of Competitive Eating, the body that oversees all stomach-centric sport, also shows that Americans are likely to drink more alcohol than usual if Trump is elected president. Notably, the electorate reported they’d prefer have a drink with Bill Clinton over Donald Trump and Melania Trump. Hillary Clinton was ranked fourth of the four people in this category.\r\n\r\nIn the poll, which was conducted over ten days in September, 52 percent of respondents said the current presidential election has led to an increase in their consumption of beer, wine and/or other alcoholic beverages.\r\n\r\nOf that group, nearly 26 percent cited stress from the election as the reason they’re drinking has increased, while nearly 23 percent reported that they’re drinking more because they’re discussing the election in social settings (at bars and social gatherings). Meanwhile, 20 percent said the reason for their increased drinking is that the election is entertaining.\r\n\r\n“While I am not a scientist, or a pollster, I was shocked at the impact of the election on alcohol consumption and, seemingly, our nation’s mental health,” said Richard Shea, president of the IFOCE. “If this survey has taught us anything, it is that presidential politics, like competitive eating itself, has a direct and lasting impact on American culture.”\r\n\r\nWhen respondents were asked what type of alcoholic beverage they thought supporters of each candidate might prefer, 71 percent selected wine as the beverage of choice for Hillary Clinton supporters, and 58 percent selected beer as the preferred beverage of Trump supporters.\r\n\r\nIt appears that increased drinking will continue through November 8th, with 67 percent of respondents answering yes to the following question: “Do you plan to drink while watching the debates?” When respondents were asked if they planned to drink while viewing the election results, 67 percent responded in the affirmative.\r\n\r\nIn a head-to-head match-up between the two candidates, Donald Trump was the most sought after drinking buddy, with a majority of voters (56 percent) saying they’d most like to have a drink with him compared to 43 percent for Hillary Clinton. \r\n\r\nHowever, when respondents were asked which candidate’s spouse they would most like to have a drink with, 65.4 percent selected Bill Clinton and 34.6 percent selected Melania Trump. When the question was broadened to include both candidates and their spouses, the former president remained the most popular choice, with 33.2 percent of respondents saying they’d like to have a drink with Bill Clinton, followed by Donald Trump (32.7 percent), Hillary Clinton (20.8 percent), and Melania Trump (13.3 percent.)\r\n\r\nRespondents were also asked if they thought the result of the election would impact their drinking habits over the next four years. A full 55 percent said that if Donald Trump is elected they would likely drink more than usual over the next four years, while 40 percent said it wouldn’t impact their drinking, and 5 percent predicted a Trump presidency would cause them to drink less. Just over 57 percent of respondents said that if Hillary Clinton is elected president their drinking over the next four years would not be impacted, while 24 percent said their drinking would increase, and 18 percent said they would drink less.\r\n\r\n\r\nPoll Methodology\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE poll, conducted via Survey Gizmo from September 10 through September 20, 2016, gathered 230 responses from individuals representing 40 states, including California, Florida, New York and Texas. Party affiliation was closely split, with 39 percent of respondents identifying as democrats, 38 percent identifying as republicans and the remaining claiming no party affiliation. Nearly 50 percent of respondents were between the ages of 21 and 40, with 39 percent between 40 and 60 years of age, and 40 percent of respondents were female, 55 percent were male and the remaining preferring not to disclose a gender. It is calculated that the margin of error in the poll is significantly greater than the margin of error in other national presidential polls. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4136","sn":973,"title":"Matt Stonie Claims Inaugural White White World Cheeseburg Championship!FULL RESULTS!\r\n1st - 41 cheeseburgs in 10 - Matt Stonie \r\n2nd - 38 - Carmen Cincotti\r\n3rd - 35.5 - Geoffrey Esper\r\n4th - TIE - 21 - Badlands Booker & Dud Lite\r\n6th - 14 - Wild Guillermo Myers\r\n7th - 12.5 - Crazy Legs Conti\r\n8th - 11 - James Burgess\r\n9th - 10 - Jon Taylor\r\n10th - 7 - Steven Wojcik"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4137","sn":974,"title":"Joey Chestnut Defends World Brat-Eating Title! Again!","createdAt":"2016-09-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Guten tag, America. Guten tag, Welt. Let it be known that on September 17, 2016, Joey Chestnut once more proved that he is the Bratmeister. Which sounds like a bad nickname a fraternity brother may give one of his peers who shows a propensity to follow a bratwurst-centric diet. In German, however, it simply means Brat Master. That frat dude is not the Brat Master. You are not the Brat Master. Joey Chestnut is the Brat Master. \r\n\r\nThe Great One ate 67 Glier's Brats in 10 minutes for the win—his seventh straight Cincinnati bratwurst-eating title. He remains undefeated at the event. His 2016 marks falls just three brats short of his World Record mark of 70, set in 2013. In post event comments, Chestnut remarked to MLE staff on the ground: \"I thought I had it.\" The disappointment was clear; when eating 67 brats, bagging the cash, the glory and your seventh straight title is cause for angst, you are doing something right. \r\n\r\nChestnut paid close attention to Gideon Oji, to his left, who finished in second with 40.75. Matthew \"Sweet Tooth\" Cohen did not live up to his nickname at all, finishing strongly in this most savory of events with 29. Cohen continues to improve with every event he enters. One thinks his 2017 will be telling. Others ate less. \r\n\r\nBut the 2016 Oktoberfest Zinzinnati World Bratwurst-Eating Championship belonged to one man and his name is Chestnut. He understands the brat completely and dominates not only the competition but the food itself. The Cincinnati faithful let his name ring into the warm afternoon air. Chestnut smiled. Job done. Success again. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1 Joey Chestnut 67 Brats in 10 min\r\n2 Gideon Oji 40.75\r\n3 Matthew Cohen 29\r\n4 Scott Thomas and Ethan Teske 26\r\n6 Matthew Raible 18\r\n7 Sean Mulcahey 16.25\r\n8 Patrick Kelly 6.5\r\n9 Mrs Sara Lamar 6.25\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda413a","sn":975,"title":"World’s Top Eaters Confirmed For 2016 Smoke’s Poutinerie WPEC!","createdAt":"2016-09-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Outrageous Event in Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square to Feature Extraordinary, Interactive Fan Experiences\r\n\r\nInsane Number of Dedicated Sponsors Eat Up the Opportunity to Support Event\r\n\r\nTORONTO – The 7th annual Smoke’s Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship (WPEC) reinforced today why it will be the biggest gastronomical consumption spectacle of 2016. Announced today, the world’s most renowned Major League Eating (MLE) competitors have confirmed they will be taking the stage at the event. \r\n\r\n“There is no other day like this…when food and entertainment come together to give a fan-following like ours an event to remember,” said Ryan Smolkin, CEO (Chief Entertainment Officer) of Smoke’s Poutinerie and the creative mastermind behind WPEC. “We are absolutely stoked! The support from MLE, our sponsors and fans has been stronger than ever. There’s an activity for every attendee. Every man, woman and child can enjoy FREE poutine all day, watch in amazement as thirteen of the top ranked MLE eaters in the world vie for the coveted WPEC Trophy and rock out to Destroyer, the KISS cover band bringing everyone in attendance back to the glory days of ‘80s glam rock!”\r\n\r\nEaters slated to compete in the 2016 Smoke’s Poutinerie WPEC:\r\n\r\n• Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, the world’s #1-ranked pro eater, from San Jose, Ca.\r\n• Matt “the Megatoad” Stonie, #2 ranked pro and the defending WPEC champion, from San Jose, Ca.\r\n• Carmen Cincotti, ranked #4, from East Windsor, N.J.\r\n• Gideon Oji, ranked #5, from Morrow, Ga.\r\n• Yasir Salem, ranked #9, from New York\r\n• Michelle Lesco, ranked #10, from Tucson, Ariz.\r\n• Eric Booker, ranked #15, from Selden, N.Y.\r\n• Jim Reeves, ranked #20, from Boston\r\n• Meredith Boxburger, ranked #24, from Plymouth, Mich.\r\n• Larell Marie Mele, ranked #31, from Long Pond, Pa.\r\n• William Myers, ranked #35, from Allentown, Pa.\r\n• Ben Do, ranked #44, from Kitchener, Ont.\r\n• Jesse Kankula, from Ridgetown, Ont. \r\n\r\nPlus, everyone in attendance will be able to share in the poutine eating celebration during WPEC 2016. Smoke’s Poutinerie wants all fans to get into the immense energy emanating from the Square through participation in extraordinary experiences including the following events:\r\n• The Potato Bag Launch – As only Smoke’s Poutinerie can, this contest invites fans to launch a Smoke’s Poutinerie-branded potato bag onto a giant tile game board; winners will be awarded branded tattoos, stickers, hats and more;\r\n• Smoke’s Poutinerie Food Trucks Fundraising Derby – Those in attendance will be able to feast on free poutine all day courtesy of the two Smoke’s Poutinerie food trucks on hand. To make the epitome of indulgence even more meaningful, during the event, the two trucks will compete in a fan fundraising competition. Attendees will be able to donate to either truck as they are served poutine. For this fun faceoff, the head-to-head truck competitors will be affectionately known as General Lee (from the iconic ‘80s show Dukes of Hazzard) and DeLorean (from the legendary Back to the Future film). The plutonium-powered, revved up fundraiser benefits the event’s charity partner, Friends of We Care;\r\n• Interactive Photo Booth – The latest in wacked-out photo-booth technology will also entertain fans, taking pictures and printing them out for fans to bring home with branded memories;\r\n• Jones Soda Tasting Bar – Fans will line up to sip down Jones Soda flights…three samplings to be served from a variety of assorted flavors on tap;\r\n\r\nRounding out the latest WPEC news, Smoke’s Poutinerie announced today an illustrious collection of sponsors for the event. The highly anticipated extravaganza would not be possible without the support from the sponsors who are providing tents, signage, photography, videography, massive amounts of food and even a motorized car racetrack at the Yonge-Dundas Square this year.\r\n\r\nThese sponsors include:\r\n\r\nTitle Sponsors:\r\n•\tMaple Leaf Foods\r\n•\tTabasco\r\n•\tJones Soda Co.\r\n•\tMonster Energy\r\n•\tRack & Pinion Creative \r\n•\tAstley Gilbert \r\n\r\nFood Sponsors:\r\n•\tEast Point Potatoes\r\n•\tEarthFresh \r\n•\tChampetre Fromagerie\r\n•\tED Foods\r\n•\tBunge Limited \r\n\r\nTo learn more about the competition and exceptional entertainment at the 7th Annual Smoke’s Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship, visit http://smokespoutinerie.com/wpec/.\r\n\r\nAbout Smoke’s Poutinerie\r\nFounded in 2009 by creative genius Ryan Smolkin, Smoke’s Poutinerie is the “World’s Largest and Original Poutinerie.” Representing 80s Canadiana culture known for the signature red & black plaid and glam rock music, Smoke’s Poutinerie serves 30 varieties of its famous poutine. With 100-plus locations in Canada, and 50-plus in the United States, the brand is on course for “Global Domination,” targeting 1,300 new locations to open around the world by 2020.\r\n\r\nFor more information about available franchise opportunities, contact Mark Cunningham, Global Chief Business Development Officer, at mark@smokespoutinerie.com, call (905) 427-4444, ext. 217 or visit www.smokespoutinerie.com/Franchises.aspx. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4135","sn":972,"title":"Stonie Sets World Chicken Spiedie Eating Record","createdAt":"2016-08-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Call this one Matthew Stonie's biggest win of the year to date. And we add \"to date\" because his performance at the 2016 Tioga Downs World Chicken Spiedie Eating Championship Presented by Lupo’s bodes well for the rest of the calendar. Stone ate 20 Lupo's Chicken Spiedies to win the event, set a new World Record and defeat Joey Chestnut in the process. His win was as complete a performance as we have seen from Stonie all year. It was a win with ramifications. \r\n\r\nThe Lupo's Chicken Spiedie—half a pound of frankly delicious marinated and grilled chicken served on a bread roll of impeccable quality—is as demanding a competition food type as they come. She is a test of jaw strength, capacity and emotional courage. Stonie was up to the task. He was fast, as is custom, out of the blocks and settled into a rhythm long before any other eater could. He did not slow. He did not falter. He simply pointed his mouth to the 10-minute mark and marched to victory. Chestnut could not find his metre, his beat. The surge did not come. Cincotti continued his stellar 2016 with third; he was a bite from tying the Great Chestnut for second. All three bested the previous World Record mark of 14 Lupo's Spiedies in 10 minutes. Others ate less. \r\n\r\nBut this was Stonie's day. He will head into the rest of 2016 having relearned that which he already knew: That Chestnut is not unbeatable. That he is a Champion. Sometimes all we need to do is listen to our inner power. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1 Matt Stonie, World Record 20 Lupo's Chicken Spiedies in 10 min\r\n2 Joey Chestnut 16.75\r\n3 Carmen Cincotti 16.5\r\n4 Geoffrey Esper 13.5\r\n5 Yasir Salem 8\r\n6 Kevin Ambs 6.5\r\n7 Wild Bill Myers and Michael Deitz 4.75\r\n9 Larell Marie Mele 4\r\n10 Benjamin Calderon, DQ, the poor chap\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4134","sn":971,"title":"Smoke’s Poutinerie Releases Details of 7th Annual World Poutine Eating Championship","createdAt":"2016-08-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Insanely Entertaining, Internationally Acclaimed Competitive Eating Event to be held October 1st at Yonge-Dundas Square, the Heart of the City\r\n\r\nTORONTO – The date has been set, the competitors are in intense training mode and the entertainment has been lined up. All that’s left is for the colossal consumption of the greatest food on this green earth to take center stage in a competition of monumental proportions. \r\n\r\nSmoke’s Poutinerie, the “World’s Largest and Original Poutinerie,” today announced a number of details for its 7th annual Smoke’s Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship (WPEC). As the world’s largest poutine eating competition, WPEC is considered Canada’s undisputed eating event of the year and one of the globe’s premier displays of gastronomic gamesmanship. \r\n\r\nAll poutine-loving eyes will be glued to Downtown Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square on Saturday, October 1, 2016 to witness the weird, wild and wacky eating extravaganza.\r\n\r\nSmoke, the iconic mastermind behind Smoke’s Poutinerie, has faxed exclusive invitations to both Major League Eaters (MLE) and amateur gorgers from all corners of the globe. Invited internationally-celebrated MLE superstars who regularly compete for the poutine eating crown include the world’s #1 and #2 ranked pros. WPEC stands to renew this fierce rivalry, as the world’s #2 ranked Matt “The Megatoad” Stonie, the reigning Smoke’s Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship champion who ate 22 pounds of poutine in 10 minutes, has the opportunity to defend his title against Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, currently ranked #1 in the world, who ate 20.5 pounds of poutine last year. Other amazing invitees include Badlands Booker, who is the donut, matzo ball and green pea-eating champion of the world; Yasir Salem, who is the former cannoli-eating champion of the world; and “Buffalo” Jim Reeves, the watermelon-eating champion of the world!\r\n\r\nFor the professional competition at WPEC, Smoke’s Poutinerie partners closely with MLE to run the event. MLE is the world body that oversees all professional eating contests. Incredibly, MLE-sanctioned eating contests generate more than a billion consumer impressions worldwide. \r\n\r\n“Beyond insanity! It is the single greatest day of each and every year,” said Ryan Smolkin, founder and CEO (Chief Entertainment Officer) of Smoke’s Poutinerie. “WPEC rocks the world of all who come. Games, prizes, tunes, massive amounts…I mean massive amounts of fries, cheese curds and gravy. It’s FREE poutine for everyone and the pinnacle of competitive eating. Our pro eaters are absolutely unbelievable…it’s incredible what they can put down and pulverize. You have to be there to believe it. Don’t miss this!” \r\n\r\nThe release of the 7th annual WPEC date comes on the heels of another announcement that is near and dear to Smoke’s Poutinerie and its plaid nation. Smoke’s Poutinerie has partnered with Friends of We Care, a charity organization focused on sending children with disabilities to camp through the collaborative efforts of Canada’s foodservice and hospitality community. In support of Friends of We Care, WPEC will be holding its first-ever charity eating competition, with the proceeds raised helping ensure that countless children can enjoy their summers at camp creating unforgettable memories. For a chance to secure one of the 12 exclusive spots in the charity eat-off, interested WPEC eaters can sign up or donate now through September online at: http://friendsofwecare.org/events/poutine-eating-contest-smokes-poutinerie/. Friends, family and poutine lovers from all corners of the world can support the charity competition entrants by making pledges at the same site. \r\n\r\nAnd, when it comes to musical entertainment, this year’s WPEC will be off the hizzy as Smoke’s Poutinerie hooks up partygoers, head bangers and air guitarists with exclusive performances from Destroyer – the hottest KISS tribute band in the world.\r\n\r\nTo learn more about the competition and exceptional entertainment at the 7th Annual Smoke’s Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship, visit http://smokespoutinerie.com/wpec/.\r\n\r\nAbout Smoke’s Poutinerie\r\nFounded in 2009 by creative genius Ryan Smolkin, Smoke’s Poutinerie is the World’s Largest and Original Poutinerie. Representing 1980s Canadiana culture known for the signature red & black plaid and glam rock music, Smoke’s Poutinerie serves 30 varieties of its famous poutine. With 100-plus locations in Canada, the brand is on course for “Global Domination,” targeting 1,300 new locations to open around the world by 2020.\r\n\r\nFor more information about available franchise opportunities, contact Mark Cunningham, Global Chief Business Development Officer, at mark@smokespoutinerie.com, call (905) 427-4444, ext. 217 or visit www.smokespoutinerie.com/Franchises.aspx. \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4131","sn":970,"title":"Stonie Claims Gyoza Title","createdAt":"2016-08-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Winning is a habit. Which is why Matt Stonie likely feels relief at being top of the podium after eating 323 Day-Lee Foods Gyoza in 10 minutes to claim the 2016 World Gyoza Eating Championship. It was Stonie's first MLE win since May and he will doubtless use it as a pivot point moving forward. How the rest of the 2016 season fares for the young man from San Jose is up to him and God.\r\n\r\nStonie entered the event as the hot favorite, of course, with his nemesis/buddy Joey Chestnut back home up north competing in the World Taco Championships on the same day. Do not think for a moment, however, that Stonie's win deserves an asterix for Chestnut's absence. Stonie's performance in this event was complete, perfect and dominant. The job of a top-ranked eater is to win, no matter the challenges or challengers. Stonie rose to meet all comers with his trademark speed and strength. \r\n\r\nGeoffrey Esper continued his impressive 2016 with 243 Day-Lee Foods gyoza on debut at the event. He will no doubt return to the event in 2017 with 243 pieces of insight upon which to improve. Miki Sudo finished third with 229. All eaters performed admirably; full results are below. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1 Matt Stonie, 323 Day-Lee Foods Gyoza in 10 min\r\n2 Geoffrey Esper 243\r\n3 Miki Sudo 229\r\n4 Gideon Oji 183\r\n5 Juan Rodriguez 181\r\n6 Rich LeFevre 168\r\n7 Pablo Martinez 127\r\n8 Badlands Booker 116\r\n9 Carlene LeFevre 80\r\n10 Doug Ecks 72\r\n11 Mary Bowers 65\r\n12 Kentaro Shimizu 63\r\n13 Lesley Ryder 50\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4133","sn":969,"title":"Chestnut Claims Taco Crown","createdAt":"2016-08-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"He is the greatest eater in the history of mankind. He is the #1-ranked eater in the world. He is the Great One. He is also, as of 3.13pm Pacific on Saturday the 20th August, 2016, the reigning Chacho's taco-eating Champion of the world. He is Joey Chestnut and he ate 79 Chacho's tacos in eight minutes to score the victory at the 2016 installment of the Chacho's World Taco Eating Championship. \r\n\r\nChestnut did what Chestnut does: He lead from the start and did not slow until he was told in no uncertain terms to stop eating by the contest emcee at the conclusion of the event. He is a powerhouse and workhorse all at once, and he would not be denied today, not here, in San Jose, his many friends watching on in the warm balm of a summer's afternoon in this small patch of heaven by the Bay. \r\n\r\nThere are no easy victories in MLE competition, of course. Rookie sensation Carmen Cincotti pushed Chestnut throughout; one fancies that with more contest experience under his belt, Cincotti will only improve. He ate 68 Chacho's tacos to take second place. Michelle Lesco took third; Adrian Morgan took fourth; Steve Hendry took fifth. Full results are below. \r\n\r\nBut at the conclusion of this event, Matt Stonie's world record of 103 Chacho's tacos in eight minutes remained. For eight glorious minutes it appeared vulnerable, like an injured fawn lying in a clearing. A broken leg, perhaps. Its eyes welling with sadness as the wolves descend, their nostrils filled with the scent of blood. This time the fawn survived. In the future, one fears, the outcome could well be different. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1 Joey 79 Chacho's Tacos in 8 minutes\r\n2 Carmen Cincotti 68\r\n3 Michelle Lesco 56\r\n4 Adrian Morgan 53\r\n5 Steve Henry 37\r\n6 Sergio Reyes 24\r\n7 Cameron Birdwell 23\r\n8 Henry Navarro 13\r\n9 Jon Davis 12\r\n10 The Man Called H 10\r\n11 Tito Best 8\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda412f","sn":966,"title":"Gideon Oji Claims First Title At Inaugural Kale Championship","createdAt":"2016-07-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"When the history of Zaria, Nigeria is written—and it will be written—spare a few sheets of paper and a quart of ink in celebration of that proud city's finest son, Gideon Oji. For alongside Zaria's many claims to fame*, it has emerged as the epicenter of competitive eating in Africa with Gideon Oji's win at Kale Yeah!—The World’s Healthiest Eating Championship Presented By Healthy Options. The event was the first sanctioned kale-eating World Championship and his win marked Oji's first non-qualifier gold in MLE competition. It will be the first of many. That is not blue-sky hope talking. That is fact. \r\n\r\nThere are few sights at the MLE table as imposing or as impressive as Oji in full tear. His 6-foot-9 frame hunched over to lessen the distance between food and mouth. His athletic physique willing food into submission. His mouth, at the starter's whistle, turning from smile to machine, and at the conclusion returning to joy. Guy's got it. Guy earned it. Hats off to Gideon Oji. \r\n\r\nKale Yeah!—The World’s Healthiest Eating Championship Presented By Healthy Options took place at The Taste of Buffalo and marked the first time in human history that the world's greatest eaters tested themselves against the almighty kale. It was dense. It was chewy. It called for a hero and Gideon Oji answered in resounding fashion. He ate 25.5 16oz servings of kale salad in eight minutes for the win. Carmen Cincotti grinded for second. Others ate less. All enjoyed the many health benefits of kale and the warm affections of the Buffalo faithful. \r\n\r\nFull results below. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1 - Gideon Oji - 25.5 16oz by Volume Chopped Kale Salad in 8 min\r\n2 - Carmen Cincotti - 20.75\r\n3 - Marcos Owens - 18.5\r\n4 - Badlands Booker - 17.5\r\n5 - Crazy Legs Conti - 15.5\r\n6T - Daniella Gioia and Ben Do - 14\r\n8 - Buffalo Jim Reeves 12 \r\n9 - Michael Deitz - 10\r\n\r\n* Two highlights of Zarian prominence: Ahmadu Bello University, the largest university in Nigeria and the second largest in Africa, calls Zaria home and the city's textile industry has fashioned legendary hand-embroidered robes worn throughout West Africa for over 200 years. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4132","sn":968,"title":"Joey Chestnut Reclaims Hooters Wing Title","createdAt":"2016-07-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"It's all coming up Chestnut. \r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut's comeback tour of 2016 pulled into Las Vegas, NV, for the fifth annual Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Championship and sped off into the desert dust with a smile, a fat payday and another title. Chestnut ate 194 Hooters wings in 10 minutes to edge his nemesis/respected adversary/buddy Matt Stonie by just eight wings. The win marked Chestnut's fourth Hooters title. \r\n\r\nWhat can be said about Joey Chestnut and the consumption of Hooters chicken wings that hasn't been said before? Not much, but here is the take away: He eats with a relentless and steady rhythm, like a giant sea, always surging, always forward, never in panic. The sea always wins and the sea knows this. Chestnut is no different in his approach, even when the results don't fall his way. He has a technique and he sticks to it. He finds his tempo and he dances to it. He finds his home mentally and spiritually and he anchors his will and effort and hope to it. And he wins more often than not. Why go changing? \r\n\r\nStonie was gracious in defeat, if eating 186 Hooters wings in 10 minutes can be called defeat. He knew it would be close and today was not his today. Perhaps tomorrow will be. Or the day after. He should not be concerned. Wing specialist and handsome man Adrian Morgan ate well for third. Gideon Oji's impressive 2016 continued for a fourth-place finish. \r\n\r\nFull results below.\r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1 Joey Chestnut 194 Hooters wings in 10 min\r\n2 Matt Stonie 186\r\n3 Adrian Morgan 176\r\n4 Gideon Oji 161\r\n5 Michelle Lesco 142\r\n6 Yasir Salem 138\r\n7 Geoffrey Esper 137\r\n8 Juan Rodriguez 136\r\n9 Juliet Lee 126\r\n10 Josh Miller 122\r\n11 Miki Sudo 116 \r\n12 Steve Hendry 104\r\n13 Rich LeFevre 90"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4138","sn":967,"title":"Chestnut Defends Slugburger Title","createdAt":"2016-07-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Let's get the facts out of the way: Joey Chestnut, fresh off his crushing 2016 Nathan's Famous hot dog win and the #1-ranked eater in the world once more, ate 41 slugburgers to defend his World Slugburger-Eating title. He did so, as is custom, at The World Slugburger Eating Championship Presented by Main Street Corinth. Corinth, Mississippi is the spiritual home of slugburger eating; indeed, eating slugburgers competitively anywhere else would be a sacrilege. Like holding a deep dish pizza contest in Brooklyn. Or a pastrami sandwich contest in Chicago. It just wouldn't work. \r\n\r\nThis year's contest marked the fifth anniversary of the event and Chestnut celebrated the occasion by putting on a clinic of straight-up, old-school, bare-knuckle, happy-stomach power eating. He lead early and never looked back. Geoffrey Esper made his slugburger debut and finished second with 32. Josh Miller continued his quietly effective 2016 with 17.5 for third. Others ate less but they should not feel less for their efforts. All are winners in Corinth, Mississippi. It is a small, beautiful part of this great nation. Major League Eating would like to formally extend our thanks to Mayor Tommy Irwin and his team, Main Street Corinth for their tireless advocacy for downtown redevelopment and Visit Corinth for spreading the good word about the city and its many virtues. \r\n\r\nWe learn many things through MLE competition. How best to eat a hot dog. How to utilize beverage selection for a specific food. How to improve with every outing at the table. We also learn that this world gives a lot if we give a little of ourselves. Nowhere else is that more true than Corinth, MS. Her citizens are a credit to this republic at its best. \r\n\r\nWe will see you next year in the haze of a north-eastern Mississippi July. It's a good sweat, one to be enjoyed with a cold drink and warm friends. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1 Joey Chestnut 41 slugburgers in 10 minutes\r\n2 Geoffrey Esper 32\r\n3 Josh Miller 17.5\r\n4 Matt Cohen 16.5\r\n5 Nate Biller 14\r\n6 Mr WB Myers 10.5\r\n7 Matthew Raible 10\r\n8 Brian Jackson 6.5\r\n9 Jeff Stark 6\r\n10 Hope Bain 5.25\r\n11 Ms Taylor Coombs, who frankly should have done better 3.75\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda412d","sn":965,"title":"Full Results From The 100th Anniversary Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest","createdAt":"2016-07-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"JOEY CHESTNUT REGAINS CONEY CROWN!\r\n\r\nMIKI SUDO DEFENDS TITLE AGAINST SONYA THOMAS!\r\n\r\nMen's Championship: Full Results!\r\n1 Joey Chestnut 70\r\n2 Matt Stonie 53\r\n3 Carmen Cincotti 42\r\n4 Gideon Oji 38\r\n5 Geoffrey Esper 37.5\r\n6 Adrian Morgan 36\r\n7 Yasir Salem and Erik Denmark 31\r\n9 Rich LeFevre 29\r\n10 Marcos Owens 28\r\n11 Juan Rodriguez 27\r\n12 Eric Booker 25\r\n13 Brian Dudzinski 24\r\n14 Steve Schuster 16\r\n15 Dan Katz 12\r\n16 Crazy Legs Conti 1\r\n\r\nLadies' Championship: Full Results!\r\n1 Miki Sudo 38.5\r\n2 Sonya Thomas 35\r\n3 Juliet Lee and Michelle Lesco 27\r\n5 BeeJay Alexander 17.5\r\n6 Nela Zisser 16.75\r\n7 Meredith Boxberger and Sophia DeVita 15.5\r\n9 Larell Marie Mele 15\r\n10 Kassandra Zapata 13.5\r\n11 Daniella Gioia 12.5\r\n12 Mary Bowers 8.5\r\n13 Noelle Dudzinski 7.75\r\n14 Hilary Andrews 7\r\n15 Elizabeth Petra 4\r\n\r\nThe 2016 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest took place in Coney Island from 11 am to 1 pm on Monday, July 4, 2016. The annual contest reportedly was first conducted in 1916 and was held this year as part of 100th Anniversary celebrations at Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Brooklyn, NY."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda412e","sn":964,"title":"Nathan’s Famous 100th Anniversary Fourth Of July Hot Dog-Eating Contest Information","createdAt":"2016-06-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Annual Competition in Coney Island on July 4, 2016!\r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut Seeks to Regain Title from Matt Stonie!\r\n\r\nMiki Sudo to Defend Title Against Sonya Thomas!\r\n\r\nNOTE TO EDITORS: CLICK HERE! This Dropbox link provides access to resources for this event, including video, photos, news releases and and event details.\r\n\r\nThe 2016 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest will take place in Coney Island from 11 am to 1 pm on Monday, July 4, 2016. The annual contest, reportedly first conducted in 1916, will be held this year as part of 100th Anniversary celebrations at Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Brooklyn, NY.\r\n\r\nThe event is free and open to the public. Pre-show festivities will begin at 10:00 am with performances by a variety of musical and dance acts. The women’s competition began at 11:00 am, while the men’s competition will start at 12:30 pm.\r\n\r\nMatt Stonie of San Jose, CA, shocked the world last year by claiming the championship title for the first time. Stonie, previously the world’s second-ranked eater, defeated his toughest rival, 32-year-old Joey Chestnut, also of San Jose, who had reigned undefeated for eight consecutive years. Stonie ate 62 Hot Dogs in 2015, two more than Chestnut. However, last weekend in Washington, DC, Chestnut threw down the gauntlet by eating 73.5 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes to set a new world record.\r\n\r\nIn the women's competition last year, Sonya Thomas of Alexandria, VA, who set a world record by consuming 45 Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes, failed to reclaim her title from Miki Sudo, of Las Vegas, NV. Sudo took first place, eating 38 Hot Dogs, seven more than Thomas.\r\n\r\nIn recent years, an estimated 35,000 fans have made the pilgrimage to Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island to watch the contest in person. The ESPN telecast of the event routinely draws an audience of millions of viewers. As part of the event, Nathan’s Famous makes a donation of 100,000 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs to the Food Bank for New York City.\r\n\r\nESPN has exclusive live broadcast rights from 10:50 am to the conclusion of the event, expected to be at 1:05 pm ET. The women’s competition coverage begin at 10:50 am ET and will be telecast live on ESPN3. The men’s competition coverage will begin at 12:00 pm ET and will be telecast live on ESPN3. It will re-air on ESPN at 3:00pm ET. \r\n\r\nFans planning to attend the contest may want to arrive early. For those on mass transit, take the subway—D, F, Q, N—to the final stop, Stillwell Avenue. Nathan’s Famous is across the street from the terminal. Those driving will want to take the Belt Parkway to Exit 6, Cropsey Avenue, and head south toward the water until you hit Surf Avenue. Take a left and you will see Nathan’s on the right at Stillwell Avenue. Other attractions in Coney Island include the Cyclone, Deno’s Wonder Wheel and Luna Park."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda412c","sn":963,"title":"Stonie Slams 200 Peeps In Five Min To Set World Peeps Eating Record!","createdAt":"2016-04-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"One Peep? So innocent. So pure. So meek, perhaps. A quiet, sweet reminder of the Easter season's promise of renewal and new life in marshmallow form. \r\n\r\nBut 200 Peeps? In five minutes? That is not innocent. That is heroic. That is epic. That achievement can not be unknown. Say it loud and say it proud, people: Matthew Stonie, the #1-ranked eater in the world, ate 200 Peeps in five minutes at the inaugural National Harbor World Peeps Eating Championship in National Harbor, MD. In doing so, he took the trophy, bagged the cash and added World Record number 14 to his haul. \r\n\r\nIt would be stretching the truth to breaking point to say that Stonie did not enter this event as the firm favorite. Firmer, perhaps, than a frozen Peep in Iceland in February eating ice cream in a blizzard. Or something. And Stonie did what Stonie does—speed, baby, speed. His hands and mouth were like Torvill and Dean, for those who know their mid-80s British figure skating pairs references. Suffice to say, they were in perfect harmony. They were in synchronicity. They were one. He was fast and clean and smooth, like a carbon fiber hydrofoil trimaran skating atop a glass-top ocean faster than the wind can push it.\r\n\r\nPause. What did the Peeps do to deserve such a fate? \r\n\r\nFate. Destiny. Our lot in life. May we all have an end as glorious. Each and every one of the 200 Peeps that (who?) ended up inside the great stomach of Stonie started the day inside paper boxes, wrapped with plastic, inside a larger box, inside the corporate offices of National Harbor. A humble, pedestrian start to their day. They did not know their end. By 1.48pm that afternoon, they fell with a grace and dignity that cast nothing but glory on their kind. We salute each and every one of them. \r\n\r\nOthers ate less than Matthew Stonie, of San Jose, CA. That happens a lot. Full results below. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1 Matthew Stonie, 200 Peeps in 5 min\r\n2 Geoffrey Esper, 160 Peeps\r\n3 Juliet Lee, 140 Peeps\r\n4 Michelle Lesco, 135 Peeps\r\n5 Dud Light Dudzinski, 116 Peeps\r\n6 Gideon Oji, 110 Peeps\r\n7 Crazy Legs Conti, 75 Peeps\r\n8 Larell Marie Mele, 58 Peeps\r\n9 Wild Bill Myers, 51 Peeps\r\n10 John Gonzalez, 40 Peeps\r\n11 Nick Ricci, who came last, 17 Peeps\r\n\r\nThis contest* took place at 1pm on Saturday, April 2nd, 2016, at National Harbor, 137 National Plaza, National Harbor, MD 20745 , MD 20745!\r\n\r\nAbout National Harbor!\r\nNational Harbor is a community unlike any other. Situated close to the nation’s capital, National Harbor takes full advantage of one of the country’s most historic rivers. Rising from the banks of the Potomac River, just south of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in Prince George’s County, Md., National Harbor is a 350-acre mixed use development with seven hotels (including the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center and MGM National Harbor), offices, residential, tree-lined streets with more than 150 shops including Tanger Outlets, and more than 30 restaurants, iconic attractions such as the Capital Wheel and National Harbor Carousel, and much more. The community provides easy access to Washington, D.C. and features an array of waterfront activities and events and spectacular sunsets. For more information, www.NationalHarbor.com. \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4127","sn":962,"title":"Chestnut Sets New Boysenberry Pie Record!Saturn Devouring His Son?\r\n\r\nHe has not. He has tasted 14.5lb of Knott's Berry Farm boysenberry pie in eight minutes. He has set a new world record. His face speaks not of Saturn's terror but of joy. His grin is wide. The applause rings out. He hoists the trophy. The world, once more, is his. Sanity prevails. Soon there will be calm. \r\n\r\nFull results below. Props to Steve Hendry, the quiet man of competitive eating, for his silver-medal finish. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1) Joey Chestnut, 14.5lb in 8 minutes, a new World Record.\r\n2) Steve Hendry - 10.25lb\r\n3) Miki Sudo- 9.5lb\r\n4) Michelle Lesco - 9lb\r\n5) Rich LeFevre & Justin Mih - 8.5lb\r\n7) Jon Davis & Carlene LeFevre - 3.5lb\r\n9) Lesley Ryder 3\r\n10) Daniel Lujan 2.5 \r\n11) Barbara LaBarge & Lillian Canales 1.5"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4125","sn":960,"title":"Joey Chestnut Takes Meat Pie Title, Record!","createdAt":"2016-03-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut, the #2-ranked eater in the world, continued his unbeaten 2016 at the Silver Slipper World Meat Pie Eating Championship by eating 23 6oz Meat Pies in 10 minutes. In doing so, he set a new world record; the previous mark was 16. It was a good day for Joey Chestnut. At the conclusion of the contest, Chestnut beamed his bearded smile and walked into the soft Bay St Louis, Mississippi, afternoon a satisfied competitor, the cool breeze from the Gulf kissing his cheek in celebration. Even Mother Nature, it would seem, is a fan. Joey, Joey, Joey. \r\n\r\nThe event—and Chestnut's latest World Record, record number 41 for those keeping score—would not have been possible without the support and blessing of the Bulot Family. For those unaware, Major League Eater and beloved Bay St Louis area son Boyd \"Bayou Boyd\" Bulot passed away in February 2015. His 2003 mark of 16 Meat Pies in 10 minutes stood until this event. It fell to Chestnut with the full blessing of the Bulot Family, with Richard Bulot Snr.—Boyd's Father—passing the title belt to Chestnut during presentations. He did so with a smile, a smile shared with other Bulot family members in attendance, and if that's not something to learn from on this great march of life we don't know what is. Major League Eating thanks the Silver Slipper Casino and the Bulot Family for this opportunity to celebrate Boyd's life and legacy. \r\n\r\nMiki Sudo was solid for second. Adrian Morgan managed to ignore the trill cacophony of the Rabbit Army for third. Rich LeFevre got some eating done for fourth. Gideon Oji would likely be disappointed with fifth. Matthew Cohen continued to build his reputation with sixth. Crazy Legs Conti wore a rainbow tutu and a toga in celebration of Boyd Bulot's affection for rainbow apparel and togas for seventh. Corey Fanguy returned from hiatus for eighth. Matthew Raible enjoyed his seven-and-one-half Meat Pies for ninth. Nasty Nate underperformed for tenth—that's not a dispersion, that's just the way it is, and if he has a problem with that he knows where to find me. Carlene LeFevre was a beacon of elegance for eleventh. \r\n\r\nBoyd Bulot, of course, remains much missed and much loved. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1st - Joey Chestnut, 23 6oz Meat Pies in 10 mins\r\n2nd - Miki Sudo, 21.5\r\n3rd - Adrian Morgan, 19.25\r\n4th - Mr Rich LeFevre, 17\r\n5th - Gideon Oji, 13.5\r\n6th - Matthew Cohen, 12.75\r\n7th - Crazy Legs Conti, 10.5\r\n8th - Corey Fanguy, 10\r\n9th - Matthew Raible. 7.5\r\n10th - Nasty Nate Biller, 6\r\n11th - Mrs Carlene LeFevre, 5"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4128","sn":957,"title":"2015: Major League Eating's Year In Glory","createdAt":"2015-12-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"1. MLE Basks In The Year Of Stonie\r\nWhen the history of Major League Eating is written—and it will be written—the year 2015 will be stamped “STONIE!” in a giant block typeface. Perhaps Machine Bold. His year was one giant moment of excellence. Matt Stonie claimed the Yellow Mustard Belt at the 2015 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Contest, he won the Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Championship, and he finished the year undefeated in 13 sanctioned events. Oh, and he rose to become the #1-ranked eater in the world. He is Stonie. The year was his. \r\n\r\n2. Stonie Wins The 2015 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Contest\r\nThe cornerstone of The Year Of Stonie deserves a more full rendering. His win at the 2015 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Contest will forever be remembered as his signature victory. Stonie’s win denied Joey Chestnut his ninth consecutive Nathan’s Famous title. Many called it the most shocking sporting upset of the year; those voices, however, are not attached to knowing eyes and minds. Stonie’s preparation and lead up to the Fourth of July could not have been better. More so, he had beaten Chestnut in other disciplines over the previous 12 months and does not fear the hot dog, as so many do. Stonie lead early, lead during the middle portion and lead late. He did not slow, nor tire, nor allow defeat to cloud his mind. He was smooth, relentless and focused on victory. Just like Chestnut in years past. Bring on 2016. \r\n\r\n3. Sudo Defends Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Title\r\nThere is no other way to put it: Miki Sudo’s defense of her Ladies Nathan’s Famous title started poorly. Sudo was impossibly slow in the first two minutes of the event—she was no lock to win the contest, but at this pace, a non-podium finished looked possible. Such a fall from grace would be unimaginable for a Coney Island Champion. Sonya Thomas surged ahead. Miki found her rhythm. Then she found her groove, her mojo and her X-factor all at once, which is a lot. Final tally: 38 Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes. Not her personal best, but enough to win the greatest prize in sports. Phew.\r\n\r\n4. MLE Remembers Little Jimmy\r\nIn mourning the passing of a friend, the best one can hope for is to do some measure of justice to their memory. In April 2015, the world lost James “Little Jimmy” Mastrangelo—America’s Uncle Sam to the Coney Island faithful. Little Jimmy graced the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest for the better part of a decade, charming children, parents and media alike with his joyful presence. At the 2015 event, Major League Eating was honored to pay tribute to Little Jimmy. His famous hat was paraded through the streets of Coney Island and onto the main stage. Little Jimmy’s sister, Mrs. Maria De Stefano, gave a bravura performance of “Ave Maria.” And Little Jimmy’s likeness on the Wall of Fame at the corner of Surf and Stillwell beamed down on all of us, as it will for years to come. May he rest in peace.\r\n\r\n5. Michelle Lesco Wins First Championship\r\nGet this: Until Friday the 12th of June, 2015, Michelle Lesco had never won a Major League Eating Championship. Nathan’s Famous hot dog qualifiers? Sure. Podium finishes? Yes. But her name had never been called last before a giant oversized novelty check was thrust in her mitts. Lesco won RibMania VI at Ribfest Chicago XVII, by eating 3.2lb of ribs in eight minutes. Her beaming face at the realization of her achievement served as a reminder that winning is the best, no matter what the bleating citizens of Participation Trophy Nation might think.\r\n\r\n6. MLE Expands Its Palate\r\nMajor League Eating welcomed—and welcomed back—a range of new delicious foods to its slate of sanction eating Championships in 2015. World Records followed: Birthday Cake (Stonie, 14.5lb in 8 min); Boysenberry Pie (Chestnut, 14lb in 8 min); Burritos (Chestnut, 14.25lb in 10 min); Pork Roll; (Chestnut, 32 4oz sandwiches in 10 min and, Stonie, 15 8oz sandwiches in 10 min); Pasta (Stonie, 10lb in 8 min); MoonPies (Stonie, 69 in 8 min); Gumbo (Chestnut, 1.875 gallons in 8 min). Assembled together, these foods would make for a delicious, if unorthodox, buffet spread.\r\n\r\n7. New Talent Proves Exceptional\r\nStand up, Geoffrey Esper and Gideon Oji. These two men burst onto the MLE circuit during the Nathan’s Famous qualifying circuit and ended the year at the pointy end of the rankings. Gideon and Geoffrey. Geoffrey and Gideon. G&G—two great men and a useful abbreviation for gin and ginger. This is MLE’s official cocktail of 2015 and we will raise one, perhaps three but never four, in tribute to these two brave culinary warriors. (Full disclosure: It’s more of a summer drink. Also, add a squeeze of fresh lime. Also, many people call Gideon “The Truth,” so that would make for a G&T, if that is your preference.)\r\n\r\n8. Chestnut Dominates Buffalo\r\nIt’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get back up, so said Vince Lombardi, presumably before hitting a prone Packer with a stick for not getting up. Let’s not mince words: Joey Chestnut got knocked down on July Fourth. He lost the Yellow Mustard Belt and the #1 ranking to Matt Stonie. (That he accepted both with grace and class is a credit to the man.) But Chestnut did not cower. He did not blame others. He did what precious few do in this day and age: He spit out the blood and recommenced the ass-kicking. His domination at the National Buffalo Wing Eating Festival was absolute—crushing back-to-back wins in both the Buffalo Buffet Bowl and the US National Buffalo Wing Eating Championship that served as a reminder that Champions do Champion things. Chestnut ain’t going anywhere.\r\n\r\n9. Sudo Takes Turkey\r\nMiki Sudo’s performance in her penultimate event of 2015 bodes well for her 2016 season. She was fast and focused en route to 8.8lbs of turkey meat off the bone and the win at the Foxwoods World Turkey Eating Championship. No one has ever doubted Ms. Sudo’s ability, but she has been irked by inconsistency since entering Major League Eating competition. Her Foxwoods’ performance was the purest expression of her ability to date. If she can make that performance the bedrock and the baseline of her work, there is no ceiling to what she will achieve. \r\n\r\n10. Stonie Claims First Wings Title\r\nThere are some foods you simply must be proficient in to be regarded as a complete eater. Chicken wings—ever the technique-first food—is one of them. So it was a surprise to reflect in the fact that until his big win at the 2015 Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Championship, Matt Stonie—the #1-ranked eater in the world—had never claimed first in a sanctioned wing-eating event. Weird, right? Stonie’s first win will not be last, based on his performance. His hand speed was unparalleled and he polished his wings with a cleanliness never seen before at the MLE table. A new bar has been raised in technique and in total: 241 Hooters wings in 10 minutes. \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4126","sn":959,"title":"Chestnut Crushes World Shrimp Cocktail Eating Record!","createdAt":"2015-12-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Indianapolis, IN There is no eater like the Great One, Joey Chestnut. And there is no shrimp cocktail like the St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail. That is because the World Famous St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail is known globally as a horseradishey flavor bomb that clears sinuses faster than you can say, \"Wow, that's rather horseradishey.\" This is not an event for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. \r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut is neither feint of heart nor weak of stomach. He is a lion. And at the 2015 installment of The World Famous St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail Eating Championship–Located at the Meijer Tail Greater Party on Georgia St, he ate 12.25lb of St Elmo Shrimp Cocktail in 8 minutes to set a new WR. (Chestnut held the previous record of 10.42lb, set in 2014.) Only one other contestant, Ms Miki Sudo, reached 50 percent of the Great One's total. His domination of this event remains absolute. Dude crushed it. \r\n\r\nSo, let's take a moment to let our minds drift past the holiday period, through new year's eve, after all the gifts have been returned, and into 2016. Let us not mince words: 2015 has not been a stellar year for the Great One. He lost the #1 World Ranking to Matthew Stonie. Further, he did not beat the slim-hipped prodigy all year. He is, and this is what must hurt most, the second best at what he does so well. \r\n\r\nThis win, however, in the final event of 2015, will sharpen his teeth. We look forward to renewed conflict in the new year.\r\n\r\nFull results below. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1st Joey Chestnut, 12.25lb in 8 min (New WR)\r\n2nd Miki Sudo, 7.42lb\r\n3rd Yasir Salem, 6lb\r\n4th Steve Hendry, 5.5lb\r\n5th Matthew Raible, 4.75lb\r\n6th Tracy Goode, 3.5lb\r\n7th Andrew Kogutkiewicz, 2.67lb\r\n8th - The Brave Jeremy, who did not finish\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4130","sn":958,"title":"Sudo Edges Chestnut For Turkey Glory!","createdAt":"2015-11-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Mashantucket, CT Let is be known that at the second annual Foxwoods World Turkey-Eating Championship Ms Miki Sudo—the #3-ranked eater in the world—claimed top prize by eating 8.8lb of turkey off the bone in just 10 minutes. In doing so, Sudo defeated the Great One, the man they call Chestnut, who finished with 8.4lb in 10 minutes for second place. The result was a vindication of Sudo's improved consistency and focus throughout 2015. It was her most significant career win outside the hot dog and bun discipline. \r\n\r\nThose who called the result an upset on social media simply have not been paying attention to Sudo vs Chestnut of late. At the World Gumbo-Eating Championship earlier in the month, Chestnut squeaked past Sudo by but 8oz of gumbo. At countless other events, it has been Chestnut one, Sudo two. Not today. \r\n\r\nThe contestants at the Foxwoods World Turkey-Eating Championship face a whole turkey and must rip and claw and de-bone and thrash and tear their way to victory. It is as much a test of protein strategy as it is eating—which bits will reward the eater most come weighing time? Which bits are faster? Which might slow one down? Sudo knows turkeys like she knows the back of her hand. She was not to be outdone today. \r\n\r\nMajor props to Geoffrey Esper for a powerful third-place finish. One feels that Mr Esper is just learning how to get the best performances out of his considerable talent. The eaters are on notice as the 2016 season looms. Ms Michelle Lesco used her speed for fourth, while Gideon Oji again impressed for fifth. The ranks of MLE are strong and thriving. \r\n\r\nThe full results are below. On behalf of all at Major League Eating, many thanks to the men and women of Foxwoods Resort Casino. Happy Thanksgiving, America. Be good to one another.\r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1st - 8.8 lbs. of Turkey in 10 Mins - Miki Sudo\r\n2nd - 8.4 lbs. - Joey Chestnut\r\n3rd - 5.7 lbs. - Geoffrey Esper\r\n4th - 5.4 lbs. - Michelle Lesco\r\n5th - 5.2 lbs. - Gideon Oji\r\n6th - 5 lbs. - Yasir Salem\r\n7th - 4.8 lbs. - Juan Rodriguez\r\n8th - 4.6 lbs. - Badlands Booker\r\n9th - 4.3 lbs. - Sonya Thomas\r\n10th - 3.2 lbs. - Daniella Gioia\r\n11th 2.8 lbs. - Wild Bill\r\n12th 2.4 lbs. - Crazy Legs Conti\r\n13 1.2 lbs. - Brian Woodard \r\n14 - 1 lb. DJ Douglas\r\n\r\nThis contest took place at 2pm Eastern at The Grand Ballroom, Casino Level of The Grand Pequot Tower, Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Boulevard, Mashantucket, CT !"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4122","sn":956,"title":"Protective Eyewear in Competitive Eating - MLE Flashback","createdAt":"2015-10-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"THE ROLE OF PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR AT EATING CONTESTS\r\n\r\nGoggles protect the eyes from hazards such as wind and water, and they're also very effective in deflecting debris during an eating contest. As such they were once quite popular within the competitive eating community. Stan Libnitz wore aviator goggles to the 1933 Nathan’s Hot Dog Championship and they fast became a common accessory for competitive eaters of that era.\r\n\r\nTrends, by definition, come and go and the use of goggles has been almost non-existent of late. While Crazy Legs Conti wore a swim mask in the Popcorn Sarcophogus, the only gurigitator to wear goggles in recent competition has been The Optic, Ron Koch. \r\n\r\nThe Optic wore a pair of swim goggles to a few competitions in the summer of 2005. He has not worn goggles in recent contests and, while there is no conclusive evidence that food has entered Koch’s eyes, many believe the lack of protective eyewear may have cost him some close battles.\r\n\r\nAs the competitive eating community readies for the Big Daddy Burger contest at the Plaza Casino in Las Vegas, the question on everyone’s mind is whether or not The Optic will compete in goggles. One thing is for sure: no one knows better than Koch that competitive eating is trench warfare and having a fraction of food enter the eye during a contest can be disastrous. \r\n\r\nWhile not directly related, it is rumored that Brian Subich is considering wearing a miner’s ‘bug’ light on his head while competing in 2006. Plate illumination is known to help eaters identify every morsel of foodstuff, which is critical in the debris category. But is this move more a tribute to the great men who, for decades, have mined coal in Subich’s home state of Pennsylvania?\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThis article from December 14, 2005 was reprinted with permission of the IFOCE."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4124","sn":955,"title":"Chestnut Completes Buffalo Sweep With Dominant Wing Victory!","createdAt":"2015-09-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Buffalo, NY Before the emcee announced first place at the 2015 edition of the U.S. National Buffalo Wing Eating Championship, Chestnut had begun his slow walk to the front and center of the stage to accept what he knew was his. It was not an act of hubris. It was the simple march of a man who was claiming what was rightly his: First place, the trophy, the cash and the pure love from the Buffalo crowd. In the spiritual home of the wing— Buffalo, NY—there is no greater feeling. Chestnut downed 205 chicken wings in 12 minutes to take the gold. \r\n\r\nEating wings in Buffalo is like enjoying pizza in Napoli or, presumably, French toast in France. The National Buffalo Wing Festival is the masterwork of Drew \"The Wing King\" Cerza and it is the best place on earth each and every Labor Day Weekend. The U.S. National Buffalo Wing Eating Championship is the main event, drawing the best MLE talent to Western NY each and every year. \r\n\r\nChestnut led from the front and showed no signs of ever slowing. It was like watching a perpetual motion machine set to \"Eat Wings.\" He found a rhythm early and simply maintained his crushing pace. Miki Sudo and Sonya Thomas would have to settle for second and third respectively; they simply could not match Chestnut's firepower here today. And there is no shame in that. Rookie sensation Gideon Oji again impressed in the wings discipline, finishing in fourth place. \r\n\r\nFull results below. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1st - 205 wings in 12 mins - Joey Chestnut\r\n2nd - 170 - Miki Sudo\r\n3rd - 157 - Sonya Thomas\r\n4th - 151 - Gideon Oji\r\n5th - 132 - Buffalo Jim Reeves and Yasir Salem\r\n7th - 126 - Juan Rodriguez\r\n8th - 125 - Steve Hendry\r\n9th - 116 - Badlands Booker\r\n10th - 94 - Daniella Gioia\r\n11th - 87 - Wild Bill Myers \r\n12th - 77 - Max Wojokowski, Amateur Champ\r\n\r\nThis contest took place at 5pm Eastern, on Sunday September 6th, 2015, at the The National Buffalo Wing Festival, held at Coca-Cola Field, 275 Washington St, Buffalo!\r\n\r\nAbout The National Buffalo Wing Festival!\r\nThe National Buffalo Wing Festival takes place over Labor Day Weekend at Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, NY. Part of the proceeds from the festival go to benefit Western New York charities, raising more than $225,000 over the festival's history."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda411f","sn":954,"title":"Matt Stonie Reclaims Gyoza Crown","createdAt":"2015-08-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"That was intense..\r\n\r\nSo Tweeted one @MattStonie at 6:49PM on August 22, 2015. We will forgive him the grammatical error on his use of the double period this once: Stonie was likely mid-digestion at the time of the Tweet, having eaten 343 Day-Lee Foods Gyoza five hours earlier. Worse transgressions are made every second by people facing far more moderate stomach demands. \r\n\r\nIntense is overused and used poorly. That movie was not intense, it was scripted. That snowboard run was not intense; gnarly, perhaps, but not intense. Exhilarating is likely the word you're looking for there, Snowboard Steve. That intense undergrad student who took issue with your criticism of Foucault's work on justice and social power is not intense, he is simply a bore.\r\n\r\nBut this. This. This was intense. Ten minutes. Plate upon plate of perfectly cooked Day-Lee Foods Gyoza. Chestnut by his side. His fans sprawled in front of him. The emcee counts from 10. The fingers dance. The palate calls. Go! \r\n\r\nAnd down, down, down, one fistful of gyoza after the next. Chestnut forcing the issue; Chestnut fast out of the blocks. Pace. Rhythm. Speed. Finders, keepers. Get it. Get in a groove. Let the mechanics take over. Block it all out. Trust the mechanics. The noise grows. Howls. Sweat. Don't break rhythm. Twist, pop, bite, swallow. Down, down, down. Trust the machine. Trust yourself. You are the Boy King. They are your subjects.\r\n\r\nStop! Count the plates. Chestnut smiles. That smile. He knows he's done well. Count the plates. Well enough? Not well enough? Count the plates. If it's close, how close? And who ate what? Count the plates. The numbers are in. The numbers say all that needs to be said for they are exact and they are cruel and the rest is hearsay: Stonie 343, Chestnut 339. Four gyoza. One bite. A few seconds. Nothing. Everything. \r\n\r\nThat was intense.. That was The 2015 Day-Lee Foods World Gyoza Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nFull Results!\r\n1 Matt Stonie, 343\r\n2 Joey Chestnut, 339\r\n3 Miki Sudo, 178\r\n4 Adrian Morgan, 175\r\n5 Michelle Lesco, 170\r\n6 Rich LeFevre, 169\r\n7 Steve Hendry, 145\r\n8 Erik Denmark, 142\r\n9 Juliet Lee, 129\r\n10 Badlands Booker, 125\r\n11 Josh Miller, 109\r\n12 Pablo Martinez, 107\r\n13 Nate Biller, 94\r\n14 Carlene LeFevre, 77\r\n15 Lesley Ryder, 69\r\n16 Rowell Marcos, 58\r\n17 Mary Bowers, 49\r\n18 Matt Ralston, 8"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4123","sn":953,"title":"Matt Stonie Sets New Traditional Taco Record In San Jose","createdAt":"2015-08-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"By MLE's measure, the capital of the world is San Jose, CA, and its crown rests comfortably on the head of one Matt Stonie. Matt Stonie is the #1-ranked eater in the world and a local son who embodies all that is good and decent about the city. San Jose is better than New York City. It is better than The Hague. (Den Haag, for traditionalists.) It is better than Geneva. Or Brussells. Or any other city that dares to pop its head above the parapet of reason and pronounce itself worthy of geopolitical merit. No. It's San Jose. And for the past decade, it's been that way. \r\n\r\nSan Jose is home to Stonie, world #1, and the former #1-ranked eater in the world and current world #2, Joey Chestnut. It is a mark of distinction for this city on the move to be the home of two such distinguished Americans. And yet there remains no formal recognition of their achievements. No plaque commemorating Stonie's 182 slices of bacon in five minutes. No key to the city bestowed unto Chestnut for his 69 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. There is nothing but silence. It is an outrage and one that must be corrected. It is a public disgrace. \r\n\r\nLet that set the scene for the second annual Chacho's World Taco Eating Championship, a celebration of the wonders of the traditional taco, held at the Chacho's Taco Festival in downtown San Jose. In the leadup to the event, MLE called upon San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo to formally address this egregious oversight. (The request was sent in the form of a Tweet, which, in keeping with San Jose's self-appointed role as the pseudo capital of Silicon Valley, seemed appropriate.) MLE's Architecture and City Planning Division (ACPD) requested that 100-foot tall gold effigies of Stonie and Chestnut be erected in San Jose in recognition of their achievements. There could be no more appropriate use of San Jose taxpayers’ funds than this measure of justice. Chestnut's glory predates Twitter. Stonie's Championships predate Tinder. Their toil is the soil on which San Jose and the region has boomed. And yet, nothing. \r\n\r\nBut we are humble Americans at MLE and our athletes are no different. And so, despite major shade-throwing from San Jose’s civic officials, Matthew Stonie reported on time for the Chacho's World Taco Eating Championship, met his fans, signed autographs, took selfies, kissed babies, and then ate 103 Chacho's tacos in eight minutes to set a new world record, besting his previous mark by a neat two tacos. He enjoyed the cheers of the crowd, each of them buoyed by the sublime performance of one of their own, and in each of their faces Stonie found the hometown recognition that civic fathers are yet to bestow. \r\n\r\nAnd it was enough. It was more than enough. The people have spoken. They speak with full throat and voice and they say: Stonie, Stonie, Stonie. Damn the kings and queens and presidents and mayors. They can never stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us. And their accolades will never compare to us shouting the name of one of our own. Stonie, Stonie, Stonie. \r\n\r\nOf the people. By the people. For the people. In this we trust. \r\n\r\nFull contest results below. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1st - Matt Stonie, 103 Chacho's Tacos in 8 Mins\r\n2nd - Michelle Lesco, 59\r\n3rd - Miki Sudo, 58\r\n4th - Steve Hendry, 54 \r\n5th - Jesse O'Con Jr, 30\r\n6th - Mary Bowers, 23\r\n7th - Lesley Ryder, 20\r\n8th - Jon Davis, 15\r\n9th - Angie Hendry, 14\r\n10th - Enrique Recalde, 7"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4120","sn":951,"title":"Joey Chestnut Sets New World Chicken Spiedie Record","createdAt":"2015-08-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Winning solves everything. Winning erases the dark past. Winning extends a pen and demands you write history on your terms. Winning is the only thing. \r\n\r\nSo it was great to see that smile return—that smile. Not the prettiest in the world, no, but one that beams from ear to ear. The smile of Joseph Chestnut. The smile of the greatest eater in the history of the world. The smile of the man who here, today, felt that winning feeling for the first time in too long. Joey Chestnut won the 2015 Tioga Downs World Chicken Spiedie Eating Championship Presented by Lupo’s. Joey Chestnut ate 14 Lupo's Chicken Spiedies in 10 minutes to set a new World Record, besting his previous record by one-quarter of one chicken spiedie. Joey Chestnut remains Joey Chestnut. \r\n\r\nBefore the event, Chestnut remarked through the magic of social media that he was looking to a) Win the event, and b) Get his year back on track. Now, let's talk turkey: the win marked his fifth Championship win of the calendar year to date. In anybody's language, that's a year worth remembering. A year that needs no righting. A year any eater worth their salt would sign up for on the stroke of midnight each and every December 31st. But Chestnut is not you or I or any one of a number of eaters. He is Chestnut and his successes and failures are judges by stricter measures. It hasn't been a perfect year. This year, he is the seven-year-old violin prodigy who nailed JS Bach’s Chaconne from Partita in D Minor at the recital but flubbed slightly when it came to Paganini’s Caprice No. 4 in C Minor, capiche? \r\n\r\nQuick contest recap: Chestnut ate harder and faster than any of his challengers. He lead from the front and did not surrender an inch. If you were not there, simply imagine a classic Chestnut performance and you'd get 90 percent of what transpired. \r\n\r\nWhat you would have missed, though, was the inspired surroundings of Tioga Downs, a picture-perfect harness racing facility in Nichols, NY, 30 miles to the west of Binghamton. (Those who would like to relive the four-legged efforts of the evening can do so HERE; Flash player required. MLE was confident of Bourbon Bay in the third and was duly compensated.)\r\n\r\nAll who came to eat, however, were winners: So delicious is the Lupo’s spiedie that even the salty tears of defeat could not dim its shine. Never heard of the chicken spiedie? Friend, you have not lived! The term \"spiedie\" comes from the Italian spiedini, and refers to cubes or balls of meat cooked on a skewer. This is what Wikipedia says. Lupo’s chicken spiedies are delicious—something they have been saying in Lupo's home town of Endicott, NY, for decades and will say for centuries. Many thanks go to Sam and Steve Lupo for their culinary mastery and warm hospitality. \r\n\r\nFull results below.\r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1st - Joey Chestnut, 14 Lupo's Chicken Spiedies in 10 minutes\r\n2nd - Juan Rodriguez, 11.75\r\n3rd - Geoffrey Esper, 11\r\n4th - Yasir Salem, 10\r\n5th - Badlands Booker, 8\r\n6th - Buffalo Jim Reeves, 7.75 \r\n7th - Daniella Gioia, 5.75\r\n8th - Jeff Berish and Ryan Siciliano, 5.5\r\n10th - Wild Bill Myers, 5.25\r\n11th - Jeff Diamond, 5\r\n12th - Mike Deitz and Larell Marie Mele, 4.5 "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda411e","sn":950,"title":"Matt Stonie Eats 241 Hooters Wings To Claim Hooters Title!","createdAt":"2015-07-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Those who chose not to attend the 2015 Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Championship Finals at Clearwater Beach, FL, chose to turn their backs on human achievement in its highest form. Those who were not there can never tell their grandchildren of what transpired. They will never in their darkest moments be able to think back to July 25th, 2015, and know—know—that life is great and life is worth the struggle and that happiness is coming. \r\n\r\nThose who were there saw Matthew Stonie eat 241 Hooters wings in 10 minutes. That bears repeating: 241 Hooters wings in 10 minutes, demolishing the previous high-water mark of 182 set in the 2014 event by Joey Chestnut. \r\n\r\nStonie was ruthless, fast, clean and efficient. His bones were stripped bare—not for him the peck-and-move technique, so often used in debris events. Each wing was a problem. Each wing demanded a solution. Stonie applied his learning and aptitude to each with precision. Wing meat eliminated. QED. Onto the next. Dude's a scientist and food's his laboratory. \r\n\r\nStonie was pushed throughout by Joey Chestnut, the winner of this event in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Chestnut is regarded by many as the finest wing eater in human history, a man who is able to marry perfect technique, capacity and ferocious competitiveness in each bite. It was not to be his day; Chestnut was gracious in defeat, the mark of a true Champion. He ate 200. \r\n\r\nOthers ate less. Adrian Morgan was disappointed with his third place finish, eating 194 Hooters wings in 10 minutes. Anyone who is disappointed in that total—and disappointed at finishing behind Sirs Stonie and Chestnut—has the true moral and mental makings of a Champion. Not for Morgan, that dirty bronze. No, sir. Morgan pipped Salem by two wings. Salem pointed this out to Morgan a number of times in post-event conversation. \r\n\r\nThe true winners, though, are the people of America. Again. Those who saw, saw. Those who did not, did not. But all Americans bonded as one on the Wednesday following the event—National Chicken Wing Day, July 29th. This day was marked as it is each and every year by Americans of all stripes reporting to their local Hooters and enjoying the finest wings in all the land. God bless America. \r\n\r\nFull Results!\r\n1st: Matthew Stonie, 241 Hooters wings in 10 mins\r\n2nd: Joey Chestnut, 200\r\n3rd: Adrian Morgan, 194\r\n4th: Yasir Salem, 192\r\n5th: Gideon Oji, 170\r\n6th: Michelle Lesco, 158\r\n7th: Miki Sudo, 154\r\n8th: Sonya Thomas, 126\r\n8th: Juliet Lee, 126\r\n10th: Juan Rodriguez, 118\r\n11th: Rich LeFevre, 116\r\n12th: Steve Hendry, 114\r\n13th: Erik Denmark, 106"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4121","sn":949,"title":"Matt Stonie Wins Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest","createdAt":"2015-07-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Matt Stonie Victorious Over Joey Chestnut!\r\n\r\nMiki Sudo Defended Title From Sonya Thomas!\r\n\r\nMatt Stonie of San Jose, CA, won the 2015 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest. Stonie ate 62 Hot Dogs, two more than eight-time champion Joey Chestnut. Chestnut holds the world record for eating 69 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes.\r\n\r\nIn the women's competition, Sonya Thomas of Alexandria, VA, failed to reclaim her title from Miki Sudo, of Las Vegas, NV. Sudo claimed the championship last year, and successfully defended her title from Thomas, who had won the pink belt for the three consecutive years prior; Sudo ate 38 Hot Dogs, seven more than Thomas, who ate 31.\r\n\r\nThe 2015 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest took place in Coney Island from 11 am to 1 pm on Saturday, July 4, 2015. The annual contest has occurred as it has for the better part of a century, at the Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Brooklyn, NY.\r\n\r\nIn recent years, an estimated 35,000 fans have made the pilgrimage to Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island to watch the contest in person. The ESPN telecast of the event routinely draws an audience of millions of viewers. As part of the event, Nathan’s Famous will make a donation of 100,000 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs to the Food Bank for New York City, as it does each year.\r\n\r\nFull Result: Men's Championship!\r\n1 Matthew Stonie 62 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 mins\r\n2 Joey Chestnut 60\r\n3 Eater X 35.5\r\n4 Erik Denmark 33\r\n5 Adrian Morgan 31\r\n6 Yasir Salem 30\r\n7 Geoffrey Esper 29.5\r\n8 Juan Rodriguez 28\r\n9 Badlands Booker 24.5\r\n10 Pablo Martinez 22\r\n11 Steve Hendry 21.75\r\n12 Crazy Legs Conti 19.5\r\n13 Brian Dudzinski And Gideon Oji 19\r\n15 Jeff Butler 17\r\n16 Nate Biller 16\r\n\r\nFull Result: Women's Championship!\r\n1 Miki Sudo 38 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 mins\r\n2 Sonya Thomas 31\r\n3 Juliet Lee 27.5\r\n4 Michelle Lesco 26\r\n5 Larell Marie Mele 16.75\r\n6 Meredith Boxberger 16.5\r\n7 Nela Zisser 16\r\n8 Daniella Gioia 15\r\n9 BeeJay Alexander 13\r\n10 Carlene LeFevre 11\r\n11 Lesley Ryder 10.5\r\n12 Liz McClurg 8.5\r\n13 Mary Bowers, Crystin Pactor, Marlene Wigginton 8\r\n16 Angie Hendry 5"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda411c","sn":948,"title":"Nathan’s Famous Fourth Of July Hot Dog-Eating Contest","createdAt":"2015-06-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Annual Competition in Coney Island on July 4, 2015!\r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut Faces Matt Stonie; Sonya Thomas Seeks to Regain Title from Miki Sudo!\r\n\r\nNote to Editors: the following Dropbox link provides access to resources for this event, including video, photos and event details CLICK HERE!.\r\n\r\nThe 2015 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest will take place in Coney Island from 11 am to 1 pm on Saturday, July 4, 2015. The annual contest will occur, as it has for the better part of a century, at the Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Brooklyn, NY.\r\n\r\nThe women’s competition will begin at 11:00AM, while the men’s competition will start at 12:30PM and will be broadcast on ESPN 2. Pre-show festivities will start at 10:00AM; scheduled appearances include performances by NYC-based brass band The Lucky Chops, bagpipe-and drum duo Scottish Octopus and a K-Pop choreography showcase by I Love Dance studio. \r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut of San Jose, CA, holds the world record for eating 69 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes, and he will seek his ninth straight title this year. However, 22-year-old Matt Stonie, also of San Jose, has promised he will beat Chestnut. In the past year, Stonie has defeated Chestnut in competitions featuring Twinkies, poutine, pumpkin pie and gyros.\r\n\r\nIn the women’s competition, Sonya Thomas of Alexandria, VA, who set a world record by consuming 45 Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes, will seek to regain her title from Miki Sudo, of Las Vegas, NV. Sudo won in Coney Island last year and currently possesses the Nathan’s Famous Ladies Championship Belt. Sudo is also known for having eaten 104 hard-boiled eggs in eight minutes. \r\n\r\nIn recent years, an estimated 35,000 fans have made the pilgrimage to Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island to watch the contest in person. The ESPN telecast of the event routinely draws an audience of millions of viewers. As part of the event, Nathan’s Famous will make a donation of 100,000 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs to the Food Bank for New York City, as it does each year.\r\n\r\nAccording to archives, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY, since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda411d","sn":947,"title":"Nathan’s Famous Announces 2015 Qualifying Circuit For Fourth Of July International Hot Dog-Eating Championship","createdAt":"2015-03-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Annual Circuit Expands to More Cities, New Venues \r\n\r\nNew York, NY, March 18, 2015 -- Nathan’s Famous, Inc. has unveiled the official list of sites that will host hot dog-eating contests to qualify competitive eaters to participate in the 2015 Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest at Nathan’s Famous Coney Island, Brooklyn. \r\n\r\nThis year’s circuit began on March 1 in Plant City, FL, and will stop at 11 other cities before the final event takes place on July 4, 2015 at the Nathan’s Famous flagship, which is celebrating its 99th year on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island.\r\n\r\nThe top male and top female finishers from each qualifier will earn a spot to compete in the ESPN-televised finals at the original Nathan’s Famous, a holiday tradition since 1916. In recent years, an estimated 40,000 fans have traveled to the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island to watch the contest in person. The live telecast of the event has consistently attracted millions of viewers since ESPN first aired the contest in 2004. \r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut of San Jose, CA holds the world record for eating 69 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes, and will seek his ninth straight title this year. Miki Sudo of Las Vegas, NV won her first title in last year’s championship where she consumed 34 Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes. Miki will defend her title as Female Champion in this year’s championship and seek a second win.\r\n\r\n“The launch of the annual hot dog-eating contest circuit signals the impending arrival of summer,” said Wayne Norbitz, president and COO of Nathan’s Famous. “As we celebrate our 99th year, Nathan’s Famous is proud to be part of the American summer and all the enjoyment that it brings.”\r\n\r\nHost cities of the 2015 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit include Atlanta, GA; Las Vegas, NV; Houston, TX; St. Louis, MO; Charlotte, NC; Pocono, PA; Nashville, TN; New York, NY; Rochester, NH; Cleveland, OH; and Sonoma, CA.\r\n\r\nAccording to archives, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event. \r\n\r\nThose interested in competing in a Nathan’s Famous qualifier should visit www.nathansfamous.com to obtain information and register. All competitors must be over 18 years of age. \r\n\r\nOfficial Listing of the 2015 Nathan’s Famous Qualifiers: \r\nApril 12th: Dogwood Festival – Atlanta, GA\r\nApril 25th: NY NY Hotel – Las Vegas\t\r\nMay 2nd: Memorial City Mall – Houston, TX\r\nMay 16th: Busch Stadium – St. Louis, MO\r\nMay 23rd: Speed Street – Charlotte, NC\r\nJune 7th: Pocono Raceway – Pocono, PA\t\r\nJune 13th: Tootsie’s Country Music Fan Fest Alley – Nashville, TN\r\nJune 14th: Citi Field – NY, NY\t\r\nJune 20th: The Shoppes At Piedmont – Lincoln, NE\t\r\nJune 27th: Phantom BBQ – Rochester, NH\t\r\nJune 28th: Crocker Park – Cleveland, OH\r\nJune 28th: Sonoma Raceway – Sonoma, CA\r\n\r\nAbout Nathan’s Famous, Inc.\r\nNathan’s is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and ten foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. Last year, over 480 million Nathan’s Famous hot dogs were sold. Nathan’s was ranked #22 on the Forbes 2014 list of the Best Small Companies in America and was listed as the Best Small Company in New York State in October 2013. For additional information about Nathan’s please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com. The contents of our website have not been incorporated into and do not form a part of this press release."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda411b","sn":946,"title":"Stonie Shatters Birthday Cake Record At Palm Beach Outlets First Birthday Party!","createdAt":"2015-02-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"West Palm Beach, FL That Matthew \"The Megatoad\" Stonie won the inaugural Palm Beach Outlets World Birthday Cake-Eating Championship will not surprise anyone paying attention to recent events in the MLE slice of World Affairs. He was the firm favorite going into the event and he emerged not only victorious but with a new WR to his name. Read it and weep, cake protectionists: 14.5 pounds of birthday cake in just eight minutes. \r\n\r\nTo help you visualize that number, imagine a piece of cake—say, one you might eat in the kitchen of a corporate office somewhere on the occasion of someone who works in accounts' birthday. Say you ate that cake and you truly enjoyed it. Maybe you took another slice when you thought no one was watching. Two slices and you would be good for cake. No more cake for you. No, sir. You would be all like, \"Man, that's some good cake, but, hoo-whey, that's enough cake for me for one day, I can tell you.\" Well, Matt Stonie ate 29 slices of cake. If Matt Stonie worked at your office—perhaps in IT support or logistics—you would need to order a lot more cake, lest people who arrive late to the cake function because they were on a call with the Phoenix office miss out. They'd complain and gossip about it, so next time, just get more cake, okay. Who needs the drama?\r\n\r\nThe Palm Beach Outlets World Birthday Cake-Eating Championship was held in celebration of Palm Beach Outlets' first birthday. On hand to lend proceedings an appropriate gravitas was West Palm Beach mayor Jeri Muoio, who also shares her birthday with Palm Beach Outlets. Mayor Muoio was able to see first-hand the powerful voting constituency that is MLE fans and she will be sure to incorporate pro-competitive eating policies moving forward in return for our support at the polls. \r\n\r\nStonie was fast and smooth and debris-free throughout. It was textbook stuff from the slim-hipped prodigy. Eat bite of the delicious Whole Foods Markets vanilla birthday cake with buttercream frosting pushed him closer to glory. Miki Sudo was gallant for second but could not hang with the Megatoad after the third minute of the event. Nasty Nate Biller wisely saw to his considerable debris in the latter stages of the contest; a wise move made by a wise man. Others ate less. All were happy. \r\n\r\nFull results below. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1st - $2,500 Matthew Stonie, 14.5lb in 8 mins\r\n2nd - $1,200 Miki Sudo, 9lb\r\n3rd - $650 Nate Biller, 6.5lb\r\n4th - $350 Michael Jenkins, 5.5lb\r\n5th - $200 Crazy Legs Conti, 5lb\r\n6th - $100 Steve Glazier, a Weatherman, 4lb\r\n7th - Michael Erthal - 3lb\r\n8th - Eddie E, a radio DJ, 2.5lb\r\n9th - Barry Rosenblum, 1.5lb"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4117","sn":944,"title":"MLE Big Game Recipes ","createdAt":"2015-01-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Over the coming days, MajorLeagueEating.com will share some classic recipes that are a great fit for your big game party. By \"big game\" we mean the Super Bowl. By \"party\" we mean karamu. Since it'll be gray skies in Green Bay for another eight months, let's start with a couple Packer treats. Yep, Lambeau Logs and Packer Crackers coming your way now....\r\n\r\nLAMBEAU LOGS\r\n\r\nLine up:\r\n1 ½ pound of loose breakfast sausage meat\r\n1 cup diced green onion\r\n1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes\r\nHot honey mustard\r\nOne box of puff pastry (Pillsbury or Pepperidge Farm)\r\nGame Plan:\r\nMix sausage, onion and red pepper flakes together in a skillet and c ook until medium well. Lay the puff pastry sheets flat and cut them into strips of two to three inches. Spoon honey mustard on each strip. Spoon sausage mixture on each strip. Roll the strips and place on a cookie sheet. Place cookie sheet on grill and cover. After ten minutes roll strips so they don’t burn on one side. Depending on the heat of your grill these will take 15 minutes or more. Don’t place directly on grill as the flames will burn the puff pastry. \r\n\r\nPACKER CRACKERS\r\n\r\nLine up:\r\n3 sticks of unsalted butter\r\n1 pound of Wisconsin cheddar shredded (cheddar or something with a bite)\r\ntable salt\r\npaprika\r\n4 cups white flour\r\nProcess:\r\nMake these a day ahead. Blend butter, cheese, 1 to 2 teaspoons of salt and a teaspoon of paprika at low or medium and slowly add the flower until mixture is fully blended. \r\nPre-heat oven to 350. With a pie roller flatten the mixture to 1/3 inch width. Place six inch long pieces on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes when the crackers will be crisped and light brown. Fully cool then bag for game day.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4118","sn":945,"title":"MLE Big Game Recipes II","createdAt":"2015-01-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Couple recipes from fan bases that are always home during the Big Game.\r\n\r\nButt Fumble Apple Crumble \r\n\r\nThe Line Up:\r\n\r\nFour peeled and sliced apples\r\n1 ½ cups brown sugar\r\n1 cup flour\r\n1 cup oatmeal\r\n3 teaspoons cinnamon\r\n1 stick of salted butter\r\n\r\nThe Game Plan:\r\n\r\nMix all ingredients except apples together in a mixing bowl until they are merged and forming small grouped crumbs. Spray Pam on 10” brownie pan (or butter the pan). Put 1/3 of crumb mixture on base of pan and add apples on top. Evenly spread remaining crumb mixture on top of the apple layer. Place pan on medium heat grill and cook until apples are softened and crumbs are brown. \r\n\r\n\r\nMatty’s Nice Fire & Ice Wings\r\n\r\nThe Lineup:\r\n\r\n4 pounds wings\r\n1 cup tempura mix\r\n1 tablespoon each salt and pepper\r\n1 bottle standard BBQ sauce\r\n1 cup honey\r\n1/4 cup habanero pepper\r\n2 tablespoon fresh orange zest\r\n1 cup fresh orange juice\r\noil\r\n\r\nThe Game Plan:\r\n\r\nClean up the wings and cut off tips. Cut wings in half at the joint. Put salt and pepper in the tempura mix. Dredge wings in flour. Make sure to sake off excess, you’re just giving these a little crisp, you’re not flat-out making fried, breaded wings. \r\n\r\nMix all other ingredients in a large bowl.\r\n\r\nPour oil to 1.5 to 2 inches in a large deep skillet. Heat oil to medium-high or 375 degrees.\r\n\r\nFry wings in batches. Then spin in large bowl. Coat well. Allow to cool a moment before serving. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda411a","sn":943,"title":"2014: The Year In Glory","createdAt":"2014-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The apex gurgitators of Major League Eating set 16 new World Records in 2014. Here's a breakdown of their heroic human achievements over the past 12 months:\r\n\r\nChili: Joey Chestnut\r\n2.125 gallons of chili in 6 min\r\nAt the RP Funding World Chili Eating Challenge; Orlando, FL; 8-Feb\r\n\r\nPulled Pork Sliders: Joey Chestnut\r\n62 pulled pork sliders in 10 min\r\nAt the Pork Slider Eating Contest at Wind Creek’s Throw Down; Atmore, AL; 28-Mar\r\n\r\nCreek Indian Tacos: Matthew Stonie\r\n32.5 Creek Indian Tacos in 8 mins\r\nAt the Creek Indian Taco Eating Contest at Wind Creek’s Throw Down; Atmore, AL; 29-Mar\r\n\r\nIce Cream: Joey Chestnut\r\n15 pints of vanilla ice cream in 6 min\r\nAt the Magnify Credit Union World Ice Cream Eating Championship; Lakeland, FL; 12-Apr\r\n\r\nDeep-fried Asparagus: Joey Chestnut\r\n12lbs, 8.75oz of deep-fried asparagus in 10 mins\r\nAt the 2014 Stockton Asparagus Festival Deep-Fried Asparagus Eating Competition; Stockton, CA; 26-Apr\r\n\r\nGyros: Matthew Stonie\r\n24 8oz Niko Niko’s gyros in 10 min\r\nAt the Niko Niko’s World Gyro Eating Championship; Houston, TX; 18-May\r\n\r\nSlugburgers: Matthew Stonie\r\n43 slugburgers in 10 min\r\nAt the World Slugburger Eating Championship Presented By Main Street Corinth; Corinth, MS; 12-Jul\r\n\r\nChicken Spiedies: Joey Chestnut\r\n13.75 Lupo’s chicken spiedies in 10 min\r\nAt the Tioga Downs World Chicken Spiedie Eating Championship Presented By Lupo’s; Nichols, NY; 26-Jul\r\n\r\nFish Tacos: Joey Chestnut\r\n30 6oz Joey’s fish tacos in 5 min\r\nAt the Joey Chestnut Vs. Joey’s All-Stars Fish Taco World Record Challenge; Winnipeg, MB; 7-Aug\r\n\r\nGyoza: Joey Chestnut\r\n384 Day-Lee Foods gyoza in 10 min\r\nAt the Day-Lee Foods World Gyoza Eating Championship; Los Angeles, CA; 16-Aug\r\n\r\nCannoli: Marcos Owens\r\n34 large cannoli in 6 min\r\nAt the Cannoli Eating Championship At Festa di San Gennaro; New York, NY; 12-Sep\r\n\r\nPumpkin Pie: Matthew Stonie\r\n20lb 13oz of pumpkin pie in 8 min\r\nAt the Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival World Pumpkin Pie Eating Championship; Elk Grove, CA; 5-Oct\r\n\r\nPierogi: Joey Chestnut\r\n165 pierogi in 8 min\r\nAt the Horseshoe World Pierogi-Eating Championship; Hammond, IN; 8-Oct\r\n\r\nTacos (Traditional): Matthew Stonie\r\n101 Three-inch tacos in 8 min\r\nAt the Dia De Los Muertos Taco Eating Contest; San Jose, CA; 25-Oct\r\n\r\nTurkey (Whole): Joey Chestnut\r\n9.35lb whole turkey in 10 min\r\nAt the Foxwoods World Turkey-Eating Championship; Mashantucket, CT; 22-Nov\r\n\r\nShrimp Cocktail: Joey Chestnut\r\n10.42lb St. Elmo shrimp cocktail in 8 min\r\nAt the World Famous St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail-Eating Championship; Indianapolis, IN; 6-Dec\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4119","sn":942,"title":"Joey Sets A New Shrimp Cocktail World Record!","createdAt":"2014-12-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Start the year with a win. End the year with a win. Win as many as you can in the days and weeks and months in between. Do that year in, year out. Do that and they will call you The Champ. \r\n\r\nThe Champ came, he ate and he conquered. Lend me your ears: The Champ ate 10.42lb of the World Famous St Elmo Shrimp Cocktail in eight minutes. The St Elmo Shrimp Cocktail is not like other shrimp cocktails, its horseradish-laden sauce a fiery, sinus-clearing challenge for any man or woman. But not, it would seem, The Champ. \r\n\r\nThe Champ eats without fear or care or concern. He gives no quarter to his foe—human or foodstuff. He takes his last bite as he does his first, each and every sinew of his body directed to victory. Chomp, chomp, chomp—one bowl of St Elmo Shrimp Cocktail disappearing after another. The next dies like the last. The crowd chants his name. They know it like they know their own, like they know their address, their social security number, their mother's maiden name, the name of their first pet, their AngiesList.com log in and password details. His name, his name, his name. The chant rings out for one and one only. His name. As metronomic as the mouth that it made known in households from east to west and all points in between. It is known in Indianapolis, IN, where the faithful brave the cold and the crowd for a glimpse of their hero. Their hero doing what he does better than anyone else on the planet. Hitherto and henceforth. Ab aerterno. Ad infinitum. \r\n\r\nThe Champ. You know his name. Don't play the fool and pretend otherwise. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1st - Joey Chestnut, 10.42lb in 8 mins\r\n2nd - Sonya Thomas, 6.83lb\r\n3rd - Jeff Butler, 6.52lb\r\n4th - Yasir Salem, 4.42lb\r\n4th - Joe Staysniak, 4.42lb\r\n6th - Matthew Raible, 4.25lb\r\n7th - Andrew Kogutkiewicz, 3.83lb\r\n8yh - Tracy Goode, 3lb\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4116","sn":941,"title":"Matthew Stonie Wins World Twinkie Champs With 120 In Six Minutes!","createdAt":"2014-11-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Don’t call it an upset—Matthew “The Megatoad” Stonie was at his fast, unrelenting and brilliant best at the second annual World Twinkie Eating Championship At Bally's Casino-Tunica. The world’s #2-ranked eater consumed 120 Twinkies in six minutes for the win. Keen followers of the sport will know that Stonie’s haul was just one Twinkie—just one Twinkie—shy of the World Record total of 121, set in 2013 by Joey “Jaws” Chestnut. Stonie need not weep over what could have been: The win is the standout victory of Stonie’s stellar career and his sixth head-to-head win over Chestnut this year. \r\n\r\nAnd what of Chestnut? The Great One battled through obvious discomfort during the event; a foot injury sustained away from the MLE table saw Chestnut reconciled to eating in a space-age boot and seated for competition. From MLE’s vantage point at the front of the stage, it was a display like none we have ever witnessed from Chestnut. It was valor in the face of defeat. It was noble. And it will never be forgotten, as so many silver-placed finishes so quickly are. \r\n\r\nChestnut knew today was not his day. Two minutes in, Stonie had already set an appreciable lead. He could not find his rhythm. Stonie was on point. He was seated. Stonie was flying—ever further ahead. There would be no last minute comeback today. No Chestnut surge. No heroics. All that remained was a man giving his all when he knew it would not change a thing. He swung that pickaxe at the giant, sheer coalface of improbability until his back nearly broke. \r\n\r\nFor some, the fighting is the fight. The giving is what they get. That’s what makes the greats great and the rest of us poorer for never trying. Chestnut, bloodied but unbowed. Stonie, proud but never boastful. Two great Champions. One great event. \r\n\r\nThey left the venue together in Stonie’s rented compact-class Fiat 500, Stonie’s giant trophy sticking out of the open hatchback door for all the world to see. This was Stonie’s day. It is their world. \r\n\r\nFull results of The World Twinkie Eating Championship At Bally's Casino-Tunica are below:\r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1 Matt Stonie 120 \r\n2 Joey Chestnut 85 \r\n3 Michelle Lesco 48\r\n4 Badlands Booker 45 \r\n5 Yasir Salem 41 \r\n6 Nate Biller 36 \r\n7 Daniella Gioia 35 \r\n8 Matt Raible 27 \r\n9 Alex Perez 18\r\n\r\nThis contest took place at 1pm Central, on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at Bally's Casino-Tunica, 1450 Bally Blvd, Tunica, MS!\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4115","sn":940,"title":"How To Watch The World Twinkie™-Eating Championship Live on ESPN3!","createdAt":"2014-11-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE 2014 WORLD TWINKIE EATING CHAMPIONSHIP AT BALLY’S CASINO-TUNICA!\r\n\r\n$5,000 Prize Purse on the Line in Second Annual Twinkie-Eating Contest\r\n\r\nNew York, November 6, 2014 World Twinkie Eating Champion Joey “Jaws” Chestnut will seek to defend his sponge cake supremacy as he battles arch rival Matt Stonie and other competitive eating titans at the 2014 World Twinkie-Eating Championship taking place on Saturday, November 8th at 1:00 P.M. CT at the Bally’s Casino in Tunica, Mississippi. \r\n\r\nESPN3 will broadcast the event live from Tunica. ESPN also airs the Nathan’ Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, held every July Fourth on Coney Island. This year’s contest delivered a 1.6 HH US rating and 2.8 million viewers on ESPN2, making it the highest-rated and most-watched Contest telecast ever on the ESPN networks. ESPN3 also carried the U.S. National Buffalo Wing-Eating Championship this summer for the first time.\r\n\r\nAbout ESPN3\r\nESPN3 is ESPN's live multi-screen sports network, a destination that delivers thousands of exclusive sports events annually. It is accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app and streamed on televisions through Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. The network is currently available to more than 95 million homes at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider. The network is also available at no cost to approximately 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers, smartphones and tablets connected to on-campus educational and on-base military broadband and Wi-Fi networks.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4114","sn":939,"title":"World Twinkie™-Eating Champion Joey Chestnut To Defend Title As He Battles Arch Rival Matt Stonie","createdAt":"2014-11-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"$5,000 Prize Purse on the Line in Second Annual Twinkie-Eating Contest \r\nBroadcast Live on ESPN3\r\n\r\nNew York, November 6, 2014 World Twinkie Eating Champion Joey “Jaws” Chestnut will seek to defend his sponge cake supremacy as he battles arch rival Matt Stonie and other competitive eating titans at the 2014 World Twinkie-Eating Championship taking place on Saturday, November 8th at 1:00 P.M. CT at the Bally’s Casino in Tunica, Mississippi. \r\n\r\nLast year, Chestnut set a Twinkie-eating world record by consuming 121 Twinkies in six minutes – about one every three seconds. However, the 30-year-old veteran narrowly held off a fearsome challenge by Stonie, the 22-year-old known as Megatoad, in the annual hot dog eating competition and lost in back-to-back battles over poutine and pumpkin pie during the 2014 season. Looking to pull off an upset– and take home the top prize of $2,500 – will be Badlands Booker.\r\n\r\n“The Twinkie is acknowledged throughout the competitive eating world as the most elegant possible delivery system for snack cake satisfaction, and our eaters are honored to participate in this contest,” said Major League Eating Chairman George Shea. “If it were up to MLE, the United States would adopt the Twinkie as a unit of measurement for deliciousness.”\r\n\r\n“It is an honor to host this world-class sporting event, and we are confident that Joey Chestnut will again make history, besting his 2013 world record performance of 121 Twinkies in six minutes,” said Eddie Llambias, vice president and general manager of Bally’s Casino – Tunica. “The Bally’s World Twinkie-Eating Championship is the fastest six minutes in sports.”\r\n\r\n“If there was a snack cake Hall of Fame, Twinkies would most certainly be the first inductee,” said David Leavitt, vice president of marketing for Hostess Brands, LLC. “For more than 80 years, the simple golden sponge cake with crème filling has delighted generations of fans, and risen to highest levels of confectionary superstardom. This competition marks another exciting milestone in the Twinkies’ storied history – win or lose it will be quite a treat.” \r\n\r\nESPN3 will broadcast the event live from Tunica. ESPN also airs the Nathan’ Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, held every July Fourth on Coney Island. This year’s contest delivered a 1.6 HH US rating and 2.8 million viewers on ESPN2, making it the highest-rated and most-watched Contest telecast ever on the ESPN networks. ESPN3 also carried the U.S. National Buffalo Wing-Eating Championship this summer for the first time.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4112","sn":938,"title":"MLE Splits From Peers, Supports Legalized Sports Betting In NJ","createdAt":"2014-10-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"MLE Alone Among Top Five Sports Leagues with its Pro Wagering Stance\r\n\r\nNew York, October 21, 2014 Major League Eating (MLE), the governing body of stomach-centric sport worldwide, announced today that it supports the legalization of sports wagering in the state of New Jersey. This public expression of support clashes with recent legislation filed by the four other top professional sports (NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA) and the NCAA, all of whom want to quash the legalization of sports betting.\r\n\r\n“Typically we march in lockstep with our peers in professional sports, but New Jersey is facing a tough fiscal road ahead, and sports betting has the potential to provide much needed revenues to the state.” said Richard Shea, president of Major League Eating. “It is clear that these other Leagues harbor an animus toward New Jersey, that they fear competition and that they desire anything but a level playing field.”\r\n\r\nLast week, Governor Christie signed a law that cleared the path for legalized sports betting in his state. The Governor’s move is viewed as a step to revitalize Atlantic City, which is struggling with a flurry of casino closings. Roughly 10,000 people have lost their jobs as a result of these closings, and New Jersey is losing much needed, gambling-related tax and tourism revenues. The lawsuit filed today by the other sports leagues seeks an injunction just days before legalized sports betting is set to occur at Monmouth Park racetrack. The suit claims that 10 tellers manually taking bets on this weekend’s NFL games will cause irreparable harm to the plaintiff’s multi-billion dollar interests.\r\n\r\nWhen pressed on why his League has publicly split from its peers to support sports wagering, Shea said: “As a sports-minded organization, MLE does not shy away from competition. If New Jersey can profit from the popularity of eating, more power to them. What’s more, these other leagues never even asked us to join in their suit. They’ve long been very clique-ie like that.”\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4113","sn":936,"title":"Watch The US National Buffalo Wing Championship Live On ESPN3!","createdAt":"2014-08-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE 2014 US NATIONAL BUFFALO WING-EATING CHAMPIONSHIP LIVE!\r\n\r\nESPN3 to Carry Event Live; Top Talent to Include Sudo, Chestnut, Adrian Morgan, Badlands Booker and Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas\r\n\r\nESPN3 has announced that it will carry the National Buffalo Wing Festival’s 13th annual U.S. National Buffalo Wing-Eating Championship live at 5 P.M. on Sunday, August 31, 2014, as Joey Chestnut, the number one-ranked eater in the world, competes against the sport’s top talent at Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, NY. \r\n\r\nChallenging Chestnut in the event will be the number-seven-ranked Adrian Morgan, who is the crawfish-eating champion of the world. Morgan placed second to Chestnut in a recent wing-eating championship. Also competing will be Miki Sudo of Las Vegas, NV, who has eaten 104 hard-boiled eggs in eight minutes. Sudo is ranked number four in the world by Major League Eating and is the world’s top-ranked female eater. Former wing-eating champion Sonya Thomas will seek a comeback against Chestnut at the event.\r\n\r\nEating competitions at the two-day National Buffalo Wing Festival get underway on Saturday, August 30 at 6 pm with the Buffet Bowl, a first-to-finish contest headlined by a deep field of Major League Eaters, including the great Badlands Booker, Michelle Lesco, and Buffalo Jim Reeves. On Sunday, August 31, at 5 P.M., all eyes will be on Chestnut at the U.S. National Buffalo Wing-Eating Championship, a 12-minute, all-you-can-eat contest. At stake over the weekend are two championship titles and a total of $4,300 in cash prizes. Both events will be held at the main stage at Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, NY.\r\n\r\n“The National Buffalo Wing Festival has become a Labor Day weekend institution, and having ESPN carry the event live brings the festival to a new level,” said festival founder, Wing King Drew Cerza. “In Buffalo, we are huge fans of ESPN, and on Sunday, August 31, the world will see how Buffalo ends the summer in style.” \r\n\r\n“Adrian Morgan is known as ‘The Rabbit’ for his incredible speed, and he recently lost to Chestnut by only the smallest of margins—he could take Chestnut down,” said George Shea, chairman of Major League Eating. “As reigning wing champion, Joey has captured the hearts of many Buffalonians, but there is a large contingent hoping The Black Widow will rise again.” \r\n\r\nThe U.S. National Buffalo Wing-Eating Championship is a contest to see who can consume the wing meat off the bone. A debris-food, the wings are weighed before and after the contest. Competitors in the Buffet Bowl race to finish a five-pound bowl of food that features various staples of Buffalo cuisine. In past years, Buffet Bowl items have included Buffalo-style chicken fingers, BBQ wings, Buffalo-style chicken salad, sausages and pierogies.\r\n\r\n\r\nAbout the National Buffalo Wing Festival\r\nAt last year’s National Buffalo Wing Festival more than 500,000 wings were served to 71,000 attendees. Throughout the festival’s history, more than 795,000 visitors have consumed 4.1 million wings. The annual event has raised more than $275,000 for Western New York charities. For more information on the National Buffalo Wing Festival, visit www.buffalowing.com. \r\n\r\nAbout ESPN3\r\nESPN3 is ESPN's live multi-screen sports network, a destination that delivers thousands of exclusive sports events annually. It is accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app and streamed on televisions through Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. The network is currently available to more than 92 million homes at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider. The network is also available at no cost to approximately 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers, smartphones and tablets connected to on-campus educational and on-base military broadband and Wi-Fi networks.\r\n\r\nAbout Major League Eating\r\nMajor League Eating (MLE) is the world governing body of all stomach-centric sports and conducts more than 80 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y. For more information visit www.MajorLeagueEating.com, www.facebook.com/eatfast, www.twitter.com/eatingcontest. \r\n\r\nEvent Info:\r\n\r\nWhat: \tBuffet Bowl\r\nWhen: \tSaturday, August 30, 2014\r\nTime:\t\t6 P.M.\r\n\r\nWhat:\t\tU.S. Buffalo Wing Eating Championship\r\nWhen:\t\tSunday, August 31, 2014\r\nTime:\t\t5 P.M.\r\n\r\nLocation:\tThe National Buffalo Wing Festival\r\nCoca-Cola Field\r\n275 Washington St.\r\nBuffalo, NY\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4111","sn":937,"title":"Chestnut Defends Nugget Rib Crown","createdAt":"2014-08-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey “Jaws” Chestnut polishes off 9lb 2.7oz of ribs in 12 minutes; Matt “Megatoad” Stonie finishes second with 8lb 3 oz pounds.\r\n \r\nReno/Sparks, Nevada – Reigning Nugget World Rib Eating Champion Joey Chestnut, the world’s No.1-ranked competitive eater, was in top form in defense of his World Rib Eating title, placing first by nearly a full pound at the 9th Annual Championship during the 26th Annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off.\r\n \r\nChestnut, the top ranked competitive eater, consumed a massive 9lb 2.7oz of St. Louis style pork rib meat during the marathon 12 minute contest. The total is Chestnut’s third highest amount of rib meat consumed at the annual event behind world records in 2008 and 2013. Chestnut secured the $2,500 cash grand prize for his eating prowess, scoring his eighth win in nine years of the event.\r\n \r\nSecond-place finisher and number two-ranked eater, Matt “Megatoad” Stonie consumed an impressive 8lb 3 oz pounds during the competition, more than a pound higher than third place.\r\n \r\nIn only her second appearance at the Nugget World Rib Eating Championship, Miki Sudo, took down 6lb 7 oz pounds of ribs, placing third. Sudo is ranked #4 among all competitive eaters.\r\n \r\nFourth place went to Erik “The Red” Denmark, who downed 5lb 14.75oz and fifth place went to Juan “More Bite” Rodriguez who ate 5lb 7.2oz of ribs.\r\n \r\nThe Nugget World Rib Eating Championship is the kick-off event for America’s largest rib cook-off. The Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off is a six-day barbecue festival that brings in more than 500,000 people from all over the country to eat more than 233,000 pounds of ribs cooked by 23 of the nation’s most decorated rib cookers. The cook-off continues through Monday, September 1, 2014."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda410f","sn":935,"title":"Joey Chestnut Smashes World Gyoza-Eating Record!","createdAt":"2014-08-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Records were made to be broken—so sayeth the tired sports journalist's cliché. This one was obliterated. Hadron Collider-style. Space stuff. Gone. Particles. Dust. Nothing but old ink in old books. \r\n\r\nGet your heads around this truth: Joey Chestnut ate 384 Day-Lee Foods gyoza in 10 minutes. Let that sink in and try to wrap your mind around that number. (You will have better luck explaining the Hadron Collider to a brick.) It is an astonishing number, one made even more incredible when considered alongside the previous world record, which was 286. And I say 286 was a world record because it isn't anymore. So isn't. \r\n\r\nHow? Why? But mainly, how? Chestnut would not lose to world #2 Matthew Stonie on this day. Not. A. Chance. And Stonie would push Chestnut to the absolute limit. The gyoza—the very same gyoza used in previous contests—were soft and moist. To an MLE eater worth his or her salt, that equals speed. And speedy they were. Down, down, down. Each plate of 25 Day-Lee Foods gyoza disappeared in seconds. Chestnut and Stonie were neck-and-neck through out, each pushing the other to new heights. They both broke the previous world record at the six-and-a-half minute mark. And then into unchartered territory: What happens when you eat 300 gyoza? No one knew because no one had done it! K2 scaled, thence to Everest for a better view, down below where mortals dwell. 350. The mortals with their small lives and lowly totals. And higher still. 360, 370. 380—STOP EATING! \r\n\r\nAnd that was that. Plates were counted. Deductions were made. Most smiled. Few frowned. But this day belonged to two men: Matthew Stonie and Joey Chestnut. In defeat, Matthew Stonie knew that he had achieved greatness. Life is not a No Fear T-shirt. Second-place is not the first loser. Second place with 377 Day-Lee Foods gyoza is a human triumph for the ages. When we lose our appreciation for that, we lose everything.\r\n\r\nAnd then there was one. Three hundred and eighty-four Day-Lee Foods gyoza in 10 minutes. Joey Chestnut. Now with 33 World Records. Another win and a great win. One not for the record books and the chin-strokers. One for the ages and for mankind. When Chestnut and Stonie embraced at the end of presentations, it was real, it was loving and it was all this old hack wanted to see. Damn it if your correspondent didn't well up a little and think, if but for a second, hope is not lost forever."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda410c","sn":934,"title":"Joey Chestnut Sets New Fish Taco Record With 30 Joey's Seafood Restaurants Fish Tacos In 5 Mins!","createdAt":"2014-08-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Let it be known that on August 7, 2014, Joey Chestnut—the #1-ranked eater in the world, the greatest eater who has ever lived, the reigning World Champion of Champions, Him—ate 30 Joey's Seafood Restaurants fish tacos in but five minutes to set a new World Record. Chestnut bested his previous effort of 23 Joey's Seafood Restaurants fish tacos, set in 2013. The new World Record haul sets a new benchmark in fish taco consumption and serves as a reminder that not all of God's children are created equally. Chestnut is not you or I. He is him. A lone beacon of will, power, strength and courage. \r\n\r\nChestnut chowed down at halftime of the Blue Bombers vs Roughriders CFL game, held at Winnipeg's Investor’s Group Field. Alongside Chestnut stood teams of four Riders fans and four Bomber fans, who ate collectively in tribute to their team. The Winnipeg fans prevailed in the Joey's All-Star eat-off; on the field, Bombers QB Drew Willy three threw interceptions to doom his team. (Blue Bombers fans know one thing: One this day Joey Chestnut > Drew Willy.) \r\n\r\nOf course, asking to rename the city Joeypeg smacks of conceitedness and cultural insensitivity and MLE would never ask for such a thing. We love Winnipeg just the way it is. But you've got to admit, it's got a catchy ring to it. Joeypeg. Say it. Dream it. And then watch it float away on the wings of imagination, never to happen but in our hearts and minds. \r\n\r\nChestnut. Fish tacos. Thirty. Five minutes. That's all. \r\n\r\nAbout Joey's\r\nCalgary-based Joey’s is a pioneer and leader in the fast-casual seafood restaurant category in Canada. Its signature “Joey’s Famous Fish and Chips” has gained the company a North American reputation for preparing generous portions of high quality seafood at affordable prices. Each Joey’s embodies the vision of its founder, Joe Klassen—to serve great seafood in a cozy neighborhood seafood restaurant.\r\n\r\nAnnually, Joey’ serves more than 6.5 million guests system wide through its restaurants in Canada. Joey’s has been cooking with trans-fat free oil at all of its Canadian restaurants since 2005. This year, the company celebrated its 29th anniversary.\r\n\r\nAbout Joey’s Urban\r\nOpening its first restaurant in August 2011 in Calgary, AB., Joey’s Urban is a fun and exciting restaurant concept focused on quality, speed and flavour. Enjoy a menu mix that features Joey’s Fish Taco, Urban Gourmet Poutines and classic Chips n’ Fish. Bursting with popular flavours, Joey’s Urban embodies all things hip and current in the restaurant industry."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda410b","sn":933,"title":"Chestnut Triumphs In Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Championship!","createdAt":"2014-07-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"And the world keeps turning. Another Championship event. Another title on the line. Another big prize purse up for grabs. And who but The One, Jaws, The Greatest Eater Who Has Ever Lived, Him for the win. Ladies and gentlemen, with 182 Hooters chicken wings in 10 minutes, and still the reigning Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Champion of your planet and ours, let us hear it for Joey Chestnut!\r\n\r\nHe came. He ate. He conquered. QED. ’Nuff said. Joey Chestnut again proved that he is a five-tool eater, able to bring the hammer down on technique-based disciplines, such as chicken wings, as heavily as he does speed and capacity ones. The Hooters wings never stood a chance. He ripped and tore at the wings with surgical precision, his every move and twist and grab and bite an expression of his one goal: Win at all costs. \r\n\r\nChestnut faced his nemesis Matt Stonie for the first time in the wing discipline at this event. Stonie was fast—no surprise there—but could not match the poultry sage Chestnut for technique. Stonie would finish third, a great result on debut. No surprise either that Adrian Morgan came in second with 174 wings. The Rabbit is a wing specialist, his powerful forearms the perfect engine for his supreme hand speed. \r\n\r\nRounding out the money positions, Juliet Lee impressed to finish fourth, edging youthful upstarts Miki Sudo (fifth) and Michelle Lesco (sixth). Marcos Owens came seventh, with 140 Hooters wings in 10 minutes. Full and complete results are below. \r\n\r\nThe Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Championship 2014 will be remembered deep into the future. The best eaters in the world came poolside to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV, to compete for an unprecedented prize purse of $17,500. And compete they did. But only one could win. And his name you know very, very well. \r\n\r\nThe Championship event was a primer for Hooters’ National Chicken Wing Day Feast, to be held on Tuesday, July 29, 2014. On this day, Hooters challenges Americans to consume more than 2 million wings during its all-you-can-eat feast. Don't you ever miss it!\r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1st: Joey Chestnut, 182 ($8,500)\r\n2nd: Adrian Morgan, 174 ($4,200)\r\n3rd: Matthew Stonie, 165 ($2,500)\r\n4th: Juliet Lee, 154 ($1,200)\r\n5th: Miki Sudo, 146 ($600)\r\n6th: Michelle Lesco, 142 ($300)\r\n7th: Marcos Owens, 140 ($200)\r\n8th: Juan Rodriguez, 132\r\n8th: Erik Denmark, 132\r\n10th: Badlands Booker, 118\r\n11th: Pablo Martinez, 104\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4110","sn":932,"title":"Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest Results And Video","createdAt":"2014-07-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"CHESTNUT THE GREAT FENDS OFF GALLANT STONIE!\r\n\r\nSUDO CLAIMS HER FIRST LADIES' BELT!\r\n\r\nCLICK HERE to relive the magic of the 2014 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest!\r\n\r\nThe skies darkened. The winds howled. The rain swept the cheeks of the Coney Island faithful and competitors alike. Buns soaked. Dogs cooled. Only the most resilient eaters would escape the corner of Surf and Stillwell for the 2014 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest with their pride intact, their mantles adorned by trophies and their wallets engorged. \r\n\r\nAnd so it was. \r\n\r\nIn the Ladies' Final, Miki Sudo claimed her first Nathan's Famous title with 34 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. The result was below her expectations, but victory nourished a blooming smile upon her visage. Defending Ladies' Champion Sonya Thomas was elegant, sporting and warm in defeat; she would finish second with 27.75. Michelle Lesco completed the podium with 27.\r\n\r\nIn the Gentlemen's Final, it was Joey Chestnut—for the eighth straight time—for the win. Sixty-one Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes: Below his world record of 69, yes, but in these conditions, a total worthy of a champion. Chestnut was pushed harder than he has been pushed in years at this event; Matt Stonie lead Chestnut by as many as two hot dogs and buns as the contest entered its final third. Stonie in the lead. Chestnut surging. Water flying. Skies howling. Chestnut's army of fans howling louder still—Joey! Joey! Joey! Chestnut kicked—the Seabiscuit of the Stomach, entering the final furlough! Chestnut and Stonie now level. Chestnut surging. Chestnut ahead and Chestnut wins. Stonie, gallant in defeat; Chestnut, the champion once more. (Forgive us for getting ahead of ourselves, but bring on 2015 already.) Tim Janus finished third with 34; Erik Denmark and Brian Dudzinski, each with 34, impressed for a fourth-place tie.\r\n\r\nThe Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest was the culmination of a 13-event qualifying circuit conducted throughout the United States during the months of April, May and June. Each year, the greatest competitive eaters on earth gather on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY to compete, as they have each year since 1916, according to the archives. Next year will be no different. \r\n\r\nFULL OFFICIAL RESULTS!\r\n\r\nGentlemen’s Final\r\n1) Joey Chestnut, 61\r\n2) Matt Stonie, 56\r\n3) Tim Janus, 44\r\nT4) Erik Denmark, 34\r\nT4) Brian Dudzinski, 34\r\n6) Juan Rodriguez, 32\r\n7) Adrian Morgan, 29\r\n8) Marcos Owens, 26\r\n9) Badlands Booker, 25\r\n10) Yasir Salem, 19.75\r\n11) Aaron Osthoff, 19.5\r\n12) Pablo Martinez, 17\r\n13) Ronnie Hartman, 14\r\n14) Sean Gordon, 10\r\n15) Sgt. Horacio Chanyau, 10\r\n16) Colin Shirlow, 3\r\n\r\nLadies' Final\r\n1) Miki Sudo, 34\r\n2) Sonya Thomas, 27.75\r\n3) Michelle Lesco, 27\r\n4) Juliet Lee, 23\r\n5) Meredith Boxberger, 18\r\n6) Larell Marie Mele, 14\r\n7) Carlene LeFevre, 11\r\n8) Neslie Ricasa, 10\r\n9) Mary Bowers, 9\r\n10) Marlene Wigginton, 8.5\r\n11) Nicole Kulig, 7.5\r\n12) Nicole Rodriguez, 7\r\n13) Val Bromann, 3\r\n\r\nAbout Nathan’s Famous\r\nNathan’s is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and eight foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. The Nathan’s restaurant system currently consists of 329 units, comprised of 324 franchised units and five company-owned units (including one seasonal unit). Nathan’s was ranked #55 on the Forbes list of the Best Small Companies in America and was listed as the Best Small Company in New York State in October 2013. Last year, over 430 million Nathan’s Famous hot dogs were sold. \r\n\r\nFor additional information about Nathan’s Famous please visit www.nathansfamous.com.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda410a","sn":931,"title":"Chestnut Vs Stonie Rematch at World Slugburger Eating Championship","createdAt":"2014-07-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"July 7th, 2014: Joey Chestnut, the top eater in the world and winner of the July 4th Hot Dog Eating Championship, is set to battle Matt Stonie at The World Slugburger Eating Championship. The contest will take place on Saturday, July 12th at 4:30 PM CST at the Corinth Depot in historic downtown Corinth, MS. The contest is a featured event of The Main Street Corinth Slugburger Festival, now in its 27th year. \r\n\r\n“We are excited to welcome Joey and Matt and to present the third annual World Slugburger Eating Championship,” said Taylor Coombs, a director of the Main Street Corinth Mississippi Slugburger Festival. “Our annual gathering celebrates Corinth’s local culinary delight, the Slugburger. This unique ‘burger’ is a deep-fried beef and soy meal patty that once sold for a nickel - then called a slug - hence its name.”\r\n\r\nSanctioned by Major League Eating, the 10-minute contest will pit current slugburger champion, Matt Stonie, against the #1 ranked eater in the world. Last year, Stonie consumed 31 slugburgers in 10 minutes to defeat Joey Chestnut, set a new record and win the title of World Slugburger Eating Champion.\t\t\r\n\r\n\"Major League Eaters must dig deep to prevail in the Slugburger discipline,\" says MLE emcee Sam Barclay. \"The slugburger patty—a gut-busting one-two punch of starch and protein—is the ultimate test of an eater's capacity. Victory in beautiful downtown Corinth, MS, is a hard-fought badge of honor.\"\t\r\n\r\nIn addition to bragging rights, competitors will vie for a cash purse that totals $3,000. For more information on the Main Street Corinth Slugburger Festival, which runs from Friday July 11 through Sunday July 13, is available here: http://www.mainstreetcorinth.com/slugburger-festival-2/"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda410d","sn":930,"title":"Women's Field for 2014 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest","createdAt":"2014-06-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"13. Val “Valkyrie” Bromann\r\nChicago, IL \r\n5’5”, 148 lbs, 33 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Tunica, MS, Qualifier with 5.75 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• In her rookie year as a Major League Eater\r\n• Making her first appearance at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n• Major League Eating’s #1 Super Fan: Has traveled around the world to attend MLE events in Iowa, Texas and Thailand\r\n• A bohemian besotted by wanderlust, Bromann has traveled extensively, to nations including Laos, Honduras, India and Colombia\r\n• Holds a Masters degree in writing, with a specialization in creative nonfiction\r\n\r\n12. Nicole Kulig\r\nBrockton, MA \r\n5’6”, 140 lbs, 28 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Boston, MA, Qualifier with 7.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• In her rookie year as a Major League Eater\r\n• Boston qualifying event was her first competitive eating contest\r\n• Making her first appearance at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n• Has run two marathons\r\n• Works in accounting at Emerson College\r\n\r\n11. Marlene Wigginton\r\nTroy, IL\r\n5’7”, 155 lbs, 34 y/o \r\nHow She Got Here: Won St Louis, MO, Qualifier with 9.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• In her rookie year as a Major League Eater\r\n• Making her first appearance at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n• Is a software engineer\r\n• Has wanted to compete in Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest since she was in high school\r\n\r\n10. Nicole Rodriguez\r\nCrestwood, IL\r\n5’6”, 145 lbs, 30 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Cleveland, OH, Qualifier with 10 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• In her rookie year as a Major League Eater\r\n• Making her first appearance at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n• Is a teacher\r\n• Is the sister of World #18 Juan “More Bite” Rodriguez, who is competing in the Men’s Championship\r\n\r\n9. Mary Bowers\r\nDana Point, CA\r\n5’3”, 115 lbs\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Houston, TX Qualifier with 11.75 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• #38-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n• Third year competing at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \r\n• Placed 7th last year; 10 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n• Has competed in gyoza, pretzels, burgers, and Philly cheese steaks\r\n• Known on the MLE circuit for designing and competing in costumes inspired by the food discipline of the day\r\n• Is a model, poet and webmaster of eatbemary.com, a website dedicated to her numerous passions and pursuits\r\n\r\n8. Neslie Ricasa\r\nSan Jose, CA\r\n5’2”, 126 lbs, 26 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Wild Card entrant. Ate 12 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min at Sonoma, CA, Qualifier\r\n\r\n• #34-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n• Placed 6th last year; 14 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n• Naturally gifted at Tetris and the Rubik’s Cube, suggesting an analytical mind with a bent toward problem solving\r\n• Joey Chestnut’s trainer/chef/girlfriend\r\n\r\n7. Mrs. Carlene LeFevre\r\nHenderson, NV \r\nHow She Got Here: Won Las Vegas, NV, Qualifier with 13 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min \r\n\r\n• Emerged from a nine-year retirement to win the Las Vegas, NV, Qualifier\r\n• Legend of competitive eating, formerly world’s #2-ranked female eater • Fourth year competing at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest ; competed in 2003, 2004 and 2005\r\n• Ate 25 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n• Pioneer of the “Carlene Pop,” a vigorous jumping motion used during the contest to speed digestion. This has since become de rigueur on the circuit \r\n• Is married to former MLE Member Rich Lefevre\r\n• Lives in a pink house in Henderson, NV, and regularly engages in aerobics\r\n\r\n6. “The Real Deal” Larell Marie Mele\r\nLong Pond, PA \r\n5’6”, 140 lbs, 49 y/o \r\nHow She Got Here: Won Queens, NY, Qualifier with 14 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min \r\n\r\n• #30-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \r\n• Third year competing at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \r\n• Placed 5th last year; 21 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n• Ate 13 cannoli in 6 min \r\n• Ate 48 pierogi in 10 min \r\n• Ate 4 lbs of frozen yogurt in 6 min\r\n\r\n5. Meredith “Deep Fried Diva” Boxberger\r\nBarrie, Ontario, Canada\r\n5’8”, 130 lbs, 27 y/o \r\nHow She Got Here: Won Charlotte, NC, Qualifier with 18 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• #19-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \r\n• #1-Ranked Eater in Canada\r\n• Third year competing at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \r\n• Placed 4th last year; 26 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n• Ate 82 Hooters Chicken Wings in 10 min\r\n• Ate 23.5 pancakes in 10 min\r\n\r\n4. “The Lovely” Juliet Lee \r\nGermantown, MD \r\n5’4”, 100 lbs, 47 y/o \r\nHow She Got Here: Won Long Pond, PA, Qualifier with 27.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• #8-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \r\n• Placed 2nd last year behind Sonya Thomas; 36 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min, losing by a mere ¾ of a Hot Dogs & Bun\r\n• World Jellied Cranberry Sauce Eating Champion, 13.23 lbs in 8 min \r\n• World Ultimate Eating Tournament (Various Foods) Champion, 7 chicken wings, 1 lb of nachos, 3 hot dogs, 2 personal pizzas, 3 Italian ices in 7 min\r\n• Became only the second woman to break 30 Hot Dog & Bun mark in May 2009 \r\n• Ate 219 Shrimp Wontons in Bangkok, Thailand in 2012 \r\n• Former chemistry professor in Nanjing, China, now owns a hair salon in Maryland\r\n• A proud mother of two\r\n\r\n3. Michelle Lesco\r\nTucson, AZ\r\n5’4”, 115 lbs, 29 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Bloomingdale, IL, Qualifier, with 28.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• 9th-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n• Placed 3rd last year; 27.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n• In 2013 became the first female eater to defeat Sonya Thomas in sanctioned competition in the Creek Indian taco discipline\r\n• A debris-food specialist who is at her best in ribs and chicken wing events\r\n• Ate 4.18 lbs of rib meat in 8 min \r\n• Ate 166 chicken wings in 12 min \r\n• Ate 142 Day-Lee Foods Gyoza in 10 minutes\r\n• She is currently working to bring water to villages in Africa.\r\n\r\n2. Miki Sudo\r\nLas Vegas, NV\r\n5’7”, 120 lbs, 28 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Sonoma, CA, Qualifier, with 40 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• #4-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n• #1-Ranked Female Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n• Ate 40 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs & Buns in her 2013 Major League Eating debut\r\n• World Kimchi Eating Champion, 8.5 lbs in 6 min\r\n• Two-time Ribfest Chicago Rib-Eating Champion, including victory over Joey Chestnut in 2013\r\n• Placed 2nd in the 2013 Hooters World Wing-Eating Championship behind Joey Chestnut with 155 wings in 10 minutes\r\n• Reigning US National Buffalo Wing Eating Champion\r\n• Has never been defeated by Sonya Thomas in MLE competition. Faces her on July 4th for the first time in hot dogs\r\n• Ate 13.5 pints of ice cream in 6 min\r\n• Ate 71 Twinkies in 6 min\r\n• Ate 61.5 bratwurst sausages in 10 min\r\n\r\n1. Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas\r\nAlexandria, VA \r\n5’5”, 100 lbs, 46 y/o \r\nHow She Got Here: Sponsor’s Exemption (2013 Women’s Champion) \r\n\r\n• #5-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n• #2-Ranked Female Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n• Nicknamed “The Black Widow” for her ability to defeat men up to 4 times her size\r\n• Won 2013 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Women’s Contest with 36.75 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n• In 2012, Thomas set the Women’s World Record by eating 45 Hot Dogs & Buns\r\n• Three-time undefeated Women’s Division Champion, 2011-2013\r\n• 2014 marks her record 11th consecutive appearance on 4th of July\r\n• Holds 23 World Records\r\n• World Baked Beans Eating Champion, 8.4 lbs in 2 min. 47 seconds\r\n• World Cheesecake Eating Champion, 11 lbs. in 9 min \r\n• World Deep-Fried Okra Eating Champion, 9.75 lbs in 10 min\r\n• World Fruitcake Eating Champion, 4 lbs, 14.25 oz in 10 min\r\n• World Jambalaya Eating Champion, 9 lbs in 10 min\r\n• World Maine-Lobster Eating Champion, 44 Lobsters (11.3 lbs) in 12 min\r\n• World Oysters Eating Champion, 47 Dozen Acme Oysters in 8 min\r\n• 5-Time U.S. National Chicken Wing Eating Champion\r\n• Favorite food is hard-boiled eggs—has eaten 92 hard-boiled eggs in 8 min\r\n• Defeated Joey Chestnut head-to-head in Nathan’s hot dogs and buns in 2005 (37 to 32)\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda410e","sn":929,"title":"Men's Field for 2014 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest","createdAt":"2014-06-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sgt. Horacio Chanyau\r\nFort Polk, LA\r\n5’11”, 220 lbs, 28 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Fort Lee, VA, Qualifier with 12 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• Winner of the inaugural Nathan’s Famous Military Qualifier, open to retired and active members of the Armed Forces\r\n• Making his first appearance at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n• Serves in the US Army; holds the rank of Sergeant\r\n• Stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana\r\n\r\nColin Shirlow\r\nDromore, County Down, Northern Ireland\r\n5’10”, 209 lbs, 58 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Sponsor’s Invitation, as the Hillsborough International Oyster Eating Champion in Northern Ireland\r\n\r\n• Won the Hillsborough International Oyster Eating Championship in Northern Ireland nine times in the row\r\n• Undefeated in the oyster discipline but making his Hot Dog & Bun debut\r\n• Defeated Major League Eaters Matt Stonie, Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas and “The Notorious BOB” Bob Shoudt in oysters\r\n• Has owned a gym for 22 years called Shirlow Body Sculpture\r\n• Has judged bodybuilding competitions\r\n\r\nRonnie Hartman\r\nFort Stewart, GA\r\n6’0”, 210 lbs, 25 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Charlotte, NC, Qualifier with 21 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• #23-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n• Serves in the US Army; holds the rank of Specialist\r\n• Placed 14th last year; 22 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n• Ate 10.5 pints of ice cream in 6 min\r\n• Ate 40 hard-boiled eggs in 8 min\r\n• Post-military goal is to become a pro wrestler\r\n\r\nPablo Martinez\r\nVisalia, CA\r\n6’0”, 155 lbs, 28 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Las Vegas, NV, Qualifier with 26 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• #17-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n• Placed 11th last year; 27 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n• Works as a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist \r\n• Bowled a perfect game (300) at the age of 16\r\n• Investigates the paranormal in his free time\r\n• Ate 141 Day-Lee Foods gyoza in 10 min\r\n\r\nJuan “More Bite” Rodriguez\r\nLas Vegas, NV \r\n5’7”, 170 lbs, 31 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Sonoma, CA, Qualifier with 26 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• #18-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n• Placed 12th last year; 26 Hot Dogs & Buns discipline in 10 min\r\n• Personal best in Hot Dogs & Buns is 31\r\n• Works as a personal trainer\r\n• Ate 6.5 lbs ribs in 12 min\r\n• Ate 60.5 tamales in 12 min\r\n• Is known on the MLE circuit for his impeccable grooming and attention to hygiene\r\n\r\nAaron “The A-Train” Osthoff \r\nDubuque, IA\r\n5’11”, 185 lbs, 40 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Tunica, MS, Qualifier with 27 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min \r\n\r\n• #11-Ranked in the world by Major League Eating\r\n• Placed 6th last year; 31 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n• Ate 39 dozen oysters in 8 minutes\r\n• Ate 66 cupcakes in 6 minutes\r\n• Is the standing hot dog & chicken wing eating Champion of Canada, despite being a proud citizen of the United States\r\n• Is nicknamed “The A-Train” even though there is no subway service in Dubuque, IA\r\n\r\nYasir Salem \r\nNew York, NY\r\n6’0”, 187 lbs, 34 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won St. Paul, MN, Qualifier with 27.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• #12-Ranked in the world by Major League Eating\r\n• Placed 8th last year; 30 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n• World Cannoli Eating Champion; 31.75 cannoli in 6 min\r\n• Finished 2nd in the World Burping Championship with a burp time of 16.3 sec\r\n• Ate 116 chicken wings in 12 min\r\n• An avid fitness enthusiast, Salem ran three marathons in a two-week period in 2013\r\n\r\nSean “Flash” Gordon\r\nDownington, PA\r\n6’1”, 240 lbs, 38 y/o \r\nHow He Got Here: Won St. Louis, MO, Qualifier with 27.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• #15-Ranked in the world by Major League Eating\r\n• Returning to compete on the Fourth of July after missing last year’s contest\r\n• Ate a personal best 34 Hot Dogs & Buns in 2011\r\n• Ate 113 chicken wings in 10 min\r\n• Ate 30 moon pies in 8 min\r\n\r\nEric “Badlands” Booker\r\nSelden, NY\r\n6’1”, 380 lbs, 45 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Bloomingdale, IL, Qualifier with 27.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• #22-Ranked in the world by Major League Eating\r\n• Placed 15th last year, 21 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n• Will appear on stage this year to perform a selection of his rap hits\r\n• Works as a conductor on the New York City Subway’s #7 line \r\n• Holds nine World Records\r\n• World Chocolate Candy Bar Eating Champion; 2 lbs in 6 min\r\n• World Corned Beef Hash Eating Champion; 4 lbs in 1 min, 58 secs\r\n• World Glazed Doughnut Eating Champion; 49 in 8 min\r\n• World Green Pea Eating Champion, 9.5 lbs in 12 min \r\n\r\nMarcos “The Monster” Owens\r\nHillside, NJ\r\n6’1”, 220 lbs, 26 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Long Pond, PA, Qualifier with 28 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• #16-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \r\n• Placed 9th last year; 29 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n• Ate 144 Hooters chicken wings in 10 min\r\n• Ate 18 Pepperoni Rolls in 10 min\r\n• Ate 31 cannoli in 6 min\r\n\r\nAdrian “The Rabbit” Morgan\r\nNew Orleans, LA\r\n6’1”, 195 lbs, 28 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Savannah, GA, Qualifier with 28 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• #7-Ranked eater in the world by Major League Eating\r\n• Placed 5th last year; 38 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n• Fifth consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n• World Short-Course Hard-boiled Egg Eating Champion, 20 hard-boiled eggs in 84 seconds, set aboard the USS battleship Fitzgerald\r\n• Won Rouse’s 2014 Crawfish Eating World Championship, 2.7lbs of Crawfish in 10 min\r\n• Placed 2nd in 2014 Acme Oyster Eating World Championship, 30 dozen oysters in 8 min\r\n• Ate 4.25 pounds of catfish in 10 min\r\n\r\nTim “Eater X” Janus\r\nNew York, NY\r\n5’10”, 170 lbs, 37 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won CitiField, NY, Qualifier with 28.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• #3-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n• Placed 3rd last year; 50 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n• Ninth consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n• World Burping Champion (duration discipline), 18.1 seconds\r\n• World Ramen Noodle Eating Champion; 10.5 lbs in 8 min\r\n• World Sushi Eating Champion; 171 pieces of Nigiri Sushi in 6 min\r\n• World Tiramisu Eating Champion; 4 lbs in 6 min\r\n• Was a contestant on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire;” made it to the million-dollar question\r\n• Works as pizza cook in New York City\r\n\r\nJeff “The Beast Man” Butler\r\nCleveland, OH\r\n6’0”, 195 lbs, 31 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Wild Card entrant. Ate 29 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min at Cleveland, OH, Qualifier\r\n\r\n• #10-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \r\n• Placed 6th last year; 31 Hot Dogs & Buns discipline in 10 min\r\n• Ate 124 Hooters chicken wings in 10 min\r\n• Ate 160 Day-Lee Foods Gyoza in 10 min\r\n• Ate 54 tamales in 10 min\r\n• Was once an Army Cook and was disciplined for over-eating\r\n• Aspires to open his very own food truck or café\r\n\r\nBrian “Dud Light” Dudzinski\r\nPhoenixville, PA\r\n6'2”, 190 lbs, 29 y/o \r\nHow He Got Here: Won Cleveland, OH, Qualifier with 29 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• #29-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n• Making his first appearance at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n• Ate 9.75 pints of ice cream in 6 min\r\n• Ate 7.25 corned beef sandwiches in 10 min\r\n• Ate 30.5 moon pies in 8 min\r\n• Despite appearances, is neither an Abercrombie & Fitch model or a Uruguayan soccer player\r\n\r\nErik “The Red” Denmark\r\nSeattle, WA\r\n6’1”, 195 lbs, 36 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Houston, TX, Qualifier with 36 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n• #14-Ranked in the world by Major League Eating \r\n• Placed 10th last year; 28 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n• World Native American Fry Bread Eating Champion; 9.75 Fry Breads in 8 min\r\n• World Shrimp Eating Champion; 4 lbs 15 oz of spot shrimp in 12 min\r\n• Major League Eating’s only known Boeing executive\r\n• A spicy foods specialist\r\n• Ate 5 lbs of kimchi in 6 min\r\n• Ate 40 ears of sweet corn in 12 min\r\n\r\nMatt “The Megatoad” Stonie\r\nSan Jose, CA\r\n5’8”, 120 lbs, 22 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Boston, MA, Qualifier with 53 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min \r\n\r\n• #2-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n• Placed 2nd last year; 51 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n• Fourth consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n• World Creek Indian Taco Eating Champion; 32.5 in 8 min\r\n• World Frozen Yogurt Eating Champion; 10.5 lbs in 6 min\r\n• World Gyro Eating Champion; 24 8-oz Gyros in 10 min\r\n• World Gyoza Eating Champion; 268 Day-Lee Foods gyoza in 10 min.\r\n• World Slugburger Champion; 30 Slugburgers in 10 min\r\n• Ate 100 Marshmallow Peeps in 2 minutes\r\n• Celebrated his 21st birthday by setting the Birthday Cake World Record; 5.5 lbs in \r\n8 min 59 sec\r\n• Defeated Joey Chestnut three times in MLE competition in 2013, and once so far this year\r\n\r\nJoey “Jaws” Chestnut\r\nSan Jose, CA\r\n6’1”, 225 lbs, 30 y/o \r\nHow He Got Here: Sponsor’s Exemption (2014 Women’s Champion)\r\n\r\n• #1-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n• Reigning Champion; winner of seven consecutive Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July titles\r\n• Set world record in last year’s contest, eating 69 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min. Broke his previous world record of 68, set in 2009 and equaled in 2012\r\n• 10th consecutive year as a Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contestant\r\n• Captured his first Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Championship in 2007, eating 66 Hot Dogs & Buns in 12 min to snap Kobayashi’s streak of six Fourth of July wins\r\n• Defeated Kobayashi head-to-head for three consecutive years at the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Championship on the Fourth of July (2007, 2008 and 2009)\r\n• Hold 32 World Records, which is a World Record of World Records\r\n• World Tamale Eating Champion; 102 tamales in 12 min\r\n• World Twinkie Eating Champion; 121 Twinkies in 6 min\r\n• World Asparagus Eating Champion; 12 lbs 8.75 oz of Deep Fried Asparagus in 10 min\r\n• World Bratwurst Eating Champion; 70 Bratwurst in 10 min\r\n• World Ice Cream Eating Champion; 15 pints Vanilla Ice Cream in 6 min\r\n• World Pulled Pork Slider Eating Champion; 62 sliders in 10 min\r\n• World Hard Boiled Egg Eating Champion; 141 hard-boiled eggs in 8 min\r\n• 2012 Graduate of San Jose State University, bachelors degree in Civil Engineering \r\n• Learned to eat fast while growing up with five siblings\r\n• Girlfriend Neslie Ricasa is competing in the Women’s Championship \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4106","sn":927,"title":"Nathan’s Famous To Donate 100,000 Hot Dogs To Food Bank For New York City On July 4th ","createdAt":"2014-06-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"600,000 Hot Dogs Donated to Food Bank Since 2008\r\n\r\nJericho, NY, June 27, 2013 On July 4th, Nathan’s Famous will donate 100,000 of its signature world famous beef hot dogs to Food Bank For New York City. The official presentation will take place during the company’s annual Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY. Since 2008, Nathan’s Famous has donated a total of 600,000 hot dogs to Food Bank For New York City.\r\n\r\nNathan’s Famous President Wayne Norbitz will present the donation to a representative of the Food Bank For New York City, which is part of the Feeding America network. \r\n\r\n\"Food Bank For New York City does incredible things to combat hunger each and every day,\" said Wayne Norbitz, COO of Nathan's Famous, Inc. \"Nathan's is pleased to be able to do its part each July 4th, and we look forward to the day we'll have donated one million hot dogs.\"\r\n\r\n“We are grateful for the generous donation of 100,000 Nathan’s hot dogs from Nathan’s Famous,” said Patrick Mooney, Senior Director of Institutional Giving for Food Bank For New York City. “As we embrace our partners that help us in providing meals to more than 400,000 fellow New Yorkers daily, Nathan’s Famous continues to ‘do its part’ in giving back to their neighbors in need.” \r\n \r\nThe donation ceremony will occur at the original Nathan’s Famous on Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island, NY, where the annual hot dog eating contest takes place. Each year tens of thousands gather to watch the biggest competitive eating event in the world, while millions watch the event live on ESPN. \r\n\r\nAbout Nathan’s Famous\r\nNathan’s is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and eight foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. The Nathan’s restaurant system currently consists of 329 units, comprised of 324 franchised units and five company-owned units (including one seasonal unit). Nathan’s was ranked #55 on the Forbes list of the Best Small Companies in America and was listed as the Best Small Company in New York State in October 2013. Last year, over 430 million Nathan’s Famous hot dogs were sold. For additional information about Nathan’s please visit our website www.nathansfamous.com.\r\n\r\nAbout Food Bank For New York City\r\nFood Bank For New York City recognizes 30 years as the city’s major hunger-relief organization working to end food poverty throughout the five boroughs. As the city’s hub for integrated food poverty assistance, Food Bank tackles the hunger issue on three fronts — food distribution, income support and nutrition education — all strategically guided by its research. Through its network of community-based member programs citywide, Food Bank helps provide 400,000 free meals a day for New Yorkers in need. Food Bank’s hands-on nutrition education program in the public schools reaches thousands of children, teens and adults. Income support services including food stamps, free tax assistance for the working poor and the Earned Income Tax Credit put millions of dollars back in the pockets of low-income New Yorkers, helping them to achieve greater dignity and independence. Learn how you can help at foodbanknyc.org.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4108","sn":926,"title":"Stonie Defeats Chestnut—And Sets New WR—In Gyros","createdAt":"2014-05-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Matthew \"The Megatoad\" Stonie of San Jose, CA, ate 24 Niko Niko's Gyros on May 18, 2014, in Houston, TX, to set a new world gyro eating record. \r\n\r\nSo sayeth the big book MLE of truth. But this victory was much more than that—indeed, any win over world #1 Joey \"Jaws\" Chestnut is. It was Stonie's first win over his mentor/nemesis/near neighbor/fellow eater in 2014. In 2013, Stonie logged three wings against The Great One. His 2014 haul started here. Where it will end is a matter for the prognosticators and the chin-scratchers—sooth-sayers all. We will know what has transpired after the fact. Let history walk unencumbered by your expectations, people. \r\n\r\nBut know this: any battle between Chestnut and Stonie is epic. It is not simply a battle between the world #1 and world #2. It is a timeless battle between age and guile in one corner and youth and beauty in the other. Of brute strength in one; lithe poetry in the other. Between aggression and agility. Between Mars and Aphrodite. Between Roman strength and Greek finesse. (NB: Sweet segue coming up, by the way.)\r\n\r\nFitting, then, that it was at the Houston Greek Festival, that Stonie should take down Chestnut. Final tally: 24 to 21. Stonie was fast at the outset—as is his MO—and did not slow throughout the duration of the contest. Chestnut was not able to mow down Stonie in the back third of the contest, as he has in the past. \r\n\r\nThis was a significant victory: The gyro is a meat-based, bread-wrapped pocket of deliciousness. The discipline is a test of jaw strength and capacity. (Until recently, MLE would have also noted that \"teeth speed\" is key to success in the gyro discipline, but this metric has been retired on the grounds that it is scientifically ungrounded and, frankly, plain old stupid.) Capacity. Jaw strength. This is Chestnut turf. Plain and simple. \r\n\r\nIt's going to a be a great year. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1 Matthew \"The Megatoad\" Stonie, 24 and a New WR.\r\n2 Joey \"Jaws\" Chestnut, 21 \r\n3 Adrian \"The Rabbit\" Morgan, 12.5 \r\n4 Miki Sudo, 11\r\n5 Juan More Bite Rodriguez, 9.5\r\n6 Steve Hendry, 8 \r\n7 Nasty Nate Biller, 6.5 \r\n8 Mark Preng, 5.5 \r\n9 Alex \"Moose\" Perez, 4.5 \r\n9 Tommy Miller, 4.5 \r\n11 Nicole Miller, 3.5 \r\n12 Alex Brouskakis, 3\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4105","sn":925,"title":"Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest Event Information","createdAt":"2014-04-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Greatest Eaters In The World Return To Coney Island!\r\n\r\nFollowing a 13-event qualifying circuit conducted throughout the United States during the months of April, May and June, the greatest competitive eaters on earth will gather on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY, on Friday, July 4, 2014 to compete in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest, an event that has been held each year since 1916, according to the archives.\r\n\r\nA total of 16 men and 12 women are expected to compete in the finals. The women’s competition is scheduled to begin at 11:30AM; the men’s competition will start at 12:30PM and will be broadcast live on ESPN 2, and on ESPN at 2 pm following Wimbledon.\r\n\r\nLast year, Joey Chestnut—the number-one-ranked eater in the world—set a new world record by consuming 69 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes in front of a crowd of an estimated 40,000 fans. In the women’s competition, Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas ate 38 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Thomas set the world record in 2012 by consuming 45 HDBs.\r\n\r\nThe contest is free and open to the public. Pre-show festivities begin at 10:30AM and will feature varied entertainment including the Brooklyn Community Choir, the Heavenly Chillbillies blues band, the Skyriders, and rap performances by Eric “Badlands” Booker.\r\n\r\nFans planning to attend the contest may want to arrive early. For those on mass transit, take the subway—D, F, Q, N—to the final stop, Stillwell Avenue. Nathan’s Famous is across the street from the terminal. Those driving will want to take the Belt Parkway to Exit 6, Cropsey Avenue, and head south toward the water until you hit Surf Avenue. Take a left and you will see Nathan’s on the right at Stillwell Avenue.\r\n\r\nOther attractions in Coney Island include the Cyclone, Deno’s Wonder Wheel and Luna Park.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4107","sn":924,"title":"Nathan’s Famous Announces Qualifying Circuit For The 2014 Season","createdAt":"2014-03-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Circuit Expands to More Cities, New Venues\r\n\r\nNathan’s Famous, Inc. has unveiled the official list of sites that will host hot dog eating contests to qualify competitive eaters who will participate in the annual Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest at Nathan’s Famous on Brooklyn’s Coney Island. \r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Famous qualifying tour stops in four new cities this year. It’s also premiering at NASCAR events, including the annual Speed Street celebration in Charlotte, NC; Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, PA; and Sonoma Raceway in northern California. Nathan’s Famous will host its first-ever qualifier at Busch Stadium prior to a St. Louis Cardinals game in May. This year’s circuit begins on April 26th in Las Vegas and stops at 12 other cities before the final event takes place on July 4, 2014 at the Nathan’s Famous flagship in Coney Island.\r\n\r\nThe top male and top female finishers from each qualifier will earn a spot to compete in the ESPN-televised finals at the original Nathan’s Famous, a holiday tradition since 1916. In recent years, an estimated 40,000 fans have traveled to the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island to watch the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in person. The live telecast of the event has consistently attracted millions of viewers since ESPN first aired the contest in 2004. \r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut of San Jose, CA holds the world record for eating 69 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes in 2013, and he will seek his eighth straight title this year. Sonya Thomas of Alexandria; VA will defend her title as Female Champion; she consumed 36 ¾ Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes last year.\r\n\r\nHost cities of the 2014 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit include Las Vegas, NV; Boston, MA; St. Paul, MN; Sonoma, CA; St. Louis, MO; Cleveland, OH; Tunica, MS; Bloomingdale, IL; Savannah, GA; Houston, TX; and Charlotte, NC; Citifield in Queens NY; and at State Fair Meadowlands in East Rutherford, NJ. \r\n\r\nAccording to archives, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event. \r\n\r\nThose interested in competing in a Nathan’s Famous qualifier should visit www.nathansfamous.com to obtain information and register. All competitors must be over 18 years of age. \r\n\r\nOfficial Listing Of The 2014 Nathan’s Famous Qualifiers\r\nApril 26th: Las Vegas, NV (New York-New York Hotel & Casino)\r\nMay 3rd: Houston, TX (Memorial Mall)\r\nMay 17th: St. Louis, MO (Busch Stadium)\r\nMay 24th: Charlotte, NC (Speed Street celebration)\r\nMay 29th: Fort Lee, VA (Military Qualifier) \r\nMay 31st: Bloomingdale, IL (Kmart)\r\nJune 1st: St. Paul, MN (Dixie’s Stage, 695 Grand Avenue)\r\nJune 7th: Long Pond, PA (Pocono Raceway)\r\nJune 7th: Savannah, GA (River Street)\r\nJune 15th: Queens, NY (Citifield Plaza)\r\nJune 21st: Boston, MA (Government Center, Phantom Gourmet BBQ Beach Party)\r\nJune 22nd: Sonoma, CA (Sonoma Raceway)\r\nJune 29th: Cleveland, OH (Crocker Park Shopping Center)\r\n\r\nAbout Nathan’s Famous\r\nNathan’s products are currently distributed in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and six foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. The Nathan’s restaurant system currently consists of over 320 units, comprised of more than 315 franchised units and five company-owned units (including one seasonal unit). Additionally, Nathan’s Famous hot dogs are sold in over 25,000 retail and foodservice locations. Last year, in total, over 430 million Nathan’s hot dogs were sold. For additional information about Nathan’s please visit our website www.nathansfamous.com.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4103","sn":923,"title":"IFOCE Creates Endangered Entrées List. Guacamole Among Those Included","createdAt":"2014-03-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"West Coast Drought Leads Major League Eating To Create First-Ever ‘Endangered Entrées’ List\r\n\r\nLeague Designates Guacamole as ‘Endangered,’ Cites Climate Change\r\n\r\n------\r\n\r\nNew York, NY March 5, 2014—Major League Eating has announced the creation of the first-ever Endangered Entrées List highlighting foods that are either currently endangered, or threatened to become endangered.\r\n\r\nAs part of its announcement, MLE designated guacamole as an Endangered Entrée based on recent reports that the California drought and climate change have impacted farmer’s ability to produce avocados. It is estimated that California could experience a 40 percent reduction in avocado production in coming years.\r\n\r\nAs policy, MLE will not conduct eating contests with any food it classifies as endangered, and will give special consideration to contests involving threatened entrees, perhaps shortening the contest duration and number of participants.\r\n\r\n“It would be unconscionable to hold an eating contest with an endangered entree, allowing eaters such as Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo to decimate the last remaining reserve of that food,” said MLE Chair George Shea, who noted that Chestnut recently consumed 141 hard-boiled eggs in eight minutes while Sudo ate 104. \r\n\r\nLast year, MLE temporarily suspended all bacon-eating contests during a bacon shortage, setting a precedent for the creation of this list. MLE had no actual bacon-eating contests scheduled at the time, but said the suspension was still a powerful statement that resonated with the bacon-eating public.\r\n\r\nEntrées on MLE’s Endangered List, which will be banned from inclusion in sanctioned contests, include: giant sea turtle soup, sautéed lingcod, fire-roasted lemur, sealion (steaks), and oven-baked orange roughy. Entrées on MLE’s Threatened List, which will receive special consideration when the subject of a contest, include: beluga sturgeon caviar, sautéed monkfish, giant panda (steaks and stews), Aberdare mole shrew (sauces) and roasted greater sage grouse.\r\n\r\nThe full Endangered Entrée List is available on MLE’s website, www.ifoce.com. MLE said it is likely that the list will expand in coming years as climate change continues to impact agriculture.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4109","sn":921,"title":"IFOCE Research Division To Monitor Hungry Black Hole","createdAt":"2014-03-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"IFOCE Research Division To Join Scientific Community Studying March Black Hole Event\r\n\r\nGas cloud G2 to be consumed by black hole Sagittarius A*. IFOCE to monitor/condiser ramifications for human consumption\r\n\r\nCLICK HERE to review IFOCE's formal proposal to utilize telescopes at Hawaii's Keck Observatory\r\n\r\nCLICK HERE to watch NASA's timelapse video of supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* doing its thing\r\n\r\n--------------\r\n\r\nNew York, NY. Monday, March 3, 2014—The Research Division of the International Federation of Competitive Eating has announced that it will add its resources to the international scientific effort to study the consumption of a massive gas cloud by the black hole, Sagittarius A*, beginning in March 2014.\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE has budgeted the funding necessary to purchase a telescope with which to monitor the remarkable inter-galactic event, and is now searching for a location where it can conduct its observation unobstructed. The organization hopes to study the black hole’s consumption of the gas cloud in an attempt to identify intake methods that can be employed by humans to increase eating efficiency on earth.\r\n\r\n“We understand that ambient light makes it difficult to see the stars, so we are searching for a location separated at a significant distance from human activity, such as Albany,” said George Shea, Head of Research at the IFOCE. “If this cannot be achieved we will simply ask for time from the Keck telescopes in Hawaii.\"\r\n\r\nThe gas cloud, named G2, has a mass some three times that of the earth, and is now approaching the black hole, whose mass is reportedly four million times that of our sun. At this point it is unclear how swiftly the gas cloud will be consumed, how large the resulting shock wave will be, and the type of radio waves that will be produced.\r\n\r\n“Black holes have been described as ‘voracious feeders’ consuming cosmic matter and energy like hungry adolescents, but it is important to remember that the mechanics of the black hole and the human esophagus are entirely different,” Shea said.\r\n\r\nNonetheless, the IFOCE research team will be looking to determine if the gas cloud follows a tight circular course as it is sucked into the black hole. If so, this may illustrate a more efficient way to consume viscous substances such as Jell-O, pudding, grits, and soups in competition.\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE Research Division has a long history within the sciences and is acknowledged for two ground-breaking studies: The Belt of Fat Theory, which proved that fat people are poorly positioned to be competitive eaters because their fat restricts the expansion of their stomach, and The Chicken Wing Consumption Model, which identified the fastest way to consume chicken wings, and which is credited with saving Americans 500 million hours in previously lost productivity each year.\r\n\r\n“The Sagittarius A*/G2 event poses unique new challenges for the IFOCE, whose members and staff have a limited background in physics, cosmology, astronomy, relativity, quantum mechanics, string theory and math,” Shea said. “However, we feel that this effort could elevate our institution to a new level within the scientific community.”"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4102","sn":922,"title":"IFOCE Makes Formal Request To Keck Observatory In The Interest Of Human Advancement","createdAt":"2014-02-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"February 26, 2014\r\n\r\nMr. Taft Armandroff\r\nObservatory Director\r\nW. M. Keck Observatory\r\n65-1120 Mamalahoa Hwy\r\nKamuela, HI 96743\r\n\r\nDear Mr. Armandroff:\r\n\r\nAs you may know, the Research Division of the International Federation of Competitive Eating has been expanding its scientific research efforts in an attempt to give back to the community.\r\n\r\nFollowing on the heels of the successful Belt of Fat Theory (2002), the IFOCE released the Chicken Wing Consumption Model (2014), a study that has been widely recognized for saving Americans 500 million hours in lost labour and productivity each year. \r\n\r\nThe IFOCE is now launching an enquiry into the upcoming event involving the black hole, Sagittarius A*, and the gas cloud, G2. Our goal is to study the black hole’s consumption of the gas cloud in an attempt to identify intake methods that can be employed by humans here on earth to increase eating efficiency.\r\n\r\nOur organisation has purchased a telescope as the first step in this project, but we are concerned about two items: one is the power of our telescope, which has a magnification level of 225x, and two is locating Sagittarius A* with the telescope.\r\n\r\nIn a recent test run we identified a phenomenon that resembled Sagittarius A*/G2 in the western sky, but my daughter, who is currently studying science, suggested that it may, in fact, have been the DirecTV satellite over Texas.\r\n\r\nIn the event that we are unable to accurately gather data with the IFOCE telescope, we would like to request several hours of the time with the Keck telescopes, ideally in late March, or early April before it gets too hot in Hawaii. We estimate that we will need no more than 90 minutes, but it is likely that we will require some operational instruction as we have not previously worked with an infrared telescope.\r\n\r\nWe insist on providing the Keck Observatory with an honorarium for this courtesy, and we will share authorship of any studies with the Keck team. On a related note, we wanted to clarify that the asterisks in Sagittarius A* is part of the name and does not indicate that further information about the black hole is contained in a footnote somewhere. \r\n\r\nPlease don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions.\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\n\r\nGeorge Shea\r\nDirector, Research Division, IFOCE\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4104","sn":920,"title":"Researchers Identify Chicken Wing-Eating Advancement","createdAt":"2014-01-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Information to Save Americans 116 Million Hours Annually\r\n\r\nElusive Finding Compared to Higgs Boson by Competitive Eating Scientific Community\r\n\r\nVegans See No Benefit\r\n\r\nCLICK HERE to watch exclusive video of Major League Eating presenting its findings to the wider scientific community.\r\n\r\n--------------\r\n\r\nNew York, NY, Friday, January 31, 2014 -- Major League Eating, through the research division of its governing body, the International Federation of Competitive Eating, today released the results of a years-long study into the most efficient method for eating chicken wings, identifying two highly efficient eating styles that will save Americans an estimated 116 million hours annually.\r\n\r\nThe study, conducted with professional eaters in association with the National Buffalo Wing Festival during the past two years, definitively concludes that the so-called “typewriter” eating style is the most efficient consumption method for a drum, while the “wishbone” is most efficient for a flat. \r\n\r\nAccording to MLE, the average consumer eats with no specific approach and could reduce the time necessary to consume a plate of one dozen wings by a full three minutes and 30 seconds through these methods. Correctly applied across the 24 billion chicken wings consumed annually in the United States, these methods could save 116 million hours each year, significantly enhancing productivity in other areas.\r\n\r\n“American exceptionalism is not dead,” said Major League Eating Chair George Shea. “This time savings represents a staggering amount of potential computing power—if we can focus it on specific tasks we can solve some of our culture’s most intractable problems. The potential is greater than MOOCs, Google Glass and the Segway combined—this is our Higgs Boson.”\r\n\r\nMLE said it hopes the findings can be incorporated into the daily eating habits of the general public regardless of geography or political affiliation.\r\n\r\nThe study, which has a margin of error of +/- 14.7 percent, examined different eating techniques for the two main chicken parts that comprise the so-called Buffalo chicken wing dish: the drumstick, or “drum,” and the actual chicken wing, or “flat.” A total of 112 subjects were observed as part of the double-blind study, which found that the average civilian consumes a chicken wing drum or flat in 19.85 seconds. \r\n\r\nThe drumstick is a single bone surrounded by meat. The “typewriter” method for drums entails rotating the wing while eating the meat as one might eat kernels from an ear of corn. The “meat umbrella”—developed specifically for drums by former wing-eating champion, Cookie Jarvis—requires the consumer to hold the drum by the bone end and push down against the plate, pushing the meat off the bone like an umbrella being opened. The final method is “cluster targeting,” in which the consumer identifies areas with bunches of meat and bites those as appropriate.\r\n\r\nThe study found that the average time necessary to consume a drum using the typewriter method, with an otherwise empty mouth, was 2.5 seconds. The average time for the meat umbrella method was 4.3 seconds, while cluster targeting required an average of 4.9 seconds per wing.\r\n\r\nThe chicken wing flat has two parallel bones that meet at each end. Much of the wing meat lies within the two bones of the flat, and it requires distinctly different methods of consumption than the drum. With the “wishbone” method, the consumer uses both hands to separate the joint at one end while stripping the meat from the bones with the teeth. With the “one-armed bandit, the eater opens the bones using one hand and strips the meat, while the “bullet hole” describes a method in which the eater pokes the meat from between the bones with the tongue.\r\n\r\nThe average consumption time for a flat using the wishbone method, with an otherwise empty mouth, was 2.3 seconds. The average time for the one-armed bandit was 4.2 seconds, and the bullet hole required 4.4 seconds per wing. \r\n\r\n“It is an honor for MLE to be at the forefront of this kind of scientific inquiry,” Shea said. “We feel that we have helped to advance our culture.”\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4100","sn":919,"title":"Super Bowl And The Stomach: A Tale Of Two Cities","createdAt":"2014-01-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"You’ve read the stories countless thousands of times. “During the Super Bowl, America will eat 53 million pounds of avocado!” ‘If you laid the all the potato chips consumed during the Super Bowl end-to-end, the line would stretch to the moon!” “One billion chicken wings will be eaten this Sunday!” These are tired, boring stories that rarely cite their sources. These stories are intellectual Easy Loungers to comfort reporters on deadline who have nothing better. These are retreads; last year’s news reprinted today. We will spare you another avalanche of such trite concern.\r\n\r\nNo. This story is about two men. Erik “The Red” Denmark of Seattle, WA, and Bryan “Big Sexy” Beard of Denver, CO. Erik is listed here first because he is ranked ahead of Bryan in MLE rankings, #14 and #45 respectively, and this is a meritocracy. As you may have figured out, Erik is a fan of his city’s Seahawks and Bryan is a fan of his city’s Broncos. Those two teams are playing in the Super Bowl, which is this Sunday, like you don’t know. They are avid sports fans and they are American men and that means they are standing on the precipice of joy and doom. One must lose. One must soar. Valé sympathy. The pressure of Super Bowl week is wearing on both men. Indeed, it is wearing on their appetites.\r\n\r\n“We’ve got the best corner in the game—Richard Sherman—and rest of the Legion of Boom back there, so as far as I’m concerned, Peyton throwing the ball 60 times is a recipe for success,” said Erik, reached by cell phone while enjoying a fresh-roasted Ethiopian Arabica macchiato at one of Seattle’s well-regarded fair-trade cafes. “It’s complete and utter hysteria right now in the 206. Seattle will either erupt or implode depending on the result of the game so there’s a very high level of anxiety here right now. I'm on a fast until game time to keep my stomach pure, but come kickoff, it’ll be a three-and-a-half-hour buffet to calm my nerves. Comfort food; the standards. I feel good about our chances, though. I made a bet with my buddy who’s a Denver fan that I'll eat a horse if the Broncos win. I really hope I don't have to eat a horse.”\r\n\r\nBryan will be watching the big game from his Denver area home. He will, in accordance with his particular superstition, consume one chicken wing for every rushing yard accrued by Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno during the game. “Dude, I am stressed about this game. In the AFC Championship game against the Pats last week, Knowshon only ran for 59 yards, so that kind of sucked. I mean we won, so that’s all that matters, but I wish I could have eaten more wings to be honest with you. Like, in the San Diego game the week before, he went for 82 yards, so that’s what I’m looking for this Sunday: Let Peyton set the tone with the pass, get up on the scoreboard, then pound the rock so I can pound more wings.” When Moreno scores a touchdown, Bryan celebrates by eating one additional wing—pre-selected, designated and set aside for its juicy perfection. For Bryan, it is the sweetest wing of all. \r\n\r\nSo, who will win the big game? According to the nation’s dailies, it shall be the Broncos, because the Madden 25 video game simulator says so. (Let us ignore, for the sake of convenience, that the same simulator predicted the 49ers would win the NFC Championship game. This turned out to be wrong. Cool? Cool.) A Broncos victory is what America needs and she shall have what she needs: Another Super Bowl ring slipped on Peyton Manning’s claw, a second to match the tally of his brother, Eli Manning, of Hoboken, NJ. Another win for Peyton—and he is Peyton to us, for he is our brother—will be the tonic to soothe a tired nation. Endless tributes to his eternal classiness and an advertising landscape that features all-Peyton, all the time are in the offing. I, for one, can not wait to live in a post-Broncos win America. It is a better place. It is home.\r\n\r\nEnjoy the game. Eat well and wisely. May courage and honor, forever, be the victors.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4101","sn":918,"title":"Top 10 Moments in Competitive Eating in 2013","createdAt":"2013-12-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"10. Katz’s Delicatessen Trophy Wins Best Trophy\r\nNo offense to the oversized novelty check, but the trophy awarded to Joey Chestnut for his winning performance at the first-ever Katz's Delicatessen World Pastrami Eating Championship takes the gold. Literally. Well, maybe. Chestnut ate 25 7oz Katz’s pastrami sandwiches for the win and was granted a giant gold-plated Katz’s pastrami sandwich trophy—and $3,750—for his efforts. He was able to lift the trophy high and with ease, which means the trophy was either not made of real gold or that Chestnut’s victory afforded him superhuman strength. Maybe both.\r\n\r\n9. Will Bill Takes FroYo Silver\r\nWe talk often of Chestnut, Stonie and many more of MLE’s leading lights. In this regard, we are akin to NFL pundits speaking at length of Peyton Manning, or squash broadcasters hailing the feats of Pakistan's Jahangir Khan. But it is true that more attention should be given to our sport’s journeymen and journeywomen. The arrive-on-timers. The drive-all-nighters. The peoples’ eaters. Let’s do that now. Wild Bill Myers ate 8 pounds of Yogurtland FroYo at the Yogurtland Frozen Yogurt Eating Challenge at Boston’s Phantom Gourmet Festival to finish second behind Matthew Stonie. In doing so he proved that it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, for Wild Bill is a large man, but how much FroYo that dog can eat.\r\n\r\n8. Sudo Logs First Career Win at RibFest Chicago\r\nRemember the date: June 7, 2013. On this date, Miki Sudo won her first MLE Championship event—Ribfest Chicago's Ribmania Eating Championship. She ate 2.9lb of ribs in six minutes to edge Michelle Lesco and Joey Chestnut. She would again prevail in Chicago two months later at The Chowdown in Korea Town World Kimchi Eating Championship by eating 8.5lb of kimchi in six minutes. But you always remember your first. So should the world.\r\n\r\n7. Rain Can Not Save The Eggs\r\nIt rains in Ratcliff, KY, and it rained at the inaugural Ratcliff Days World Hard-Boiled Egg Eating Championship. It rained a lot. Downwards. Sideways. Onto contestants, the crowd, even the eggs. MLE’s best would not be deterred. Joey Chestnut set a new WR with 141 hard-boiled eggs in eight minutes. Other totals also impressed mightily: Stonie, 132; Sudo, 109; Thomas 92.\r\n\r\n6. MLE Eaters Shiver in St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail Freeze\r\nA game time temperature in the teens (wind-chill adjusted) did not—could not—stop Joey Chestnut at The World Famous St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail-Eating Championship, Located At The Meijer Tail Greater Party On Georgia St. In eight minutes, he set the inaugural world shrimp cocktail-eating record with a total of 9.25 pounds of St. Elmo’s signature, and very horseradishy, dish. The event is claim to two MLE records: It was both the coldest ever and has the longest event title of any event in MLE history.\r\n\r\n5. Lesco Becomes First Woman To Defeat Sonya Thomas\r\nIt was a banner year for Tucson, AZ’s Michelle Lesco—a year in which she defeated some of the greats of our sport and saw herself make MLE’s top-10 for the first time. Bravo. She also made history by becoming the first woman to defeat Sonya Thomas in sanctioned competition. Ever. Before Lesco’s win, Thomas was undefeated against her sex for, like, 38 years. Lesco ate 16.5 Creek Indian tacos at the Foodabluza Creek Indian Taco Eating Championship in Atmore, AL, to Thomas’s 15. \r\n\r\n4. Stonie Dominates In Day-Lee Foods Gyoza\r\nOf Matthew Stonie’s three head-to-head wins against Joey Chestnut in 2013, none were sweeter than his victory at the Day-Lee Foods World Gyoza Eating Championship. Stonie ate 268 Day-Lee Foods gyoza to Chestnut’s 251 to set a new world record in an event he has focused on since his MLE debut in 2011. (Stonie also defeated Chestnut in the asparagus and slugburger disciplines in 2013.) Those who caught a glimpse of Stonie’s countenance after his 2013 Gyoza win know what happiness and contentment truly mean.\r\n\r\n3. The Women of MLE Claim Buffalo\r\nOn September 1, 2013, MLE’s female athletes went one, two and three for the first time in major competition at the National Buffalo Wing Festival in Buffalo, NY. Miki Sudo won with 178 wings in 12 minutes; Michelle Lesco ate 158 wings for second and former champion Sonya Thomas placed third with 141. None of them, to MLE’s knowledge, even owns a Helen Reddy record. Their fire comes from within.\r\n\r\n2. Miss Hooters International Steals Hearts, Chestnut Eats Wings\r\nThe women of Hooters are known around the world for their supreme beauty and talent. The wings of Hooters are known around the world for their unparalleled juiciness and bold flavor. Both were on show at the Hooters World Wing Eating Championship at the original Hooters in Clearwater, FL. Representing the ladies of Hooters, Miss Marissa Raisor, Miss Hooters International herself, was on hand to lend the event a regal air. Her good looks and grace caused those in attendance to pause, as if they had seen beauty itself come to life in human form. Joey Chestnut ate 179 Hooters wings for the win in a manner less elegant than Miss Raisor.\r\n\r\n1. Emperor Chestnut Enters The Arena\r\nHe wore no toga; this ruler wears a 2XL T-shirt made of cotton. He wore no laurel wreath for a crown; this leader prefers to let his brown locks waft free in the seaside air of Coney Island. He ruled not over an empire that stretched from the Barbary Coast to the Indus Valley; this king presides over the known world. You see where we’re going with this, if perhaps too far: Joey “Jaws” Chestnut entered the arena at Coney Island on July 4, 2013, like a Roman emperor, held aloft by strong men who dared not waiver under his command. In those moments, the sun shone down on him and him alone. A man floating above all others. A man God. The greatest eater of all time. The one. Then he ate 69 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns to set a new world record, lest anyone doubt his omnipotence.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40ff","sn":917,"title":"Jaws Chestnut Sets World Shrimp Cocktail-Eating Record","createdAt":"2013-12-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey \"Jaws\" Chestnut of San Jose, CA, the world's #1-ranked eater, ate 9.25lb of Shrimp Cocktail in eight minutes on Saturday, December 7, 2013, in Indianapolis, IN, at The World Famous St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail-Eating Championship—Located At The Meijer Tail Greater Party On Georgia St to set the inaugural world Shrimp Cocktail-eating record.\r\n\r\nAll of which is a very dry, fact-based way of saying that Chestnut did what Chestnut does. He came, he saw, he conquered. MLE's Latin scholars might muse that Chestnut—in his veni, vidi, vici approach to life—is our sport's Julius Caesar. Only without the toga or the assassination and with a smaller nose. On this day, the signature Shrimp Cocktail from famed Indianapolis steak house St. Elmo was to be Chestnut's Pharnaces II of Pontus. The jumbo shrimp, covered in St. Elmo's lauded and very horseradishy sauce, stood no chance. The battle was swift. The result unequivocal. Chestnut 1; Shrimp 0. Vale, shrimp. This is what history records.\r\n\r\nMarine biologists who don't speak Latin might muse that \"Jaws\" Chestnut prevailed against some decapod crustaceans that exist far lower down the food chain. The great white shark is an apex predator of the seas and has no natural predators that scientists can cite. But then it gets confusing because if you're a marine biologist, you likely know that the great white's scientific name is carcharodon carcharias, which means you know some Latin after all and should probably know what veni, vidi, vici means. It's complicated. \r\n\r\nPeople who are neither marine biologists nor Latin speakers might muse that Joey Chestnut is a national treasure, a beacon, a role model and the north star for a nation that has lost its way. And they would be right. \r\n\r\nLater that evening at nearby Lucas Oil Stadium, Michigan State snapped Ohio State's school-record 24-game win streak with a 34-24 victory in the Big Ten championship. The victory knocked Ohio State out of the BCS National Championship Game. Joey Chestnut was in attendance. \r\n\r\nBonus fact: \"The World Famous St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail-Eating Championship—Located At The Meijer Tail Greater Party On Georgia St\" is the longest event title in MLE history. When Trebek asks, now you'll know.\r\n \r\nFINAL RESULTS!\r\n1st - Joey Chestnut, 9.25lb, $1,000\r\n2nd - Yasir Salem, 5lb, $500\r\n3rd - Crazy Legs Conti, 4.25lb, $300\r\n4th - Matthew Raible, $200\r\n5th - Tracy Mmm Mmm Goode\r\n6th - Craig \"The Doctor\" Evans"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40fd","sn":915,"title":"Chestnut Claims Inaugural World Brain Eating Championship!","createdAt":"2013-10-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Experience counts. As the final seconds loomed at the first-ever World Brain Eating Competition at Zombie Pub Crawl, Joey Chestnut, the #1-ranked eater in the world, and Matthew Stonie, the man who has claimed more victories against the great one than anyone else this year, were bite-for-bite. It was anyone's contest. History would be made. But by whom? And what would it look like? \r\n\r\nThey'd blown past 20, 30, 40 brain tacos. In the final minute, they blew past the 50-mark. Twenty seconds to go. Nothing separated Chestnut and Stonie, the pair from San Jose, the pair who so often finish first-and-second, second-and-first at MLE events. Until the final mouthful. Chestnut's giant mouth came into play, his damp paws stuffing tacos into that great beyond at the death. Final score: Chestnut 54, Stonie 53.5. Close stuff. \r\n\r\nChestnut's haul of 54 Brain Tacos is recognized as a World Record. \r\n\r\nThe brain tacos were prepared by the AZ Canteen team, helmed by none other than Andrew Zimmern, host of the Travel Channel's \"Bizarre Foods\" series. The guy's eaten everything; brains wouldn't phase him one little bit. They sure didn't phase Chestnut or Stone, or Mark Williams of Iowa, who impressed with 17.5 in eight mins for third. Andrew \"the Bear\" Kogutkiewicz and the very-much-missed Bryan \"Big Sexy\" Beard rounded out the money positions. But look at the totals. This was all Stonie and Chestnut, people. Chestnut, as has been so often the case in his illustrious career, was the one to make the curtain call. \r\n\r\nThis contest took place at 5pm Central, on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at the vita.mn main stage at Zombie Pub Crawl, located at Portland and South 4th St in downtown Minneapolis, MN!\r\n\r\nTOTAL PRIZE PURSE: $2,000!\r\n1st Joey Chestnut, 54 - $1,000\r\n2nd Matthew Stonie, 53 - $500\r\n3rd Mark Williams, 17.5 - $300\r\n4th Andrew Kogutkiewicz 12.5 - $150\r\n5th Big Sexy 12 - $50\r\n6th Sam Brummer, 11\r\n7th Mitch Gillen, 10\r\n8th Rikki Olsen, 9.5\r\n9th Mary Bowers, 5\r\n10th Joe Smith-Cunnien and Dave Senst, eating 2.5 each.\r\n\r\nAbout Zombie Pub Crawl!\r\nThe Zombie Pub Crawl is an annual occurrence in Minneapolis during which thousands of people pretend to be dead and wander the streets, boozing and dancing and carousing and having the time of their lives. Which is kind of ironic when you think about it, considering everyone’s dead. It’s like a cross between Mardi Gras and a George Romero movie. It began with 150 zombies in Minneapolis in 2005 and has grown every year since, as any good zombie mob does. There are many copycat events around the world, but this is the original. In 2012 Guinness recognized the ZPC as the “World’s Largest Gathering of Zombies.”"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40fe","sn":916,"title":"Bob Shoudt Takes Ben's Chili Title In Overtime Eat-Off!","createdAt":"2013-10-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"After equalling the current world chili eating record of two gallons of Ben's Chili Bowl chili in six minutes*, two of MLE's greatest athletes squared off for an overtime eat-off: One bowl, first to finish, for all the marbles. Well, more marbles. At the end of regulation, Tim \"Eater X\" Janus, last year's winner, and \"The Notorious BOB\" Bob Shoudt stood tied at two gallons each. As the results were announced, the crowd knew what they were in for: An eat-off, the white whale of MLE events, so rare and so special that men and women have gone mad in search for it. \r\n\r\nThe 3rd Annual Ben’s Chili Bowl’s World Chili Eating Championship at The Taste of DC was on the line. And this eat-off was special. The rules were clear. One bowl—32oz, or one-quarter gallon—first to finish and first to clear. Bob beat X by a mouthful and cleared fast: The win was his. The Notorious BOB was very happy about this. Validation was his. So was $1,750 and a travel package prize courtesy of Apple Vacations valued at $7,500. And a cool trophy. And the adoration of the Taste of DC crowd, one of the most intelligent and good-looking crowds, frankly, on the MLE calendar. Single people, come to this event and find the one. \r\n\r\nTwo ladies—Ms Miki Sudo and Ms Sonya Thomas—rounded out the podium. Earlier in the day, Mr Ronnie Hartman took the military round of the 3rd Annual Ben’s Chili Bowl’s World Chili Eating Championship at The Taste of DC by eating half a gallon of chili one minute and 34 seconds. He ate to represent the army, alongside comrades in arms from all branches of our nation's armed services.\r\n\r\nBen's Chili Bowl recently celebrated its 55th anniversary. Major League Eating would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mrs Virginia Ali and the entire Ali family and Ben's team for their success. Their U Street eatery is the number-one attraction in the nation's capital, making that city's many museums and landmark buildings appear lame by comparison. Also, have you ever tried the food at the Smithsonian? Ain't no Ben's. \r\n\r\n* This would be the fifth time in three years that MLE eaters have hit, but not bested, the 2 gallon-mark in six minutes. The Brown Ceiling, as it is known in competitive eating circles, remains unbroken, for now.\r\n\r\nThis contest took place at 3pm Eastern, on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at the Taste of DC Culinary Stage, Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC!\r\n\r\nTOTAL PRIZE PURSE: $3,000!\r\n1st - BOB Shoudt, 2 gallons in 6 mins, plus OT win\r\n2nd - Eater X, 2 gallons\r\n3rd - Miki Sudo, 1.687 gallons\r\n4th - Sonya Thomas, 1.437 gallons\r\n5th - Juliet Lee, 1.187 gallons\r\n6th - Badlands Booker 1 gallon\r\n7th - Micah Collins 0.812 gallons\r\n8th - Yasir Salem and Big Brian Subich 0.75 gallons\r\n10th - Wild Bill Myers 0.625 gallons\r\n11th - Aaron 0.437 gallons\r\n12th - Crazy Legs Conti, 0.375 gallons\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40f9","sn":914,"title":"Stonie Yougurtland Champ, Wild Bill in 2nd","createdAt":"2013-09-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Phantom Gourmet Food Fest welcomed eating fans to the first ever Yogurtland Frozen Yogurt eating Contest at Boston's Fenway Park today. After six minutes it was Matt Stonie who lifted the Green With Envy Championship Spoon. He ate 10.5 lbs of frozen yogurt for the win. Wild Bill edges out a just off hiatus Wing Kong. Bill ate 8 lbs, Kong ate 7 lbs and 15 ounces. In fourth was Just Do It Pruitt, Boston Strong. \r\n\r\nMore results after the jump. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40fb","sn":913,"title":"FEMALE EATERS SWEEP BUFFALO WING-EATING BATTLE!","createdAt":"2013-09-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Call it ladies' nite in Buffalo. \r\n\r\nFor the first time in the history of the sport, women have swept a major in the competitive eating circuit, winning first, second and third places on Sunday at the annual Labor Day Weekend wing-eating championship at the National Buffalo Wing Festival in Buffalo, NY.\r\n\r\nMiki Sudo won the event with 178 wings in 12 minutes, leading a sweep of field by the three female eaters competing. Newcomer Michelle Lesco placed second with 158 wings and former champion Sonya Thomas placed third with 141.\r\n\r\nSudo beat world champion Joey Chestnut on Saturday, August 31 in the Buffet Bowl, a first-to-finish contest headlined by a deep field of Major League Eaters. Chestnut was a last-minute scratch for Sunday’s wing-battle, and his reasons for missing the contest are not yet known. \r\n\r\nAt stake over the weekend were two championship titles and a total of $4,300 in cash prizes. Both events were held at the 12th annual festival at Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, NY. The events had one of the best fields of this year’s competitive eating circuit, including Eric “Badlands” Booker, Yasir Salem, and the legendary Crazy Legs Conti.\r\n\r\n“Women are showing their strength and skill by leading in all sectors of our culture, from business and academics to athletics – it is no surprise to me that for the first time ever, women have swept a major on the eating circuit,” said Drew Cerza. “It is another Buffalo first.”\r\n\r\nThe U.S. Buffalo Wing-Eating Championship is a 12-minute contest to see who can consume the wing meat off the bone. A debris-food, the wings are weighed before and after the contest. Competitors in the Buffet Bowl race to finish a five-pound bowl of food that features various staples of Buffalo cuisine. Buffet Bowl items included Buffalo-style chicken fingers, beef on weck and Buffalo pizza.\r\n\r\nAt last year’s National Buffalo Wing Festival more than 500,000 wings were served to 71,000 attendees. Throughout the festival’s history, more than 575,000 visitors have consumed 3 million wings. The annual event has raised more than $200,000 for Western New York charities. For more information on the National Buffalo Wing Festival, visit www.buffalowing.com"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40f8","sn":912,"title":"Joey Wins Hooters Finals","createdAt":"2013-07-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"So much speculation. Capacity this, debris food that. Current princes and future kings. Lots has happened this week, but Joey Chestnut proved he's still the king. The current king. And The king eats at the most venerable of venerable wing spots, The King Eats at Hooters! Noble effort by the great Miki and all others!\r\n\r\nHere are you @Hooters World Wing Eating Championship results! \r\n\r\n1 Joey Chestnut 179\r\n2 Miki Sudo 155\r\n3 Adrian Morgan 149\r\n4 Michelle Lesco 131\r\n5 Sonya Thomas 128\r\n6 Sean Gordon 113\r\n7 Marcos Owens 109\r\n8 Juliet Lee 108\r\n9 Brian Subich 85\r\n10 Erik The Red 82\r\n11 Badlands Booker 78\r\n11 Damien Boykin 78\r\n13 Bam Martinez 72\r\n14 Jon Bello 68\r\n15 Neil Sebree 60\r\n16 Alex Perez 49\r\n\r\nGreat night, great circuit! Now, in the immortal words of Jimmy Serrano, \"relax, have a cream soda.\"\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40fa","sn":911,"title":"Hooters World Wing Eating Championship Finals Field Set!","createdAt":"2013-07-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"International tastemakers and influencers will shift their attention from London to Clearwater as the world's top eaters gather in Florida—along with Miss Hooters International 2013, Marissa Raisor—for a stand-out date on the MLE calendar. \r\n\r\nThe 2013 Hooters World Wing Eating Championship will take place at the spiritual home of international wing-eating—at the Original Hooters, at 2800 Gulf to Bay Blvd, Clearwater, FL—this Thursday, July 25th, at 7pm. \r\n\r\nHere are the 16 hotly anticipated contestants, along with their 2013 Hooters World Wing Eating Championship Qualifying Wing Totals. (AKA, HWWECQWT.) A $12,500 prize purse is on the line, but more importantly the winner will earn the right to call herself or himself the Hooters World Wing Eating Champion, if only for the next 12 months. \r\n\r\nThey are:\r\n\r\nJoey \"Jaws\" Chestnut, 144 (Returning champion; 2012 Finals total)\r\nMiki Sudo, 192\r\nAdrian \"The Rabbit\" Morgan, 176\r\nMichelle \"Cardboard Shell\" Lesco, 152\r\nMarcos \"The Monster\" Owens, 144\r\nSonya \"the Black Widow\" Thomas, 140\r\nNeil \"Snack Galafaniakis\" Sebree, 128\r\n\"The Lovely\" Juliet Lee, 128\r\nJon \"Porta\" Bello, 125\r\n\"Big\" Brian Subich, 120\r\nErik \"The Red\" Denmark, 115\r\nAlex \"the Moose\" Perez, 112\r\nEric \"Badlands\" Booker, 104\r\nBam Martinez, 96\r\nSean \"Flash\" Gordon, 94\r\nDamien \"The\" Boykin, 88\r\n\r\nThe stakes are higher than ever before, as reigning wing-eating champ Joey Chestnut will attempt to defend his title against two female competitive eating sensations—Miki Sudo and Michelle Lesco—both of whom have bested Chestnut in sanctioned competition this year. \r\n\r\nHooters will crown the Hooters Worldwide Wing-Eating Champion as part of a weekend celebration in advance of National Chicken Wing Day on Monday, July 29. In honor of the holiday, Hooters locations across the country will offer an all-you-can-eat chicken wing deal to challenge wing-eating enthusiasts across the country to collectively consume one million chicken wings in one day. \r\n\r\nThis contest will take place at The Original Hooters, 2800 Gulf to Bay Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33759, at 7pm.\r\n\r\nAttendance is free and open to the public.\r\n\r\nCLICK HERE for more information on The Original Hooters location."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40f7","sn":910,"title":"Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Contest New Video And Final Results","createdAt":"2013-07-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"CLICK HERE for must-see video of the 2013 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Championship\r\n\r\nMen's Results\r\n\r\n1. Joey Chestnut 69, new World Record\r\n2. Matthew Stonie 51\r\n3. Tim \"Eater X\" Janus 50\r\n4. Bob Shoudt 39.75\r\n5. Adrian Morgan 38\r\n6. Aaron Osthoff 31 \r\n6. Jeff Butler 31\r\n8. Yasir Salem 30\r\n9. Marcos Owens 29\r\n10. Erik Denmark 28\r\n11. Pablo Martinez 27\r\n12. Juan Rodriguez 26\r\n13. Pete Davekos 25\r\n14. Ronnie Hartman 22\r\n15. Badlands Booker 21 \r\n16. Christos Kyriazis 9\r\n\r\nWomen's Results\r\n\r\n1. Sonya Thomas 36.75\r\n2. Juliet Lee 36\r\n3. Michelle Lesco 27.5\r\n4. Meredith Boxburger 26\r\n5. Larell Marie Mele 21\r\n6. Neslie Ricasa 14\r\n7. Mary Bowers 10\r\n8. Laura Riehman 6.5\r\n8. Prudence Di Benedetto 6.5"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40f3","sn":908,"title":"FINAL FIELDS FOR NATHAN'S FOURTH OF JULY CONTEST","createdAt":"2013-07-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Men's Field\r\n\r\nJoey “Jaws” Chestnut, #1\r\nTim “Eater X” Janus, #2\r\nMatt “The Megatoad” Stonie, #4\r\nAdrian “The Rabbit” Morgan, #6\r\nBob “The Notorious B.O.B.” Shoudt, #5\r\nJeff “The Beast Man” Butler, #16\r\nAaron “The A-Train” Osthoff, #8\r\nMarcos Owens, #28\r\nEric “The Red” Denmark, #11\r\nPablo Martinez, #21\r\nEric “Badlands” Booker, #12\r\nJuan “More Bite” Rodriguez, #20\r\nYasir Salem, #19\r\nPete “Pretty Boy” Davekos, #13\r\nChristos “Hot Dog Hercules” Kyriazis, Canadian Representative\r\nRonnie Hartman, Military Appreciation Contestant\r\n\r\nWomen's Field\r\n\r\nSonya “The Black Widow” Thomas , #3\r\n“The Lovely” Juliet Lee , #9\r\nMichelle \"Cardboard Shell\" Lesco, #14\r\nMeredith “Deep Fried Diva” Boxberger, #25\r\n“The Real Deal” Larell Marie Mele , #27\r\nMary Bowers, #43\r\nNeslie Ricasa\r\nLaura “Lucky Bones” Riehman \r\nPrudence DiBenedetto\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40f6","sn":909,"title":"Coney Island Astrotower Removal Will Not Affect Nathan's Famous Contest","createdAt":"2013-07-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"CONEY ISLAND: The demolition of the historic Coney Island Astrotower will not affect the 98th Annual Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest. The contest will proceed as planned, with the stage show starting at 10.30am, at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Brooklyn, NY. \r\n\r\nNathan’s July 4th Event Information:\r\n\r\nThe greatest competitive eaters on earth will gather on the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island on Thursday, July 4, 2013 to compete in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest, an event that has been held each year since 1916, according to the archives.\r\n\r\nLast year, Joey Chestnut—the number-one-ranked eater in the world—tied his own world record by consuming 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes in front of a crowd of 40,000 fans. While in the women’s competition, Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas set a new world record by consuming 45 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.\r\n\r\nThe contest is free and open to the public. Pre-show festivities will start at 10:30AM and will feature varied entertainment including the Brooklyn Community Choir, the Ken Gross Orchestra, the Skyriders, a rap performance by Eric “Badlands” Booker, a drum battle to the death, magic acts and more. \r\n\r\nThose fans planning to attend the contest will want to arrive early. The event will also be broadcast live on ESPN2.\r\n\r\nFor those on mass transit, take the subway—D, F, Q, N—to the final stop, Stillwell Avenue. You will not be able to miss it from there. Those driving will want to take the Belt Parkway to Exit 6, Cropsey Avenue, and head south toward the water until you hit Surf Avenue. Take a left and you will see Nathan’s on the right at Stillwell Avenue.\r\n\r\nOther attractions in Coney Island include the Cyclone, Deno’s Wonder Wheel and Luna Park, and Ruby’s Bar.\r\n\r\nWHERE:\tNathan’s Famous Restaurant\r\n\t\t1310 Surf Avenue (corner of Stillwell)\r\n\t\tConey Island, Brooklyn\r\n\r\nWHEN:\tJuly 4, 2013 from 10:30AM to 1PM"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda401a","sn":907,"title":"NATHAN'S JULY 4th ESPN.COM LIVE BROADCAST DETAILS AND LINKS","createdAt":"2013-07-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The greatest competitive eaters on earth will gather on the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island on Thursday, July 4, 2013 to compete in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest, an event that has been held each year since 1916, according to the archives.\r\n\r\nHere's how and when to watch the action on ESPN:\r\n\r\n11:25 AM - ESPN3, Thu July 4th, 2013 - WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP LIVE EVENT LINK\r\n\r\n12:00 PM ET, Thu July 4th, 2013 ESPN2 & WatchESPN - MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP LIVE EVENT LINK"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40f5","sn":906,"title":"THE NATHAN'S FAMOUS FOURTH OF JULY CONTEST INFO!","createdAt":"2013-06-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Nathan’s July 4th Event Information:\r\n\r\nThe greatest competitive eaters on earth will gather on the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island on Thursday, July 4, 2013 to compete in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest, an event that has been held each year since 1916, according to the archives.\r\n\r\nLast year, Joey Chestnut—the number-one-ranked eater in the world—tied his own world record by consuming 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes in front of a crowd of 40,000 fans. While in the women’s competition, Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas set a new world record by consuming 45 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.\r\n\r\nThe contest is free and open to the public. Pre-show festivities will start at 10:30AM and will feature varied entertainment including the Brooklyn Community Choir, the Ken Gross Orchestra, the Skyriders, a rap performance by Eric “Badlands” Booker, a drum battle to the death, magic acts and more. \r\n\r\nThose fans planning to attend the contest will want to arrive early. The event will also be broadcast live on ESPN2.\r\n\r\nFor those on mass transit, take the subway—D, F, Q, N—to the final stop, Stillwell Avenue. You will not be able to miss it from there. Those driving will want to take the Belt Parkway to Exit 6, Cropsey Avenue, and head south toward the water until you hit Surf Avenue. Take a left and you will see Nathan’s on the right at Stillwell Avenue.\r\n\r\nOther attractions in Coney Island include the Cyclone, Deno’s Wonder Wheel and Luna Park, and Ruby’s Bar.\r\n\r\nWHERE:\tNathan’s Famous Restaurant\r\n\t\t1310 Surf Avenue (corner of Stillwell)\r\n\t\tConey Island, Brooklyn\r\n\r\nWHEN:\tJuly 4, 2013 from 10:30AM to 1PM\r\n\r\nNOTE TO MEDIA\r\n\r\nESPN\r\n\r\nJuly 2, 2013\r\n\r\nRe: Advance Notice of Potential Infringement\r\n\r\nPursuant to Title 17 U.S.C. 411(b), this will serve as notice to you that ESPN, Inc. (“ESPN”) has the exclusive right to exhibit the 2013 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest (the “Contest”) throughout the universe. Live coverage from Coney Island, New York on Thursday, July 4, 2013 will commence with the Women’s Championship on ESPN3 at 11:30 a.m. (EDT) and the Men’s Championship will be telecast on ESPN2 from 12-1p.m. (EDT). \r\n\r\nESPN is the author of the telecast of the 2013 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest and intends to secure the copyright. \r\n\r\nLive television coverage of the Hot Dog Eating Contest by any entity other than ESPN is prohibited. The following rules apply to television coverage, as well as the Internet and other broadcast platforms and media.\r\n\r\nNo portion of the Contest can be televised, even if coverage is supplied to you by other broadcasters, cablecasters or news services, until the completion of each respective game on a given day. \r\n\r\nNo use of any portion of the Contest may be used until after the conclusion of our live television coverage of the event at approximately 1 p.m. (EDT). Only after the conclusion of our telecast, you may, for news purposes only, televise excerpts of our coverage, to a maximum of two (2) minutes of highlights, in the aggregate. Such uses are limited to regularly-scheduled bona fide hard news and multi-sports television news programs only and to the first 48 hours after conclusion of the applicable match. Excerpts can only include highlight footage of competition, no interviews, features or audio material, and must be recorded off-air. You must provide appropriate video courtesy credit to “ESPN” in any program using excerpts of our coverage. \r\n\r\nNational and local news media may air up to two (2) minutes of footage in regularly scheduled news programming after ESPN concludes its live telecast, which is expected to be at 1:00 p.m. (EDT). \r\n\r\nThis letter is to advise you, and to request that you notify your affiliates and other related companies, that to copy and/or perform the 2013 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest exhibited by ESPN, other than as allowed hereby, or to exploit ESPN’s exhibition of the Contest, without ESPN’s express written authorization, may subject you or them, respectively, to liability for copyright infringement of ESPN’s rights in the Contest. If you or your affiliates or other related companies wish to exhibit or cause the exhibition of an excerpt of the 2013 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, please contact me with your request.\r\n\r\nESPN hereby reserves all of its rights and remedies at law and in equity in the event of any violation of its rights.\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSincerely,\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLouise Argianas \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDirector – Rights & Clearances\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLouise.S.Argianas@abc.com\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t(212) 456-2997\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40f1","sn":904,"title":"The Megatoad Earns First Career Win Over Chestnut In Stockton!","createdAt":"2013-05-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Stonie downs Chestnut in the Deep-fried Asparagus discipline. World in shock.\r\n\r\nAli/Frazier. Burr/Hamilton. Aiken/Studdard. Add Megatoad/Jaws to the list of duels that are forever etched into the minds of Americans. And let it be known that on this day—Saturday April 27th, 2013—that Matthew \"The Megatoad\" Stonie landed the knockout, earning his first-ever victory over the World #1 Joey \"Jaws\" Chestnut. The Megatoad ate 9.5 lbs of deep-fried San Joaquin Valley asparagus to Joey's 8 lbs. The Great One was widely viewed by those present to have been \"gracious in defeat,\" and that he \"was very cool about it.\"\r\n\r\nWhatever. Those who know Chestnut, those who have peered into his black eyes before a contest, those who have witnessed him achieve greatness at the table, know this loss cuts deeply. Stockton Asparagus is the event that made Chestnut a household name; the event at which he earned his first career Championship; the event he calls home. That \"that Stonie kid\" would come into him domain and take what is his amid his flock, well, that's fighting talk.\r\n\r\nNone could argue with the Megatoad's supremacy on the day. He ate with his trademark cleanliness and speed and lead throughout according to onlookers. In third-place was standout MLE new-comer, Miki Sudo, who finished only half a pound behind Chestnut with a haul of 7.5 lbs on debut at this event. Ms Sudo has the undivided attention of the eating community in the leadup to this year's July 4th Nathan's Famous event. \r\n\r\nBut the day belonged to Stonie. He picked up a weighty, smooth stone. He laid it gently in his slingshot. He took aim. And he fired.\r\n\r\nHistory means nothing to a young heart. It's little more than a crutch on which old men lean for comfort while they fill the air and remaining days with tales of what they did and did not. \r\n\r\nIt was a bad day to be Goliath. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40fc","sn":905,"title":"MLE Investigating Switch To Metric Measurements","createdAt":"2013-05-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating, the world body that governs all stomach-centric sports, is in the exploratory phase of converting all existing records to the metric system and conducting future MLE events under the metric system. The move is the direct result of intense pressure from the international scientific community, notably the AAFIMA (American Association For Immediate Metric Adoption) for MLE to use the international standard moving forward. \r\n\r\nTo date, only Myanmar, Liberia and the United States have not adopted the metric system as their official system of weights and measures. The International SI System of Units—abbreviated SI from the French Le Système international d'unités—is the modern form of the metric system. It is widely used across the sciences in the United States at this time. \r\n\r\n\"Those who suggest MLE fears European encroachment are mistaken,\" said MLE emcee Sam Barclay, an Australian native who is versed in both metric and imperial measurements. \"We embrace the world. Our eaters routinely use international words in their day-to-day life, including ‘croutons’ and ‘frappé,’ which are French, and ‘babaghanoush,’ which is Middle Eastern.\"\r\n\r\nOn December 23, 1975, President Ford signed the Metric Conversion Act, which stated that the metric system was \"the preferred system of weights and measures for United States trade and commerce.\" Public opposition to the process of converting to the metric system was overwhelming. The Reagan administration repealed the act in 1982.\r\n\r\n\"The key issue may well be one of common understanding,\" Barclay said, \"Everybody knows that Bob Shoudt (World #6, Royerford, PA) ate 312 fluid ounces of salmon chowder in sanctioned MLE competition on the 3rd of December, 2009, but how many people know he ate 9.226 liters? And, frankly, is that as impressive?\"\r\n\r\nThis exploratory phase is underway and ongoing. Until further notice, eaters at the Hooters World Wing Eating Championship qualifier to be held on May 11 in Farmersville, TX, will each start with 20 lbs of Hooters chicken wings, not 9.017 kilograms of Hooters chicken wings. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40f4","sn":903,"title":"NATHAN’S FAMOUS ANNOUNCES 2013 QUALIFYING CIRCUIT FOR JULY FOURTH INTERNATIONAL HOT DOG-EATING CHAMPIONSHIP","createdAt":"2013-03-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey “Jaws” Chestnut Seeks to Set New World Record\r\n\r\nNathan’s Famous, Inc. has unveiled the official list of 12 cities to hold hot dog-eating contests to qualify the champions who will compete in the 98th annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest. The Nathan’s Famous qualifying tour is conducted each year in cities across the U.S. and beyond. \r\n\r\nFor the first time ever, Nathan’s Famous will launch the 2013 tour with a qualifying event on Saturday, March 23, at 1 p.m., at its Coney Island boardwalk restaurant as part of opening-weekend celebrations for Coney Island. The original Nathan’s in Coney Island will be open and ready to go for the 2013 summer season despite the enormous damage it suffered from Hurricane Sandy last year.\r\n\r\nQualifying events also will occur at Nathan’s Famous retail locations, state festivals, city centers and Major League ballparks. Host cities of the 2013 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit include Brooklyn, NY; Las Vegas, NV; Boston, MA; Naples, FL; St. Paul, MN; Queens, NY, Miami, FL; Atlanta, GA; Pittsburgh, PA; Savannah, GA; Calgary, Alberta; and at New Jersey State Fair at Meadowlands.\r\n\r\nThe top male and top female finishers from each qualifier will earn a trip to compete at the ESPN televised finals at the original Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island on July Fourth. This year’s ESPN show will air on July 4th at 1PM Eastern.\r\n\r\n“The annual qualifying circuit enables us to bring a genuine taste of Coney Island to cities near and far, and I am especially pleased we’ll be hosting our first qualifying event on the boardwalk at Coney Island,” said Wayne Norbitz, President and COO of Nathan’s Famous, Inc. “There is no better way to show our commitment to Coney Island and all its businesses, residents and fans than to kick off the summer season with a great event on the boardwalk,”\r\n\r\nIn recent years, an estimated 40,000 fans have made the pilgrimage to the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island to watch the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog-Eating Contest in person. The ESPN telecast of the event drew an audience of over 1 million viewers in 2012. It is anticipated that Nathan’s Famous will make a donation of 100,000 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs to the Food Bank for New York City, as it does each year.\r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut of San Jose, CA, holds the world record for eating 68 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes, and he will seek his seventh straight title this year – a world record. Sonya Thomas of Alexandria, VA, will defend her title as Female Champion. She consumed 45 Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes last year, setting a new women’s world record. \r\n\r\nAccording to archives, the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event. \r\n\r\nThose interested in competing in a Nathan’s Famous qualifier should visit www.nathansfamous.com to obtain information and register. All competitors must be over 18 years of age. \r\n\r\nOfficial Listing Of The 2013 Nathan’s Famous Qualifiers\r\n\r\nMarch 23: Coney Island, NY (Coney Island Boardwalk at Stillwell Ave)\r\nApril 6: Savannah, GA (Drayton Street at East Bay Street)\r\nApril 13: Miami, FL (Kmart at 3825 7th St NW)\r\nApril 20: Las Vegas, NV (New York, New York Hotel and Casino)\r\nMay 4: Naples, FL (Mercato’s Outdoor Lawn)\r\nJune 2: St. Paul, MN (Dixie’s Stage at 695 Grand Ave)\r\nJune 8: Calgary, Alberta (Cross Iron Mills Mall)\r\nJune 12: Pittsburgh, PA (Market Square at Market Street and Forbes Avenue)\r\nJune 15: Atlanta, GA (Cypress Pint & Plate)\r\nJune 22: Boston, MA (Phantom Gourmet BBQ Beach Party www.bbq.phantomgourmet.com/)\r\nJune 29: Queens, NY (Plaza at Citi Field)\r\nJune 29: East Rutherford, NJ (Meadowlands)\r\n\r\nAbout Nathan’s Famous\r\nNathan’s products are currently distributed in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and six foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. The Nathan’s restaurant system currently consists of 302 units, comprised of 297 franchised units and five company-owned units (including one seasonal unit). Additionally, Nathan’s Famous hot dogs are sold in over 25,000 retail and foodservice locations. Last year, in total, over 430 million Nathan’s hot dogs were sold. For additional information about Nathan’s please visit our website www.nathansfamous.com.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40f0","sn":902,"title":"HOOTERS WORLD WING-EATING CHAMPIONSHIP KICKS OFF IN PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL","createdAt":"2013-03-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"World’s best wing eaters compete for dominance!\r\n\r\nMarch 12, 2013 (ATLANTA, GA) Hooters of America, LLC, today announced the kick-off of its second annual Hooters World Wing-Eating Championship. The national circuit of wing-eating contest will consist of five qualifying events in cities throughout the U.S., kicking off in Panama City Beach, Fla., on Saturday, March 30, at 3 p.m., . The competition will culminate with a grand finale at the original Hooters of Clearwater, Fla., on Thursday, July 25, as part of a weekend celebration of National Chicken Wing Day. \r\n\r\nChicken wing eating is among the most demanding disciplines in the world. Hooters has elevated the competition through its wing-eating circuit, which attracts top amateur and professional eaters alike. Last year, undisputed world champion eater Joey Chestnut defeated long-time nemesis, Sonya Thomas, a 100-pound eating phenom, to earn the title Hooters World Wing-Eating Champion.\r\n\r\n“The Hooters World Wing-Eating Championship pits the greatest eaters in the world against our delicious, world-famous Hooters wings,” said Dave Henninger, chief marketing officer, Hooters of America. “We are proud to once again host this coast-to-coast tour that gives Hooters wing-lovers the opportunity to test their skills against Major League Eating superstars like reigning champion Joey Chestnut and Sonya Thomas.”\r\n\r\nThe 2013 Hooters World Wing-Eating World Championship’s first official tour stop will take place on March 30 in Panama City, Fla. A total of 12 eaters, both professional and amateur, will line up behind the competition table for the 10-minute, all-you-can-eat contest. \r\n\r\nIn addition to Panama City, Hooters will hold wing-eating contests in Augusta, Ga., on April 11; Terrell, Texas, on May 11 and Las Vegas, Nev., on June 26. An additional city will be named at a later date and the championship event will take place in Clearwater, Fla., on July 25.\r\n\r\n“Hooters is home to the world’s most delicious chicken wings,” said George Shea, Chairman of Major League Eating. “While each contest will feature Major League Eaters, this tour will once again help us find hidden wing-eating talent. We are searching for a yet-to-be-discovered champion athlete, a born eater with an intuitive understanding of the wing who can test Chestnut’s dominance in the sport.”\r\n\r\nMajor League Eating will register competitors at www.IFOCE.com. All competitors must be at least 21 years old. \r\n\r\nAbout Major League Eating\r\nMajor League Eating (MLE), the world governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 80 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y. and the CP Foods Biggest Eater Championship in Bangkok, Thailand. The competitive eating community is made up of more than 8,000 veteran and rookie gurgitators who travel the world in search of top titles and the glory that they provide. For more information, visit www.IFOCE.com, www.facebook.com/eatfast or twitter @eatingcontest.\r\n\r\nAbout Hooters of America, LLC\r\nHooters of America, LLC is the franchisor and operator of more than 412 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 27 foreign countries. The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida. Everyone is liberated from the ordinary at Hooters while enjoying great food, fun and uniquely-Hooters service from the iconic Hooters Girls. For more information about Hooters visit www.Hooters.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/Hooters or www.Facebook.com/Hooters. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40ef","sn":901,"title":"NATHAN’S FAMOUS KICKS OFF 2013 CIRCUIT ON BOARDWALK TO CELEBRATE OPENING OF CONEY ISLAND!","createdAt":"2013-03-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"NATHAN’S FAMOUS KICKS OFF 2013 HOT DOG-EATING CIRCUIT ON BOARDWALK TO CELEBRATE OPENING OF CONEY ISLAND\r\n\r\nConey Island In Full Swing Despite Hurricane Sandy\r\n\r\nFor the first time ever, Nathan’s Famous will begin the national hot dog-eating qualifying circuit for the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest on the boardwalk of Coney Island, kicking off a nationwide tour before concluding back in Coney Island with the annual July 4 world championship.\r\n\r\nNathan’s Famous will launch the 2013 tour with a qualifying event on Saturday, March 23, at 1 p.m., at its boardwalk restaurant as part of opening-weekend celebrations for Coney Island. Coney Island will be open and ready to go in 2013 despite the enormous damage it suffered from Hurricane Sandy last year.\r\n\r\n“There is no better way to show our commitment to Coney Island and all its businesses, residents and fans than to kick off the summer season with a great event on the boardwalk,” said Wayne Norbitz, President and COO of Nathan’s Famous, Inc. “Our thoughts are with all those who continue to suffer from superstorm Sandy. Coney Island will be open for business and we are looking forward to a great summer season at America’s original amusement district—grab lunch at Nathan’s and enjoy the beach, the NY Aquarium, a Cyclones baseball game and a ride on the Wonder Wheel and the World Famous Cyclone.”\r\n\r\nThe male and female winner of the March 23 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, Coney Island Qualifier will receive a spot in the historic Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, an event that attracts some 40,000 fans and is broadcast on ESPN.\r\n\r\nHost cities of the 2013 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit include Las Vegas, NV; Boston, MA; Naples, FL; St. Paul, MN; Queens, NY, Miami, FL; Atlanta, GA; Pittsburgh, PA; Savannah, GA; Calgary, Alberta; and State Fair Meadowlands in East Rutherford, NJ. \r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut of San Jose, CA, holds the world record for eating 68 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes, and he will seek his seventh straight title this year. Sonya Thomas of Alexandria, VA, is expected to defend her title as female champion of the world. She consumed 45 Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes last year.\r\n\r\nAccording to archives, the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened his legendary hot dog stand. Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event. \r\n\r\nRegistration occurs at www.majorleagueeating.com, and all competitors must be 18 years or older. \r\n\r\nAbout Nathan’s Famous\r\nNathan’s products are currently distributed in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and six foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. The Nathan’s restaurant system currently consists of 308 units, comprised of 303 franchised units and five company-owned units (including two units temporarily closed due to Hurricane Sandy and one restaurant closed for redevelopment). For additional information about Nathan’s please visit www.nathansfamous.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40ee","sn":900,"title":"POSTPONED: Hooters World Wing Eating Championship, Metairie, LA","createdAt":"2013-01-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"THE HOOTERS WORLD WING EATING CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT IN METAIRIE, LA—ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, FEB 1, 2013—HAS BEEN POSTPONED\r\n\r\nNEW DETAILS SHALL BE FORTHCOMING!\r\n\r\nPlease be advised that the Hooters World Wing Eating Championship Qualifying Event in Metairie, LA, scheduled for February 1, 2013, has been postponed. New details of future events will be forthcoming.\r\n\r\nAbout Hooters\r\nHooters of America, LLC, is the franchisor and operator of over 430 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 27 foreign countries. The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida. Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly, world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls. \r\n\r\nCLICK HERE for more information on Hooters.\r\n\r\nBecome a fan of the Hooters Facebook Page\r\n\r\nFor news and updates on Hooters, follow @Hooters.\r\n\r\nWatch the Hooters YouTube Channel\r\n\r\nBecome a fan of the MLE Facebook Page\r\n\r\nFor instant results to all Major League Eating Contests, follow @eatingcontest"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40eb","sn":899,"title":"Yesterday in Competitive Eating History","createdAt":"2012-10-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Seven years ago yesterday:\r\n\r\nJAWS Shatters GoldenPalace.net Record \r\n10/22/2005\r\n\r\nCompetitive Eating phenom Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut continued his extraordinary 2005 by setting a new world record of 32.5 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes today at the GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship contest at the Arizona State Fair. Chestnut's momentus feat betters the previous record of 31, held by Eater X. Chestnut joins an elite field of gurgitators who have earned births in the GoldenPalace.net World Championship, including Sonya Thomas, Eater X, Badlands Booker, and Cookie Jarvis. \r\n\r\nA date and location for the GoldenPalace.net World Championship could be announced as early as this week. $20,000 in prize money will be on the line. \"Jaws Chestnut might have the greatest potential of any eater ever to come out of the American circuit,\" said IFOCE commissioner Charles Hardy, who flew out to Phoenix to witness the performance. \"He has all the makings of a true athletic superstar.\" Finishing second was Andy Dickman, while in third was John Riddle.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40ed","sn":898,"title":"The Poutine-Scented Brotherhood of Chestnut And Bertoletti","createdAt":"2012-10-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":" TWO MOUTHS. ONE HEART. A ROAD TRIP TO UNDERSTANDING\r\n\r\nThe history books shall record who ate what and who finished where in the drab gray of numbers. They will say that Joey Chestnut, world #1, ate 19 half-pound boxes of Smoke's Poutinerie Poutine to win the 3rd Annual Smoke's Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship. That Tim \"Eater X\" Janus and Bob \"The Notorious BOB\" Shoudt tied for second with 17. That Patrick Bertoletti—back-to-back winner in 2010 and 2011—came fourth. That others distinguished themselves with less brilliance.\r\n\r\nWhat the history books won't tell you about is the brotherhood. The pride. The love. \r\n\r\nPure love.\r\n\r\nSo before the ink dries and the book is closed on the Smoke's Poutinerie 3rd Annual World Poutine Eating Championship, let's inscribe into the Internet what really happened at Yonge-Dundas Square in downtown Toronto on October 13, 2012. The numbers, at least on this date, took a back seat to something far bigger. \r\n\r\nThursday's word from Chicago was cruel and succinct: Defending Champ Bertoletti would not be in Toronto to defend his World Poutine Eating title. A bicycle. Late night. Skidding tires. A broken knee. A full-leg cast. No flying, doctor's orders. \r\n\r\nFriday's word from San Jose was warm and insane: World #1 Joey Chestnut would fly from his west coast eating combat center to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, rent a van, pick up Patrick and drive him to Toronto. In Joey's words, a Champion has the right to defend his title. Patrick had to be there. QED.\r\n\r\nFather Time, ever the eater's enemy, laughed at the plot. A 0530 arrival into Chicago, a pick up, a cripple, a border crossing, a 1600 kickoff in a foreign city. With trams. And rain. But no jay-walking. No chance.\r\n\r\nThe duo made excellent time through the US, crossing the Detroit-Windsor border ahead of schedule. The information was relayed to contest organizers: We're going to make it. Believe in us. Canadian roads were less forgiving; Canadian motorists' predilection for obeying speed limits was not applied to the ETA math. \r\n\r\nPast Ingersoll. Past the Kitchener exit. Mississauga now in the rear view. The clock read 3.50pm. The signs read 29km. What's a kilometre, asked our American duo? Into Toronto. Straight to the venue. Car ditched into the hands of a God-sent valet attendant and a quick hobble onto the stage, the MLE emcee's introductions already well underway.\r\n\r\nAnd they ate. And they ate well. And the results are below if numbers still stir your heart. But what the crowd of thousands left Yonge-Dundas Square with on this date was bigger. Chestnut. Bertoletti. Ever the bitter rivals. Chestnut, tweets Bertoletti, is a bore. Bertoletti, says Chestnut to any and all media, lacks the mental edge to challenge him in sanctioned competition. Today, that mattered not. What mattered was that two MLE foes came together to do what is right: To compete when competition calls. \r\n\r\nThis was the hour when glory called the bravest by name. Chestnut and Bertoletti answered. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS!\r\n1st - Joey Chestnut, 19 half-pound boxes; $2,000, plus first-place trophy\r\n2nd - Eater X, 17 boxes; $900, plus second-place medal\r\n2nd - BOB, 17 boxes; $900, plus second-place medal\r\n4th - Patrick Bertoletti, 16.75 boxes; $600\r\n5th - Matthew Bonanno, 13.75 boxes; $400\r\n6th - Meredith Boxberger, 11.33 boxes; $200\r\n7th - Buffalo Jim, 11 boxes\r\n7th - Wing Kong, 11 boxes\r\n7th - Yasir Salem, 11 boxes\r\n7th - Ben Do, 11 boxes \r\n11th - Larell Marie Mele, 10.5 boxes \r\n12th - The Bear Kogutkiewicz, 7.25 boxes \r\n13th - Maria Edible, 7 boxes\r\n14th - Wild Bill, 5.75 boxes\r\n15th - Mary Bowers, 5 boxes"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40ec","sn":897,"title":"VICTORY CORNER: EATER X DOWNS JOEY, TALKS BEN’S CHILI BOWL","createdAt":"2012-10-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"They are calling it the greatest upset in the history of sports—Tim “Eater X” Janus downed Joey Chestnut, and two gallons of chili, in the Ben’s Chili Bowl’s World Chili Eating Championship. Eater X took first place, tied the world record, and rode a well-appointed bus home to New York City bathed in the glory that comes from victory. Upon his arrival, MLE was there with the tough questions for this installment of Victory Corner.\r\n\r\nTim \"Eater X\" Janus, the chattering classes are calling your win at the Ben's Chili Bowl's World Chili Eating Championship an upset. How do you see it? \r\nWas it an upset? Absolutely. But it wasn't unimaginable. Joey beats me 95 percent of the time, which is discouraging, and it’s something I'd like to change. But I know that I make him work for his victories, and occasionally I pull off a win. That said, I surprised myself a little bit on Sunday. I generally prefer the longer contests. I didn't expect to knock him off in a six-minute event.\r\n\r\nWhat is more satisfying: An MLE victory or defeating Chestnut, Joseph? \r\nI'd love to be out there winning contests, beating a bunch of schlubs every weekend. People say of rivals, \"Oh, but he brings out the best in you.\" Nonsense. I bring out the best in myself, generally. Would I prefer an easy victory? You bet, because I wouldn't have to worry about the contest beforehand. But when I win, it’s sweeter if I beat somebody great.\r\n\r\nOne week before this victory, Joey smashed your Tamales-eating World Record in Lewisville, TX. Was revenge a motivator? Did you eat with a blackened heart, Eater X? \r\nI never had revenge on my mind because Joey's a honest competitor. The result was fair and correct; I hadn't been cheated. But I was really disappointed with my effort in Lewisville. I really botched that event, and I've been wishing I could do it over. So when I showed up to the Ben’s Chili Bowl’s World Chili Championships on Sunday, I had it well positioned in my mind that I didn't want to regret my effort a second weekend in a row. I was well-focused in large part because I'd let myself down in Dallas.\r\n\r\nEater X, if this victory could talk, what would it say? \r\nI wish victory would say, \"I'm never leaving your side,\" because I've tasted defeat many times in life. There's no risk that I'll become jaded or insufferable if I go undefeated from here on out in life. To the contrary, I think going undefeated starting right now would make me a better man and a real pleasure to be around always.\r\n\r\nWhat were your keys to victory in the Ben's Chili Bowl discipline? \r\nMy key to victory is secret because I want it to be the key to victory next year too. \r\n\r\nCagey. Eater X, last year you finished second, but ate with no face paint. This year, you ate with face paint and finished first. Care to comment? \r\nI've questioned how the face paint affects my eating. Sometimes I think it holds me back because it can be uncomfortable and because some of my best days have come when I haven't put it on. But then something like Sunday happens, and I can't ignore that the face paint was a part of it.\r\n\r\nHow did you celebrate this victory, Eater X? \r\nI rode a very nice bus back to New York—free wifi, armrests, fake leather seats included. I like the fake leather a lot more than the fuzzy fabrics. It feels and looks cleaner. Of those three main features—the fake leather, the armrests, and the wifi—the fake leather was the best.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40f2","sn":896,"title":"MLE Reacts to Bacon Shortage","createdAt":"2012-09-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating, the world body that governs all stomach-centric sports, has indefinitely suspended all bacon-eating contests in reaction to an expected global pork shortage in 2013.\r\n\r\nThe United Kingdom’s National Pig Association has reported that feed costs and global drought has negatively impacted the European Union’s pig heard. At the same time, pig farmers the United States are reducing herds to cut the cost of feeding them – also a result of drought.\r\n\r\nMajor League Eating -- which counts among its members the number-one-ranked eater in the world, Joey Chestnut, and other top eaters including Sonya Thomas and Eater X, Tim Janus – said that it will actively dissuade its eaters from consuming bacon.\r\n\r\n“We cannot, in good conscience, allow Joey Chestnut to eat bacon during a global pork shortage,” said MLE President Richard Shea. “We estimate that Joey alone could eat 20 pounds of bacon in 10 minutes of competition.”\r\n\r\nShea said that Major League Eating has asked Joey Chestnut and all professional eaters to consider bacon alternatives for use in the home during the next year. The only exception to the new MLE ban on bacon-eating contests would be a bacon-wrapped-scallop-eating contest, according to Shea, who explained that bacon-wrapped scallops are “just really delicious,” and “mostly scallop anyway.”\r\n\r\nMajor League Eating sanctions some 80 different events each year, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog-Eating Contest and the Hooters World Chicken Wing Championship. Joey Chestnut holds the world record of 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes while the 100-pound female eating phenom Sonya Thomas has eaten 45.\r\n\r\nAt this juncture there is no pancake shortage, and top-ranked Major League Eaters will converge in Louisville for the Wild Eggs National Pancake Eating Championship on Saturday, September 29, 2012. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40e5","sn":895,"title":"Tenth Annual Cannoli Contest in NYC","createdAt":"2012-09-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"There will be a classic Cannoli Contest celebrating the Festa Di San Gennaro in Little Italy, NYC on Thursday, September 13 at 2pm. This is a contest that has launched many MLE careers. It is epic. It is Italia. It is down home. It is Booker. It is Akwa. It is DKNY. It is an event with no prize. Unless you consider Worldwide Celebrity and Acclaim to be of worth. If you do, then sign up.\r\n\r\nWill post on Monday sometime. Keep an eye out.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40ea","sn":894,"title":"CHESTNUT SETS NEW WORLD DAY-LEE FOODS GYOZA EATING RECORD!","createdAt":"2012-08-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"JOEY \"JAWS\" CHESTNUT SETS NEW WORLD RECORD AT THE 6TH ANNUAL DAY-LEE FOODS WORLD GYOZA EATING CHAMPIONSHIP!\r\n\r\nWhen the clock read 0:00, there was one man whose honor appeared unbruised. That man was Joey \"Jaws\" Chestnut and the official results would explain why: 266 Day-Lee Foods gyoza eaten in 10 minutes. A new world record—and another scalp for the greatest eater who has ever lived!\r\n\r\nChestnut forged ahead from minute three and never looked back, his mind and body recalling countless victories from his long and lustrous eating career. As the minutes passed, the gyoza disappeared in a cascading rain of pure capacity-eating brilliance. \r\n\r\nThe race for second, however, was a much closer affair. Last year's winner—and world-record holder heading into today's contest—Patrick \"Deep Dish\" Bertoletti finished behind Matt \"The Megatoad\" Stonie, 234 to 233. One gyoza. An eternity of distance. The judge's two-gyoza deduction for debris cost Bertoletti at the end; in post-contest comments, Bertoletti deemed the deductions \"fair.\" Stonie commented that he would forever eat clean at the MLE table, lest he suffer a similar fate to the one that befell Bertoletti today. Stonie took to social media platforms following the contest to thank the Gyoza Gods for his performance. And well he should have.\r\n\r\nBrave performances filled out the money positions, with Juan \"More Bite\" Rodriguez's sixth-place finish noted by eating community insiders. He is, they say, one to watch. \r\n\r\nBefore the contest, and in accordance with Nisei Week tradition, an auction was held to determine the final available position at the table. The winner was Australian flight attendant Crescenzo Rillo, a gentleman who had cut his teeth in the vigorous Adelaide, South Australia pasta-eating scene. And the winning bid? After a tense battle: $400 real American dollars! (Last year's winning bid: $60.) The beneficiary of Mr Rillo's largess is Nisei Week 2013. The Nisei Week faithful extended their thanks to Mr Rillo in the form of appreciative applause. His kindness and decency proved greater than his capacity, however: He ate a noble 51 in defeat.\r\n\r\nFull Results\r\n1) Joey \"Jaws\" Chestnut 266, new World Record\r\n2) Matt \"The Megatoad\" Stonie 234\r\n3) Patrick \"Deep Dish\" Bertoletti 233\r\n4) Adrian \"The Rabbit\" Morgan 168\r\n5) \"The Lovely\" Juliet Lee 157\r\n6) Juan \"More Bite\" Rodriguez 146\r\n7) Michelle \"Cardboard Shell\" Lesco 131\r\n8) Kevin “LA Beast” Strahle 122\r\n9) Steve Hendry 101\r\n10) Dax “The Ginger” Swanson 85\r\n11) Naoyuki Kamiya 65\r\n12) Doug Ecks 64\r\n13) Toshiki Otani 51\r\n13) Crescenzo Rillo 51\r\n15) Mary Bowers 48\r\n16) Scott Russell 45\r\n17) Alex Piatt 30"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40e3","sn":893,"title":"Joey Chestnut Wins Another Major @Hooters in Clearwater! (revised)","createdAt":"2012-07-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"As the party raged in West Florida last night, some results came through a tad bumpy. Here is the accurate report:\r\n\r\nJoey Jaws Chestnut downed 144 Hooters wings in 10 minutes to win the 2012 Hooters Wing Eating Championship tonight in Clearwater, FL. As Coach Jon Gruden looked on, Jaws edged out Baton Rouge's Adrian Morgan who took second place with 140 Hooters Wings. Sonya The Black Widow secured 3rd with 131 Wings eaten. \r\n\r\n\"She was gorgeous in defeat,\" said MLE's Sam Barclay when asked about Brandee, a Hooters Girl who was Sonya's dedicated cheerleader.\r\n\r\nFourth place went to Glutton Force Five's cook not its plenipotentiary as originally reported. It was Pat Bertoletti with 120 wings eaten. Fifth place went to The Lovely Juliet Lee who ate 119. In sixth place was Gravy Brown (115 wings) who excitedly unveiled his new rib cage tattoo of Maroon Five lyrics. The Notorious B.O.B., admittedly more South Beach than Clearwater, ate 102. \r\n\r\nErik the Red downed 88.\r\nNasty Nate Biller downed 85.\r\nLewis Richards of the UK downed 55.\r\nCLC 53.\r\n\r\nThe Daily Show's Aasiff Mandvi lost and lost badly, 21 Hooters Wings eaten.\r\n\r\n#Hooters"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40e4","sn":892,"title":"VICTORY CORNER: THE MEGATOAD REFLECTS ON HIS FIRST MLE CHAMPIONSHIP","createdAt":"2012-07-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Championships? The annals of MLE history are filled with the names of titans. After downing 30 Slugburgers in 10 minutes in Corinth, MS, on Saturday July 14th, 2012, Matthew Stonie added his name to that illustrious number. \r\n\r\nMegatoad, congrats on your first MLE Championship win. A tough question first up: How does it feel?\r\nIt feels great. I know that I will have to explain what Slugburgers are, what they taste like and all the rest for the rest of my career, but it will be a labor of love. \r\n\r\nYou burst onto the MLE scene with back-to-back podium finishes in Gyros and Asparagus in 2011. But it took you more than a year to post your first win. Why so long?\r\nI can sum up the wait in two words: Chestnut and Bertoletti.\r\n \r\nWhat would you like to say to the greater MLE community, and to the people of Corinth, MS—the undisputed Slugburger capital of the world?\r\nTo the people of Corinth, I send my gratitude—they put on a great contest and saw me though the whole 10 minutes that it took for me to secure a championship. To everyone else, thanks to those who've supported me, and, in they're own special way, more so to those who've doubted me. Without all of you I would not have the drive to keep this fire going. As much as I wish to sit back, relax, and celebrate this freshmen title, I'm already back in the kitchen cooking up plans for my next win. I mean that both literally and figuratively.\r\n\r\nWhat was more satisfying: Bagging this first win or finishing ahead of the Notorious BOB on July 4th at Coney Island?\r\nI'd call it a tie. While I always enjoy laying down the law on Mr. BOB, winning my first championship and becoming a world record holder felt pretty damn good. \r\n\r\nWhen you look in the mirror do you see a different man now that you are a champion? And if so, Matt Stonie, what does that man look like?\r\nNot really, still just the same ol' Matt Stonie.\r\n \r\nWould you like to take this opportunity to start a beef with any of your MLE compatriots? This is your shot.\r\nNo, not really. I'm not big on red meat for breakfast, but I do like my English muffin with blackberry jam and Chestnut butter.\r\n\r\nCryptic. What's coming up for the Megatoad?\r\nGyoza! It is probably my favorite contest of the year, aside from Nathan's. My Grandma on my Mom's side is actually of the Nisei generation, so it's also personal for me. Last year I edged out my first win against Sonya and Mr. BOB by just a few Gyoza. This year, I want to to increase that gap. \r\n\r\nFollow Matt Stonie on Twitter @Mattstonie.\r\n\r\nCLICK HERE for more information on the 2012 Los Angeles Nisei Week Festival.\r\n\r\nBecome a fan of the Day-Lee Nisei Week Gyoza Championship Facebook Page\r\n\r\nFollow on twitter @EatMoreGyoza.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40e9","sn":891,"title":"ARCH RIVALS JOEY CHESTNUT AND SONYA THOMAS CLASH IN WING-EATING CHAMPIONSHIP","createdAt":"2012-07-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"JOEY CHESTNUT AND SONYA THOMAS TO CLASH AT HOOTERS WORLD WING-EATING CHAMPIONSHIP!\n\n100-Pound Thomas Will Defend Wing-Eating Dominance Against #1-Ranked Chestnut at July 26 Championship in Clearwater, FL \n\n$15,000 in Cash Prizes On-The-Line\n\nNew York, NY, July 29, 2012 — Joey “Jaws” Chestnut and Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas, the top-ranked male and female competitive eaters in the world, will square off in the Hooters World Chicken Wing-Eating Championship in Clearwater, FL on Thursday, July 26. Officially sanctioned by Major League Eating, the event offers $15,000 in cash prizes and will take place at the original Hooters Clearwater at 2800 Gulf-To-Bay Blvd. at 7:00 p.m., with pre-contest entertainment beginning at 6:00 p.m.\n\nChestnut, of San Jose, CA, is the number-one ranked world champion eater and reigning six-time July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Champion, but he has been badly beaten twice in chicken wings by Thomas of Alexandria, VA, a wing-specialist who weighs only 100 pounds. In Clearwater, they will battle cheek-to-jowl alongside nearly a dozen other top-ranked Major League Eaters from around the nation and the United Kingdom in the 10-minute all-you-can-eat championship. \n\n“Chicken wing eating is among the most demanding and elegant disciplines in the world of sport. Sonya Thomas, with her lithe frame, dexterity and grace, was born for it and has repeatedly outmaneuvered Joey and other top competitors who are three times her size,” said George Shea, chairman of Major League Eating. “However, Joey is hot off his July 4th win and looking to take down ‘The Black Widow.’”\n\nJoining Chestnut and Thomas at the table will be #2-ranked Major League Eater, Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti of Chicago, who holds 39 world records (the most of any eater in history) and seeks to add chicken wings to his long list of titles. Bob “Notorious B.O.B” Shoudt, the fifth-ranked eater in the world from Pennsylvania and “Lovely” Juliet Lee, Thomas’ top female rival and a petite mother of two from Germantown, MD will also compete.\n\nHOOTERS WORLD WING-EATING CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD\nJoey “Jaws” Chestnut, San Jose, CA\nSonya “The Black Widow” Thomas, Alexandria, VA\nPatrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, Chicago, IL\nBob “Notorious B.O.B.” Shoudt, Royersford, PA\n“Lovely” Juliet Lee, Germantown, MD\nAdrian “The Rabbit” Morgan, Baton Rouge, LA\nErik “The Red” Denmark, Seattle, WA\nTim “Gravy” Brown, Chicago, IL\nMicah “Wing Kong” Collins, Drexel Hill, PA\n“Nasty” Nate Biller, Wichita Falls, TX\nCrazy Legs Conti, New York, NY\nLewis Richards, London, England\n\nThis April, Hooters launched an eleven-city World Wing-Eating Championship tour, the first-ever circuit of its kind, to identify the best chicken wing-eaters in the world and culminate with a grand finale event in advance of National Chicken Wing Day, which is July 29. The winner from each qualifier earned his or her spot at the July 26 Championship in Clearwater where he or she will compete for the title and the glory of World Wing-Eating Champion and a cash prize of $7,500. The second through seventh place finishers will take home $3,000, $2,000, $1,000, $750, $500 and $250, respectively.\n\n\"For nearly 30 years Hooters has been known for our original, fresh never frozen, world-famous chicken wings and so it's only natural that we mark National Chicken Wing Day with a wing-eating competition and a special promotion for our loyal customers,\" said David Henninger, CMO, Hooters of America, LLC. \"We invite all Hooters fans to stop by the original Hooters restaurant in Clearwater Florida and help us celebrate our heritage and crown the first world wing eating champion.\"\n\nHooters held qualifying events in Augusta, Ga.; St. Louis, MO; Jacksonville, Fla.; Dallas, TX; Indianapolis, IN; Oklahoma City, OK; Bay Area, CA; Detroit, MI, Miami, FL; Sacramento, CA; and Atlanta, GA. \n\nAbout Hooters\nHooters of America, LLC is the franchisor and operator of over 430 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 27 foreign countries. The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida. Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly, world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls. \n\nFor more information about Hooters visit www.Hooters.com, @Hooters, www.YouTube.com/Hooters, or www.Facebook.com/Hooters.\n \nAbout Major League Eating\nMajor League Eating (MLE), the world governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 80 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y. and the CP Foods Biggest Eater Championship in Bangkok, Thailand. The competitive eating community is made up of more than 8,000 veteran and rookie gurgitators who travel the world in search of top titles and the glory that they provide. \n\nBecome a fan of the MLE Facebook Page\nFor instant results to all Major League Eating Contests, follow @eatingcontest\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40e0","sn":890,"title":"JOEY CHESTNUT & SONYA THOMAS ARE NATHAN'S HOT DOG EATING WORLD CHAMPS","createdAt":"2012-07-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"JOEY CHESTNUT SECURES SIXTH NATHAN’S TITLE WITH 68 HOT DOGS, SONYA THOMAS DEVOURS 45 TO SET NEW WOMEN’S WORLD RECORD\r\n\r\nConey Island, July 5, 2012 — Joey “Jaws” Chestnut of San Jose, CA, and Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas of Alexandria, VA, successfully defended their respective titles of Men’s and Women’s Hot Dog Eating World Champion at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, held annually at the original Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island.\r\n\r\nIn front of a crowd of some 40,000 fans, Chestnut – the No. 1-ranked eater in the world – secured his sixth consecutive Nathan’s Famous championship and tied his own world record of 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. A total of 15 male eaters from the U.S. and Canada attempted to capture a celebrated American symbol – The Mustard Yellow International Belt. Chestnut chomped his way to victory past second place finisher Tim “Eater X” Janus of New York City who downed 52.25 hot dogs and buns and Chicago’s Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti who ate 51. Matt “megatoad” Stonie of San Jose, CA, placed fourth with 46 and Bob “Notorious B.O.B.” Shoudt of Royersford, PA, ate 45 to place fifth.\r\n\r\nThe Women’s Hot Dog Eating World Championship, featuring 100-pound Thomas – the top-ranked female eater in the world – took place just prior to the Men’s competition. Thomas devoured 45 hot dogs and buns to set a new female world record and earn the second Women’s Hot Dog Eating Championship title since its inception in 2011. Juliet Lee of Germantown, MD, ate 33 hot dogs and buns to earn second place and Michelle “Cardboard Shell” Lesco of Tucson, AZ, downed 25.5. Canadian Meredith “deep fried diva” Boxberger of Barrie, Ontario, captured fourth place with 21.5 and Larell Marie Mele of Long Pond, PA, ate 21.25 for fifth place. A total of 14 women competed in the finals, the most in Nathan’s Famous history.\r\n\r\nThe event has a deep tradition and history and, for second year in a row, male and female eaters competed separately for the titles of Men’s Hot Dog Eating World Champion and Women’s Hot Dog Eating World Champion. The contests offered a total of $40,000 in cash prizes.\r\n\r\nThe 2012 Men’s and Women’s Championships took place at the original Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island where nearly 40,000 eating fans and July Fourth revelers watched the contest. The event has become part of the fabric of America’s annual July Fourth celebration, and was streamed live online at ESPN3.com beginning at 11:30 a.m. and broadcast on ESPN at 3 p.m. following Wimbledon.\r\n\r\nThe competitors earned their seats at the finals by winning one of a dozen qualifying rounds that occurred in April, May and June throughout the U.S. and Canada.\r\n\r\nThe contest was free and open to the public. The contest pre-show began at 10 a.m. with Motown band, X-cluzive with Sonni Dey, followed by varied entertainment, including the world-renowned Skyriders trampoline performers, the strongman Chris Rider, a game of “horse” between Brooklyn Nets star Marshon Brooks and a member of the crowd, and the first annual “Apple Pie Dive.” Nathan’s Famous donated 100,000 hot dogs to the Food Bank For New York City prior to the competition.\r\n\r\nAbout Nathan’s Famous\r\nNathan’s Famous products are currently distributed in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and six foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and retail licensing activities. The Nathan’s restaurant system currently consists of 304 units, comprised of 299 franchised or licensed units and five company-owned units (including one seasonal unit). Nathan’s hot dogs are sold in over 40,000 retail and foodservice locations. For additional information about Nathan’s visit www.nathansfamous.com. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS\r\n\r\nMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS\r\n1-Joey Chestnut - 68 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes (ties his own World Record)\r\n2-Eater X Tim Janus - 52.25\r\n3-Pat Bertoletti - 51\r\n4-Matt Stonie - 46\r\n5-B.O.B. Shoudt - 45\r\n6-Adrian Morgan - 35\r\nT7-Sean Gordon - 32\r\nT7-Erik Denmark - 32\r\n9-Micah Collins - 31\r\n10-Gravy Brown - 30.5\r\n11-Pete Davekos - 28\r\n12-Badlands Booker - 25.5\r\n13-Yasir Salem - 25\r\n14-Crazy Legs Conti - 20 \r\n15-Lee Vilinsky - 15\r\n\r\nWOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS\r\n1-Sonya Thomas - 45 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes (sets new Women's World Record)\r\n2-Juliet Lee - 33\r\n3-Michelle Lesco - 25.5\r\n4-Meredith Boxberger - 21.5\r\n5-Larell Marie Mele - 21.25\r\n6-Maria Edible - 18.5\r\n7-Nicole Anderson - 16\r\n8-Dee Martin - 9.5\r\n9-Neslie Ricasa - 9\r\n10-Mary Bowers - 8.5\r\n11Theresa Subich - 7\r\n12-Mia Davekos - 6\r\n13-Molly Nemunaitis - 5.5\r\n14-Janice Deregla - 3"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40df","sn":889,"title":"NATHAN'S JULY 4th ESPN.COM LIVE BROADCAST LINKS","createdAt":"2012-07-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"11:25 am ET - WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP LIVE EVENT LINK\r\n\r\n12:00 pm ET - MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP LIVE EVENT LINK"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40e1","sn":887,"title":"July 4th Competitor Bib Sheets - MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP","createdAt":"2012-06-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"NATHAN’S FAMOUS FOURTH OF JULY INTERNATIONAL HOT DOG EATING CONTEST\r\n\r\n2012 COMPETITOR BIB SHEET – MEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP\r\n\r\nJoey “Jaws” Chestnut\r\nSan Jose, CA\r\n6’1”, 220 lbs, 28 y/o \r\nHow He Got Here: Sponsor’s Exemption (2007 - 2011 Champion) \r\n•#1 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating; current 5-time Fourth of July Champion\r\n•Eighth consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \r\n•Set world record in 2009 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest; 68 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•Captured first World Hot Dog Eating Championship in 2007 after eating 66 Hot Dogs & Buns in 12 min \r\n•Snapped Kobayashi’s streak of six straight Fourth of July wins in 2007 \r\n•TooJay’s World Corned Beef Sandwich Eating Champion, 20 sandwiches in 10 min\r\n•World Deep-Fried Asparagus Eating Champion, 8.135 lbs in 10 min\r\n•World Wonton Eating Champion, 390 Wontons in 8 min \r\n•World Bratwurst Eating Champion, 35 Bratwurst in 10 min\r\n•2012 Graduate of San Jose State University with a bachelors degree in Civil Engineering \r\n•Learned to eat fast growing up with five siblings \r\n•Girlfriend Neslie Ricasa is competing in the Women’s Championship\r\n\r\nTim “Eater X” Janus\r\nNew York, NY\r\n5’10”, 170 lbs, 34 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Atlantic City, NJ Qualifier, 45 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•#3 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n•Eighth consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•Placed 2nd behind Joey Chestnut in 2010 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July contest\r\n•World Tamale Eating Champion, 67 in 12 min \r\n•World Sushi Eating Champion, 171 pieces of nigiri sushi in 6 min\r\n•World Ramen Noodle Eating Champion, 10.5 lbs in 8 min\r\n•Has eaten 66 cupcakes in 6 min\r\n•2004 Major League Eating Rookie of the Year\r\n•Lives with competitive eater Crazy Legs Conti in New York’s East Village\r\n•Pizza cook in New York City\r\n•World Burping Champion (duration discipline), 18.1 seconds\r\n\r\nMatt “megatoad” Stonie\r\nSan Jose, CA\r\n5’8”, 120 lbs, 20 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Boston, MA Qualifier, 42 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•#6 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n•Second year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \r\n•Placed 2nd in World Gyro Eating Championship, 15.5 gyros in 10 min\r\n•Placed 2nd in World Deep Fried Asparagus Eating Championship, 7.875 lbs in 10 min\r\n•Placed 2nd in the World Gyoza Eating Championship, 213 gyoza in min \r\n•Placed 3rd behind Joey Chestnut and Pat Bertoletti in first MLE event in 2011\r\n\r\nBob “Notorious B.O.B.” Shoudt\r\nRoyersford, PA\r\n6'2”, 265 lbs, 44 y/o \r\nHow He Got Here: Won Citi Field (Queens, NY) Qualifier, 40 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•#5 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n•Seventh consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \r\n•Moniker changed from “Humble Bob” to “Notorious B.O.B.” after winning 7 of 8 contests in 2009\r\n•Set MLE capacity record in 2010 by eating 23 pounds of salmon chowder with a spoon in 6 min\r\n•World Beef Brisket Sandwich Eating Champion, 34.75 in 10 min\r\n•World Chili Spaghetti Eating Champion, 13.575 lbs in 10 min\r\n•World Roast Beef Slider Eating Champion, 37.5 roast beef sliders in 8 min\r\n•Earns money on the MLE Circuit to put his kids through college\r\n\r\nPatrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti\r\nChicago, IL\r\n6’2”, 190 lbs, 26 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Garden City, MI Qualifier, 37 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•#2 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \r\n•Seventh consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \r\n•World Cheesesteak Eating Champion, 20 cheesesteaks in 10 min; defeated Joey Chestnut\r\n•World Boneless Buffalo Wing Eating Champion, 6.75 lbs in 10 min\r\n•World Pepperoni Roll Eating Champion, 33 pepperoni rolls in 10 min\r\n•World Gyro Eating Champion, 18 gyros in 10 min\r\n•World Moon Pie Eating Champion, 60 moon pies in 10 min\r\n•World Cupcake Eating Champion, 72 cupcakes in 6 min\r\n•World Jalapeno Eating Champion, 275 La Costena Jalapenos in 8 min\r\n•World Ice Cream-Eating Champion, 1.75 gallons Vanilla Ice Cream in 8 min\r\n•Hold 39 World Records; more than any eater in history\r\n•Culinary school graduate and chef in Chicago\r\n•Runs a food truck in Chicago called GluttonForce Five with eater Tim “Gravy” Brown\r\n\r\nEric “Badlands” Booker\r\nSelden, NY\r\n6’5”, 360 lbs, 43 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Wildcard Winner, Ate 37 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min at Citi Field Qualifer\r\n•#15-ranked in the world by Major League Eating\r\n•Fourteenth year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest, first was in 1997\r\n•Known as the “People’s Champ”\r\n•World Matzo Ball Eating Champion, 25 motzo balls in 5 min \r\n•World Strawberry Jubilee Eating Champion, 7 lbs in 4 min\r\n•World Pumpkin Pie Eating Champion, 4.375 pumpkin pies in 6 min\r\n•World Doughnut Eating Champion, 49 glazed doughnuts in 8 min\r\n•Subway Conductor on New York City Transit #7 Train\r\n•Also a professional rapper; albums include “Hungry & Focused” versions 1-4, “Extended Play” “Surf & Stillwell EP” and new release “Big Man Mentality”\r\n\r\nAdrian “The Rabbit” Morgan\r\nBaton Rouge, LA\r\n6’1”, 195 lbs, 29 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Naples, FL Qualifier, 33 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•#7-ranked in the world by Major League Eating\r\n•Second year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•Placed 2nd in Martorano’s Meatball Eating Championship, 48 meatballs in 10 min \r\n•Placed 3rd in Acme Oyster Eating World Championship, 37 dozen oysters in 8 min\r\n•Placed 3rd in Crawfish Eating Championship, 2.45 lbs in 10 min\r\n•Has eaten 36 tamales in 12 min\r\n•Has eaten 4.25 pounds of catfish in 10 min\r\n•2011 Major League Eating Rookie of the Year\r\n•2012 culinary school graduate, baker of artisan breads\r\n\r\nErik “The Red” Denmark\r\nSeattle, WA\r\n6’4”, 208 lbs, 33 y/o \r\nHow He Got Here: Won Tempe, AZ Qualifier, 30 ½ Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•#11 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \r\n•Seventh consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \r\n•Won Hooters World Wing-Eating Championship Qualifier (Fremont, CA), 140 wings in 10 min\r\n•Has eaten 31.5 ears of Sweet Corn in 12 min\r\n•Battle of the Bhut XXX Wing Eating Champion, 35 wings in 5 min\r\n•World Fry Bread Eating Champion, 9.75 Fry Breads in 8 min\r\n•World Spot Shrimp Eating Champion, 4 lbs, 15 oz spot shrimp in 12 min\r\n•Has eaten 4.8 lbs ribs in 12 min\r\n\r\nSean “Flash” Gordon\r\nDowningtown, PA\r\n6’2”, 245 lbs, 36 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Las Vegas, NV Qualifier, 30 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•#12 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n•Fourth consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•Has eaten 19.5 Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwiches in 10 min\r\n•Placed 2nd in 2009 U.S. Buffalo Wing Eating Championships, 3.25 lbs in 12 min\r\n•Has eaten 6 lbs of French Fries in 10 min\r\n•Entertained troops at GITMO with Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Pro-Am Contest, Labor Day 2010\r\n\r\nTim “Gravy” Brown\r\nChicago, IL\r\n5’11”, 195 lbs, 33 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won the St. Paul, MN Qualifier, 28 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•#10 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n•Sixth consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•Ribmania Rib Eating Champion, 7.8 lbs in 8 min\r\n•Won Hooters World Wing Eating Championship Qualifier (St. Louis), 130 wings in 10 min\r\n•Placed 2nd in World Bratwurst Eating Championship, 31.5 bratwurst in 10 min\r\n•Marketing maven: launched “Bring Me the Head of Erik the Red” Campaign in 2010 to intimidate MLE rival Erik “the Red” Denmark; launched “Believe in Gravy” in 2009\r\n•World Potato Wedge Eating Champion, 3.74 lbs in 8 min\r\n•Has eaten 8.47 lbs Blueberry Pie (Hands-Free) in 8 min\r\n•Runs a food truck in Chicago called GluttonForce Five with eater Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti\r\n•Girlfriend Janice Deregula is competing in the Women’s Championship\r\n\r\nMicah “Wing Kong” Collins\r\nDrexel Hill, PA\r\n6’1”, 270 lbs, 41 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Pittsburgh, PA Qualifier, 27 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•#13 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \r\n•Second year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \r\n•Won Hooters Wing Eating Championship Qualifier (Atlanta), 122 wings in 10 min\r\n•Has eaten 84 oz baked beans in 58 sec\r\n•Has eaten 6 lbs of chili in 6 min\r\n•Began his competitive eating career on the International Poultry Circuit\r\n\r\nCrazy Legs Conti\r\nNew York, NY\r\n6’2”, 215 lbs, 41 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Cleveland, OH Qualifier, 25 ¼ Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•#17 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \r\n•Tenth year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•National Sweet Corn Eating Champion, 44 ears of corn in 12 min\r\n•Won Hooters Wing Eating Championship Qualifier (Indianapolis), 148 wings in 10 min\r\n•Beef Brisket Buffet-Eating Champion\r\n•Lumberjack Breakfast-Eating Champion\r\n•Pancake Eating Champion, 3.5 lbs bacon and pancakes in 12 min\r\n•Former French Cut String Bean and Oyster Eating Champion\r\n\r\nPete “Pretty Boy” Davekos\r\nBoston, MA\r\n6’1”, 210 lbs, 33 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Thackerville, OK Qualifier, 24 ½ Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min \r\n•#14 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \r\n•Fifth consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•World Garlicky Greens Eating Champion, 7.5 lbs in 5 min\r\n•World Fruit Basket / Edible Arrangements Eating Champion (short form), 3 min 52 sec\r\n•Ate 8.5 lbs of poutine in 10 min at World Poutine Eating Championship\r\n•Ate 31 tacos in 10 min at Taco Bell Why Pay More Soft Taco Challenge\r\n•Former Natural Competitive Body Builder\r\n•Wife Mia “Meatballz” Davekos is competing in the Women’s Championship\r\n\r\nYasir “The Doggy Bag” Salem\r\nNew York, NY\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Charlotte, NC Qualifier, 24 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•#22 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n•First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•Having his tonsils removed as a child helps him swallow large amounts of food\r\n•Has eaten 117 Hooters chicken wings in 10 min\r\n•Has eaten 23.25 ears of corn in 12 min\r\n•Placed 2nd in World Burping Championship, burped for 16.3 sec\r\n•Will compete in Nathan’s July 4th Contest and 2 triathlons within 1 week (NYRR triathlon, June 30; NYC Olympic, July 8)\r\n•Earned money on the MLE Circuit to help him raise over $3,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society\r\n\r\nLee Vilinsky\r\nRepresenting Canada\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Calgary, Alberta, Canada Qualifier (Canadian Division)\r\n•First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•Graduate student at the University of Alberta"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40e2","sn":888,"title":"July 4th Competitor Bib Sheets - WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP","createdAt":"2012-06-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"NATHAN’S FAMOUS FOURTH OF JULY INTERNATIONAL HOT DOG EATING CONTEST\r\n\r\n2012 COMPETITOR BIB SHEET – WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP\r\n\r\nSonya “The Black Widow” Thomas\r\nAlexandria, VA\r\n5’5”, 100 lbs, 44 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Sponsor’s Exemption (2011 Women’s Champion) \r\n•#4-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \r\n•Tenth consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•5-Time U.S. Chicken Wing Eating Champion, 6.43 lbs in 12 min.; defeated Joey Chestnut\r\n•Acme World Oyster Eating Champion, 47 dozen Louisiana oysters in 8 min\r\n•Wild Turkey 81 Eating Champion, 5.25 lbs of turkey in 10 min\r\n•World Crawfish Eating Champion, 3.25 lbs Louisiana crawfish in 10 min\r\n•Won Hooters World Wing Eating Championship Qualifier (Augusta, GA), 140 wings in 10 min\r\n•World Clam Eating Champion, 26 dozen cherrystone clams in 6 min\r\n•Has eaten 274 Jalapenos in 10 min; 2009 Jalapeno Eating Champ\r\n•World Cheesecake Eating Champion, 11 lbs. in 9 min\r\n•Also eating champion in lobster, baked beans and fried okra\r\n•Holds 25 World Records; hobbies include bowling\r\n•Favorite Food: hard boiled eggs; has eaten 65 hard boiled eggs in 6 min, 40 seconds\r\n\r\nJuliet Lee\r\nGermantown, MD \r\n5’4”, 105 lbs, 46 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Las Vegas Qualifier, 27 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•#9-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \r\n•Sixth consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•World Jellied Cranberry Sauce Eating Champion, 13.23 lbs in 8 min\r\n•Former Cherrystone Clam Eating Champion, 277 clams in 6 min\r\n•Became second woman to break 30 Hot Dog & Bun mark, May 2009\r\n•Ate 219 Shrimp Wontons in Bangkok, Thailand in 2011\r\n•Has eaten 22.5 Pepperoni Rolls in 10 min\r\n•2008 Major League Eating Rookie of the Year\r\n•Former chemistry professor in China, now owns a salon in Maryland\r\n\r\nMichelle “Cardboard Shell” Lesco\r\nTucson, AZ\r\n5’4”, 115 lbs, 28 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Tempe, AZ Qualifier, 24 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•#19-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \r\n•Second year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•Has eaten a 3 lb burger (12 ¼ pounders, 12 slices of cheese) in 3 min 47 sec\r\n•Enjoys running while jumping rope, competes in 8 mile obstacle course races\r\n•2012 graduate of University of Arizona, currently studying for AZ teaching certification\r\n•Competition winnings will support Charity: Water\r\n•Avid volunteer and participant in the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization\r\n\r\nMaria “Edible”\r\nQueens, NY\r\n5’5”, 125 lbs, 27 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Citi Field (Queens, NY) Qualifier, 20 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•#29-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n•Second year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•Placed 4th in Wild Turkey 81 Eating World Championship, 3.7 lbs in 10 min\r\n•Ate 9 Philly Cheesesteaks in 10 min at World Cheesesteak Eating Championship\r\n•Ate 11 Cannoli in 10 min \r\n•Has eaten 48 cupcakes in 6 min\r\n•Works as a paralegal and models on a freelance basis\r\n\r\nLarell Marie Mele\r\nLong Pond, PA\r\n5’6”, 140 lbs, 48 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Atlantic City, NJ Qualifier, 18.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•#30-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n•Second year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•Has eaten 13 cannoli in 6 min\r\n•Has eaten 48 pierogi in 10 min\r\n•Has eaten 10 pepperoni rolls in 10 min\r\n•Has eaten 3 lbs curly fries in 10 min\r\n•Has eaten 7.75 6-inch cheesesteaks in 10 min\r\n•Is a personal trainer\r\n\r\nMeredith “Deep Fried Diva” Boxberger\r\nRepresenting Canada\r\nBarrie, Ontario, Canada\r\n5’8”, 130 lbs, 26 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Garden City, MI Qualifier, 17 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•#31-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n•First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•Placed 3rd in the Hooters World Wing-Eating Championship Qualifier, 82 wings in 10 min\r\n•Placed 4th in the Smoke’s Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship with 4.1 lbs in 10 min\r\n•Placed 5th in the World Deep Fried Asparagus Eating Championship with 4 lbs, 14 oz in 10 min\r\n•Former nationally ranked figure skater\r\n•Attended Wayne State University on a softball scholarship\r\n\r\nNicole Anderson\r\nRepresenting Canada\r\nCalgary, Alberta, Canada\r\n5’5”, 115 lbs, 28 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Calgary, Canada Qualifier (Canadian Division) 12 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•Works as an Oil and Gas Engineer\r\n\r\nNeslie “Sweetness” Ricasa\r\nSan Jose, CA\r\n5'3\", 119 lbs, 24 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Thackerville, OK Qualifier, 10.25 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•Joey Chestnut's girlfriend, which she considers a full-time job\r\n•Accounting student. Future CPA.\r\n\r\nMolly Nemunaitis\r\nGates Mills, OH\r\n5'6\", 145lbs, 19 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Cleveland, OH Qualifier, 10 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•Student at John Carroll University, nanny, and part-time waitress\r\n\r\nDee Martin\r\nRoopville, GA\r\n5’6”, 220 lbs, 36 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Charlotte, NC Qualifier, 10 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•Married to #48-ranked eater Steve \"Pi Guy\" Martin\r\n•First MLE competition was a 2011 Nathan’s Qualifier in Newnan, GA\r\n\r\nMary Bowers\r\nDana Point, CA\r\n5’3”, 120 lbs\r\nHow She Got Here: Wildcard Winner, Las Vegas, NV Qualifier, 9 ½ Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•Has eaten 11 wild boar sausages in 8 min\r\n•Has competed in pretzels, burgers, and Philly cheesesteaks\r\n\r\nTheresa “Snow Day” Subich\r\nJohnstown, PA\r\n5’9”, 140 lbs, 46 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Pittsburgh, PA Qualifier, 9 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•Assistant to the School Superintendent\r\n•Husband is “Big” Brian Subich, #21-Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n\r\nMia “Meatballz” Davekos\r\nBoston, MA\r\n5’6”, 125 lbs, 37 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Boston, MA Qualifier, 8 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•Ate 7 dozen Louisiana Oysters in 8 min at the Acme World Oyster-Eating Championship\r\n•Husband “Pretty Boy” Pete Davekos is #14-ranked eater and competing in the Men’s Championship\r\n•Is a registered nurse\r\n•Training for a half marathon\r\n•Appeared on Season 9 of Survivor\r\n\r\nJanice Deregla\r\nChicago, IL\r\n5’3”, 105 lbs, 28 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won St. Paul, MN Qualifier, 6.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n•First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n•Bartender and DJ (aka DJ GetSome) \r\n•Boyfriend Tim “Gravy” Brown is #10-ranked eater and competing in the Men’s Championship\r\n•Former vegan "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40de","sn":886,"title":"July 4th Contest Back to 12 Noon Start","createdAt":"2012-06-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"CONEY ISLAND SUCCESS PUSHES NATHAN’S JULY 4 CONTEST BACK TO TRADITIONAL 12 NOON START \r\n\r\nPlans to Move Event to 3 pm Reversed Over Crowd Management Needs\r\n\r\nFive-Time Champ Joey Chestnut Strives for Most Consecutive Nathan’s Wins\r\n\r\n100-Pound Sonya Thomas Defends Women’s Championship Title\r\n\r\n--------------------\r\n\r\nBrooklyn, NY, June 26, 2012 – The start of the Nathan’s Famous July 4 International Hot Dog-Eating Contest will return to its original time, 12 Noon, to accommodate the record crowds expected in Coney Island on July 4th to enjoy the beach, boardwalk, contest and Cyclones game.\r\n\r\nOrganizers of the 2012 Nathan’s Famous contest confirmed today that the 2012 contest will return to its traditional start time with the Women’s Championship at 11:30 a.m. EDT, followed by the Men’s Championship at 12:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 4. \r\n\r\nThe event, which will occur at the company’s flagship restaurant at Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, Brooklyn, originally had been slated for 3:00 p.m. EDT this year to accommodate ESPN’s live broadcast of both Wimbledon and the contest. However, an expected crowd of some 40,000 for the contest followed by an early evening Cyclones game required the contest to be moved back to 12 Noon. \r\n\r\nESPN will distribute the event live on ESPN3 at 12 p.m. ET and tape-delay it on ESPN at 3 p.m. ESPN3 will also air the Women’s Championship live at 11:30 p.m., as it did in 2011. ESPN’s live multi-screen sports network is available in 73 million households nationwide and is accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app and through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to customers of an affiliated service provider.\r\n\r\n“Coney Island has not been this hot since lines formed around the block to enter the Steeplechase,” said Major League Eating Chairman George Shea. “It appears that we are entering another golden age for Coney Island.”\r\n\r\n\"With the amount of interest in this year's event, we thought a second helping of the championship was in order,\" said Jason Bernstein, ESPN Senior Director of Programming & Acquisitions. \"We're happy to add the ESPN3 and ESPN combo platter to the championship menu this year.\"\r\n\r\nThe 10-minute, all-you-can-eat contests will feature nearly 30 eaters from the United States and Canada including five-time Nathan’s Famous champ Joey “Jaws” Chestnut of San Jose, CA and the 2011 women’s champion, 100-pound eating sensation Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas of Alexandria, VA. Chestnut and Thomas each hold the men’s and women’s hot dog eating world records with 68 hot dogs and buns and 41 hot dogs and buns, respectively. \r\n\r\nThe men and women will compete separately for the title of Men’s Hot Dog Eating World Champion and Women’s Hot Dog Eating World Champion, as well as a $20,000 cash purse for each division. More than 40,000 fans come to the free event, arriving several hours in advance. For these fans, Nathan’s Famous produces a pre-show beginning at 10 a.m. that will include a death-defying performance by the Coney Island Strongman and several live bands. Nathan’s Famous will also provide a jumbotron to increase visual access for fans. \r\n\r\nThose traveling to Coney Island by subway can take the D, F, N or Q to the Stillwell Avenue terminal.\r\n\r\nUp-to-the-minute details are available at www.facebook.com/eatfast and via Twitter @eatingcontest. Information about competitors and the July 4th qualifying circuit can be found at www.MajorLeagueEating.com. For more information on Nathan’s Famous, visit www.nathansfamous.com. \r\n\r\nThe ESPN broadcast of the event will air at 3:00 p.m. ET, immediately following the Wimbledon Gentlemen’s quarterfinals.\r\n\r\nWHAT: \tNathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest\r\n\r\nWHEN: \tWednesday, July 4, 2012 \r\n\r\nWHERE: \t\r\nNathan’s Famous Flagship Restaurant\r\n1310 Surf Avenue (at Stillwell Avenue)\r\nConey Island, Brooklyn \r\n\r\nTIME: \t\t\r\n10:00 a.m. Pre-Show Begins\r\n11:30 a.m. Women’s Championship\r\n12:00 p.m. Men’s Championship\r\n\r\nAbout ESPN3\r\nESPN3 is ESPN's live multi-screen sports network, a destination that delivers thousands of global sports events annually and accessible online via WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app and through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold level members. It is currently available to 73 million homes at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider. The network is also available at no cost to approximately 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40dc","sn":885,"title":"Major League Eating Launches App ","createdAt":"2012-06-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"SIGNALING POSSIBLE END TO ‘ANGRY BIRDS’ ERA, MLE AND MASTIFF LAUNCH NEW GAMING APP\r\n\r\nCLICK HERE to download from the iTunes store.\r\n\r\nMajor League Eating and Mastiff today launched the world’s first-ever official competitive eating app – Major League Eating: The Game – which is expected by many to displace Angry Birds as the most popular gaming app in the world.\r\n\r\nMajor League Eating: The Game is available for iPhone and iPad via iTunes and enables players to assume the persona of top professional eaters such as Crazy Legs Conti and Eater X while battling it out in disciplines such as rib, wing and taco-eating contests. \r\n\r\nThe contest tests players’ ability to bring food to their mouths quickly while maintaining control of accumulating food volume and associated gas in the digital stomachs of their avatars. Failure to do so produces results that are catastrophic or heroic, depending on one’s viewpoint.\r\n\r\nThe new gaming app is seen by economists as a possible cure to the malaise that has plagued the global economy for the past four-plus years. At the same time, many parents welcomed the arrival of the game as a way to provide their children with productive and educational entertainment during summer.\r\n\r\n“This game is extraordinarily challenging and exciting,” said George Shea, Chairman of Major League Eating. “I find it more enjoyable than conversation with friends, and the satisfaction I feel after winning a round is significantly more rewarding than my social relationships.”\r\n\r\n\"Few projects come along that prove to be as fun to develop than Major League Eating: The Game has been,” said Bill Swartz, Head Woof of Mastiff, the game’s designer and publisher. “I haven’t been this excited since witnessing Crazy Legs Conti eat his way out of the Popcorn Sarcophagus, allowing his illustrious MLE career to continue.”\r\n\r\nMajor League Eating: The Game is easy to play but hard to master. Strategically stuff and chew as much as possible within the time limit; watch your stomach status to avoid a ‘reversal of fortune,” and use power-ups -- such as burping, farting and the dreaded fire belch -- to hit your opponent and cause him to ‘reverse’ and lose the race in a most embarrassing way. \r\n\r\nMajor League Eating: The Game Features:\r\n\r\n• Game Center integration so you can share your greatest eating adventures with the world online, including achievements like Absolute Cram, Burp Master, and Reversal of Fortune \r\n• Twelve disciplines including Hot Dogs, Ribs, Pizza and Chili Pepper \r\n• Ten of the world’s greatest eaters including Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas, Crazy Legs Conti, Juliet Lee, Eater X Janus and Patrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti\r\n\r\nAbout Major League Eating\r\nMajor League Eating (MLE), the world governing body of all stomach-centric sport, conducts more than 80 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y. The MLE competitive eating community, which numbers more than 8,000 veteran and rookie athletes, travels the nation in search of top titles and the glory that they provide. \r\n\t \r\nAbout Mastiff\r\nMastiff is a leading publisher of outdoor action and licensed products for consoles, PC and all mobile platforms. Mastiff has offices in Tokyo, San Francisco and Orlando, Florida. Titles from Mastiff include Heavy Fire: Afghanistan, outdoor hits such as Deer Drive, Remington Great American Bird Hunt, and Shimano Xtreme Fishing as well as the tactical shooting simulation, Reload, the award winning Moon, and the critically acclaimed Gurumin. For more information please visit Mastiff Website. Please visit www.mastiff-games.com.for more information. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40db","sn":884,"title":"ESPN to Televise Nathan’s July 4th Contest Through 2017","createdAt":"2012-05-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"ESPN Extends Agreement with Major League Eating to Televise Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Through 2017\r\n\r\n2012 Contest to be Televised July 4 on ESPN at 3 p.m. ET\r\n\r\nESPN has reached an agreement with Major League Eating, in conjunction with Nathan’s Famous, Inc., that provides the network exclusive rights to televise a one-hour show of the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest each year through 2017.\r\n\r\nThe agreement is a five-year extension of an existing contract between the entities. The event consistently generates powerful ratings and has become a holiday viewing tradition for millions of Americans. Last year’s July 4th telecast set a viewership record with 1.95 million live viewers and nearly nine million viewers total on July 4, including two re-airs.\r\n\r\nThis year’s event will be televised on ESPN on Wednesday, July 4, at 3 p.m. ET, following ESPN’s exclusive live coverage of the Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Quarterfinals. The show will include in-depth analysis of the eating competition by motorsports broadcaster Paul Page and Major League Eating’s Richard Shea, with reporting by television host Renee Herlocker. The one-hour telecast will also include coverage of the Women’s Championship. This year will be the ninth consecutive year ESPN has televised the event.\r\n\r\nGeorge Shea, MLE chairman, will host the stage show for the historic contest, which has been held in Coney Island, NY, for decades and attracts top eating talent from around the world. The current world hot dog eating record is held by Joey Chestnut of San Jose, Calif., who consumed 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes and who will seek his sixth straight title this year. The 100-pound eating phenom Sonya Thomas, who consumed 40 hot dogs and buns last year, will defend her title as female eating champion of the world. \r\n\r\n“This telecast has always been a huge success for ESPN and so we are thrilled to continue our long-standing relationship with MLE and Nathan’s Famous serving fans this annual holiday treat,” said Jason Bernstein, Sr. Director, Programming & Acquisitions, ESPN. “We’ve never had a bigger appetite for this annual world championship event.” \r\n\r\n“The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has become a critical part of the July 4 holiday in America and beyond,” said David Baer of MLE. “It is an honor for MLE and Nathan’s Famous to be associated with ESPN and the quality programming it produces.”\r\n\r\nThe 10-minute, all-you-can-eat contest will take place on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 at the corners of Surf and Stillwell avenues near Coney Island’s historic boardwalk. More than twenty-five eating athletes from around the world will compete for the respective Men’s and Women’s July 4th Hot Dog Eating World Championship Belts.\r\n\r\nIn addition to the ESPN telecast, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest will also be available on ESPN3, streaming live on WatchESPN, and will re-air at 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40da","sn":883,"title":"MLE Vault - May 3, 2004: Crazy Legs Conti & The Popcorn Sarcophagus ","createdAt":"2012-05-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"MLE Vault - May 3, 2004: A look back at Crazy Legs Conti and The Popcorn Sarcophagus\r\n\r\nWatch Crazy Legs Conti eat his way out of 60 cubic feet of popcorn.\r\n\r\n\r\nConti Survives 'Popcorn Sarcophagus'\r\n5/4/2004, IFOCE.com\r\n\r\nIn a never-before-attempted stunt, renowned competitive eater Crazy Legs Conti was buried alive under more than 60 cubic feet of popcorn inside a life-sized popcorn box known as “The Popcorn Sarcophagus.\"\r\n\r\nConti sought to eat his way out of the box in time for the premiere of the documentary, “Crazy Legs Conti -- Zen and the Art of Competitive Eating” at the Tribeca Film Festival.\r\n\r\nAn emergency medical technician was on hand for this death-defying stunt, which was overseen and moderated by the International Federation of Competitive Eating.\r\n\r\nConti breathed through a custom-fitted snorkel as he ate, and was equipped with an emergency communications system in the case he became overwhelmed by the popcorn. The color-coded system – green for “all systems go,” red for “danger,” yellow for “alert/need more butter” – enabled IFOCE officials to smash through the plexi-glass viewing panels if Conti’s life was in jeopardy.\r\n\r\nRichard Shea, who introduced Conti as the \"Houdini of Cuisini,\" held a sledgehammer throughout the event in case an emergency occurred. After eating what appeared to be eight cubic feet of popcorn -- a number considered impossible by most -- Conti eventually conceded that he could go no further.\r\n\r\n\"Evil Knievel had Snake Canon, I have the Popcorn Sarcophagus,\" Conti said. \"I will try this again and again until I overcome the challenge.\"\r\n\r\n“Crazy Legs Conti and the Zen of Competitive Eating,” an Oyster Productions film, follows Conti in his attempt to climb the ranks of the nation’s top competitive eaters. Conti has competed against the world’s top gurgitators, including Takeru Kobayashi, Cookie Jarvis and Sonya Thomas, in a range of disciplines such as oysters, hot dogs, pancakes and string beans."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40d9","sn":882,"title":"Hooters® Kicks Off Coast-to-Coast Wing-Eating Championship","createdAt":"2012-04-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Chicken wing expert, Hooters of America, LLC, announced that it has engaged Major League Eating (MLE) to sanction and produce a circuit of wing-eating contests across the United States that will conclude at the Hooters Wing-Eating World Championship in New York City. The finale will take place in late July as part of a weekend celebration of National Chicken Wing Day. \n\n\"For nearly 30 years Hooters has been known for our original, world-famous hot wings and it's only natural that we establish this inaugural coast-to-coast wing-eating competition,\" said David Henninger, chief marketing officer, Hooters of America, LLC. \"At Hooters, we're all about great food, great fun and this competition exemplifies that spirit.\"\n\nChicken wing eating has never previously been a championship circuit to identify and crown an official world champion. This tour will allow Hooters wing-eaters to test their skills against Major League Eating superstars like Joey Chestnut and Sonya \"The Black Widow\" Thomas.\n\n\"We are thrilled to be working with this iconic American restaurant,\" said Richard Shea, president, Major League Eating. \"While each contest will feature well-known Major League Eaters, I am confident we'll find Hooters wing lovers with amazing wing-eating talent in each host city.\"\n\nThe Hooters Wing-Eating World Championship tour kicked off in Augusta, Ga., host city of the Masters Golf Tournament, on April 5 with Sonya \"The Black Widow\" Thomas. Weighing in at a mere 100 pounds, \"The Black Widow\" is the world's top-ranked female eater and current five-time National Buffalo Wing-Eating Champion.\n\nHooters will go on to hold 9 additional wing-eating contests across the country including events in Baltimore, MD; Detroit, MI; Indianapolis, IN; Jacksonville, Fla.; Mesquite, TX; Oklahoma City, OK; San Jose, CA; St. Louis, MO; and Miami, Fla., with the tour concluding in New York where the first Hooters wing-eating world champion will be crowned.\n\nHooters wing fans can follow each contest, keep track of the local winners and see a schedule for future events through Hooters' Facebook page.\n\nMajor League Eating will register competitors at www.IFOCE.com/contests. All competitors must be at least 21 years old.\n\nAbout Hooters\nHooters of America, LLC, is the franchisor and operator of over 430 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 27 foreign countries. The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida. Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly, world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls. For more information about Hooters visit www.Hooters.com, @Hooters, www.YouTube.com/Hooters, or www.Facebook.com/Hooters."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40dd","sn":881,"title":"Nathan's Famous 2012 Circuit is Announced","createdAt":"2012-03-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"NATHAN’S FAMOUS ANNOUNCES 2012 QUALIFYING CIRCUIT FOR JULY FOURTH INTERNATIONAL HOT DOG EATING CHAMPIONSHIP\r\n\r\nNathan’s Famous, Inc. has unveiled the official list of cities holding hot dog eating contests to qualify the champions who will compete in the 97th annual July Fourth International Hot Dog Eating Contest. The Nathan’s Famous qualifying tour occurs each year in cities across the U.S. and beyond. This year’s circuit will begin in Michigan on April 21st and visit 12 other cities before the final event takes place on July 4, 2012 at the Nathan’s Famous flagship in Coney Island, NY.\r\n\r\nQualifying events will occur at Nathan’s Famous retail locations, music festivals, city centers and Major League ballparks. The top male and top female finishers from each qualifier will earn a trip to compete in the ESPN televised finals at the original Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island on July Fourth. This year’s live ESPN show will air on July 4th at 3:00 PM Eastern immediately following Wimbledon.\r\n\r\n“The annual qualifying circuit enables us to bring a genuine taste of Coney Island to cities near and far. I am especially pleased that we’re visiting new markets such as St. Paul and Naples this spring and summer,” said Wayne Norbitz, President and COO of Nathan’s Famous, Inc. “Long before the crowd gathers in Brooklyn, and before the ESPN cameras turn on, Nathan’s will host more than a dozen fun-filled events around the country.”\r\n\r\nIn recent years, an estimated 40,000 fans have made the pilgrimage to the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island to watch the Nathan’s Famous July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest in person. The live ESPN telecast of the event drew an audience of 1.95 million viewers in 2011. It was the highest rated telecast since ESPN began broadcasting the event in 2004. \r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut of San Jose, CA holds the world record for eating 68 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes, and he will seek his sixth straight title this year. Sonya Thomas of Alexandria, VA will defend her title as Female Champion. She consumed 40 Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes last year.\r\n\r\nHost cities of the 2012 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit include Las Vegas, NV, Boston, MA, Naples, FL, St. Paul, MN, Atlantic City, NJ, Cleveland, OH, Tempe, AZ, Queens, NY, Pittsburgh, PA, Garden City, MI, Thackerville, OK and Charlotte, NC. This year, Nathan’s will also hold a qualifying event in Calgary, Canada.\r\n\r\nAccording to archives, the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event. \r\n\r\n**Registration for the qualifying circuit will take place ONLY at www.IFOCE.com beginning at 11:00 AM ET on Thursday, March 22nd. All competitors must be 18 years or older. **\r\n\r\nOFFICIAL 2012 NATHAN'S FAMOUS QUALIFYING CIRCUIT\r\n\r\nSaturday, April 21 - Detroit, MI (Kmart, Ford Road in Garden City)\r\n\r\nSaturday, April 28 - Las Vegas, NV (New York, New York Hotel & Casino)\r\n\r\nSaturday, May 12 - Naples, FL \r\n\r\nSaturday, May 19 - Atlantic City, NJ (Trump Plaza)\r\n\r\nSaturday, June 2 - Calgary, Alberta, CA (CrossIron Mills Mall)\r\n\r\nSaturday, June 2 - Queens, NY (Citi Field)\r\n\r\nSunday, June 3 - St. Paul, MN (Grand Old Day Festival, Grand Avenue)\r\n\r\nThursday, June 7 - Cleveland, OH (Tower City Mall)\r\n\r\nSaturday, June 9 - Tempe, AZ (Arizona Mills Mall)\r\n\r\nSunday, June 10 - Thackerville, OK (WinStar World Casino)\r\n\r\nWednesday, June 13 - Pittsburgh, PA (Market Square)\r\n\r\nSaturday, June 16 - Charlotte, NC (Concord Mills Mall)\r\n\r\nSaturday, June 23 - Boston, MA (Phantom Gourmet BBQ Fest, City Hall Plaza)\r\n\r\nWednesday, July 4 - Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest - Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY \r\n\r\n\r\nAbout Nathan’s Famous\r\nNathan’s products are currently distributed in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and six foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. The Nathan’s restaurant system currently consists of 302 units, comprised of 297 franchised units and five company-owned units (including one seasonal unit). For additional information about Nathan’s please visit www.nathansfamous.com and become a fan of the Nathan's Famous Facebook Page.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40d8","sn":880,"title":"TooJay's Takeaway","createdAt":"2012-03-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The pages of history will report that on March 17, 2012 at the third annual TooJay’s World Class Corned Beef Eating Championships in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Joey Chestnut ate 20 TooJay's corned beef sandwiches, to set a new record and advance his worth by $5,000. Further examination will reveal that Patrick Bertoletti came second with 18.5. A close won thing, to be sure, but future fans of Major League Eating competition will never know how close by reading these cold, naked facts alone. It is with the hope of bringing illumination to our children’s children that I write these words. It is my duty.\r\n \r\nChestnut. Bertoletti. They are each the other’s biggest threat, yet each the other’s true passion. For Joey, there is victory, and there is beating Patrick. And for Patrick, there is winning, but the thrill of beating the world’s number-one ranked eater remains unparalleled. They take not for granted setting a new record—say, 390 CP shrimp wontons in eight minutes as Joey did in Bangkok, Thailand, in February—or rewriting history, as Patrick did in 2011 by winning an unprecedented 18 Major League Eating titles. But victory over the other stands as the ultimate validation, proof that this life they’ve chosen is worth the going. Testament to the fact it matters, damn it.\r\n \r\nMake no mistake—we would not, could not, be talking of a new TooJay’s World Class Corned Beef Eating Championship record belonging to Joey Chestnut if Patrick Bertoletti was not standing to his immediate right during those 10 minutes that matter most. At the seven-minute mark it was Patrick, and not Joey, who was in the lead—by as much as three-quarters of a sandwich according to onlookers.\r\n \r\n“I thought I had him,” Bertoletti told me after the contest. He looked out to the parking lot—Acuras, Sentras, an occasional Lexus—as the handsome dressed fans strode through the Florida afternoon light to their rides. His face tightened. “I thought I had him.”\r\n \r\nSo did Joey. Nothing else can explain his performance. Seasoned fans of our sport will know that competitors slow as each contest careens to her end. Such is science; anything else would be madness. This did not happen today. As his competitors conformed to the laws of nature, Chestnut forged ahead, neither stopping nor slowing his advance. Fourteen sandwiches, fifteen sandwiches—the chants of “Joey! Joey! Joey!” booming from Downtown at the Gardens’ attractive mezzanine level. Sixteen—he’s caught up with Patrick—seventeen, eighteen, until the clock read 0:00 and his stomach owned 20 TooJay’s corned beef sandwiches. It was as if upon passing Patrick, Joey was unbound by natural law, his stomach at that moment unburdened by politeness or gravity, his mind finally free. A dream that punched through the atmosphere, to fly unbridled in space.\r\n \r\nOthers ate, yes, and their achievements are not without merit. But this was a dance between two men—a close dance in which each brought out the best in the other. More than that, each helped the other to more fully know himself, as eaters and as men. This is what beating the other means. This is what drives our sport’s most distinguished competitors. Beat Patrick. Beat Joey. Do that, and you’re golden.\r\n \r\nIt is middle March. Both Chestnut and Bertolleti find themselves in mid-season form. I would hate to be a Nathan’s hot dog and bun right about now.\r\n \r\nby Royce Jones\r\n "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40d7","sn":879,"title":"Chestnut Crowned CP Biggest Eater in Bangkok, Sets New World Record","createdAt":"2012-02-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"CP BIGGEST EATER COMPETITION 2011-2012 GRAND FINALE – ASIA PACIFIC’S LARGEST-SCALE BIGGEST EATING COMPETITION SET SERIES OF NEW WORLD RECORDS & CROWNED FIRST REGIONAL BIGGEST EATING CHAMPIONS\r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut cemented World No. 1 status and smashed his previous world record by eating 390 CP Shrimp Wontons in 8 minutes\r\n\r\nWorld No.1 Female Eater Sonya Thomas proved to be no pushover, setting new female world record with 231 CP Shrimp Wontons eaten in 8 minutes\r\n\r\nNg Chin Sheng and Helen Tan from Singapore clinched inaugural Regional Male and Female Eating Champion titles in record-breaking feats\r\n\r\nBangkok, Thailand, February 2012 – The congregation of the region’s top biggest eating champions from Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong and Thailand, alongside top international professional eaters Joey “Jaws” Chestnut (World No. 1), Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti (World No.2), Tim “Eater X” Janus (World No. 3), Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas (World Female No. 1) and Juliet Lee (World Female No.2), took Bangkok and the world by storm on February 11th as they battled for inaugural regional biggest eating championship titles and new world biggest eating records. At the intense, adrenaline-pumping showdown held at Parc Paragon @ Siam Paragon in the heart of Bangkok, thousands of spectators witnessed the astonishing feat as Joey Chestnut forged a new world eating record with 390 CP Shrimp Wontons in 8 minutes, while Ng Chin Sheng & Helen Tan from Singapore were crowned Asia Pacific’s First Regional Male and Female Eating Champions with 161 and 125 CP Shrimp Wontons respectively.\r\n\r\nAfter five months of heated action witnessing breathtaking feats and record-breaking numbers accomplished across four countries, the top local male and female champions from Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong and Thailand showcased their eating prowess as they gathered on the same stage to vie for the title of CP Biggest Eater Competition Regional Grand Champions and an attractive grand prize of USD$3,000 cash. Of the eight fiercely competitive contenders, all eyes were on Ng Chin Sheng from Singapore and Thidathip Hadthai who led the pack with 140 and 115 CP Shrimp Wontons in 8 minutes based on their scores during the CP Biggest Eater Competition 2011-2012 Finals in Singapore and Bangkok respectively.\r\n\r\nTrue to form, Ng Chin Sheng defeated his fellow competitors and broke his previous competition record with an impressive 161 shrimp wontons. Second place went to Chotiwit Niwatdechbordin from Thailand who trailed behind with 145 wontons, while Lam Yat Ming from Hong Kong rounded up the pack and took third place by devouring 144 shrimp wontons.\r\n\r\nThe local female champions also provided heart-stopping actions and demonstrated their vigour in downing phenomenal amounts of the delicious CP Shrimp Wontons. Surprising the crowd with her ferocious capabilities in eating, Helen Tan from Singapore swooped in unassumingly and clinched victory from her fierce Thailand competitor with an unbelievable amount of 125 wontons, setting a new amateur eating record. The top contender Thidathip Hadthai from Bangkok conceded second place with 117 wontons, while Nuchanart Chattiwaporn followed closely behind with 104 wontons in 8 minutes.\r\n\r\nFollowing their individual appearances at the various CP Biggest Eater Competition stops across the region, the world’s top Major League Eaters gathered on the same stage for the first time and brought their spectacular skills to Bangkok as they devoured the CP Shrimp Wontons with fiery and relentless spirit over 8 minutes in the CP Biggest Eater Professional Eater Challenge. The crowd watched in awe and exploded in cheers as World No.1 Eater Joey Chestnut speedily edged out his competitors, eventually emerging victorious with 390 wontons consumed and setting a new world record. Trailing closely behind is Patrick Bertoletti who competed neck to neck against Joey Chestnut until the last minute, finally finishing off with 332 wontons. In third place was Eater X who consumed 315 wontons.\r\n\r\nFor the female professional eaters, Sonya Thomas defeated Juliet Lee and broke the previous female wonton eating record set by Juliet, with 231 wontons. Definitely a winner of the night as well, Juliet Lee broke her personal and female record and managed to consume 219 shrimp wontons in 8 minutes.\r\n\r\nCP Biggest Eater Competition 2011-2012, Asia Pacific’s first and largest regional eating competition is organised by CP Foods – Asia’s leading food brand and conglomerate under the Charoen Pokphand Group – as part of its continuous effort to initiate fun and innovative platforms to engage food enthusiasts and connect them through the universal ‘language’ of eating.\r\n\r\nWith an astounding 90,000 CP Shrimp Wontons consumed over the five months of competitive eating across the region, close to 1,500 participants from all four competition stops and an estimated USD$10,500 raised for Youth Projects Community Kitchen in Melbourne, Australia - a cause which provides health, outreach, education and training, and community and employment services to disadvantaged individuals - CP Biggest Eater Competition 2011-2012 is undoubtedly a world-class platform that connects human beings across the world and drives the passion for food in new dimensions.\r\n\r\n“The CP Biggest Eater Competition 2011-2012 Grand Finale was ground-breaking in bringing the best to Asian consumers. I am delighted to be able to witness the birth of the region’s first male and female biggest eating champions, and literally, the jaw-dropping actions by the world’s top professional eaters. The competition was a huge success for CP Foods and we could not have achieved the amazing results if not for the tremendous support we received from people in Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong and of course, our home country, Thailand,” said Mr. Kosit Lohawatanakul, Head of Overseas Marketing of CP Foods. “We are very proud to have created an engaging platform for talents to thrive and pit their skills against some of the world’s best and most illustrious eaters, at the same time lending a hand to worthwhile causes in the region. Moving forward, keep a lookout for more excitement and surprises in store from CP Foods!”\r\n\r\nCLICK HERE for more information on the CP Biggest Eater Competition 2011-2012\r\n\r\nCP BIGGEST EATER GRAND FINALE RESULTS\r\n\r\nProfessional Male Champions:\r\n1st-Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, San Jose, CA, 390 CP Shrimp Wontons in 8 minutes (New World Record)\r\n2nd-Patrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, Chicago, IL, 332 \r\n3rd-Tim “Eater X” Janus, New York, NY, 315\r\n\r\nProfessional Female Champions:\r\n1st-Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas, Alexandria, VA, 231 CP Shrimp Wontons in 8 minutes\r\n2th-Juliet Lee, 219\r\n\r\nRegional Male Champions:\r\n1st-Ng Chin Sheng, Singapore, 161 CP Shrimp Wontons in 8 minutes\r\n2nd-Chotiwit Niwatdechbordin, Thailand, 145\r\n3rd-Lam Yat Min, Hong Kong, 144\r\n4th-Poonsak Muangnoicharoen, Thailand, 137 \r\n5th-Brad Stokes, Australia, 125\r\n6th-Thitipan Seephaphankul, Thailand, 120\r\n7th-Somboon Saelao, Thailand, 119\r\n\r\nRegional Female Champions:\r\n1st-Helen Tan, Singapore, 125 CP Shrimp Wontons in 8 minutes\r\n2nd-Thidathip Hadthai, Thailand, 117\r\n3rd-Nuchanart Chattiwaporn, Thailand, 104 \r\n4th-Padcha Pornpatcharapong, Thailand, 73\r\n5th-Natalie Chin, Hong Kong, 65 \r\n6th-Natthanan Charoendechakit, Thailand, 60\r\n7th-Chiau Lin Lau, Australia, 44"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40d5","sn":878,"title":"Around the world in 30 days with Sam Barclay","createdAt":"2012-02-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sam Barclay is in Bangkok, Thailand, nearly 10,000 miles away from his Miami Beach residence. With the CP Biggest Eater Competition 2011-12 nearing its grand finale, Sam will don the boater from afar this weekend and next when Major League Eating's best take the stage to eat CP shrimp wontons. Sam took some time before takeoff to reflect on his MLE experiences to date:\r\n\r\nBefore becoming a part of MLE, you encountered pro eating on the edit side at FHM. How did that come about? Would you say you were also a fan or was this your first introduction?\r\n\r\nMy first interaction with MLE was on April 3, 2003. I was working at FHM magazine at the time and I was looking for a way to cover the burgeoning sport of competitive eating, take a day out of the office and eat a lot. A story idea was born: Crazy Legs Conti challenged the entire FHM editorial staff to a nine-inning, ballpark-food eatoff at Shea Stadium, while the Mets lost to the Cubs 3-6. Trachsel was on the mound; what can you do? Crazy Legs finished 7-1-1 for the day, losing only in knishes in the ninth. I knew of competitive eating growing up in Australia before relocating to the US in 2002 and knew it was something the magazine had to cover, but that day was the day I became a fan for life. \r\n\r\nHow have you been enjoying your role as an MLE MC?\r\n\r\nIt is the best job I have ever had. The travel opportunities are incredible—Arkansas, Puerto Rico, Hong Kong—and the clients and staff at the events and the eaters are a joy to work with. After an event, the greatest compliment is when someone from the crowd approaches me, still stunned, and says, \"I have never seen anything like that in my life.\" I take very real satisfaction from that. And you get a cool hat.\r\n\r\nHere in the U.S., what have some hosting highlights been?\r\n\r\nThe Taste of DC World Chili Eating Championship Presented By Ben's Chili Bowl comes to mind first. Maybe it's because it has the longest title of any event ever. The Ben's Chili Bowl family were amazing, and we got to do the show on Pennsylvania Ave with the Capitol Building behind us and the J Edgar Hoover FBI Building stage right. Styx played on the same stage some hours later, too. My most recent event was PB&B at the Isle Casino Hotel in Biloxi, MS—my first Isle event—and the team there could not have been more welcoming. In terms of athletic displays, watching Patrick Bertoletti down 264 Day-Lee Food gyoza in 10 minutes at Nisei Week in LA was the most impressive.\r\n\r\nThe CP Foods Tour has brought you to Singapore, Aus, Hong Kong. Can you give us a tidbit from each trip, either on the contests or the overall experience.\r\n\r\nSingapore was a revelation. I was brought up to think of Singapore as a straightlaced, frankly dull outpost of expats making millions in finance. Not so, as myself, Crazy Legs Conti and Matt Stonie discovered. We ate amazing, strange, wonderful foods in amazing, strange, wonderful neighborhoods. Our PR and event partners for the CP events, Vibes Communications, are based in Singapore and their hometown hospitality was a joy. Australia, what I remember is Eater X defeating Joey—I think for the first time in four years. It was the first time Eater X ate CP shrimp wontons in competition, too. Hong Kong was a place I always wanted to go and it blew my mind. It is just so over-the-top and overwhelming. Contest-wise, Juliet Lee set a new women's CP shrimp wonton record with 178, a formidable number. I also ate a fish's eye at the recommendation of my dinner host.\r\n\r\nYour next stop is Thailand. What plans do you have away from the table and how do you handicap the competition?\r\n\r\nBangkok, final qualifiers on February 4th with Crazy Legs, Erik the Red and Matt Stone, and the finals on February 11th with Juliet and Sonya, and Eater X, Pat and Joey. In the men's final, Joey has already guaranteed victory by 50 CP shrimp wontons, which is bold considering he was defeated by Eater X in November. Pat has never eaten in this discipline before, so it will be interesting to see how he can perform coming off a win in PB&B, especially with his gyoza background. He is dumpling family compliant. In the women's, Sonya will look to erase her Singapore total and defeat Juliet, setting a new women's record in the process. Or world record. Away from the table and after competition duties have been seen to, it's all about the Bangkok street food and enjoying the company of the eaters and our hosts."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40d3","sn":877,"title":"Badlands Booker on Big Man Mentality, Cookie and the SB","createdAt":"2012-01-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating recently caught up with Badlands Booker to chat about his new CD, Big Man Mentality, and more. Check it out on iTunes and follow Booker on twitter @badlandsbooker\r\n\r\nMLE: How long did it take you to lay down all the tracks on the latest effort, Big Man Mentality?\r\n\r\nBadlands: I started formulating song ideas for the Big Man Mentality CD around the spring of 2011. I uploaded around 30 beats (produced by my son Brandon aka “OK Hip Hop”) to my phone and vibed with them all summer long by writing and editing songs. By Labor Day Weekend, I was in the studio recording. By Halloween, the album was done.\r\n\r\nMLE: What's the meaning of the title, Big Man Mentality?\r\n\r\nBadlands: To live life on a grand scale is what it means to have a “Big Man Mentality.” Think avant garde as opposed to bantam. Big men do big things! They have no choice! And I’m not necessary only talking about girth. To have a Big Man Mentality is to think big, dream big, walk, talk, live, love, party real big!\r\n\r\nMLE: Where did you find Tots aka Crispyonthemic? Who are you, Dre?\r\n\r\nBadlands: Lol! In May 2011, I was gearing up to participate in the Wild Carp Week Salt Potato Eating Championships up in Baldwinsville, NY (Syracuse area) and a week or two before the contest, Jason Bernhardt told me about a Syracuse MC who raps about potatoes. I was intrigued because I’ve never met a potato rapper before so I told him to give me a call. We kicked it over the phone, I heard his tracks online and it was all good! We planned to do something at the contest, but didn’t get a chance to, so I handed him a beat CD and told him to vibe with it so we can make it happen next year. Soon after, he sends me a video spitting a hot verse over one of the beats. So I come up with my verse and the hook, take a trip back up to the ‘Cuse” and Sack O’ Potaydahs was born. Since then we rocked the mic together at the Walk-Up radio comedy show & at last years National Buffalo Wing Festival!! You can check out Tots songs online at http://crispyonthemic.bandcamp.com\r\n\r\nMLE: Is this album meant to be listened to in one sitting or song-by-song?\r\n\r\nBadlands: Although great track by track, the Big Man Mentality CD is meant to be enjoyed as a whole! It’s mixed in a way in which the songs merge into one another. Great for a nice road trip or a subway ride. \r\n\r\nMLE: The \"cheese eggs/Welch’s grape\" line, is that a tribute to Biggie or did it just fit into the ryhme?\r\n\r\nBadlands: I’m definitely a huge fan of the late great Biggie Smalls. I molded my verse to fit that line in! Biggie Smalls is the ILLEST!!! \r\n\r\nMLE: You doing any of the NOLA contests this year? Crawfish or Oysters? If so, will you perform?\r\n\r\nBadlands: Definitely! Its been a while since I’ve done a NOLA event and plan on hitting the stage Rapping and Eating for fame in 2012!\r\n\r\nMLE: How about Cookie, an old competitor of yours, and his weight loss?\r\n\r\nBadlands: Cookie Jarvis is my brother from another mother. He’s always been an inspiration to me. He kept me on my toes when we did contests back in the day & now inspires me to trim down. If he can shed 200 plus pounds the hard way thru diet & exercise, then so can I! He’s presently my wellness coach, giving me tips on how to eat right and exercise and the extra motivation I need to stay “Hungry & Focused” on my weight loss goals.\r\n\r\nMLE: Who do you like in the Super Bowl\r\nI think it’s going to be another Pats & Giants matchup. I’m a Jets fan, but I’m pro New York so go Giants! Although, I like certain players from the Pats like my man #75 Vince Wilfork! Big man be doing his thing on the field! Word!!\r\n\r\n{Editor’s note: Badlands answered this question one day before the Championship games. Pats & Giants won and Wilfork was the difference against the Ravens.}"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40d2","sn":876,"title":"MLE Morning Snack: Bryan \"Big Sexy\" Beard","createdAt":"2012-01-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"MLE recently caught up with The Big Sexy for a few thoughts on his career, Tim Tebow and his trademark cowboy hat...Follow him on twitter @therealbigsexy.\r\n\r\nWhat’s your proudest moment on the MLE Circuit so far?\r\nIt has to be when I made the 2010 Nathan's Famous Finals. Although I view every contest as a great time, I firmly believe that when I ate on July 4th in Coney Island, NY, it was the high point in my eating career! It's the ultimate goal.\r\n\r\n What contest or contest do you anticipate most in 2012?\r\nWell last year I fell flat on my face in my only Nathan's qualifier in Hawthorne, CA, so I'm looking for some personal redemption when it comes to HDB's. So I am officially putting out a threat to Nathan's Hot Dogs everywhere... I'M COMIN' FOR YA THIS YEAR!\r\n \r\nWhen not competing, what’s your favorite food?\r\nIt seems lately that I've been eating a lot of fruit. Apples, oranges, grapes etc... Lean meats such as turkey and grilled chicken. This is a year of change for me so I've been being more conscious about what I've been intaking... It's crazy, fruits and vegetables do actually taste good if ya give them a chance!\r\n \r\nWhat did you eat during the Pats Broncos playoff game?\r\nWell, being a wise Bronco fan, I can tell you I wasn't eating my words! I spent the time with my family and had some home-cooked chicken wings with some chunky bleu cheese! Gotta love having a mom that cooks amazing chicken wings while using the cooking method of the \"WING KING\" Drew Cerza himself!\r\n\r\nWho is the better athlete - Tebow or Joey?\r\nI'm going to have to take the high road on this one (My beloved Tebow and my good friend Joey!) and use a quote that was used by somebody when Joey came to Denver and ate Bratwursts with me at Oktoberfest... \"Some people can run a marathon, some people can dunk a basketball, some people can throw a ball 70 yards in the air... AND some people can eat 68 Hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes!\" Tebow is an amazing athlete in his own right, but we should set him a spot at the table and let's see how he fares against Joey on the stage of gustatory greatness!\r\n \r\nWhy the hat?\r\nWho doesn't enjoy a big hat?! It's funny you ask this, because I remember when I first started, I had people walk up to me and tell me that the hat made them angry... Other tell me it's distracting... The main reason I wear the hat is that it's fun. The kids enjoy the hat and I enjoy looking out in the crowd and seeing people paying attention and watching me as opposed to watching what's going on in the middle of the table. As long as I make a good lasting impression on somebody, whether it be from the hat or interaction that I have, people will always know that I'm the big guy in the big, blue foam cowboy hat."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40d6","sn":874,"title":"MAJOR LEAGUE EATING OFFERS SERVICES TO SIR GRAHAM WATSON & EU COMMISSIONER","createdAt":"2011-12-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"MAJOR LEAGUE EATING OFFERS SERVICES TO SIR GRAHAM WATSON & EU COMMISSIONER\r\n\r\nEating Contest To Settle Prune Dispute\r\n\r\nNEW YORK, NY December 15, 2011 -- Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, has offered to oversee and make official a prune eating contest between Sir Graham Watson (Lib Dem MEP for South West England) and Commissioner John Dalli, the head of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).\r\n\r\nSir Graham Watson has made headlines recently after he challenged the EFSA Commissioner to a prune eating contest. Sir Graham posed the challenge because he disputes the EFSA claim that prunes do not have a laxative effect. It is not yet known whether the two political leaders will face off over a plate of prunes, but Major League Eating’s offer to sanction the event may indeed make it a reality.\r\n\r\n“Eating contests are esophageal jousts that have been used to settle scores since the beginning of time,” said Richard Shea, president of Major League Eating. “As the international organization that oversees eating on a professional level, we feel it only right to offer our services to Sir Graham Watson and the E.U.”\r\n\r\nMajor League Eating sanctions the world’s best known eating contest, the Nathan’s Famous July Fourth International Hot Dog Eating Contest, and it has overseen eating contests throughout the world from Haggis in Northumberland to Wontons in Hong Kong. \r\n\r\n“We have in our power the ability to confirm whether prunes are or are not a natural laxative,” said Shea. When asked where the contest between the two European leaders might take place, Shea offered: “If not London perhaps The Hague - not in the Peace Palace I imagine, but within shouting distance.”"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40d0","sn":873,"title":"MLE & WILD TURKEY GIVE BACK DURING THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY","createdAt":"2011-11-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating continued its tradition of giving back this week by making a donation to the Food Bank for New York City. MLE GIVES is the charitable branch of Major League Eating that seeks to help food charities support those in need. For more information on the Food Bank for New York City, visit www.foodbanknyc.org.\r\n\r\nEarlier this week, Wild Turkey enlisted the help of Major League Eaters Crazy Legs Conti and Badlands Booker to deliver 81 turkeys that were donated to City Harvest by Wild Turkey in advance of the Wild Turkey 81 Eating World Championship. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40d4","sn":872,"title":"WHOLE TURKEY EAT-OFF: WORLD’S BEST FACE OFF IN WILD TURKEY® 81 EATING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP","createdAt":"2011-11-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"WHOLE TURKEY EAT-OFF: WORLD’S BEST FACE OFF IN WILD TURKEY® 81 EATING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP\r\n100-Pound Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas to Headline Thanksgiving Eating Invitational \r\nVying for Cash Prize and Coveted Title of World’s Greatest Turkey Eater \r\n\r\nJust two days before America’s biggest eating holiday, where more than 45 million turkeys are expected to be served for Thanksgiving dinner , the world’s greatest competitive eaters will go head to head to see who can eat the most turkey at the inaugural Wild Turkey® 81 Eating World Championship, on Tuesday, Nov. 22 in New York City. \r\n\r\nThe 10-minute competition, which challenges competitors to down 10-pound roast turkeys, is sanctioned by Major League Eating (MLE), will take place at 11:00 a.m. at The Times Center on 41st Street near Times Square, and will feature a total prize pool of $3,081, with the winner taking home $1,581 and the cherished Wild Turkey 81 Eating World Championship belt.\r\n\r\nHeadlining the event will be the 100-pound Sonya Thomas, the diminutive number-four MLE ranked eating marvel out of Alexandria, Va. Dubbed “The Black Widow,” Thomas made history earlier this year after winning the first-ever women’s hot dog eating championship belt on July 4. Thomas regularly defeats men twice her size and holds 24 eating world records. Over Labor Day weekend in Buffalo, N.Y., she set a new world record by consuming 183 chicken wings in 12 minutes and beating top-ranked Joey Chestnut.\r\n\r\nThe turkey eating invitational is title sponsored by the “Official Whiskey of Thanksgiving,” Wild Turkey 81 Bourbon, the newest addition to the Wild Turkey bourbon family. In addition to sponsoring the event, Wild Turkey is also making a charitable donation of 81 turkeys to a NYC metro food bank to help families during the Thanksgiving holiday. \r\n\r\nThe Wild Turkey 81 Eating World Championship is a timed contest to see who can consume the most turkey meat from a whole turkey. Each roast turkey will be 10-pounds and will be weighed again following the contest to determine accurate results. The second place finisher will take home $750, while $500 and $250 will go to the third and fourth place eaters.\r\n\r\n“Our slogan for Wild Turkey is ‘Give ‘Em the Bird’ and that’s exactly what we’re doing with this world-class event – giving 10-pound birds to the world’s best eaters and watching them devour them in an epic battle royale,” said Eddie Russell, Associate Master Distiller of Wild Turkey and creator of Wild Turkey.”I am sure our namesake bird won’t go down without a fight!”\r\n\r\nLooking to upset Thomas are two of New York’s top Major League Eaters – “Badlands” Booker and “Crazy Legs” Conti. The 400-pound Booker, a competitive eater and hip-hop artist from Queens, enters the event with world records in glazed doughnuts and pumpkin pies. A 10-year MLE veteran, Conti is a national champion in sweet corn, a food not dissimilar to turkey in competitive eating circles given the heavy emphasis on technique and hand-to-mouth coordination.\r\n\r\n“Sonya will face men literally four times her size as she seeks the Wild Turkey 81 Eating World Championship belt,” said George Shea, chairman of Major League Eating. “She will provide a lesson for all those Americans who approach the Thanksgiving meal as a competitive event.”\r\n\r\nEvent Info:\r\n\r\nWhat: Wild Turkey 81 Eating World Championship\r\n\r\nWhen: Tuesday, November 22, 2011\r\n\r\nTime: 11:00 a.m.\r\n\r\nLocation:\t\r\nThe Times Center (ground floor Gallery room)\r\n242 West 41st Street\r\nNew York, NY 10036\r\n\r\nTo attend this event as a spectator, you must RSVP to wildturkey81bourbon@gmail.com to have your name put on the guest list. This is a must in order to watch!! \r\n\r\nAbout Wild Turkey 81\r\nCreated by Wild Turkey Associate Distiller and Bourbon Hall of Fame member Eddie Russell, Wild Turkey 81 might not be as big as its elder brother Wild Turkey 101, but it’s still the toughest kid in its class. It uses Wild Turkey’s famous high-rye mash bill for a spicy kick and is aged longer than others in the category: up to eight years in hand-selected American oak barrels. Utilizing a bold #4 “alligator” char, the barrels give Wild Turkey 81 the vanilla and caramel smoothness that marks it as real Wild Turkey bourbon. Wild Turkey 81 stands tall on its own, but really shines in mixed drinks where its robust flavors never shy away. Wild Turkey 81 was awarded a Gold Medal and named Best in Class at the International Wine and Spirit Competition.\r\n\r\nAbout Skyy Spirits, LLC \r\nThe eighth-largest spirits company in the US, Skyy Spirits, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM), together with its affiliates Gruppo Campari. Launched in 1992 with the introduction of its flagship brand, SKYY® Vodka, Skyy Spirits has grown exponentially, building a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers. Skyy Spirits manages Gruppo Campari’s portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY90®, SKYY Infusions®, Campari®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell’s Reserve®, Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Espolón® Tequila, Carolans® Irish Cream, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Sagatiba® Cachaça, and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®. Skyy Spirits is also the exclusive US distributor of The Glenrothes® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Flor de Caña® Rum, Midori® Melon Liqueur, Hibiki® Whisky and The Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky. Skyy Spirits was founded and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. More information on the company can be found at www.skyyspirits.com.com,www.facebook.com/skyyspirits, Twitter: @SkyySpirits and www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy Skyy Spirits brands responsibly and in moderation. \r\n\r\nAbout Gruppo Campari \r\nDavide Campari-Milano S.p.A., together with its affiliates (\"Gruppo Campari\"), is a major player in the global beverage sector, trading in over 190 nations around the world with a leading position in the Italian and Brazilian markets and a strong presence in the USA and Continental Europe. The Group has an extensive portfolio that spans three business segments: spirits, wines and soft drinks. In the spirits segment its internationally renowned brands, such as Campari, Carolans, SKYY Vodka and Wild Turkey stand out. It also has leading regional brands including Aperol, Cabo Wabo, Camparisoda, Cynar, Frangelico, Glen Grant, Ouzo 12, X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, Zedda Piras and the local Brazilian brands Dreher, Old Eight and Drury’s. Its wine segment boasts the global brand Cinzano, as well as important regional brands including Liebfraumilch, Mondoro, Odessa, Riccadonna, Sella&Mosca and Teruzzi&Puthod. The soft drinks segment comprises the non-alcoholic aperitif Crodino and Lemonsoda as well as its respective line extension dominating the Italian market. The Group employs over 2,200 people. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM), are listed on the Italian Stock Exchange. www.camparigroup.com. \r\n\r\nMore information on the company can be found at HERE.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40d1","sn":871,"title":"New Champions Crowned @ CP Biggest Eater Singapore Finals","createdAt":"2011-11-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Three of the world’s top Major League Eaters and Singapore’s finest eaters stunned hundreds of spectators at Orchard Central on Saturday, October 22nd as they delivered an intense, adrenalin-pumping afternoon of world-class eating competition. World #1-ranked female eater Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas, world #10-ranked Matt “megatoad” Stonie, world #20-ranked Crazy Legs Conti and Singapore’s top finalists pushed the first leg of the regional CP Biggest Eater Competition 2011-12 off to a grand start as they went head on with one another in a jaw-dropping showdown that had the crowd roaring with enthusiasm and passion.\r\n\r\nNo doubt a climatic end to the intense competition, Matt Stonie emerged victorious in the CP Biggest Eater Professional Eater Challenge with 210 CP Shrimp Wontons, while Ng Chin Sheng and Helen Tan clinched the Singapore Male and Female Champion titles with 140 and 109 CP Shrimp Wontons, respectively.\r\n\r\nIn the highly anticipated CP Biggest Eater Professional Eater Challenge between Sonya Thomas, Matt Stonie and Crazy Legs Conti, the professionals devoured the CP Shrimp Wontons at a blistering pace over 8 minutes. The audience was kept on their toes as the world’s youngest professional eater Matt Stonie edged out Sonya Thomas and Crazy Legs Conti with 210 wontons consumed. Sonya Thomas finished after Matt Stonie’s heels with 130 wontons eaten, while Crazy Legs Conti finished with 115 wontons.\r\n\r\nThe top 22 local male finalists proved to be impressive as they put up a great fight for the title of the Singapore Male Champion. In the end, last year’s winner Ng Chin Sheng blazed ahead of stiff competition and broke the natonal record with 140 wontons, 25 wontons more than last year’s achievement of 115. Second place went to See Boon Long, who trailed Chin Sheng by a mere eight wontons behind at 132, while Wee Teck Hong took third place with 125 wontons.\r\n\r\nThe female finalists round also provided non-stop action when Helen Tan, a complete unknown in the world of competitive eating, wowed the crowd with her rhythm as she consumed an unbelievable amount of 109 wontons (setting a new local eating record for females). Maria Koh, champion of CP Biggest Eater Competition 2010 conceded second place with 80 wontons, while Honey Tan followed closely behind with 68 wontons.\r\n\r\nNg Chin Sheng and Helen Tan each walked away with USD $2,000 and a trip for two to Bangkok, Thailand. The newly-minted champions will represent Singapore at the CP Biggest Eater Competition 2011-2012 Regional Grand Finale in Bangkok on February 11, 2012 to vie with other male and female local champions from Australia, Hong Kong, and Thailand for USD $3,000 cash prizes each and the honor of being crowned the first ever CP Biggest Eater Regional Grand Champions.\r\n\r\n“The Singapore Finals has been a phenomenal start to the CP Biggest Eater Competition 2011-2012, which will be proceeding to Melbourne, Hong Kong, and Bangkok in search of the first ever Regional Champions in Asia Pacific,” said Joyce Yap, Assistant Vice President of Charoen Pokphand Intertrade Singapore Pte Ltd. “We are very impressed by the new records that have been set by the Singaporean champions, and the support from the public has been inspiring and overwhelming. We look forward to Chin Sheng and Helen representing Singapore at the Grand Finale in Bangkok next year, and wish them all the best as they take the stage in the largest competitive eating sporting event in Asia Pacific! And hopefully, they will do us proud by bringing back the regional titles.”\r\n\r\nCP Biggest Eater Competition 2011-2012, Asia Pacific’s first and largest regional eating competition, spanning across Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong and Thailand, is organised by CP Foods – Asia’s leading food brand and conglomerate under the Charoen Pokphand Group – as part of its continuous effort to initiate fun and innovative platforms to engage food enthusiasts and connect them through the universal ‘language’ of eating. Major League Eating is sending at least three of its star gurgitators to each leg of the trip. Eaters include Joey Chestnut, Pat Bertoletti, Eater X, Sonya Thomas, Matt Stonie, Erik Denmark, Sonya Thomas and Crazy Legs Conti. \r\n\r\n“Eating is a shared passion that connects people together. In addition to giving the public an opportunity to witness the excitement of a world-class competitive eating contest live, the CP Biggest Eater Competition helps participants to forge new relationships and gain wonderful experiences. It has also provided a platform for talents to thrive and pit their skills against some of the world’s best and most illustrious eaters,” said Joyce Yap.\r\n\r\nThe next stop of the CP Biggest Eater Competition 2011-12 is in Melbourne on November 19, 2011, where the Australian competitors will have their work cut out in beating the records set by the Singaporean eaters. Visit www.cpbiggesteater.com for more information on the CP Biggest Eater Competition 2011-2012.\r\n\r\nSINGAPORE TOP RESULTS\r\n\r\nProfessionals:\r\n1-Matt “Megatoad” Stonie - 210 CP Foods Shrimp Wontons in 8 minutes\r\n2-Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas - 130 wontons\r\n3-Crazy Legs Conti - 115 wontons\r\n\r\nTop 3 Local Male Eaters:\r\nTop 3 Local Male Eaters:\r\n1-Ng Chin Sheng - 140 CP Foods Shrimp Wontons in 8 minutes (USD $2,000)\r\n2-See Boon Long - 132 wontons (USD $700)\r\n3-Wee Teck Hong - 125 wontons (USD $500)\r\n\r\nTop 3 Local Female Eaters:\r\n1-Helen Tan - 109 CP Foods Shrimp Wontons in 8 minutes (USD $2,000)\r\n2-Maria Koh - 80 wontons (USD $700)\r\n3-Honey Tan - 68 wontons (USD $500)"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40cd","sn":870,"title":"World Rankings Updated","createdAt":"2011-10-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"While Joey Chestnut stays atop the competitive eating world, rising MLE stars made moves in the recently updated world rankings. Matt \"megatoad\" Stonie jumped four spots to #6 while Adrian Morgan made his first top-10 appearance at #7. \r\n\r\nFemale rookie Maria Edible enters the rankings at #30, one spot behind Larell Marie Mele, while Yasir Salem jumped to #34 after strong showings in hot dogs, gyoza and cannolis. \r\n\r\nCLICK HERE for a complete list of world rankings."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40cf","sn":869,"title":"CP Foods Biggest Eater 2011-12 Kicks Off in Singapore Saturday!","createdAt":"2011-10-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"THE STAGE IS SET FOR THE ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN FOR THE TITLE OF CP BIGGEST EATER 2011-2012 SINGAPORE CHAMPION\r\n\r\nSingapore is one step closer to finding the nation’s biggest male and female eaters as the top 33 finalists of the CP Biggest Eater Competition 2011-2012 (Singapore) take the eating stage this Saturday, 22 October 2011, at Orchard Central, to battle for the chance to represent Singapore at the CP Biggest Eater Competition 2011-2012 Grand Finale in Bangkok on February 11, 2012. Be there and cheer the finalists on in their quest to be the best, and also catch World Major League Eaters Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas, Matt “Megatoad” Stonie, and “Crazy Legs” Conti ‘LIVE’ in action as they challenge the current record of eating 380 CP Shrimp Wontons in 8 minutes, set last year by World Number 1 Eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut.\r\n\r\nExpect a battle nothing short of world-class as the 26 male and seven female participants who emerged tops in the Local Heats come up against the professional eaters on the biggest competitive eating stage in Asia Pacific. In what could possibly be a chance of a lifetime, the top 2 male and female finalists will get the opportunity to be on the same stage and battle it out with three of the world’s most outstanding Major League Eating athletes.\r\n\r\nHeld over the weekend of October 15-16, the Singapore Heats received a record-breaking response this year as over 400 participants snapped up all the registration slots within four weeks. Amidst the roar of enthusiastic cheers, spectators witnessed intense jaw-dropping action as participants from all walks of life vied furiously for the top spots that would qualify them for the Singapore Finals. Proving to be the ones to beat at the Local Finals, defending male champion Ng Chin Sheng devoured 92 CP Shrimp Wontons, while top female finalist Helen Tan ate 70 CP Shrimp Wontons, within 5 minutes during the Heats. The male and female champions of the Singapore Finals will each walk away with $2,000 USD cash, and flight and accommodation for two to Bangkok to participate in the regional Grand Finale in February 2012, for the ultimate honor of being the first ever CP Biggest Eater Regional Grand Champions.\r\n\r\n“Developed as an innovative platform to engage food enthusiasts and elevate the experience and awareness of this adrenaline-pumping sport, CP Foods is elated with the record number of Singapore participants registering for and taking part in the CP Biggest Eater Competition this year,” said Joyce Yap, Assistant Vice President of Charoen Pokphand Intertrade Singapore Pte Ltd. “But right now, I’m just as excited as everyone is about the crowning of the Singapore male and female champions who will be representing Singapore in the Grand Finale in Bangkok alongside winners from Australia, Hong Kong, and Thailand. We hope Singapore will do well and exciting new records set in the largest biggest eating competition in Asia Pacific!”\r\n\r\nCP Biggest Eater Competition 2011-2012, Asia Pacific’s first and largest regional eating competition, spanning across Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong and Thailand, is organized by CP Foods – Asia’s leading food brand and conglomerate under the Charoen Pokphand Group – as part of its continuous effort to initiate fun and innovative platforms to engage food enthusiasts and connect them through the universal ‘language’ of eating.\r\n\r\nCome soak in the fanatic live action at Orchard Central on October 22 as participants and professional Major League Eaters unite through eating, sports, and fun. Witness how locals fare against international heavyweights, Sonya Thomas, Matt Stonie and Crazy Legs Conti, while enjoying the professionals’ spectacular eating prowess that is set to create a new chapter in history. Not only that, expect scrumptious food sampling by CP Foods, cheerleading performances, and wonderful premiums to be won!\r\n\r\nCP Biggest Eater Competition 2011-2012 Singapore Finals\r\n\r\nVenue: Orchard Central \r\nDate: October 22, 2011 \r\nTiming: 2 – 5pm\r\nHighlights:\r\n-Male Round 1 – 8 Local Male Finalists \r\n-Male Round 2 – 8 Local Male Finalists \r\n-Male Round 3 – 8 Local Male Finalists \r\n-Female Round – 5 Local Female Finalists \r\n-Finale Round – 2 Top Local Male and Female Finalists with Sonya Thomas, Matt Stonie\r\nand and Crazy Legs Conti \r\n-Prize Presentation\r\n\r\nFor more details on the CP Biggest Eater Competition 2011-2012, please visit http://www.cpbiggesteater.com. www.cpbiggesteater.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40ce","sn":868,"title":"MLE Expands Global Footprint with CP Biggest Eater Competition","createdAt":"2011-09-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating will be touring Asia and the South Pacific with CP Foods this fall and winter for a five-event circuit as part of the CP Biggest Eater Competition 2011-2012. CP Foods Shrimp Wontons will be featured in the competitions that will pit top-ranked Major League Eaters against each other while also crowning local amateur champions at each location. \r\n\r\nMajor League Eaters participating include #1-ranked Joey Chestnut, Pat \"Deep Dish\" Bertoletti, \"Eater X\" Tim Janus, Sonya \"the Black Widow\" Thomas, Erik \"the Red\" Denmark, Juliet Lee and Crazy Legs Conti. \r\n\r\nDates and locations for the CP Biggest Eater Competition are as follows:\r\n\r\nSingapore - Oct. 22, 2011 (featuring Pat, Sonya and Crazy Legs)\r\n\r\nMelbourne - Nov. 19, 2011 (featuring Joey, Eater X and Juliet)\r\n\r\nHong Kong - Nov. 27, 2011 (featuring Joey, Erik the Red and Juliet)\r\n\r\nBangkok - Feb. 4, 2012 (featuring Erik the Red and Crazy Legs)\r\n\r\nBangkok - Feb. 11, 2012 (Grand Finale featuring Joey, Pat, Eater X, Sonya and Juliet)\r\n\r\nAbout CP Biggest Eater Competition\r\nLaunched in 2010 to much fanfare and resounding success in Singapore, the inaugural CP Biggest Eater Competition attracted close to 400 participants and more than 1,000 spectators in the finale where Ng Chin Sheng (with 115 CP Shrimp Wontons) and Koh Yeow Thien (with 70 CP Shrimp Wontons) were crowned the male and female CP Biggest Eater respectively. The intense atmosphere was pushed to feverish heights when world professional eaters Joey Chestnut, Takeru Kobayashi and Juliet Lee showcased their astounding eating skills amidst roaring cheers from the massive crowd. In the end, Joey Chestnut narrowly edged out Takeru Kobayashi to set a new record of 380 shrimp wontons eaten in eight minutes. CLICK HERE for more information on the CP Biggest Eater Competition 2011-2012\r\n "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40ca","sn":867,"title":"MLE Touring Asia to Entertain U.S. Navy Troops","createdAt":"2011-08-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"For the second straight summer Major League Eating is off to Asia to entertain troops on U.S. Naval Bases on a tour hosted by NAVY Entertainment. The two week trip will consist of a series of 'Pro-Am' eating contests with troops being paired with Major League Eaters in the friendly competitions. \r\n\r\nRepresenting Major League Eating is the world's #1-ranked eater Joey Chestnut along with 2011 Rookie of the Year Adrian Morgan and veteran Crazy Legs Conti. The contests will feature a variety of foods including Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs, wings, kimchee, and noodles. The 2011 Asia tour adds to Major League Eating's global footprint which in recent years has seen visits in Australia, Singapore, China, Cuba and Canada.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40c9","sn":866,"title":"Nathan's July 4th ESPN Broadcast Sets Viewership Record","createdAt":"2011-07-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Record-Setting Viewership for Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest\r\n\r\nESPN's telecast of the 2011 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest averaged 1,949,000 viewers to become the most-viewed competition ever. Viewership for this year's telecast was up 16 percent compared to last year's 1,677,000 viewers. The corresponding 1.3 rating is tied with 2006 and 2007 as the highest rating for the contest. Including two same-day re-airs across ESPN and ESPN2, nearly nine million viewers tuned in to see Joey Chestnut and Sonya Thomas win their respective championships. ESPN first televised the competition in 2004. \r\n\r\nAdditionally, unique viewers via ESPN3.com's simulcast of the event were up 189 percent and total minutes consumed were up 321 percent over last year."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40cb","sn":865,"title":"Joey wins 5th Nathan's belt - Sonya claims first-ever Women's title","createdAt":"2011-07-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"JOEY CHESTNUT WINS FIFTH NATHAN’S TITLE WITH 62 HOT DOGS, SONYA THOMAS IS FIRST-EVER WOMEN’S HOT DOG EATING WORLD CHAMPION\n\nConey Island, July 5, 2011 — Joey Chestnut of San Jose, CA and Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas of Alexandria, VA earned the titles of Men’s and Women’s Hot Dog Eating World Champions yesterday at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, held annually at the original Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island.\n\nChestnut, the #1-ranked eater in the world, returned to the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues to claim his fifth straight Nathan’s Famous title by devouring 62 hot dogs and buns in the 10-minute, all-you-can-eat contest. He edged out Chicago’s Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, who came in second place with 53 hot dogs and buns, and New York City’s Tim “Eater X” Janus who ate 45 hot dogs and buns for third. Bob “Notorious B.O.B.” Shoudt of Royersford, PA captured fourth with 39 and Sean “Flash” Gordon of Downingtown, PA and 18-year-old Matt Stonie of San Jose, CA tied for fifth with 34.\n\nIn the first-ever Women’s Championship, which occurred just prior to the men’s contest, Thomas downed 40 hot dogs and buns for the win. Juliet Lee, a mother of two from Germantown, MD placed second with 29.5 hot dogs and buns, and rookie Stephanie Torres of Las Cruces, NM took home third with 28.5 hot dogs and buns. Fourth prize went to Michelle Lesco of Tucson, AZ who ate 20 and Larell Marie Mele of Long Pond, PA captured fifth prize with 16.\n\nThe event has been held each year since 1916 and for the first time ever, male and female eaters competed separately for the titles of Men’s Hot Dog Eating World Champion and Women’s Hot Dog Eating World Champion. The contests offered a total of $40,000 in cash prizes.\n\nThe 2011 Men’s and Women’s Championships took place at the original Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island where nearly 30,000 eating fans and July Fourth revelers watched the contest. The event has become part of the fabric of America’s annual July Fourth celebration, and was once again televised live on ESPN from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm EST and streamed online at ESPN3.com from 11:30 a.m.\n\n“Nathan’s Famous congratulates our first-ever Women’s Champion, Sonya Thomas and our Men’s Champion Joey Chestnut for his fifth straight win,” said Wayne Norbitz, president and COO of Nathan’s Famous, Inc. “This year we were thrilled to have added the Women’s Championship and to welcome competitors from China for the very first time.”\n\nThe competitors earned their seats at the finals by winning one of a dozen qualifying rounds that occurred in May and June throughout the U.S. and in Beijing, China. At yesterday’s contest, a total of 17 male competitors battled for the coveted Mustard Yellow Belt, considered the “World Cup” of Major League Eating. Yat Ming Lam, Lu Ming Kui, and Tai Loi Mak, representing China, were also among the contenders. Nine women competed in the Women’s Championship.\n\nNathan’s Famous products are currently distributed in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and six foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and retail licensing activities. The Nathan’s restaurant system currently consists of 269 units, comprised of 264 franchised or licensed units and five company-owned units (including one seasonal unit). Nathan’s hot dogs are sold in over 40,000 retail and foodservice locations. For additional information about Nathan’s visit www.nathansfamous.com. For more information about Major League Eating, visit www.MajorLeagueEating.com\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40c7","sn":863,"title":"JULY 4 COMPETITOR BIB SHEETS - WOMEN","createdAt":"2011-07-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"NATHAN’S FAMOUS FOURTH OF JULY INTERNATIONAL HOT DOG EATING CONTEST\r\n\r\n2011 COMPETITOR BIB SHEET – WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP\r\n\r\nSonya “The Black Widow” Thomas\r\nAlexandria, VA\r\n5’5”, 105 lbs, 42 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Atlantic City, NJ Qualifier, 34 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
#5 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \r\n
Favorite Food: hard boiled eggs; has eaten 65 hard boiled eggs in 6 min, 40 seconds\r\n
Acme World Oyster Eating Champion, 46 dozen Louisiana oysters in 10 min\r\n
World Crawfish Eating Champion, 3.25 lbs Louisiana crawfish in 10 min\r\n
World Clam Eating Champion, 26 dozen cherrystone clams in 6 min\r\n
Has eaten 274 La Costena Jalapenos in 10 min; 2009 Jalapeno Eating Champ\r\n
World Catfish Eating Champion, 6.75 lbs in 10 min\r\n
U.S. Buffalo Wing Eating Champion, 4.86 lbs in 12 min.; defeated Joey Chestnut\r\n
World Cheesecake Eating Champion, 11 lbs. in 9 min\r\n
Also eating champion in lobster, baked beans and fried okra\r\n
Holds 24 World Records; hobbies include bowling\r\n
Ninth consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n
\r\n\r\nJuliet Lee\r\nGermantown, MD \r\n5’4”, 105 lbs, 45 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Pittsburgh, PA Qualifier, 28 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\t\r\n
#12 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \r\n
World Jellied Cranberry Sauce Eating Champion, 13.23 lbs in 8 min\r\n
Former Cherrystone Clam Eating Champion, 277 clams in 6 min\r\n
Became second woman to break 30 Hot Dog & Bun mark, May 2009\r\n
Ate 160 Shrimp Wontons in Singapore in 2010\r\n
Has eaten 22.5 Pepperoni Rolls in 10 min\r\n
Has eaten 6.5 lbs Salt Potatoes in 10 min\r\n
Fifth consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n
2008 Major League Eating Rookie of the Year\r\n
Former chemistry professor in China, now owns a salon in Maryland\r\n
\r\n\r\nStephanie Torres\r\nLas Cruces, NM\r\n5'0\", 105 lbs, 25 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Las Vegas, NV Qualifier 23 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n
July 4, 2011 will be Stephanie's third-ever speed eating contest \r\n
Ate 72 oz. steak in first eating challenge, December 2009\r\n
Loves spicy foods, completed a restaurant challenge featuring a ghost-chili-topped hamburger \r\n
Has eaten an 8 lb deep dish pizza in 30 min, Has eaten a 5 lb hamburger in 8 min\r\n
Has eaten 18 1/3 lb. burgers in 10 min\r\n
Attended New Mexico State University on a cross-country scholarship, currently earning her MBA\r\n
Is an aspiring poet\r\n
\r\n\r\nMichelle “Cardboard Shell” Lesco\r\nTucson, AZ\r\n5’4”, 115 lbs, 27 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Tempe, AZ Qualifier, 21.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n\r\n
\r\n
Ate 3 lb burger (12 ¼ pounders, 12 slices of cheese) in 3 min 47 sec\r\n
First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n
Enjoys running while jumping rope, competes in 8 mile obstacle course races\r\n
Psychology major at Arizona State University and aspiring “service learning” teacher\r\n
Avid volunteer and participant in the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization\r\n
First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n
\r\n\r\n“The Real Deal” Larell Marie Mele\r\nLong Pond, PA\r\n5’6”, 140 lbs, 47 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Newnan, GA Qualifier, 13 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
#32 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n
Personal best hot dog total is 15.25 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
Has eaten 48 pierogi in 10 min\r\n
Has eaten 10 pepperoni rolls in 10 min\r\n
Has eaten 3 lbs curly fries in 10 min\r\n
Has eaten 7.75 6-inch cheesesteaks in 10 min\r\n
Is a personal trainer\r\n
First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n
\r\n\r\nMaria Sulkin\r\nClifton, NJ\r\n5’5”, 125 lbs, 26 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Fishkill, NY Qualifier, 13 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n
Has eaten 17 slices of pizza\r\n
Has eaten 10 cupcakes in 3 min 25 sec\r\n
Works as a paralegal and models on a freelance basis\r\n
\r\n\r\nGrace Lee\r\nAtlanta, Georgia\r\n5’2”, 110 lbs, 29 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Charlotte, NC Qualifier, 12.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n
Specializes in long-distance eating challenges\r\n
July 4 is her second-ever speed-eating competition\r\n
Has eaten: five large pizzas, 60 wings, 7 lb burrito, 42 lbs crawfish (weighed in shells), 20 lbs crab legs (weighed in shells), 5lb Macho Totcho\r\n
First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n
\r\n\r\nLaura Leu\r\n5’5”, 123 lbs, 33 y/o\r\nBrooklyn, NY\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Queens, NY Qualifier, 7 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
Served as a Bunnette in 2008 and 2009, counting for Joey Chestnut as he chowed his way to victory\r\n
Parents called her \"Mouth\" for its monstrous capacity and her tendency to constantly shovel food in it\r\n
Saw first eating competition (spaghetti and meatballs) at local festival in Wisconsin and dreamed to someday be one of those eaters on stage\r\n
Is a freelance writer for various magazines and blogs, including one about eating meals from every nation in the world without leaving New York City\r\n
First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n
\r\n\r\nLauren Gallagher\r\nNorth Easton, MA\r\n5’8”, 140 lbs, 28 y/o\r\nHow She Got Here: Won Foxborough, MA Qualifier, 3 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
Works as a client specialist at software company\r\n
First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n
"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40c8","sn":864,"title":"Badlands Booker: A Pioneer of Fireworks and Food","createdAt":"2011-07-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Badlands Booker: A Pioneer of Fireworks and Food\r\nby Newbear Lesniewski\r\n\r\nThanksgiving has its turkeys. Christmas, its trees. And the official start of summer, when the calendar flips to June 21: more daylight than any other. But the action really heats up when it, well, literally heats up. \r\n\r\nSometimes it damn near catches fire. \r\n\r\n“When I was a kid, we used to always know that one house that had all the fireworks. My favorite was (the) Roman Candle. You’re supposed to stick it in the ground, light it and watch it go. But for whatever reason, we’d hold ‘em and shoot ‘em - and that 4th of July, one of them kind of blew up in my hand,” Badlands said. \r\n\r\nThe candle in question knocked the big kid right off his feet. Those handheld laser shows may have taught young Badlands a little bit about safety, but it’s safe to say that a history of explosive childhood memories only added to his love for the 4th of July. \r\n\r\n“It’s such an all-american thing, celebrating our independence day, our freedom, paying homage to the soldiers that allow us to have this way of life. And then what’s more American than a hot dog? It’s baseball, hot dogs and apple pie, right?” he begged. \r\n\r\nAnd then there’s Coneys on Coney, a boardwalk empire unto themselves. \r\n\r\n“Nathan’s is the epicenter of the (eating) game. I remember qualifying for my very first contest in June of ’97, and I remember when the contest used to be in the alley. I watched it grow from then to now, from small crowds to 50,000 friends. It’s nothing but good times, good memories, great eaters and great hot dogs,” he said. \r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has made more than an impression on Eric “Badlands” Booker. In some ways, it’s simply an extension of other childhood memories spent on the Atlantic beaches, captured in the lyrics of a song he’ll rhyme out for the people this weekend. \r\n\r\n“I have a seven-track EP out, talking all about Coney Island. Its history, the corner itself, even breaking it down a little with MLE’s own Rich Shea (beat box handle: Aqua Fresh). One of the songs I’ll do at Nathan’s is called ‘Hard To Forget’. It’s about my first trip to Coney as a kid, from dreaming about it the night before, to packing my lunch and riding the subway in and enjoying everything ‘til the sun went down,” he said. \r\n\r\nChances are, if you’re a fan of Nathan’s, you’re a fan of Badlands Booker. There may be no better example in all of sports for the term “man of the people”. \r\n\r\n“I appreciate (the fact that) people appreciate the sport I love. I just want to give them as much Badlands Booker as I possibly can. I’m always the first to come out at any contest, getting in the crowd and taking pictures, signing autographs, on stage rapping. And I’m the last person to leave. I do it all for the fans, because I love the energy they give off and how they appreciate all of us,” he said. \r\n\r\nYou’ll still see Badlands on stage at Nathan’s 2011 - you just won’t see him eating. Despite a resume that includes twelve seats at the game’s biggest table, he failed to qualify this year. \r\n\r\n“I was crushed. It was a long, two-and-a-half hour ride back from Fishkill. I was disappointed for sure, but at the same time, there’s some steep competition out there this year - a lot of new guys that have bright futures. And I’m really happy for them. Thank God I get to rap so I can still be there, be able to give back to the fans. But even if I didn’t rap, I’d still be there, to be in the stands with my people,” he said. \r\n\r\nWhen prompted to compare his longevity and success to one of today’s mainstream athletes, Badlands didn’t hesitate. \r\n\r\n“I compare myself to Brett Favre. Man, I’ve been in the game for a long time. I retired and came back - because I felt there was still more to do. I feel like I’ve been a pioneer, a patriot and a pillar in this game,” he said. \r\n\r\nLevi’s may have infused their brand with Walt Whitman’s words in the name of jeans, but one section of that spot is perhaps more applicable to the big man from Queens. \r\n\r\nAll the past we leave behind, \r\nWe debouch upon a newer mightier world, varied world, \r\nFresh and strong the world we seize, world of labor and the march, \r\nPrioneers! O pioneers!\r\n\r\nAs a man deeply touched by the transcendent nature of music, Badlands has seen what was once a localized sound take Billboard by storm; as a man stuffed by the expansive nature of insane amounts of food, he’s seen what was once a sideshow became an ESPN showcase event. \r\n\r\nPioneer. Patriot. Pillar. Know that as his two favorite worlds collide on stage in the coming days, his words ring true. \r\n\r\nYou’ll feel it in his handshake or bear hug, should you find him amongst the throng this weekend. \r\n\r\nAnd he’ll be happy to know that one of his all-time favorite memories has just become one of your own."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40cc","sn":862,"title":"JULY 4 COMPETITOR BIB SHEETS - MEN","createdAt":"2011-07-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"NATHAN’S FAMOUS FOURTH OF JULY INTERNATIONAL HOT DOG EATING CONTEST\r\n\r\n2011 COMPETITOR BIB SHEET – MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP\r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut\r\nSan Jose, CA\r\n6’1”, 220 lbs, 27 y/o \r\nHow He Got Here: Sponsor’s Exemption (2007 - 2010 Champion)\r\n
\r\n
#1 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating; current 4-time Fourth of July Champion\r\n
Set world record in 2009 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest; 68 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
Captured first World Hot Dog Eating Championship in 2007 after eating 66 Hot Dogs & Buns in 12 min \r\n
Snapped Kobayashi’s streak of six straight Fourth of July wins in 2007 \r\n
Ate 7.5 Pizza Hut P’Zones to win 2011 Pizza Hut Chow-Lenge over Sonya Thomas \r\n
Ate 41 slices of pizza to win 2010 Pizza Hut Chow-Lenge over Pat Bertoletti\r\n
World Hamburger Eating Champion, 103 Krystal Hamburgers in 8 min\r\n
World Philly CheeseSteak Eating Champion, 23 six-inch cheesesteaks in 10 min\r\n
World Deep-Fried Asparagus Eating Champion, 9 lbs 5.2 oz in 10 min\r\n
World Shrimp Wonton Eating Champion, 380 Shrimp Wonton in 8 min \r\n
World Chicken Wing Eating Champion, Long Form, 182 wings in 30 min \r\n
World Rib Eating Champion, 9.8 lbs in 12 min\r\n
Seventh consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \r\n
Studying Civil Engineering at San Jose State University\r\n
Learned to eat fast growing up with five siblings \r\n
\r\n\r\nTim “Eater X” Janus\r\nNew York, NY\r\n5’10”, 170 lbs, 34 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Queens, NY Qualifier, 45 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
#3 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n
Placed 2nd behind Joey Chestnut in 2010 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July contest\r\n
World Cannoli Eating Champion, 26 in 6 min\r\n
World Cupcake Eating Champion, 42 cupcakes in 8 min\r\n
World Tamale Eating Champion, 71 in 12 min \r\n
World Sushi Eating Champion, 171 pieces of nigiri sushi in 6 min\r\n
World Ramen Noodle Eating Champion, 10.5 lbs in 8 min\r\n
Seventh consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \r\n
2004 IFOCE Rookie of the Year\r\n
Lives with competitive eater Crazy Legs Conti in New York’s East Village\r\n
Pizza cook in New York City\r\n
\r\n\r\nPatrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti\r\nChicago, IL\r\n6’2”, 190 lbs, 26 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Cleveland, OH Qualifier, 38 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
World Jalapeno Eating Champion, 275 La Costena Jalapenos in 8 min\r\n
#2 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \r\n
Set World Slurping Record in Australia consuming a 22 oz 7-11 Slurpee in 9 seconds\r\n
Won World Poutine Eating Championship in Canada, 13 lbs poutine in 10 min\r\n
World Oyster Eating Champion, 39 dozen oysters in 8 min\r\n
World Ice Cream-Eating Champion, 1.75 gallons Vanilla Ice Cream in 8 min\r\n
Sixth consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \r\n
Hold 34 World Records; more than any eater in history\r\n
Culinary school graduate and chef in Chicago\r\n
\r\n\r\nBob “Notorious B.O.B.” Shoudt\r\nRoyersford, PA\r\n5’11”, 265 lbs, 44 y/o \r\nHow He Got Here: Wildcard Winner, 37 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
#4 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n
Moniker changed from “Humble Bob” to “Notorious B.O.B.” after winning 7 of 8 contests in 2009\r\n
Set MLE capacity record in December after eating 23 pounds of salmon chowder with a spoon in 6 min\r\n
World Beef Brisket Sandwich Eating Champion, 34.75 in 10 min\r\n
World Chili Spaghetti Eating Champion, 13.575 lbs in 10 min\r\n
World Roast Beef Slider Eating Champion, 37.5 roast beef sliders in 8 min\r\n
Once ate 39 Krystal hamburgers in 2 min; 95 Krystal hamburgers in 8 min\r\n
Fifth consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \r\n
Earns money on the MLE Circuit to put his kids through college\r\n
Is a vegetarian, but eats meat in MLE-sanctioned competitions\r\n
\r\n\r\nYat Ming Lam\r\nRepresenting China\r\n32 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Beijing, China Qualifier, 16 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
Has participated in more than 50 eating competitions in Hong Kong since 2006\r\n
Has eaten 44 German sausages in 8 min\r\n
Has eaten a 1 kg steak and 500 g of vegetables in 7 min\r\n
Has eaten a 50 cm length of mixed sandwiches within 20 min\r\n
\r\n\r\nLu Ming Kui \r\nRepresenting China\r\n31 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Ate 13 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min at Beijing, China Qualifier \r\n
\r\n
Former rugby player\r\n
\r\n\r\nTai Loi Mak\r\nRepresenting China\r\n36 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Ate 8 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min at Beijing, China Qualifier\r\n
\r\n
Has eaten competitively in Hong Kong since 2006\r\n
Has eaten 28 German sausages in 8 min\r\n
Has eaten 1 kg steak and 500 g of vegetables in 15 min\r\n
Has eaten a 10-layer dessert waffle within 20 min\r\n
Employed as a Taekwondo Instructor\r\n
\r\n\r\nMatt “megatoad” Stonie\r\nSan Jose, CA\r\n120 lbs, 18 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Fishkill, NY Qualifier, 32 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
#10 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n
First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \r\n
In MLE debut, won third prize; 6.75 lbs deep fried asparagus in 10 min behind Chestnut and Bertoletti\r\n
Has eaten 17 gyros in 10 min to land third prize in second MLE event\r\n
\r\n\r\nSean “Flash” Gordon\r\nDowningtown, PA\r\n6’2”, 245 lbs, 36 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Las Vegas, NV Qualifier, 30 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
#11 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n
Third consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n
Placed 2nd in 2009 U.S. Buffalo Wing Eating Championships, 3.25 lbs in 12 min\r\n
Has eaten 6 lbs of French Fries in 10 min\r\n
Entertained troops at GITMO with Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Pro-Am Contest, Labor Day 2010\r\n
\r\n\r\nErik “The Red” Denmark\r\nSeattle, WA\r\n6’4”, 208 lbs, 33 y/o \r\nHow He Got Here: Won Tempe, AZ Qualifier, 29 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
#7 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \r\n
Sixth consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \r\n
Has eaten 35 spring rolls in 2 min\r\n
World Fry Bread Eating Champion, 9.75 Fry Breads in 8 min\r\n
World Spot Shrimp Eating Champion, 4 lbs, 15 oz spot shrimp in 12 min\r\n
Has eaten 4.8 lbs ribs in 12 min\r\n
\r\n\r\nTim “Gravy” Brown\r\nChicago, IL\r\n5’11”, 195 lbs, 32 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Newnan, GA Qualifier, 28.75 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
#8 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating\r\n
Marketing maven: launched “Bring Me the Head of Erik the Red” Campaign in 2010 to intimidate MLE rival Erik “the Red” Denmark; launched “Believe in Gravy” in 2009\r\n
World Potato Wedge Eating Champion, 3.74 lbs in 8 min\r\n
Has eaten 8.47 lbs Blueberry Pie (Hands-Free) in 8 min\r\n
Has pet bulldog named Sir Snugglesworth\r\n
Fourth consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n
\r\n\r\nAaron “A-Train” Osthoff\r\nDubuque, IA\r\n5’11”, 185 lbs, 36 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Pittsburgh, PA Qualifier, 28 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
Ranked #17 in the world by Major League Eating\r\n
First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \r\n
First Major League Eating competition was in September 2010\r\n
Placed 2nd in Oyster Eating World Championship, 38 dozen oysters in 8 min\r\n
Has eaten 35.5 cupcakes in 8 min\r\n
Has eaten 18.5 peanut butter & banana Sandwiches in 10 min\r\n
\r\n\r\nPat Philbin\r\nMoonachie, NJ\r\n6’2”, 325 lbs, 41 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Atlantic City, NJ Qualifier, 27 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
First Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July appearance since 2008; fifth overall appearance\r\n
Placed 4th in Cannoli Eating World Championship, 16 cannoli in 6 min\r\n
Has eaten 27 slices of pizza in 10 min\r\n
Has eaten 4.73 lbs of meatballs in 12 min\r\n
\r\n\r\nDamon Wells\r\nOrange, CA\r\n5’7”, 175 lbs, 32 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Hawthorne, CA Qualifier, 26.5 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \r\n
Has eaten 5 lb burrito in 11 min, 30 sec\r\n
Placed 2nd behind Joey Chestnut in Gyoza Eating Championship, 128 gyoza in 10 min\r\n
Has eaten 19 Burritos in 10 min\r\n
Has eaten 3 lbs of Boneless Buffalo Wings in 10 min\r\n
\r\n\r\nPete “Pretty Boy” Davekos\r\nBoston, MA\r\n6’1”, 210 lbs, 33 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Foxboro, MA Qualifier, 25 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min \r\n
\r\n
#16 Ranked Eater in the World by Major League Eating \r\n
World Garlicky Greens Eating Champion, 7.5 lbs in 5 min\r\n
Placed 2nd in World Poutine Eating Championship, 8.5 lbs of poutine in 10 min\r\n
Former Natural Competitive Body Builder\r\n
Fourth consecutive year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest\r\n
Wife Mia occasionally competes alongside him in eating contests\r\n
\r\n\r\nAdrian Morgan\r\nBaton Rouge, LA\r\n6’1”, 195 lbs, 28 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Thackerville, OK Qualifier, 23 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
#14-ranked in the world by Major League Eating\r\n
First year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest \r\n
Placed 2nd in Crawfish Eating Championship, overtime eat-off against Sonya Thomas, 3.25 lbs in 8 min\r\n
Has eaten 36 tamales in 12 min\r\n
Placed 3rd in Acme Oyster Eating World Championship, 38 dozen oysters in 8 min\r\n
Has eaten 4.25 pounds of catfish in 10 min\r\n
Culinary student at Louisiana Culinary Institute\r\n
\r\n\r\n“Big” Brian Subich\r\nJohnstown, PA\r\n6’6”, 325 lbs, 33 y/o\r\nHow He Got Here: Won Charlotte, NC Qualifier, 20 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 min\r\n
\r\n
Has eaten 3.4 lbs curly fries in 10 min\r\n
Has eaten 51 oz. tri-tip steak in 12 min\r\n
Placed 4th in Cannoli Eating World Championship with 17.5 cannoli in 6 min\r\n
Ate 8.4 lbs of baked beans in 12 min\r\n
Second year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest; first appearance was in 2006\r\n
"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40c3","sn":859,"title":"Controversy to Coney: Big Brian and Crazy Legs","createdAt":"2011-07-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Controversy to Coney: Big Brian and Crazy Legs\r\nby Newbear Lesniewski\r\n\r\nIf - borrowing from Crazy Legs Conti - the Concord Mills Mall food court equates to a coliseum of consumption, a mansion of mastication and a biodome of digestion, then - borrowing from Big Brian Subich - the Nathan’s Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest is the Daytona 500, the World Series and the Masters rolled into one. \r\n\r\nThe all-senses-blurring fury of speed and sound meets all-american wanderlust meets an all-you-can-eat tradition unlike any other at the corner of Surf and Stillwell. \r\n\r\n“I was a fan long before I was a competitive eater,” CLC said. \r\n\r\n“To be there for the 4th, to make it onto ESPN...that’s what we all shoot for. It’s the biggest deal in competitive eating,” Big Brian said. \r\n\r\nFor both eaters, their last chance to earn a spot on this year’s biggest stage came down to ten minutes of “eat up or shut up” at the aforementioned food court. Subich drove nine hours straight through the night, hopped on stage and ate. \r\n\r\n“I know: nuts. I was absolutely exhausted,” he said. \r\n\r\nCrazy Legs wasn’t even expecting him to show up. \r\n\r\n“He was sheepish and apologetic, but prepared to eat and beat me,” he said. \r\n\r\nAnd though both parties would later claim video-supported victory, Big Brian did just that, leaving North Carolina with the final Nathan’s 2011 qualifying bid. \r\n\r\n“It’s real simple: when I left Charlotte, I didn’t think there was any controversy. I had eaten more and made less of a mess,” he said. \r\n\r\n“I think it came down to one hot dog. And at the end of the contest, there was one (hot dog) at Subich’s feet - which, unfortunately, we ended up splitting. I’ll take a polygraph: that dog wasn’t mine. When it’s that close, I think it should go to overtime, and I would’ve been happy to continue eating,” CLC said. \r\n\r\n“If Crazy Legs feels like that controversy is real, I’ll say this: I didn’t think it was as close as the final tally ended up being,” Big Brian countered. \r\n\r\nSubich discussed the finer points of a completely clean paper plate amidst all the mess on the table when time expired. And we all know: sometimes paper plates seem to come laced with glue between each layer of the stack. But we also know: there’s no way a paper plate comes through any eating contest without at least a little debris.\r\n\r\nCrazy Legs’ five empty plates would’ve equalled 25 HDBs, making him the clear-cut winner.\r\n\r\n“If you were there - or if you watch the video on YouTube - you know that I was in the lead the entire time. At one point, George Shea even said, ‘Crazy Legs cannot catch up’. So unless he ate a mind-boggling amount in the final minute - something Joey Chestnut couldn’t even do - I don’t think it adds up,” Big Brian said. \r\n\r\n“I did have an extra plate (at the end), so I wasn’t at 25, I was at 20. But if he wants to claim I was at 15, he’s out of his mind,” CLC said. \r\n\r\n“I don’t think the math adds up, either. And I mean that I think I won. If you looked at Brian’s plates, it was like an explosion had gone off in the hot dog factory.” \r\n\r\nFamiliarity breeds contempt. Competition breathes the fire. And controversy stokes the flame. The aftermath can be as varied as the condiments you’ll choose over this extended holiday weekend. \r\n\r\n“Here’s the deal: for ten minutes, we’re absolute enemies. But before and after, I feel like everybody should shake hands. Look at UFC guys: they try to bash in each other’s skulls - literally trying to force their opponent’s brains to come out of their ears - and then they hug after the contest,” Big Brian said. \r\n\r\nCrestfallen. Heartbroken. Sobbing in his Pepto. Crazy Legs’ transparent personality remains incredulous. \r\n\r\n“If we were truly friends, and he was going for his tenth straight appearance, and I told him I wasn’t showing up, I wouldn’t have shown up. Ultimately, the fault is mine - if I’d have eaten 25 HDBs, we’re not even having this conversation,” he said. \r\n\r\n“I’d rather not dwell on the controversy, and after this interview I won’t comment on Charlotte again. But it’s not like we’re going to be shaking hands at Nathan’s, because I won’t be there unless Rich Shea blast out the Crazy Legs version of the Bat Signal.”\r\n\r\nBig Brian Subich now heads to Nathan’s 2011 as an underdog, a role he’s relished since he was a dinosaur-footed offensive lineman at Clarion. Even though he’s lost nearly 50 lbs. on his meat-encased road to Coney, Brian embraces the fact that nobody thinks he’ll walk off that stage rocking the Mustard Yellow Belt. \r\n\r\n“Stranger things have happened. Nobody bet a dollar on the U.S. vs. Russia or NC State and Jimmy V or Nova vs. Patrick Ewing. But those things happened. There’s a reason that winning isn’t guaranteed - and that’s why they play the game,” he said. \r\n\r\nSo Big Brian will eat with everything he’s got. Every inch of his 6’6” frame; each of his 325 lbs.\r\n\r\nAnd Crazy Legs Conti will pause between each mouthful of lobster and every swig of Geary’s Pale Ale on this Fourth of July, searching for that dreadlocked hologram in the Portland, Maine sky. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40c4","sn":860,"title":"NATHAN’S FAMOUS TO DONATE 100,000 HOT DOGS","createdAt":"2011-07-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"NATHAN’S FAMOUS TO MAKE ANNUAL DONATION OF 100,000 HOT DOGS TO FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY\r\n\r\nNathan’s Famous has announced it will once again donate 100,000 of its signature world famous beef hot dogs to the Food Bank For New York City. An official presentation will take place during the proceedings at the company’s annual Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY. \r\n\r\nNathan’s Famous President Wayne Norbitz will present the donation to a representative of the Food Bank For New York City, which is part of the Feeding America network. As one of the city’s leading hunger-relief organizations, the Food Bank provides 400,000 free meals daily for New Yorkers in need through its network of 1,000 community-based member programs. \r\n\r\n“Nathan’s Famous is proud to support the Food Bank For New York City in its fight against hunger,” said Wayne Norbitz, president and COO of Nathan’s Famous, Inc. “For many years now, the Food Bank has been part of our July Fourth celebration and we look forward to continuing this tradition of helping those in need.”\r\n\r\n“The Food Bank For New York City is very pleased to again partner with our good friends at Nathan's Famous. This wonderful donation of protein will help the Food Bank meet the growing need for food throughout New York City,” said Lucy Cabrera, Ph.D., president & CEO of the Food Bank For New York City. \"Approximately three million New Yorkers are struggling to put food on the table and 1.5 million already rely on the Food Bank’s programs and services. As we continue to experience a jobless recovery and the unemployment rate continues to hover around 9 percent, providing nutritious food to those we serve throughout New York City becomes that much more essential. We are enormously grateful to Nathan's Famous for their support and their ongoing commitment to hunger-relief.\" \r\n\r\nThe donation ceremony will occur at the original Nathan’s Famous on Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island, NY, where the annual hot dog eating contest takes place. Each year tens of thousands gather to watch the biggest competitive eating event in the world, while millions watch the event live on ESPN. \r\n\r\nFor information on ways to help fight hunger, individuals and corporate entities can visit www.foodbanknyc.org.\r\n\r\nAbout Nathan’s Famous\r\nNathan’s Famous products are currently distributed in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and six foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and retail licensing activities. The Nathan’s restaurant system currently consists of 269 units, comprised of 264 franchised or licensed units and five company-owned units (including one seasonal unit). Nathan’s hot dogs are sold in over 40,000 retail and foodservice locations. For additional information about Nathan’s visit www.nathansfamous.com.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40c6","sn":861,"title":"NATHAN'S JULY 4 HISTORIC TIMELINE","createdAt":"2011-07-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Key Moments in the History of the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest\r\n\r\nThe bejeweled Mustard Yellow International Belt, worn only by the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Champion, is to hot dog aficionados what Faberge Eggs were to Tsar Nicholas. For those with modern sport sensibilities, the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is competitive eating’s Masters and the Mustard Yellow Belt is the sport’s Green Jacket. The belt is of unknown age and value and is unveiled only at the annual contest. On July 4, 2011, Nathan’s Famous will introduce a bejeweled pink belt for the first-ever Women’s Hot Dog Eating World Champion on July 4, 2011.\r\n\r\n1916: The first Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest is held the year Nathan’s Famous opens on Surf Avenue.\r\n\r\n1930s: Stan Libnitz of Flushing and Andrew Rudman of Brighton Beach alternate victories for eight years until their final bout in 1938 when Rudman edges out Libnitz by a ½ hot dog. Libnitz cries foul that Rudman elbowed him in the gut during competition.\r\n\r\n1950s: German woman Gerta Hasselhoff claims the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating title after training on bratwurst.\r\n\r\n1991: Frank “Large” Dellarosa of Maspeth, Queens eats 21 ½ HDBs.\r\n\r\n1993: Nathan’s champ Mike Devito defeats female Japanese eating phenom Orio Ito in a special one-on-one contest.\r\n\r\n1996: Ed Krachie of Maspeth, Queens puts away 22 ¼ hot dogs to top the previous record.\r\n \r\n1997: Hirofumi Nakajima of Japan downs 24 ½ HDBs to defeat U.S. champion Krachie in an international competition.\r\n\r\n2001: Takeru Kobayashi of Nagano, Japan sets a new record by eating 50 HDBs. He won a trip to the July 4 contest on a Japanese TV show. Kobayashi goes on to win the Nathan’s title for five more years.\r\n\r\n2004: Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas of Alexandria, VA becomes first woman to break the 30 HDB mark.\r\n\r\n2007: Joey “Jaws” Chestnut of San Jose, CA, downs 66 Nathan’s Famous HDBs to defeat Takeru Kobayashi and bring the Mustard Yellow Belt to America.\r\n\r\n2008: Chestnut and Kobayashi battle bite for bite, finishing in an even tie. A dramatic five hot dog eat off ensues and in 50 seconds Joey Chestnut finishes his hot dogs and claims his second straight title. \r\n\r\n2009: Chestnut sets a new world record of 68 HDBs in 10 minutes to secure his third straight Mustard Yellow Belt. Sonya Thomas sets women’s world record of 41 hot dogs and buns. Juliet Lee of Germantown, MD becomes second woman to surpass 30 HDBs.\r\n\r\n2010: Chestnut secures his fourth consecutive Nathan’s Famous title.\r\n\r\n2011: Nathan’s Famous introduces a separate Women’s Championship to recognize the growing number of female competitors in the sport. Men’s Hot Dog Eating World Champion and Women’s Hot Dog Eating World Champion are crowned on July Fourth. Three eaters representing China compete on July Fourth after competing in the first-ever Beijing qualifier in June."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40c2","sn":858,"title":"NATHAN'S JULY 4 EVENT INFO","createdAt":"2011-06-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"**FOR MEDIA CREDENTIALS CONTACT ALEXIS SCHNEIDER AT 212-352-8651 or aschneider@sheacommunications.com** \r\n\r\n\r\n4-Time World Champion Joey Chestnut Strives for Five\r\nSonya ‘The Black Widow’ Thomas Headlines First-Ever Women’s Championship\r\n\r\nWHO & WHAT:\r\nThe greatest competitive eaters on earth will gather on the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island on Monday, July 4, 2011 to compete in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, an event that has been held each year since 1916, according to archives.\r\n\r\nIn front of a crowd of nearly 40,000 fans, reigning four-time Nathan’s Famous Champion Joey Chestnut – the number-one-ranked eater in the world – will strive for his fifth title and to break his own world record of 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Two eaters representing China will attempt to capture a celebrated American symbol – The Mustard Yellow International Belt – and bring it home to Beijing.\r\n\r\nThe first-ever Women’s Hot Dog Eating World Championship, featuring 105 pound Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas – the female world record holder with 41 hot dogs and buns – will take place just prior to the Men’s competition. Four of the female competitors ate more than 20 hot dogs and buns to qualify for the championship.\r\n\r\nThe contest is free and open to the public. The contest pre-show begins at 10 a.m. with Motown band, Xclusive with Sonni Dey, followed by varied entertainment, including the world-renowned Skyriders trampoline performers.\r\n\r\nAt 11:30 a.m. female competitors will be introduced and the Women’s Hot Dog Eating Championship will occur. At 12 p.m. male competitors are introduced and the Men’s Hot Dog Eating Championship is conducted. ESPN has exclusive rights to broadcast live from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. All media is welcome and eaters will provide interviews following the contest.\r\n\r\nDirections:\r\nSubway: D, F, N or Q to Stillwell Avenue terminal\r\nCar: Belt Parkway to Exit 6--Cropsey Ave. Right on Cropsey Ave., left on Surf Ave.\r\n\r\nWHERE:\t\r\nNathan’s Famous Restaurant\r\n1310 Surf Avenue (corner of Stillwell Avenue)\r\nConey Island, Brooklyn\r\n\r\nWHEN::\t\r\nMonday, July 4, 2011\r\n\r\nTIME:\t\r\n10:00 a.m. \tPre-contest entertainment\r\n11:30 a.m. \tWomen’s Hot Dog Eating World Championship (watch exclusively on ESPN3.com\r\n12:00 p.m.\tMen’s Hot Dog Eating World Championship\r\n\r\nMore information at www.facebook.com/eatfast or on twitter @eatingcontest. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40c5","sn":857,"title":"Steph and Michelle: Small, Mighty","createdAt":"2011-06-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Steph and Michelle: Small, Mighty\r\nBy Newbear Lesniewski\r\n\r\nAn alarm bell rings, setting off a landslide of anxiety. The popular kids rush to their seats of eminence. From jocks to nerds, the rest rank and file. And somewhere in between, the real heavy hitters begin to emerge. \r\n\r\nSometimes, they don’t even need to eat. \r\n\r\n“I didn’t really eat at school. But I would always drink the leftover chocolate milks that were up for grabs, sometimes like 6-8 cartoons,” Steph said. \r\n\r\nOthers preferred extra rounds. Even if that meant waiting ‘til everyone else had gone first. \r\n\r\n“I’d get anxiety if I got stuck toward the end of the line. I always preferred to get up there faster because the second helpings couldn’t come quick enough,” Michelle said. \r\n\r\nFor lovers of large amounts of food, the first thought concerning the pending overindulgence is often elementary: “How does that little girl DO that?!”\r\n\r\nNeither Steph nor Michelle casts what anyone would call a large shadow. \r\n\r\n“Shocked,” Steph said. “Like, ‘Oh, I wish I could eat as much as you,’ or ‘You’re so tiny! How do you eat more than me?’ They just don’t think it’s possible.” \r\n\r\n“The best part is the funny reactions afterward. Especially when someone talks trash beforehand, and then has to pay for whatever I just ate. I’m very competitive, so I enjoy shutting someone up who’s been gloating. I’m sure for Steph, it’s even funnier,” Michelle said. \r\n\r\nEach miniature eating machine pays a calorie penance. Steph attended college on a cross country scholarship, an extension of a childhood spent exploring the seemingly endless limits of her cardiovascular system. \r\n\r\n“I always just rode my bike around town, even to cross country practice. Sometimes I’d go out for a couple miles before that - or take a longer route home. I’ve always felt like I have to work to get somewhere, so pedaling is my work toward the destination. Plus it’s a great stress release,” she said. \r\n\r\nMichelle was also a strong, competitive runner. But for her, running may cause as much stress as it releases. \r\n\r\n“In general, I’m not a huge fan (of running). It’s boring. I have that ADD mentality, where I think of every other possible thing I could be doing while I’m running,” she said. \r\n\r\nSo Michelle gets medieval in the mud. Think: Spartan Race or Warrior Dash. \r\n\r\n“I do jump rope runs or throw some roller blading in to break it up. Crawling around barb wire and scaling walls is way more fun for me.”\r\n\r\nBoth Steph and Michelle are new to the MLE scene. But they’ve stepped in and stepped up as impromptu dinner date or road trip dares from friends spilled over to their respective Nathan’s qualifiers. \r\n\r\nSteph took down 23 HDBs in Las Vegas; Michelle, 21.5 in Tempe. \r\n\r\nSteph, an aspiring poet currently pursuing her MBA, gets down to business on the genesis of food:\r\n\r\n“It’s always been something to bring people together; it’s a topic that comes up in conversation between friends and eventually becomes the focal point. From ‘Hey, where do you want to meet for dinner?’ to ‘Try this new place’ to families getting together all over the world in celebration. Food is the centerpiece,” she said. \r\n\r\nMichelle, a psychology major who one days hope to teach kids hands-on skills they can actually use, breaks it down for the competitive eating scene: \r\n\r\n“It’s completely mind over matter. It forces you to go beyond what your body is capable of for sure. Pain is temporary - but the regret from not seeing how far beyond the limit you can really go is what would stick afterwards. I kicked my own ass for three years for even thinking that it was once OK to take a couple of walking steps during a cross country race. So now, I’ll always try to take a couple more bites,” she said.\r\n\r\nSteph and Michelle have chatted a few times and each looks forward to competing on the big stage. Steph’s excited and nervous, ready to sit down and make some new friends. \r\n\r\n“I love to travel - sometimes I’ll just get on a Greyhound and go. But I’ve never been to New York and I’ve never eaten in front of 40,000 people,” she said. \r\n\r\nMichelle finds it all too surreal. \r\n\r\n“I know I’m technically a competitive eater now, but I still don’t consider myself all the way there. I feel like I’m crossing the threshold. It’s interesting. It’s fun. And it comes with a weird sense of pride,” she said. \r\n\r\nShe thinks Steph is primed. \r\n\r\n“I think she’s gonna rock it, I really do. I’m super excited for her, having seen some of her videos - she’s just incredible! She’s one of those people I’m just really excited to meet.” \r\n\r\nSteph couldn’t agree more. \r\n\r\n“I think Michelle’s a very determined person who works hard and plays hard. She’s got a ton going for her and I just love her attitude. We’ve got a lot in common and I can tell she’s a great person. She doesn’t really practice - she just goes and does it. And thankfully, it’s almost time!”"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40bf","sn":856,"title":"Nathan's Qualifier Takes Place in China","createdAt":"2011-06-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Nathan's Famous held its first-ever qualifying contest in Beijing, China on Saturday, June 18th. Earning the title of Chinese National Hot Dog Eating Champion was Yat Ming Lam with 16 HDBs. Lv Mingkui took second place with 13 HDBs and Wang Ranlong finished in third with 12. A contingent of Chinese eaters will travel to New York on July 4th to compete at Coney Island.\r\n\r\n#1-ranked Joey Chestnut was at the event serving as a special guest judge. After the contest, Joey ate 39 hot dogs and buns in a 5-minute exhibition event. \r\n\r\nThe event coincided with the opening of Beijing's third Nathan's Famous location. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40c0","sn":855,"title":"Ridin' the Gravy Train","createdAt":"2011-06-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Ridin' the Gravy Train\r\nby Newbear Lesniewski\r\n\r\nThink about the most arid, desert-like dry mouth you’ve ever experienced in your life. Now try to imagine a levy-busting deluge of dampness. Start with a French Mastiff’s drool. Move on to the Amazon Rain Forest. \r\n\r\nArrive at the “Gravy” train. \r\n\r\nEating does something to Tim “Gravy” Brown that it does to many of us: it makes him sweat. Thing is, he doesn’t need Tabasco, spicy sausages or jalapenos to turn his T-shirt into the world’s biggest, wettest, nastiest cloth raindrop. \r\n\r\n“The nickname came from Ryan Nerz. When I eat, I go at it. I start sweating uncontrollably,” he said. \r\n\r\nGravy has always been a big, sweaty kid. But it takes one’s own “special sauce” to create such a worthy nickname. \r\n\r\n“Snot (more than) mingles in with the sweat to form a gravy-like substance. Based on Nerz being completely disgusted with me, Tim - born son of Jim and Linda - died that day. Watching me eat is not one of the most attractive things on Earth,” he said.\r\n\r\nComing to terms with your own unique level of grossness is a must in competitive eating. In some way, shape or form, it’s going to get messy up on that stage. And it’s Gravy’s ability to celebrate his eating alter ego that serves up some of his finest work. \r\n\r\nTake this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmUUXbgJfA4.\r\n\r\nTreadmills. Ab balls. Kettlebells. A little gymnastics. All set to the Rocky theme song. \r\n\r\nTo prepare for Chicago’s Ribfest: RIBMANIA 2011, Gravy and the gang blasted through round after round of interval rib training. \r\n\r\n“Last year’s promo video was basically me at Pat Bertoletti talking trash at a news conference. So we upped the ante this year. I thought long and hard about the idea and we ended up with a cool ‘training’ video. A good day - lots of ribs and beer,” he said. \r\n\r\nThat video may be debris-in-cheek, but when Gravy prepares for food battle, it’s no running joke. \r\n\r\n“I have to run. Constantly. Like 25 miles a week. It’s important to keep healthy,” he said. \r\n\r\nBut Gravy doesn’t like running. \r\n\r\n“It’s compulsive: if I don’t run my five miles every day, I can’t go to bed. So I take my leave from work, throw down an energy shot and pound the treadmill. And I get through my five miles in about 38 minutes. For all intents and purposes, I should be Adonis - there shouldn’t be an ounce of fat on my body,” he said. \r\n\r\nConsider Gravy’s slight spare tire a timeless nod to Sonny Jurgensen, the pot-bellied Hall of Fame quarterback who believed that his tummy existed solely to level out his gunslinging superiority and give the competition a chance. \r\n\r\nRibfest 2011 takes place the week before Chicago’s Crosstown Classic pits Sox vs. Cubs. \r\n\r\n“It’ll be South vs. North at Comiskey, and this is South vs. North at the intersection of food,” he said. \r\n\r\n“I’m not a huge sports fan - my dad used to force me to eat Twinkies to trick me into watching football with him when I was a kid. But I love competition, so I do rally around our teams. This city almost lights on fire when the Bulls, the Bears, the Hawks, the Cubs or the Sox are winning.”\r\n\r\nThe stakes are raised for Gravy this year because he went down swinging against Bertoletti at Ribfest 2010. And there’s nothing quite like the intersection of two diametrically opposed eating entities. \r\n\r\n“It gets pretty heated. We’re the two guys from Chicago and we’re from opposite sides of the city. I’m not gonna deny Pat’s greatness, but for me, Ribfest is one of those things where you never know what’s gonna happen. This is my opportunity to put him in his place,” he said. \r\n\r\n“Everyone I know will be there cheering for me - and the rest of the crowd will be Pat’s hillbilly South Side band. They’re literally in a band together. And they travel in packs, hopping out of those big passenger vans. He seems to be related to half of the South Side.” \r\n\r\nOne thing Gravy thinks the city can unite around in the coming years is competitive eating. \r\n\r\n“This city is absolutely obsessed with food. Italian beef, Polish sausage, the fact that this festival that’s all about ribs will have tens of thousands of people attending - that just proves it. There’s literally eating challenges around every corner. And then you look at the popularity of shows like Man vs. Food and think about the fact that we have some of the best eaters in the world right here in Chicago with this superhuman ability to eat pounds and pounds of food in a short time? It’s a no-brainer,” he said. \r\n\r\nAnd Gravy plans on kicking off the food infatuation to come with some victorious rib work, chewing the misery of last year to pieces in the process. \r\n\r\n“I came out overconfident, thinking I was gonna win - and I don’t think I even placed. I was frustrated, throwing pans at the judges trying to get more ribs. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, but to be in Chicago talking crap for so many months leading up to the event and go down like that was embarrassing. That’s not gonna happen again. This year, I’m eating to win,” he said. \r\n\r\nThe sweaty snot bubbles that mark Gravy’s wolf-like ferociousness are about to be put to the test. His girlfriend, Janice, his English Bulldog, Mr. Snugglesworth, and every other person he knows will be watching once again.\r\n\r\nThere’s a whole city to turn on to the spectacle of competitive eating and the embarrassment of last year’s event to erase. If the best indicator of future behavior is prior action, the city of Chicago has already been tenderized.\r\n\r\n“Slowly but surely - without even tempting her or dangling meat in her face - I converted Janice from her vegetarian ways,” he said. \r\n\r\nIn the Windy City, the slow-cooked time has finally arrived. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40be","sn":854,"title":"Official World Rankings Updated","createdAt":"2011-05-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Official World Rankings have been updated as Major League Eating enters Memorial Day Weekend -- and it's peak season. No change at the top two spots, but Eater X leapfrogged both Bob and Sonya to take over the #3 ranking.\r\n\r\nPromising MLE rookie Matt Stonie makes his debut at #10. Stonie is scheduled to make his Nathan's Famous debut in Hawthorne, CA on Sunday, June 12th. Making the largest leap was Aaron Osthoff who put together a number of impressive contests to land at #17, up from #30. Osthoff, too, has yet to tackle Nathan's hot dogs, but that will all change tomorrow at Trump Beach Bar in AC. \r\n\r\nCurrent rankings can be found by clicking here."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40c1","sn":853,"title":"Davekos, Boston You're His Home","createdAt":"2011-05-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Davekos, Boston You're His Home\r\nBy Newbear Lesniewski\r\n\r\nBefore getting on the horn with one of Boston’s favorite sons, prep work included my 27th screening of “Good Will Hunting”. A brush-up on Harvard Yard accents and Southie culture and whatnot. \r\n\r\nI’m kidding. Sort of. \r\n\r\n“Pretty Boy” Pete Davekos’ assessment of the film’s quirkiness was no joke. \r\n\r\n“That accent is atrocious - that’s not my accent. But ‘The Fighter’ was awesome! It’s funny, though, because basically, you’re going to start talking like whoever you’re around after spending enough time with them,” he said. \r\n\r\nPete knows Boston. Loves Boston. New Orleans is his favorite city for weekends and Chicago’s his clear-cut No. 2 for everything from culture to food. But New England is home. \r\n\r\nSuburban youth. St. John’s Prep for school. From the North Shore to those rough-hewn neighborhoods in the opposite direction, Pete traces his affinity for the city around a web of friendship. \r\n\r\n“I was able to meet so many great people growing up - so many different kinds of people - with their own experiences. We’re a prideful people, blue collar with a white collar exterior,” he said. \r\n\r\nMeeting people is one thing. Just being in the stands, on the train or in a bar elbow-to-elbow with your fellow man is an experience in itself. But Pete’s inherent gift of gab turned many of those chance encounters into lifelong relationships. \r\n\r\n“I’ve always been witty, able to come up with a one-liner. I was class president in high school - just always loved being around people,” he said. \r\n\r\nSo of course the gregarious young man would grow up to become a sales manager. Forming his 9-to-5 team manifests as a cubicle extension of family. \r\n\r\n“Growing up Greek, I’ve always had a huge sense of family, loyalty and pride. We’ve got doctors and teachers and business owners (in my family), and it’s because we’re hard workers who want to be the best at whatever it is we do. But we’re absolutely not above busting each other’s balls,” he said.\r\n\r\nConsider marriage par for the course. \r\n\r\n“My wife, Mia, she’s 100 percent Italian, so we’re talk-talk-talk all the time. Making people laugh, entertaining them, producing some level of shock value in a regular conversation, that’s what I love to do,” he said.\r\n\r\nConsider: Mia was on “Survivor”. She’s famous for starving; he’s famous for eating. \r\n\r\nAnd that’s exactly what Pete set out to do with the initial idea for his competitive eating alter ego. \r\n\r\n“I didn’t want to walk out as just ‘Pete’ at my first contest. Major League Eating is real eating - it’s absolutely a sport, with rules and judges and winners and losers - but it’s got that supersize wrestling feel, too. You’ve got personas like ‘Badlands’ Booker and ‘Crazy Legs’ Conti. So I wanted to introduce ‘The Termin-Eater’ to the world,” he said. \r\n\r\nEven with a background in natural bodybuilding - and that obvious movies-muscle-man-crush on Schwarzenegger - “Pretty Boy” doesn’t stem from Pete’s organic good looks and charm. \r\n\r\nWhen MLE’s own Rich Shea put him in front of the camera for the very first time, Pete winked. Factor in some good-natured teasing around Pete’s aversion to messy eating, and his current moniker was too good for Rich to pass up. \r\n\r\n“The strictness that comes with dieting down for a show in bodybuilding basically translates directly into the cravings that allow me to eat so much food. Even though I’m no longer a bodybuilder, I can still tap into that zone on-stage,” he said. \r\n\r\nIt’s that zone - and that stage - that brings out the eating machine in Pete. \r\n\r\n“Let’s be honest: what we do is an oddity. It’s funny. But I don’t care if you’re a vegetarian or you only eat one bowl of cereal at a time - everyone eats. So to see us do it for eight, nine, ten minutes straight - knowing that we don’t count things in units but in pounds or gallons - it’s almost like a car accident. You just have to look,” he said. \r\n\r\nAnd people like to look at winners - no matter how odd, comical or messy. \r\n\r\n“I want to be the person in that spotlight - and the only way to get there is to win. Winning at competitive eating feels no different than playing hockey or baseball. When I step on that stage at Nathan’s and there’s 40,000 people cheering my name and yelling and screaming? There’s no better high than those goosebumps. That’s our Super Bowl - and it brings a tear to my eye every single time,” he said. \r\n\r\nPete has an addictive personality. He always promises himself that when he tries something, he’s just going to do it for a little bit. But like the doctors, teachers and business owners dotting his family tree, he’s almost always immediately overcome by some sense of be-the-best duty. \r\n\r\nAs a 230 lb. 13-year old, he decided to transform his body before heading off to prep school. Enter that bodybuilding phase, where he worked his way to the top of the ranks, once taking 2nd place - to future WWE Champion John Cena. \r\n\r\nThe transition to college came with a choice: bench presses or books. Pete double-majored in pre-med and psych - to the tune of a 3.95. \r\n\r\nGoing pro in sales quickly turned into quarterly records - while eating his way to the world’s Top 15 in his spare time. \r\n\r\nConsider him a case study in addictive achievement - a linear correlation between effort and success. Pete could be his own life theorem, should he ever decide to revisit the clinical research he once conducted at Brown. \r\n\r\nSo when “Pretty Boy” loses...\r\n\r\n“I’ve never lost - knock on wood - when it’s all on the line. But when I have lost, it sucks. I can’t even articulate further. Except to say that it feels like someone punched me in the stomach,” he said. \r\n\r\nMaybe it’s that familial pride that picks up the pieces. And maybe it’s just his love affair with gluttony. But when it comes to competitive eating, Pete possesses Zen-like perspective. \r\n\r\n“I’m the only person up there, so I’m the only one to blame. All that means is I can improve. If someone else wins, I know I have to do better. I believe that everyone’s built the same - it comes down to who works harder,” he said. \r\n\r\nThis is Pete’s fifth year - and he’s off to the best start of his eating career. He credits a renewed focus, the pendulum swinging heavily from all-fun-all-the-time to decidedly serious. \r\n\r\n“I realized that I’m representing all of New England - not just Boston. That’s a lot of weight to carry on my shoulders - not just in my stomach,” he said.\r\n\r\nAdding a level to the next event? It’s Boston vs. New York. \r\n\r\n“It’s such a great rivalry because it’s in every sport - really, everything about the two cities. Proximity. Attitude. Classy vs. classless. Clean fighting vs. dirty fighting. The underdog versus the ‘Evil Empire’ - it’s all there,” he said. \r\n\r\nSecond helping: the event takes place at Showcase Cinema Plaza at Patriot Place, in the shadow of the House that Bruschi Built and the gentle breeze wafting in from Tom Brady’s championship locks. \r\n\r\n“My wife’s in love with Tom Brady - everyone is. I half-joke that I’m the best-looking guy in New England, but I’ll give him the tie for first. He’s the best QB in the NFL and I’m in his house. I’m sure I’ll feel that power surge flowing through my veins at the eight-minute mark, the same as him in the two-minute drill,” he said. \r\n\r\nJust dessert: at last year’s Foxborough qualifier, “Badlands” took “Pretty Boy” out - sending him gorging through the Hartford qualifier just to get back to Nathan’s. \r\n\r\n“Look: ‘Badlands’ Booker is a mountain of a man. And he’s not just a veteran - he’s going into the Hall of Fame. But I don’t believe he’ll be qualifying by beating me. This competition is mine to win,” he said. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40bd","sn":852,"title":"Jason Bernhardt: Salting Away Fate","createdAt":"2011-05-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Jason Bernhardt: Salting Away Fate\r\nBy Newbear Lesniewski\r\n\r\nPeanut butter. And jelly. Macaroni. And cheese. Chips. And salsa. \r\n\r\nSalt. And pepper. Central New York. \r\n\r\nPotatoes, that is. \r\n\r\n“The origin of salt potatoes really comes down to one of the monikers for Syracuse: ‘Salt City’. This has always been a region with a lot of salt, and local salt mining dates back to the 19th century. A long time ago, somebody decided to cook potatoes in salt water and it became a local delicacy,” Jason said. \r\n\r\nBite-size. With a salt crust. To be dipped in butter. \r\n\r\nJust delicious. \r\n\r\nLike Oklahoma’s cattle or Seattle’s water access, these little potatoes have taken on a “chicken or egg” regional identity. And if you think the great pizza debate that rages from Chicago to New York City - or the saucy discourse behind BBQ from Kansas City to the Carolinas - is the best argument out there, Central New York is prepared to double down. \r\n\r\n“One of the biggest local grocery chains, Wegmans, branded their own salt potatoes. Every other store carries non-Wegmans. Hinerwadel’s is what we’ll be serving. Those two have a local competition, and the region really enjoys the rivalry,” he said. \r\n\r\nWhat makes this argument so much fun? Individual taste buds. Because let’s face it: salt is salt. Water is water. And real butter is real butter. \r\n\r\nThe difference between these branded and boiled ‘taters is smaller than Coke vs. Pepsi. \r\n\r\nBut to Jason, this week is bigger than anything. \r\n\r\n“It means everything! I gave up my day job to pursue this dream and build a business and an industry. It’s the first big step for myself and my business partner, Sean Sauda, after more than a year of sweat equity,” he said. \r\n\r\nEgos and livelihoods aside...\r\n\r\n“We want to build something that’s bigger than ourselves. ‘Wild Carp Week’ may be our idea, but the tackle and bait sales that go with this kind of event and the tourism interest and energy generated by having other great companies and competitors associated with it will be great for the entire region,” he said.\r\n\r\nCombine the thrill of the chase with that aforementioned sweat equity. Then toss your line out into the stream of competitive eating with the precision of a time-honored local delicacy and the promise of a new world record. \r\n\r\nEnter: the likes of Joey Chestnut, Pat Bertoletti, Bob Shoudt and Eater X. \r\n\r\n“We’re excited, thrilled and honored to have salt potatoes recognized on the national level. The prestige of Major League Eating combined with the level of competition and our pride in the product has been a flabbergasting experience,” he said. \r\n\r\nAnd to think: the real angling hasn’t even begun!\r\n\r\nSaturday, May 14, marks the 5th anniversary of this great tournament. Need a little measurement of greatness around those words of hyperbole? Jason will see your skepticism and raise you four years and 112 thousand pounds of carp, catch-and-release. \r\n\r\n“It’s a feat unmatched by any other carp venue on the planet,” he said. \r\n\r\nAnother bold statement from a man making his case for carp angling in the United States. Globally, carp has become a multibillion dollar industry, with Asia, Europe and South America leading the charge. \r\n\r\nIn America, carp as a delicacy remains a dish swimming perpetually upstream. \r\n\r\n“It’s an abundant resource, obviously proven overseas. But our country hasn’t tapped into it just yet. This kind of event makes Central New York the front-runner to be the head cheerleader for the U.S. carp movement. We want to do for carp what Ray Scott did for bass,” he said. \r\n\r\nBut Jason still needed to create a heightened sense of awareness around everything the region has to offer. \r\n\r\nSome locals say it’s the big flakes that fall - and the snowmobiling that quickly follows - during winter. Others believe in the warm-blanket-joy of summertime - and their affinity for jet skis that flood a litany of lakes. \r\n\r\nThis upcoming week in May now provides Central New York with a worldwide showcase. \r\n\r\n“If we put on some small tournament that only lasted a couple of days, that wouldn’t even be worth the 12-hour flight. So this is a whole week’s worth of events - five carp tournaments in seven days! There’s prize money, the chance to compete against great American anglers, and now, the opportunity to witness a world record,” he said. \r\n\r\nMuch of this week is owed to chasing a dream. Everything the event represents can be wrapped up in everything the region means to Jason. \r\n\r\n“My father’s company - JGB Enterprises - has been in Central New York for over 35 years. This is our home - our community. We’re a tight-knit family and we’re never going to leave,” he said. \r\n\r\nMuch of this week is owed to right-place, right-time. Everything the event has become can be traced to a vacation in West Palm Beach. \r\n\r\n“My parents take their winters down there and they’d seen the guys in the corn beef competition the past two years. So my father was instrumental in making this event awesome. We wouldn’t even be having this conversation if it weren’t for him,” he said. \r\n\r\nBut Jason knows a thing or two about fate himself. \r\n\r\nAfter all: none other than Steve Bartman took him to his first Cubs game. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40bb","sn":851,"title":"ACME Oyster Eating Championship Returns to New Orleans Oyster Festival","createdAt":"2011-05-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Acme Oyster Eating World Championship will return to the New Orleans on Sunday, June 5. Making its debut last year at the New Orleans Oyster Festival, the event will anchor the 2-day festival again this year. A lively field is expected in NOLA, given the prestige of the ACME title within the MLE community. \r\n\r\nRegistration will open Thursday, May 5 at 1:00pm ET on IFOCE.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40bc","sn":850,"title":"Hall Hunt Returneth","createdAt":"2011-04-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Hall Hunt Returneth\r\nby Newbear Lesniewski\r\n\r\nPaint a mental picture of yourself as a child. \r\n\r\nDon’t worry about staying inside the figurative lines - or even the border of the still-forming personality page. Forget about questions as pragmatic as, “Do these colors match?” And try not to rationalize, ponder scale or draw circles around revisionist history. \r\n\r\nJust grab another slice.\r\n\r\n“Basically, I’ve eaten a lot my whole life. I was 5 when large pizzas started disappearing. My mom and dad would go in the kitchen and be like, ‘Where’s the other pizza?’ - and all I could say was, ‘Sorry, I ate it. Is that OK?’ They just told me to eat until I was full,” the newly no-longer-retired glutton said. \r\n\r\nHall Hunt was the kid putting away watermelons at family cookouts and making every uncle with a spatula hang his head in shame. And it’s kind of always been like that. So the fact that he came up two ears of corn short at the 11th annual Sweet Corn Fiesta on April 14th should come as no surprise. \r\n\r\nEspecially when you consider that he was in first place before deductions. \r\n\r\n“I thought I won, which would have been terrific and was, of course, what I was shooting for. I’m my own harshest critic, so not being first was originally upsetting. But looking at it from the outside, finishing third wasn’t too bad - especially considering the competition,” he said. \r\n\r\nOne arena where Hall is perfectly agreeable batting second? His faith. Something Hall considers the biggest part of his energetic fight; the engine that powers his force-of-nature appetite for all things possibly achievable in this life. Athletes and addicts alike take turns both personifying and populating the “all things through Him doctrine”. \r\n\r\nHall delivers his personal favorite 16 ounces at a time.\r\n\r\n1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”\r\n\r\nWhat kind of competitive eater would The Good Lord have been? \r\n\r\n“It’d have to be bread and fish. After making them appear out of thin air, a little bit of fish and a few loaves of bread ended up feeding everyone all day. And since he’s ‘waste not, want not’ you could see him showing everyone how it’s done with all the leftovers,” Hall said. \r\n\r\nVisions of dunking cups used for bread morphing from water to wine danced in his head. \r\n\r\nFrom whatever good book one seeks to attain their personal future wealth of knowledge, wisdom is the ultimate goal. But sometimes, realizing you’re a freaking genius is nothing more than a stroke of dumb luck.\r\n\r\nThis MENSA member once struggled with the reading portion of the SAT. \r\n\r\n“That (reading) section took me forever - and I couldn’t figure out why - but I could never get through all the questions. My tutor thought maybe I had ADD, so I got tested. And part of the test was an IQ test, where I really shocked myself. I maxed out half the categories or something crazy, and they didn’t even know how to score it,” he said. \r\n\r\nAll those brains come at a cost. First, there’s the “nerdy-spreadsheet” side of Hall’s personality. The monthly budget. Airline tickets for eating contests. Cook-prep methods for the 12-minute masterpieces. The guy should really be a consultant for Microsoft Office. \r\n\r\nAnd that’s just the top layer. \r\n\r\nTake the contest tickets: there’s what day to buy, what airline to fly, what time to leave - and thus, arrive. And don’t get the man started on chewing consistency, affected by food and oil type inside the grill or frying pan - temperature and humidity outside in his personal, buffet-style fantasyland. \r\n\r\n“When it comes down to it, I probably overthink it. It really comes down to how bad you want it and how hard you’re willing to push through discomfort to make yourself win,” he said.\r\n\r\nAnother hard reality: hard bodies are more-properly equipped to engage in a little stomach engorgement. Dumbbells and cardio turning stretch-marked biceps and toned tummies into demolition machines of all things calorie. \r\n\r\n“You’re eating food as fast as you can - the goal is to always have some food in your mouth and always have some food being swallowed. Getting your cardio in means you don’t have to breath as much, so you can be more efficient with your oxygen. Some people are totally gassed at the halfway point because they’re not in shape,” he said.\r\n\r\nNot a problem for this former SEC-level soccer player. Insert “Gator Chomp” here.\r\n\r\nAhead of his time. Almost annoying in his excellence. \r\n\r\nCompelled by the power of Christ. Capable of supercomputing food-variable spreadsheets. \r\n\r\nNot afraid to take his shirt off. \r\n\r\nWelcome back, Hall Hunt. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40b9","sn":849,"title":"Nathan's Increases Women's July 4th Prize Purse to $20,000","createdAt":"2011-04-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Women’s Purse to Match Men’s Purse at $20,000\r\n\r\nNathan’s Famous, Inc. announced that the prize purse for the first-ever women’s division contest at the 2011 Nathan’s Famous July Fourth International Hot Dog-Eating Contest will be raised to $20,000, the same amount as the purse for the men’s division.\r\n\r\n“We were contacted by numerous fans of Nathan’s who pointed out that despite the prize disparity in men’s and women’s divisions of other professional sports, the Nathan’s prizes should be the same,” said Wayne Norbitz, president and COO of Nathan’s Famous, Inc. “We listened to the input and we raised the women’s purse from $5,000 to $20,000.”\r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Famous qualifying circuit will visit more than a dozen cities over three months, and the top finishing female and male competitor from each qualifier will win a chance to compete at the finals in Coney Island. Stephanie Torres won the Las Vegas qualifier this past weekend, eating 23 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to earn a spot in Coney Island on July 4.\r\n\r\nSonya “The Black Widow” Thomas of Alexandria, VA, is considered most likely to win the July 4 women’s division event. Ranked number four in the world by Major League Eating, Sonya has beaten male eaters in foods ranging from oysters to hard-boiled eggs, and her personal best at Nathan’s is 41 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. \r\n\r\nEaters expected to give Sonya a run for her money this year are Juliet Lee, a cranberry sauce-eating champion from Maryland, and Larell Marie Mele, a personal trainer from Pennsylvania who entered the scene in 2010 and registered an impressive rookie year.\r\n\r\nIn recent years, an estimated 40,000 fans have made the pilgrimage to the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island to watch the Nathan’s Famous July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest in person. The live ESPN telecast of the event drew an audience of 1.7 million viewers in 2010. Joey Chestnut of San Jose, CA holds the world record for eating 68 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes, and he will seek his fifth straight title this year.\r\n\r\nAbout Nathan’s Famous\r\nNathan’s products are currently distributed in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and five foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and retail licensing activities. The Nathan’s restaurant system currently consists of 268 units, comprised of 263 franchised or licensed units and five company-owned units (including one seasonal unit). For additional information about Nathan’s please visit www.nathansfamous.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40ba","sn":848,"title":"Nathan's Famous Adds Women's Division to July 4th Contest","createdAt":"2011-04-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"NATHAN’S FAMOUS TO INTRODUCE A WOMEN’S DIVISION AT THE 2011 JULY FOURTH INTERNATIONAL HOT DOG EATING CHAMPIONSHIP\r\n\r\nTwo Contests Will Occur at the Famed Corner of Surf & Stillwell Aves in Coney Island\r\n\r\nAs Nathan’s Famous, Inc. readies for its 96th annual July Fourth International Hot Dog Eating Contest, the company has announced that it will give female competitors a shot at their own Championship Belt in what will be the first-ever women’s-only contest set to occur just prior to the men’s contest, mid-day on July 4th. \r\n\r\nThe celebrated Nathan’s Famous qualifying circuit, a tour that visits more than a dozen cities over three months and qualifies a July Fourth competitor in each, will continue as planned. This year, however, the top finishing female competitor from each qualifier will win a chance to compete at the finals in Coney Island.\r\n\r\n“Each year we see more and more women entering our qualifying events in the hopes of making it to Coney Island,” said Wayne Norbitz, president and COO of Nathan’s Famous, Inc. “We surely have had some impressive female eaters compete on July 4th, so we’re introducing this new round to give female competitors the notoriety they deserve.”\r\n\r\nAlong with notoriety, there will also be a $5,000 cash purse on the line. The lady most favored to become the first women’s champion is Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas. Ranked number four in the world by Major League Eating, Sonya is a resident of Alexandria, VA. She has beaten male eaters in foods ranging from oysters to hard boiled eggs, but her personal best of 41 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes has not been enough to take down such top males as Pat Bertoletti and four-time world champion Joey Chestnut. \r\n\r\n“Leading sports organizations including the NCAA, USTA and professional golf have long had separate championships for men and women,” said George Shea, chairman of Major League Eating. “Sonya Thomas has been called the Michelle Wie of Brie and the Mia Hamm of Ham, but she’s never been called Nathan’s Famous July Fourth Champion. Perhaps this is the year she secures that title.”\r\n\r\nEaters expected to give Sonya a run for her money this year are Juliet Lee, a cranberry sauce eating champion from Maryland, and Larell Marie Mele, a personal trainer from Pennsylvania who entered the scene in 2010 and registered an impressive rookie year.\r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Famous qualifying circuit will visit cities across the United States and also make stops in Canada and China. The male and female champions from each qualifier will earn a trip to compete in the ESPN televised finals at the original Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island on July Fourth, provided they eat no fewer than 10 hot dogs in competition.\r\n\r\nIn recent years, an estimated 40,000 fans have made the pilgrimage to the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island to watch the Nathan’s Famous July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest in person. The live ESPN telecast of the event drew an audience of 1.7 million viewers in 2010. Joey Chestnut of San Jose, CA holds the world record for eating 68 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes, and he will seek his fifth straight title this year.\r\n\r\nHost cities of the 2011 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit include Las Vegas, NV, Atlanta, GA, Boston, MA, Atlantic City, NJ, Cleveland, OH, Tempe, AZ, New York, NY, Pittsburgh, PA, Los Angeles, CA, Charlotte, NC and Poughkeepsie, NY. This year, Nathan’s will also hold a qualifying event in Calgary, Canada and Beijing, China.\r\n\r\nAccording to archives, the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event. For more information visit facebook.com/eatfast or @eatingcontest.\r\n\r\nAbout Nathan’s Famous\r\nNathan’s products are currently distributed in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and five foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and retail licensing activities. The Nathan’s restaurant system currently consists of 268 units, comprised of 263 franchised or licensed units and five company-owned units (including one seasonal unit). For additional information about Nathan’s please visit www.nathansfamous.com.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40b7","sn":847,"title":"U.S. Eaters Heading to China?","createdAt":"2011-04-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"MLE and Nathan's Famous will give the opportunity for American eaters to compete in Beijing on May 18. In what will be the first-ever qualifier held in China, a limited number of seats will be opened to American eaters. The top finishers from the U.S. and and China will each earn seats to compete in Coney Island on July 4th.\r\n\r\nTo sign-up for a potential spot in this contest, visit IFOCE.com tomorrow at 11:00am EST.\r\n\r\nMore news regarding a new look to this year's Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest will be released in the days ahead. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40b6","sn":846,"title":"Wild Card Announced for 2011 Nathan's Circuit","createdAt":"2011-03-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating has officially announced a Wild Card seat for the upcoming Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest Circuit. The competitor with the single highest non-winning performance in a qualifying contest will earn a coveted seat at the Coney Island table on July 4th. In the event of a tie, a coin will be tossed to decide the seat. \r\n\r\nAllen \"Shredder\" Goldstein was the recipient of last year's Wild Card spot after eating 28.75 Nathan's HDBs in Foxboro, MA. \r\n\r\nThe 2011 Nathan's Famous Circuit kicks-off in Las Vegas, NV on Saturday, April 23rd. Registration opened on IFOCE.com yesterday (March 30th).\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40b8","sn":845,"title":"2011 Nathan's Famous Circuit Announced","createdAt":"2011-03-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Nathan's Famous, Inc. is readying for its 96th annual July Fourth International Hot Dog Eating Contest. In anticipation of this signature event, Nathan's will conduct a qualifying tour to secure champion competitors from all around the country. The circuit will begin in Las Vegas on April 23rd and wind its way through at least 12 other cities before the final event takes place on July 4, 2011 at the Nathan's Famous flagship in Coney Island.\r\n\r\n\"I'm thrilled that Nathan's Famous has become such an integral part of America's July Fourth celebration,\" said Wayne Norbitz, President and COO of Nathan's Famous, Inc. \"Through our qualifying circuit we are able to bring a bit of Coney Island to Nathan's lovers around the country.\"\r\n\r\nThe Nathan's Famous circuit will visit more than a dozen cities. Qualifying events will occur at Nathan's Famous retail locations, water parks, NFL stadiums and Major League ballparks. As always, the champions from each qualifier will earn a trip to compete in the ESPN televised finals at the original Nathan's Famous in Coney Island on July Fourth.\r\n \r\nIn recent years, an estimated 40,000 fans have made the pilgrimage to the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island to watch the Nathan's Famous July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest in person. The live ESPN telecast of the event drew an audience of 1.7 million viewers in 2010. Joey Chestnut of San Jose, CA holds the world record for eating 68 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes, and he will seek his fifth straight title this year.\r\n\r\nHost cities of the 2011 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit include Las Vegas, NV, Atlanta, GA, Boston, MA, Atlantic City, NJ, Cleveland, OH, New York, NY, Pittsburgh, PA, Tempe, AZ Los Angeles, CA, Charlotte, NC and Poughkeepsie, NY. This year, Nathan's will also hold international qualifying events in Beijing, China and Calgary, Alberta, Canada. \r\n \r\nAccording to archives, the Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event. \r\n\r\n**Registration for the qualifying circuit will take place ONLY at IFOCE.com beginning at 2:00pm EST on Wednesday, March 30th. Registration is open to those 18 years of age and older.**\r\n\r\n2011 Nathan's Famous Qualifying Circuit Schedule\r\n\r\nSaturday, April 23 - New York, New York Hotel - Las Vegas, NV\r\n\r\nSaturday, May 14 - Bruster's Real Ice Cream - Newnan, GA\r\n\r\nSaturday, May 21 - Showcase Cinema - Foxboro, MA\r\n\r\nSaturday, May 28 - Trump Plaza - Atlantic City, NJ\r\n\r\nThursday, June 2 - Tower City Mall - Cleveland, OH\r\n\r\nSaturday, June 4 - Citi Field - Queens, NY\r\n\r\nWednesday, June 8 - YWCA - Market Square - Pittsburgh, PA\r\n\r\nSaturday, June 11 - Arizona Mills Mall - Tempe, AZ \r\n\r\nSunday, June 12 - Nathan's Famous - Hawthorne, CA\r\n\r\nSaturday, June 18 - LeMall - Beijing, China \r\n\r\nSaturday, June 18 - Nathan's Famous - Calgary, Alberta, Canada \r\n\r\nSaturday, June 18 - Concord Mills Mall - Charlotte, NC\r\n\r\nSaturday, June 25 - SplashDown Beach Water Park - Fishkill, NY\r\n\r\nMonday, July 4 - Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest - Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40b3","sn":843,"title":"La Costeña Spicing Up Jalapeno Purse in 2011 - $6,250","createdAt":"2011-03-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The La CosteñaFeel the Heat Jalapeno Eating Championship will return to Market Square in San Antonio on Sunday, May 1st with a bloated prize purse of $6,250 this year! The world has watched in awe the last four years as Pat Bertoletti and Sonya Thomas battled head-to-head for the prestigious title of World Jalapeno-Eating Champion. \r\n\r\nAlthough Pat currently holds the title, his victories are becoming slimmer and slimmer as extra time was needed to determine the champ the past two years. To recognize the incredible performances of past, present and future, La Costeña is adding to an already hefty prize purse by putting up a total of $6,250 in 2011. \r\n\r\nWill the rivalry continue? Will the title switch hands? Is a newcomer ready to don the spotlight and shock the world? Only time will tell, but until then San Antonio better brace for the heat that MLE will bring on May 1st - the La Costeña Feel the Heat Jalapeno Eating Championship is coming!!!\r\n\r\nRegistration for this contest will open on this site TODAY, Friday, March 25 at 3:00pm EST."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40b4","sn":844,"title":"Niko Niko's Gyros Moved to Sunday, May 15","createdAt":"2011-03-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating has announced that the Niko Niko's World Gyro-Eating Championship has been moved to Sunday, May 15th at 2:00pm. The event was previously scheduled for Saturday, May 14th. All other detail of the event remain the same including the $4,000 cash purse on-the-line. \r\n\r\nThe event is part of Houston’s Annual Festival of Greece. Niko Niko's owner Dimitri Fetokakis and his family have been long time supporters of the festival. The Festival of Greece, now celebrating its 15th anniversary, is a four-day event that features fine homemade Greek food & deserts, Greek wine & beer, Greek folk dancing, Greek shops, vendor booths, children's food, and a large children’s play area. Part of the proceeds of the Festival are donated to local charities. For information, visit www.houstongreekfest.com or www.nikonikos.com\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40b2","sn":842,"title":"RIBMANIA returns to Ribfest Chicago on Friday, June 10th","createdAt":"2011-03-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating will take the stage at Ribfest Chicago for the second straight year in 2011 to host RIBMANIA on Friday, June 10th. The 8-minute Rib-Eating Championship will feature baby back pork ribs and a field of twelve Major League Eaters and local hopefuls. A cash purse of $2,100 will be on-the-line again at this year's RIBMANIA.\r\n\r\nIn last year's event, Pat Bertoletti - a native of Chicago's south side - ventured to the rival north side and ate 4.26 lbs of ribs to win the inaugural title and establishing a record in the short form rib discipline. Although north side fan favorite Gravy Brown was beaten, he has vowed to avenge the 2010 defeat in front of his hometown faithful. \r\n\r\nCLICK HERE for more information on Ribfest Chicago. \r\n\r\nRegistration will open on this site Wednesday, March 23 at 1:00pm EST."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40b1","sn":841,"title":"Major League Eating Seeks to Raise $25,000 for Japan Quake Victims","createdAt":"2011-03-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Today, Major League Eating donated $5,000 to Save the Children, an organization that is conducting relief efforts in Japan. MLE's $5,000 donation to the Japan Earthquake Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund will be matched automatically, resulting in $10,000 of total charitable support. In addition, MLE has pledged to match donations by competitive eaters up to an additional $5,000. \r\n\r\nMLEgives, the charitable arm of Major League Eating, said that it is seeking to raise no less than $25,000, including donations from the organization, its members and clients, for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The organization plans to leverage the 2011 competitive eating season to generate additional funding for those affected by the disaster."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40b0","sn":840,"title":"CheeseSteaks @ Dorney Park on 5/21","createdAt":"2011-03-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom will again play host to the World CheeseSteak Eating Championship on May 21. The Philly-area amusement park welcomed the world's top Major League Eaters last year when Joey Chestnut edged out Bob Shoudt by three six-inch cheesesteaks (19-16) in the 10-minute contest. Expect another stacked field this summer as a prize pool of $3,000 will be on-the-line at Dorney Park's Center Stage aside CheeseSteak eating glory. \r\n\r\nRegistration for this contest will open on IFOCE.com Tuesday, March 15 at 11:00am EST. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40af","sn":839,"title":"Rouses Crawfish Cup Up For Grabs in NOLA","createdAt":"2011-03-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rouses, Louisiana's Best supermarket, is hosting the second annual World Crawfish Eating Championship in New Orleans during the popular French Quarter Festival on Saturday, April 9th, 2011.\r\n\r\nLast year, four thousand fans (Mario Batali among them) crowded the stage at the Old U.S. Mint to watch Sonya Thomas down 6.5 pounds of Louisiana Crawfish in 10 minutes. With this performance, Sonya secured the Rouses Crawfish Cup and shattered the former crawfish record of 4.9 pounds.\r\n\r\nEach year, the French Quarter Festival in New Orleans gets bigger and bigger. The event features 17 outdoor stages and presents multiple genres of music and entertainment.\r\n\r\nRegistration will occur on this site on Friday, March 4th at 2:30pm EST."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40b5","sn":838,"title":"Dallas Weather Postpones Wingstop Event","createdAt":"2011-02-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Due to inclement weather in Dallas, the Wingstop World Wing-Eating Championship has been postponed until further notice. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40ae","sn":837,"title":"TooJay's Celebrating St. Patty's Day with Record Cash Purse","createdAt":"2011-01-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The TooJay's World Class Corned Beef Eating Championship just got richer...a lot richer. MLE has announced that TooJay's Gourmet Deli and National Deli will put up $25,000 in cash prizes when a field of Major League Eaters and local amateurs descends upon Palm Beach Gardens, FL this St. Patrick's Day (Thursday, March 17th) for The 2nd Annual TooJay's World Class Corned Beef Eating Championship!\r\n\r\nTwo contests, one for pros and one for amateurs, will be held as part of the blowout event. The world's best Major League Eaters will battle it out for $20,000 which includes a $12,500 first place prize--the highest of its kind on the circuit. \r\n\r\nLocal amateurs, which will be selected by TooJay's (more details to follow soon) will have their own chance of glory before the pros when they'll compete for a hefty in-its-own-right $5,000 cash purse!\r\n\r\nAdd it all together and you have a $25,000 St. Patty's Day celebration that will not be topped! \r\n\r\nLast year's event saw #1-ranked Joey Chestnut eat 15.5 TooJay's Corned Beef sandwiches in 10 minutes to top a field of top-ranked MLE eaters and local pros while winning $5,000 cash.\r\n\r\nProfessional registration for The 2nd Annual TooJay's World Class Corned Beef Eating Championship will open Monday, January 24th at 11:00am EST.\r\n\r\nAmateur registration information will be released soon.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40ad","sn":836,"title":"Registration for Four MLE Contests Set To Open this Week","createdAt":"2011-01-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Four events on the 2011 MLE Circuit have been announced on the events page of IFOCE.com. \r\n\r\nThe Fat Tuesday King Cake Eating Championship @ Showboat Atlantic City will take place on Mardi Gras (Tuesday, March 8) offering a $4,000 cash purse. \r\n\r\nOn March 19th, The Rhythm City World Catfish Eating Championship will take place at Rhythm City Casino in Davenport, IA and feature a $2,500 cash purse. \r\n\r\nMLE's Veggie Weekend will get kicked off again at the Stockton Asparagus Festival with The World Deep-Fried Asparagus Eating Championship ($2,750 cash purse).\r\n\r\nAnd on Easter weekend, another Isle property will join the MLE Circuit when the Isle Waterloo World Cupcake Eating Championship debuts. A $5,000 cash purse along with a new world record will be on-the-line in Waterloo, Iowa. \r\n\r\nRegistration for these events will open on IFOCE.com on the following dates/times:\r\n\r\nFat Tuesday King Cake Eating Championship - Thursday, January 20th @ 11:00am EST\r\n\r\nThe Rhythm City World Catfish Eating Championship - Thursday, January 20th @ 1:00pm EST\r\n\r\nThe World Deep-Fried Asparagus Eating Championship - Thursday, January 20th @ 3:00pm EST\r\n\r\nThe Isle Waterloo World Cupcake Eating Championship - Friday, January 21st @ 12:00pm EST\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40aa","sn":835,"title":"$10K Wingstop Wing Eating Championship heading to Dallas SB Week","createdAt":"2011-01-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating will head to Dallas on February 1st when it joins with Wingstop to host the Wingstop World Wing-Eating Championship. A hefty $10,000 cash purse will be on-the-line when MLE's finest invades the American Airlines Center Plaza Tuesday evening. Stay connected as more details emerge regarding this premier event on the MLE Circuit!\r\n\r\nRegistration for this event will open on IFOCE.com at 2:00pm EST Friday, January 14th (today!!).\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40ab","sn":834,"title":"Chestnut Sets Earnings Mark in 2010 with more than $200,000","createdAt":"2011-01-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"2010 proved to be a hearty year in more ways than one for Joey Chestnut who earned a record-setting $218,500 through Major League Eating prize money, appearance fees and endorsements. The figure represents the largest annual earnings for one eater in competitive eating history.\r\n\r\nChestnut, the #1-ranked eater in the world, won fifteen contests worldwide in 2010 including a fourth consecutive Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Championship at Coney Island.\r\n\r\nMajor League Eating provided a total of more than $600,000 in prize money, appearance fees and endorsements for its eaters in 2010. For information on Major League Eating, including upcoming events, visit www.ifoce.com"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40a8","sn":833,"title":"MLE 2011 to kick-off @ Isle Biloxi w/PB&B's","createdAt":"2010-11-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"MLE is kicking it's 2011 season off on January 8th with the 2nd annual Isle Biloxi PB&B Sandwich Eating World Championship! The event is a tribute to the King, Elvis Presley, on his birthday weekend. Peanut-butter and banana sandwiches were Elvis' favorite and the world's best eaters will honor Elvis' favorite sandwich at the Isle Biloxi with $5,000 on-the-line! In last year's event, Bob \"Notorious B.O.B.\" Shoudt won the title after eating 36 PB&B sandwiches. Can he repeat??\r\n\r\nRegistration for this contest will open on Thursday, November 11th at 2:00pm EST.\r\n\r\nFollow Isle Casino Biloxi on twitter @IsleCasinoBX"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40a4","sn":831,"title":"Martorano's Meatball Registration to Open at 2:00pm EST TODAY!!","createdAt":"2010-10-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Due to unexpected maintenance on IFOCE.com, registration for the Martorano's Masters Meatball Eating Championship will now open up at 2:00pm EST today."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40a9","sn":832,"title":"Bertoletti back at #2; Several Newcomers Crack top-50 in new World Rankings","createdAt":"2010-10-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pat Bertoletti is back as the #2-ranked eater in the world, taking over the spot held by Bob \"Notorious B.O.B.\" Shoudt for the past six months. Since May, Bertoletti has racked up seven victories and bested Shoudt four of the six times the two have met at the table. \r\n\r\nSome jockeying also occurred just outside the top-10 with Sean \"Flash\" Gordon moving up two spots to the #12 position, Adrian Morgan jumped three spots to #14 and Pete Davekos moved four spots to #15 in the world.\r\n\r\nSeveral newcomers now find themselves in the top-50 after impressive summer campaigns. Highlighting the new crop of ranked Major League Eaters are Brian Dudzinski (#24), Aaron Osthoff (#31), David Solomon (#32), Gary Klucken (#33), Kobi Bauer (#36) and Larell Marie Mele (#38).\r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut remains as the world's #1 eater. \r\n\r\nClick here for the current World Rankings"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40ac","sn":830,"title":"Martorano's Masters Meatball Eating Championship Set for 11/7 in Vegas!","createdAt":"2010-10-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The 2nd Annual Martorano's Masters Meatball Eating Championship is set for noon on Sunday, November 7th at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas! The 10-minute contest will feature Martorano’s world-famous meatballs prepared by Cook/Owner Steve Martorano. Like last year's event, forks will be required in an effort to fully honor and respect Martorano’s meatball while testing an additional level of skill from the eaters. \r\n\r\nThe world's #1-ranked eater, Joey Chestnut, will return to defend his title. Chestnut ate 50 meatballs in last year's event to win the $1,500 top prize as well as a monogrammed 'M' necklace, courtesy of Steve Martorano. A $3,000 total cash purse is on-the-line with the second through fourth place finishers receiving $750, $500 and $250, respectively. \r\n\r\nRegistration for this contest will open on IFOCE.com at 1:00pm EST.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40a7","sn":829,"title":"Jimmy John's & MLE to Square Off at Sun Devil Stadium on 11/13","createdAt":"2010-10-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The 2010 Jimmy John's Freaky Fast Sandwich Makers vs Eaters Contest Series will come to a close in dramatic fashion on Saturday, November 13th before what promises to be a packed Sun Devil Stadium before Arizona State takes on Stanford on the gridiron. \r\n\r\nThe contest will feature three of the fastest Jimmy John's sandwich makers in the world against three of the best competitive eaters in the world. Representing Team MLE will be Erik \"the Red\" Denmark, Eater X, and #1-ranked Joey Chestnut. The three hope to find the magic that propelled MLE over the Freaky Fast JJ's team in Denver this summer. \r\n\r\nThe event wraps up a 5-contest series between Jimmy John's sandwich makers and Major League Eating which saw contests take place in Charlotte, Seattle, Denver and Dallas in addition to the Nov. 13 showdown in Phoenix. Thus far, Jimmy John's has proven to be faster at their respective craft holding onto a 3-1 series lead in 2010. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40a6","sn":828,"title":"MLE heads to Jake Melnick's in Chicago for Battle of the Bhut 11/11","createdAt":"2010-10-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Fire up those taste buds because Major League Eating will head to Jake Melnick's Corner Tap in Chicago on Thursday, November 11 for the Jake Melnick's Battle of the Bhut XXX Wing Eating Championship. \r\n\r\nJake's signature wings are made with two of the hottest peppers on the planet -- the Red Savina Habanero and the Bhut Jolokia. Bertoletti conquered jalapenos earlier this year, but can he handle the Bhut? We'll find out at Jake Melnick's on 11/11!\r\n\r\nRegistration for this contest will open on IFOCE.com Monday, October 11th at 11:00am EST.\r\n\r\nCLICK HERE for more information on Jake Melnick's Corner Tap.\r\n\r\n "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40a3","sn":827,"title":"Isle Contests Wrap in Bettendorf, IA on 11/6","createdAt":"2010-09-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Isle of Capri Casino properties will hold their eighth and final contest of the year on Saturday, November 6 in Bettendorf, IA. Maid-Rite loose meat sandwiches will be served to the world's best Major League Eaters at the Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf. A HEFTY $7,500 in cash prizes will be on-the-line along with the final chance of 2010 to become an Isle of Capri Eating Champion. \r\n\r\nPrevious Isle of Capri winners include Bob \"Notorious B.O.B.\" Shoudt, Pat Bertoletti, Sonya Thomas and Eater X...who will join them in Bettendorf on Nov 6th?? \r\n\r\nRegistration for The Isle Bettendorf Maid-Rite Sandwich Eating World Championship will open on IFOCE.com Wednesday, September 29th at 2:00pm EST.\r\n\r\n\r\nCLICK HERE for more information on Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40a2","sn":826,"title":"World Cannoli Eating Championship set for 9/16","createdAt":"2010-09-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"This year will mark the 84th Annual Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy. More than a million people attend this festival every year, which runs for 11 days starting on September 16th.\r\n\r\nAs part of the opening day's festivities, Major League Eating will once again be sanctioning the World Cannoli Eating Championships. In last year's event, veteran Major League Eater and East Village resident Crazy Legs Conti ate 20.5 cannolis in 6 minutes to win the coveted title. Cookie Jarvis shares with Conti's roommate Eater X the world record of 26 cannoli set in 2005 and 2006, respectively. \r\n\r\nThis contest will take place on Thursday, September 16th at 2pm from the stage on the northwest corner of Grand and Mott streets. \r\n\r\nRegistration for this contest will open on IFOCE.com today at 11:00am EST."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda409f","sn":825,"title":"MLE Celebrates Labor Day with US Troops","createdAt":"2010-09-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating spent Labor Day weekend entertaining US troops stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on yet another MLE tour hosted by NAVY Entertainment. A Philadelphia contingent of Wing Kong, Flash Gordon, and Steakbellie made the trip south, stopping in Jacksonville on their way to pick up MC Hall Hunt. \r\n\r\nLike in the past, the eaters conducted a series of Pro-Am contests. They were paired with active military personnel interested in trying their hand at competitive eating and having some fun along the way. The eaters also got a chance to hang with Bowling for Soup. Turns out the band, best known for its 2004 hit \"1985,\" is comprised of guys who are big MLE fans. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda409c","sn":823,"title":"Pepto World Bratwurst Eating Championship heads to Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 9/18","createdAt":"2010-09-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Pepto World Bratwurst Eating Championship will take place on Saturday, September 18th from North America's largest Oktoberfest celebration in Cincinnati, OH. Cash prizes totaling $2,500 will be up-for-grabs along with the prestigious title of Bratwurst Eating World Champion. \r\n\r\nRegistration for this event will open on IFOCE.com at 11:00am EST on Wednesday, September 8th.\r\n\r\n\r\nAbout Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati USA\r\nOktoberfest-Zinzinnati USA is an outdoor festival held in downtown Zinzinnati, Ohio that showcases the rich German heritage of Southwestern Ohio, as well as tasty samples of German-style music, food and beer. First held in 1976, the event has grown to be North America's largest Oktoberfest with over 500,000 people attending each year."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40a0","sn":824,"title":"Lady Luck Caruthersville serving up Moon Pies on 10/16","createdAt":"2010-09-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Isle of Capri Casinos will host their seventh eating championship of the year on Saturday, October 16th when Lady Luck Caruthersville hosts the World Moon Pie Eating Championship. Lady Luck is putting up a total cash purse of $5,000! \r\n\r\nMoon pies consist of two round graham cracker cookies with marshmallow filling dipped in chocolate. You can be sure they will be flying off the table at Lady Luck Caruthersville on the 16th!\r\n\r\nRegistration for this contest will open on IFOCE.com Thursday, September 9th at 10am EST.\r\n\r\nCLICK HERE for more information on Lady Luck Caruthersville.\r\n\r\nCLICK HERE for more information on MLE Contests at Isle Properties in 2010.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda409e","sn":822,"title":"Chestnut Regains JA Nugget Rib Title","createdAt":"2010-09-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"World No.1 Joey Chestnut Regains Rib Eating Title\r\nat the 22nd Annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off\r\n \r\nJoey Chestnut, the world’s No.1-ranked competitive eater, thrilled a capacity crowd by reclaiming the World Rib Eating title today at the 5th annual Nugget World Rib Eating Championships during the 22nd annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off.\r\n\r\nChestnut, the event’s three-time champion, consumed an impressive 8 pounds of pork rib meat, avenging last year’s loss to second-place finisher Pat Bertoletti, who this year downed a worthy 6.9 pounds.\r\nThe competitors all commented on the ease with which the meat came off the bone this year, complementing the event’s staff and chefs for preparing world-record-ready food.\r\n\r\n“This is by far is the best the competition has been here at the Nugget,” Chestnut said. “I knew when I saw the ribs that we were going to eat a lot of meat today. We’re all just very excited about how big this event has become and how well we’re treated when we come here. This is a first-class eating competition, without a doubt.”\r\n\r\n“This is great for our event and we look forward to renewing the Chestnut-Bertoletti rivalry next year,” said Nugget spokesman Mike Traum. “Once again we were thrilled that nearly 5,000 people watched the contest. We hope they enjoy the rest of the week here at the Rib Cook-off.”\r\n\r\nThe 22nd annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off is sponsored by US Bank, Morrey Distributing/Budweiser, City of Sparks, Curly’s Foods Inc., Kenwood Vineyards, Legends at Sparks Marina, Model Dairy, Northern Nevada Toyota Dealers, AT&T Nevada, Kansas City Barbecue Society, Northern Nevada Medical Center, Clark Pest Control, Swire Coca-Cola, IGT, KOZZ 105.7 FM, KBUL 98 FM, KTHX 100.1 FM, and KZTQ/Bob 97.3 FM."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4099","sn":820,"title":"Upper Crust World Pizza Eating Championship Returns to Boston 9/25","createdAt":"2010-08-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Upper Crust World Pizza Eating Championship will return to Boston's Phantom Gourmet Food Festival on Saturday, September 25th. Last year, Philly's Micah \"Wing Kong\" Collins ate 20 slices of UC pizza to stun the Boston crowd and take home his first career win.\r\n\r\nMajor League Eaters will be served Upper Crust's traditional Neapolitan-style pizza (thin crust, chunky sauce) in the 10-minute contest. A $5,000 prize purse will be up-for-grabs with the winner taking home $2,500 and the title.\r\n\r\nRegistration for the Upper Crust World Pizza Eating Championship will open on IFOCE.com Tuesday, August 17 at 3:00pm PST. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda409b","sn":819,"title":"Ribs in Reno - Burritos in Albuquerque","createdAt":"2010-08-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The John Ascuaga's Best in the West Nugget World Rib Eating Championship is set for Wednesday, September 1 at 6:00pm! The event, now in its fifth year, will see which Major League Eater can join the ranks of the two greats who have won this event: Joey Chestnut ('06-'08) and Pat Bertoletti ('09). A $5,000 cash purse is on-the-line in the 12-minute contest. The J.A. Nugget is located in Sparks, NV outside Reno. \r\n\r\nRegistration for the John Ascuaga's Best in the West Nugget World Rib Eating Championship will open on IFOCE.com TODAY, August 16 at 4:00pm EST.\r\n\r\nAlso added to the September slate is the Garcia's World Burrito Eating Championship at the New Mexico State Fair. The contest will feature beef and green chile burritos from Garcia's Kitchen along with $3,000 in prize money. All the action will take place at 2:30pm on Saturday, September 11. Many will remember last year's event which was won by Bob Shoudt (33.5 burritos in 10 minutes) and also featured the debut of MLE Rookie of the Year, Ben Monson.\r\n\r\nRegistration for the World Burrito Eating Championship at the New Mexico State Fair will open on IFOCE.com Tuesday, August 17 at 2:00pm EST."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda409d","sn":821,"title":"MLE Finally Fast Enough for JJ's at Mile High Music Fest","createdAt":"2010-08-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Jimmy John's Freaky Fast Sandwich Makers finally met their match at Denver's Mile High Music Festival, suffering their first ever loss at the hands of Team MLE - 25.5 sandwiches eaten to 25 made. Up until Saturday, Jimmy John's had reigned supreme over any and all Major League Eating teams assembled to face the fastest sandwich makers in the world. However, it all changed when Jimmy John's Freaky Fast veterans Pat Bertoletti and Gravy Brown teamed up with Denver's own Bryan \"Big Sexy\" Beard and promptly left with the JJ's Championship Belts.\r\n\r\nThe 5-minute contest featured JJ's Freaky Fast team preparing the sandwiches using only the freshest ingredients in assembly-line style. The sandwiches are shuttled over to Team MLE to see who is faster at their respective craft. With seconds remaining, Bertoletti was able to enjoy one final bite lifting the Major League Eaters to victory. Several pundits are saying the high altitude aided the Major League Eaters in the victory. \r\n\r\nAn immediate rematch has been issued by Jimmy John's (and accepted by MLE) for Dallas, TX on October 2nd. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4098","sn":818,"title":"Chestnut Beats Team of Five in Pepto Ice Cream Battle","createdAt":"2010-08-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut fought off a field of five challengers eating as a team at the Pepto Bismol Ice Cream Eating Contest in Austin, TX. Chestnut downed 1.25 gallons of vanilla ice cream in five minutes while the team of Austinites ate a combined 1 gallon.\r\n\r\nThis is the second time in the Pepto Bismol Summer Food Festival Tour that Chestnut has beaten a field of five challengers. He was not expected to win in ice cream, which was a short, five-minute event, and one that eating afficionados thought would be easy for contenders.\r\n\r\nChestnut ignored brain freeze and ploughed through a bucket of ice cream which started out very solid, but which became very soupy around the edges under the 100-degree Austin sun. Members of the crowd remarked that he seemed as comfortable negotiating the solid ice cream as he did with the soupy ice cream.\r\n\r\nNext stop, San Francisco Street Food Festival on August 21."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda40a1","sn":817,"title":"World Tamale Eating Championship returns to Lewisville","createdAt":"2010-08-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating will return to Old Town Lewisville, Texas and its 2010 Western Days Festival for the 6th Annual World Tamale Eating Championship on Saturday, September 25th. The event will feature $3,500 in cash prizes along with the esteemed title of Tamale Eating Champion of the World.\r\n\r\nIn 2009, Juliet Lee flew into Lewisville and left with the title after eating 48 tamales in 12 minutes. Texas native \"Nasty\" Nathan Biller, who finished just 6 tamales behind Juliet in '09, will look for redemption in his home state on the 25th. \r\n\r\nThe payouts for this event are: 1st-$1,500, 2nd-$1,000, 3rd-$500, 4th-$250, 5th-$150, 6th-$100. \r\n\r\nThis contest will take place at 1:15pm CST from the Western Day Community Stage (Corner of Mill St. and Church St.) in Old Town Lewisville, Lewisville, TX 75057. The tamales will be provided by Dallas Tortilla & Tamale Factory. \r\n\r\nRegistration will open on IFOCE.com at 12:00pm EST on Wednesday, August 11th. \r\n\r\n WATCH THE TRAILER FOR THE 2010 OLD TOWN LEWISVILLE WORLD TAMALE EATING CHAMPIONSHIP\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4097","sn":815,"title":"Joey Chestnut Hits the Road with Pepto-Bismol to Challenge Locals this Summer","createdAt":"2010-08-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pepto-Bismol® Sponsors Tour to Remind Consumers that the Stomach Aid Has Them Covered This Summer\r\n\r\nPepto-Bismol, the \"un\"-official stomach remedy of summer, has announced a partnership with 2010 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Champion Joey Chestnut that will send the competitive eater on the road this summer.\r\n\r\n\"Americans love to celebrate summer by getting together and enjoying food with friends, but sometimes the enjoyment of summer leads to eating just one too many,\" said Nathan Fox, Pepto-Bismol Brand Manager. \"With the help of Joey and his love of food, we are reminding consumers to think of Pepto-Bismol* as they head out to their local summer festival.\"\r\n\r\nBeginning in August, Pepto-Bismol will host eating competitions between Chestnut and a team of five challengers who think they have the skills to out-eat the reigning champion on the main stages of local food festivals around the country including:\r\n\r\nBite of Oregon (Aug. 6 – 7, 2010)\r\nAustin Ice Cream Festival (Aug. 14, 2010)\r\nSan Francisco Street Food Festival (Aug. 21, 2010)\r\nBuffalo Wing Festival (Sept. 4 – 5, 2010)\r\n\r\nNot only will the team of challengers walk away with bragging rights if they're able to conquer Chestnut, they will also win the \"Pepto Cup\" trophy, a year's supply of Pepto-Bismol and $100.00 each.\r\n\r\n\"I love food, and not surprisingly, I often suffer from stomach upsets when I overeat in general, let alone when I'm competing,\" says Chestnut. \"As a competitive eater, I'm trained to avoid and alleviate stomach upsets, and you can bet I'll be packing my Pepto.\"\r\n\r\nThose hungry enough to challenge Chestnut can stop by the Pepto-Bismol booths at the local festivals and enter for a chance to take on the title-holder. Chestnut will be on-site to share his insider knowledge that leads him to victory time and time again – including how he stays clear of inevitable stomach upsets.\r\n\r\nFor more information and a timeline of the events, please visit facebook.com/peptobismol"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda409a","sn":816,"title":"Major League Eaters Tour Japan to Compete for U.S. Troops ","createdAt":"2010-08-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating is off to entertain troops on U.S. Naval Bases in Japan on a tour hosted by NAVY Entertainment. The two week trip will consist of a series of 'Pro-Am' eating contests with troops being paired with Major League Eaters in the friendly competitions. Representing Major League Eating at the table is #2-ranked Bob \"Notorious B.O.B.\" Shoudt, #6-ranked Eater X Tim Janus and #14-ranked Crazy Legs Conti. The contests will feature Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs. This trip to Japan adds to an extensive list of international countries already visited by Major League Eating in 2010 including Australia, Singapore and Canada. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4096","sn":814,"title":"Buffalo Wings & Pickles Registration to Open Next Week","createdAt":"2010-07-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The National Buffalo Wing Festival is set for Labor Day Weekend (Sept 4-5) and with it comes the annual Buffet Bowl Eating Championship and U.S. Buffalo Wing Eating Championships. The events -- which have been swept by Sonya Thomas in each of the last three years -- will take place at Coca-Cola Field in front of the festival crowd. This year, the Buffet Bowl will take place on Saturday, Sept 4th with the U.S. Buffalo Wing Championship taking place on Sunday, Sept 5th. The events will offer a combined $4,300 in prize money ($1,750 for the Buffet Bowl and $2,550 for the U.S. Buffalo Wing Championship). \r\n\r\nThen on Sunday, September 12th, Major League Eating will head to the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, Florida for the Isle Casino World Pickle Eating Championship. A $5,000 cash purse will be on the line as pickles makes its triumphant return to the MLE Circuit. \r\n\r\nRegistration for the Buffet Bowl and U.S. Buffalo Wing Eating Championship will open on IFOCE.com Friday, July 30 at 1:00pm EST.\r\n\r\nRegistration for the Isle Casino World Pickle Eating Championship will open on IFOCE.com Monday, August 2nd at 2:00pm EST."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4094","sn":813,"title":"Bertoletti Wins Red Faction Mars Bar Eating Championship","createdAt":"2010-07-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Patrick Bertoletti downed 38 Mars Bars in five minutes to win the Red Faction Mars Bar Eating Championship at Comic Con in San Diego. The event pitted fourth ranked Bertoletti against Joey Chestnut the number one eater in the world and Eater X the world's sixth best eater.\r\n\r\nChestnut place second with 20 Mars Bars in five minutes and X finished 3rd with 10. Eater X's low number stunned fans who know the tiramisu eating champ to be a sweet tooth. After the event, X admitted that he lacked the dental toughness to compete."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4093","sn":812,"title":"Chestnut Makes it Six Straight at Chinook Winds","createdAt":"2010-07-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Just a week after capturing his fourth straight July 4th hot dog eating championship, Joey Chestnut ate 9.5 lbs of ribs at Chinook Winds to win his sixth consecutive title at Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City, Oregon. \r\n\r\nLike in past years, the event headlined the Smokin' at the Ocean BBQ & Brewfest that took place over the weekend at Chinook Winds. They say \"It's Better at the Beach\" at Chinook Winds and Chestnut can certainly attest to those words as he shattered his previous Chinook Winds Rib Eating record of 8.8 lbs on Sunday.\r\n\r\nMany had wondered if this would be the year that the world's best eater relinquished his Chinook Winds Rib Eating Title since the field featured #4-ranked Pat Bertoletti and #7-ranked rookie Ben Monson. Both Bertoletti and Monson have beaten Chestnut over the past year. \r\n\r\nAt the end though, the belt went to the Champ and the rest of the world will have to wait another year to try and put a stop to Chestnut's streak at Chinook Winds.\r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS\r\n1-Joey Chestnut - 9.5 lbs ribs eaten in 12 minutes - $1,500\r\n2-Pat Bertoletti - 8.5 lbs - $750\r\n3-Ben Monson - 7.65 lbs - $500\r\n4-Erik Denmark - 5.5 lbs\r\n5-Ryan McKillop - 4.5 lbs\r\n6-Jason Erb - 3.65 lbs\r\n7-Jason Williams - 3.35 (top-4 finisher from Saturday's amateur event)\r\n8-Cameron McKirdy - 3.05 lbs\r\n9-Andrew McKirdy - 3.0 lbs\r\n10-Ryan Rodacker - 2.95 lbs\r\n11-Phil Zerda - 2.9 lbs (top-4 finisher from Saturday's amateur event)\r\n12-Gary Dennis - 2.35 lbs (top-4 finisher from Saturday's amateur event)\r\n13-Chris Scott - 2.15 lbs (top-4 finisher from Saturday's amateur event)\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4095","sn":811,"title":"Sonya Thomas Heading to Puerto Rico to eat for Boys & Girls Club","createdAt":"2010-07-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Taco Bell Why Pay More Challenge begins for the benefit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico\r\n\r\nThe Why Pay More Challenge from Taco Bell is almost here! Think outside the bun in the event that provides unique and safe entertainment for the youth this summer. This year, the Why Pay More Challenge will serve as a platform to announce Taco Bell’s alliance with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico as the company becomes more active in their social commitment with Puerto Rico’s youth. \r\n\r\nAt this year’s Why Pay More Challenge, the spotlight’s on female talent with Sonya \"The Black Widow\" Thomas making her first visit to the island to take part in the event. Thomas will look to establish a record in the Caribbean by eating the most soft tacos in the least amount of time possible. The event will take place on Thursday, July 15th.\r\n\r\nTaco Bell’s goal is to help the Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico get the funding necessary so that they can continue to provide their services to the more than 5,000 children they receive daily at the 8 centers around the island located in: Santurce, Río Piedras, Carolina (2), Aguas Buenas, Arecibo and Mayagüez. To reach this goal, Taco Bell will donate the Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico $125.00 for each soft taco Sonya Thomas eats in the Why Pay More Challenge 2010 Grand Finale.\r\n\r\nIn addition to the donation, Taco Bell has designed a video game available at facebook.com/tacobellpr. This innovative Facebook application brings the experience of the real Why Pay More Challenge to a video game. In the game, players must capture as much coins as possible because Taco Bell will donate the Boys & Girls Clubs 10¢ for each coin captured.\r\n\r\nNow, the players can have the experience of participating in the Why Pay More Challenge and at the same, contribute to the cause while playing in the comfort of their own homes. \r\n\r\n“Taco Bell has decided to speak out against school desertion and echo the hard work carried out by the Boys & Girls Clubs with the Puerto Rican youth. Taco Bell has always supported the Boys & Girls Clubs in the US and we’ve decided to take that support locally. Our commitment with the Boys & Girls Clubs goes beyond funding, we want to spread the word so more people can get to know the hard work put in by this organization and how more and more kids and teens can benefit from a positive place for the youth”, commented Carlos Frontera, Marketing Manager for Taco Bell Puerto Rico. \r\n\r\nAll those interested in participating can access tacobellpr.com or facebook.com/tacobellpr for registration, rules and event calendar. Taco Bell leads Puerto Rico’s Mexican fast food segment and has been recognized for innovation and quality products. The chain is operated in Puerto Rico by Encanto Restaurants, the 3rd biggest employer in the island. \r\n\r\nAbout the Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico:\r\nThe Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico is a non-profit organization with more than 40 years of service, leader in providing after-school guidance to disadvantaged youth lacking educational, social or family support. They have affected the lives of more than 20,000 children over the years they've been serving in Puerto Rico with programs dedicated to improving their education, character, leadership, health and overall life skills, arts and sports and recreation. Last year they served more than 5,000 kids and employed more than 180 professionals from the island. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico count with seven locations in Ramos Antonini Housing Project in Río Piedras, Las Margaritas Housing Project in Santurce, FD Roosevelt Housing Projects in Mayagüez, San Lorenzo, Carolina, Arecibo and Aguas Buenas. Plus, an educational center in Torres Sabana Housing Project in Carolina. For more information, visit www.bgcpr.org. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4091","sn":810,"title":"Kobayashi's Arrest","createdAt":"2010-07-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Statement of Major League Eating on the arrest of Takeru Kobayashi:\r\n\r\n\"Takeru Kobayashi's actions at the Hot Dog Contest in Coney Island were inappropriate and unfortunate, but it did not diminish Joey Chestnut's victory, or the holiday tradition that dates back generations. Kobayashi was a great champion and we hope that he is able to resolve his current situation and move past this.\"\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda408f","sn":808,"title":"Chestnut Secures Fourth Straight Title","createdAt":"2010-07-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Number-one-ranked eater Joey Chestnut won his fourth straight title by winning the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog-Eating Contest in Coney Island, downing 54 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes in oppressive heat to retain possession of the Coveted Musted Yellow Belt.\r\n\r\nIn second place was Eater X of New York City with 45 HDBs and in third was Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago with 37. The 100-pound Sonya Thomas ate 36 and Bob Shoudt consumed 34.\r\n\r\nErik The Red Denmark consumed 32, Gravy Brown ate 31, Allen Goldstein 28, Ben Monson and Juliet Lee 27, Sean Gordon 26.5, Pete Davekos and Badlands Booker 24, Crazy Legs Conti 20, Bryan Beard 15.5 and Kris Adams 11.\r\n\r\nA record crowd estimated by police at well more than 40,000 braved the scorching heat to witness Chestnut in his element. Pre-Show acts included performers from Ringling Bros. Coney Island Illuscination, Jud Laipply's Evolution of the Dance, Chappaqua NY d.j. phenom 80HD, and singer/songwriter Amos Wengler. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS\r\n1 - Joey Chestnut - 54 Nathan's Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes - $10,000\r\n2 - Eater X Tim Janus - 45 - $5,000\r\n3 - Pat Bertoletti - 37 - $2,500\r\n4 - Sonya Thomas - 36 - $1,500\r\n5 - Bob Shoudt - 34 - $1,000\r\n6 - Erik Denmark - 32 \r\n7 - Gravy Brown - 31\r\n8 - Allen Goldstein - 28\r\nT9 - Ben Monson - 27\r\nT9 - Juliet Lee - 27\r\n11 - Sean Gordon - 26.5\r\nT12 - Pete Davekos - 24\r\nT12 - Badlands Booker - 24\r\n14 - Crazy Legs Conti - 20\r\n15 - Bryan Beard - 15.5\r\n16 - Kris Adams - 11\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4090","sn":807,"title":"Nathan's Famous Donates to the Food Bank for New York City","createdAt":"2010-07-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"As it has done for years, Nathan’s Famous will donate 100,000 of its signature world famous beef hot dogs to a hunger relief charity during the proceedings of the company’s annual Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY. This Sunday, Nathan’s Famous President Wayne Norbitz will make the presentation to a representative of The Food Bank For New York City, which is part of the Feeding America network.\r\n\r\n“Nathan’s Famous is pleased to present this donation to the Food Bank for New York City and we are excited to have them represented at our famed July Fourth celebration,” said Wayne Norbitz, president and COO of Nathan’s Famous, Inc. “This donation ceremony has become an integral part of our July Fourth program.”\r\n\r\n\"Our research indicates that 3.3 million New Yorkers are having difficulty affording food,\" said Patrick Mooney, Director of Philanthropy at the Food Bank For New York City. \"In these very difficult times, we are especially pleased to accept this donation, which will assist us in our ongoing fight against hunger in New York City.\"\r\n\r\nThe donation ceremony will occur alongside the original Nathan’s Famous on Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island, NY, where the annual hot dog eating contest takes place. Each year tens of thousands gather to watch the biggest competitive eating event in the world, while millions watch the event live on ESPN. \r\n\r\nFor information on ways to help fight hunger, individuals and corporate entities can visit www.foodbanknyc.org or www.feedingamerica.org.\r\n\r\nAbout Nathan’s Famous\r\n\r\nNathan’s products are currently distributed in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and four foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and retail licensing activities. The Nathan’s restaurant system currently consists of 251 units, comprised of 246 franchised or licensed units and five company-owned units (including one seasonal unit). For additional information about Nathan’s please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda408b","sn":805,"title":"Taking the Subway to Coney?","createdAt":"2010-07-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Are you one the thousands of fans who will hop on the subway this Sunday to ring in Independence Day at the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest? If so, check out HopStop for door-to-door directions to Surf & Stillwell! The stage show starts at 10:00 am and the contest runs from 12:00pm - 1:00pm. \r\n\r\nClick here to Get Directions!"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda408d","sn":806,"title":"ESPN3.com to carry Live Nathan's Broadcast on July 4th","createdAt":"2010-07-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"For those in front of a computer on July 4th, ESPN3.com has you covered with its live broadcast of the 2010 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest. If you can't get to a TV set and watch the action on ESPN, get to a computer and witness history on ESPN3.com. \r\n\r\nLive coverage of the contest begins on ESPN andESPN3.com at 12:00pm EST. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4092","sn":804,"title":"First-Ever Cross-Species, Cross-Gender Eating Contest","createdAt":"2010-06-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The first-ever cross-gender, cross-species eating contest will take place when three female Ringling Bros. elephants weighing nearly 9,000 pounds will square off against three male Major League Eaters featuring Nathan’s hot dog buns. Representing the humans will be Badlands Booker, Pete \"Pretty Boy\" Davekos and Crazy Legs Conti. The action will get under way on Friday, July 2 at 11:30 am at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents THE CONEY ISLAND ILLUSCINATION located at Surf Avenue & 21st Street, Coney Island, Brooklyn\r\n\r\nRingling Bros. will be a part of the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest Celebration when they perform three of their dazzling acts during the stage show that will take place prior to the eating contest from 10:30am - 12:00pm.\r\n\r\nFor more information on Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents THE CONEY ISLAND ILLUSCINATION, CLICK HERE.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda408c","sn":802,"title":"Pepto-Bismol Named First-Ever Stomach Remedy Sponsor of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest","createdAt":"2010-06-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pepto-Bismol Named First-Ever Stomach Remedy Sponsor of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest\r\n\r\nPepto-Bismol Has Professional Competitors - and Americans - Covered this Summer\r\n\r\nPepto-Bismol and Major League Eating announced that Pepto-Bismol will be the first-ever stomach remedy sponsor of the annual Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest.\r\n\r\n\"We are very excited to welcome Pepto-Bismol on board as our newest sponsor,\" said George Shea, MLE president and emcee of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. \"Pepto-Bismol has been around for more than 100 years, and in the 95 years of the contest, many people have often asked if the competitors experience stomach upsets and whether they use Pepto-Bismol. Nearly every eater does, and so for us, this sponsorship was a natural fit.\"\r\n\r\nPepto-Bismol treats multiple common stomach symptoms and as such, Pepto-Bismol is the official sponsor of Major League Eating and Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.\r\n\r\n\"Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is the ultimate case in point of celebrating the summer with food, so we're excited to announce our sponsorship of the event.\" said Colleen Jay, Vice President, P&G Personal Healthcare. \"We wanted to show that whether you've gone a little overboard on your favorite food or eaten one too many hot dogs at your backyard BBQ this summer, Pepto-Bismol is there for you\"\r\n\r\nThe Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is an annual event that's become part of America's Fourth of July celebration. The event on Coney Island winds through many great American cities, with regional competitions occurring at a variety of Nathan's Famous retail locations. The champions of each qualifier event earn a coveted spot to compete at the original Nathan's Famous in Coney Island. Major League Eaters and aspiring underdogs will set the Coney Island table one 10-minute qualifier at a time.\r\n\r\n\"I often feel nauseous or have indigestion when I overeat, let alone when I eat 68 hot dogs in 10 minutes.\" said Joey Chestnut, current reigning champion of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. \"It's great Pepto-Bismol has us covered as the new official stomach remedy of the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest.\"\r\n\r\nBecome a fan of the new Pepto-Bismol Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/peptobismol!"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda408e","sn":803,"title":"Old Navy Named Official Retailer Of 2010 Nathan's Famous Fourth Of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest","createdAt":"2010-06-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"OLD NAVY NAMED OFFICIAL RETAILER OF 2010 NATHAN'S FAMOUS FOURTH OF JULY INTERNATIONAL HOT DOG EATING CONTEST\r\n\r\nCommemorative Shirt to be Sold in Stores and Featured on Competitors\r\n\r\nMajor League Eating and Nathan's Famous have named Old Navy the official retailer for the 2010 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest. As part of its sponsorship, Old Navy will design a new uniform shirt for competitors to wear during the annual event at Coney Island, and it will sell the shirt at Old Navy stores nationwide.\r\n\r\n\"The Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest has become an annual part of America's Independence day celebration,\" said Wayne Norbitz, President and COO of Nathan's Famous. \"We are delighted to welcome Old Navy as the official retailer of the contest and we look forward to showcasing the new contest uniforms at Coney Island on July 4th.\"\r\n\r\nOld Navy started selling the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest t-shirt in 1,000 stores nationwide in June. The t-shirt features the revamped contest logo, designed by Old Navy.\r\n\r\nThe Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest is an ESPN-televised event held at the original Nathan's Famous in Coney Island at noon on July Fourth. The reigning and three-time champion is Joey Chestnut of San Jose, CA. In 2009, Chestnut consumed 68 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes to set a new world record.\r\n\r\n\"For years fans throughout the country have requested the t-shirts they see on stage in Coney Island,\" said MLE Chairman George Shea. \"This is the opportunity fans have been waiting for.\""}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4089","sn":801,"title":"July 4 - Breaking News","createdAt":"2010-06-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"“Takeru Kobayashi is currently not scheduled to compete in the 2010 Nathan's Famous July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest. In recent weeks, Major League Eating has sought to arrive at an agreement with Kobayashi, but contract negotiations have reached an impasse. MLE remains hopeful that Kobayashi, who won the contest from 2001-2006, will decide to compete this July 4th in Coney Island, when Joey Chestnut will seek his fourth consecutive title.”\r\n\r\n- Richard Shea, president of Major League Eating:\r\n\r\n###\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4087","sn":800,"title":"Nathan's Circuit Wraps Up","createdAt":"2010-06-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"With three contests today, the final table is set for Coney Island. The Nathan's Famous loyal will welcome Splashdown Park Champion Juliet Lee (28.5 HDBs), Citi Field's Eater X Janus (46 HDBs) and Escondido's Crazy Legs (25 HDBs).\r\n\r\nWildcard goes to Shredder Goldstein with his Foxboro 28.75.\r\n\r\nFollow next week's news at www.ifoce.com. and @eatingcontest."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda408a","sn":799,"title":"Vuvuzela Ban Announced for July 4th","createdAt":"2010-06-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating has announced that vuvuzelas will be strictly prohibited at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Championship, scheduled to occur in Coney Island, NY at high noon on July 4, 2010. \r\n\r\nThe vuvuzela, an affordable plastic trumpet, is known for its distinct and inconsistent hum. Since the World Cup began last weekend, fans have complained that the constant drone produced by vuvuzelas has negatively impacted their enjoyment of soccer’s biggest tournament. To the chagrin of many fans, FIFA, the World Cup’s governing body, has yet to ban the noisemaker.\r\n\r\n“We refuse to let vuvuzela use damage the competitive eating aesthetic,” said Richard Shea, president of Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach centric sport worldwide. “As a result, these horns will be prohibited at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island on July Fourth.”\r\n\r\nThe Fourth of July is considered to be competitive eating’s biggest day. It is estimated that as many as 40,000 fans crowd the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island to witness the Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest first hand, while more than a million households tune in to the live ESPN broadcast.\r\n\r\n“This year marks the 95th anniversary of the Nathan’s hot dog eating contest, an event that has become an integral part of America’s Independence Day celebration. We will not let the sanctity of our game be disrupted by an annoying, bee-like hum,” Shea added. \r\n\r\nThe greatest competitive eaters on earth gather in Coney Island each July 4 to compete in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest. Last year, Joey Chestnut – the number-one-ranked eater in the world – defeated a field of 18 other eaters from around the world in front of a crowd of 40,000 fans by consuming 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Chestnut will defend his title in 2010. \r\n\r\nThe contest is free and open to the public. It will also be broadcast on ESPN from 12pm to 1pm EST on July 4, 2010. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4088","sn":798,"title":"JJ's Sandwiches, Gyoza and Rocky Mountain Oysters on the Slate for July/August","createdAt":"2010-06-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Yes, we are still in the middle of hot dog season, but that's no reason to stop from looking ahead in the MLE Circuit. Two Jimmy John's Freaky Fast Sandwich Makers vs Eaters Contests will take place in the months ahead in Seattle and Denver. Major League Eaters will test their speed eating skills against the Jimmy John's Sandwich Makers at the Bite of Seattle on July 17th and at the Mile High Music Festival on August 14th. The first trio of Team MLE consisting of Bob Shoudt, Eater X and Micah Collins came up short in the first JJ's Freaky Fast Contest last month in Charlotte...MLE looks for redemption in Seattle and Denver.\n\nOn August 21st, MLE will return to the Nisei Week in Los Angeles for the Day-Lee/Nisei Week Gyoza Eating Championship. The event is scheduled to take place at the JACCC Plaza (244 S. San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012) at 1:30pm PT. $1,500 in cash prizes ($1,000 for 1st place and $500 for second place) will be up for grabs as well as TBD prizes for 3rd-5th places!\n\nOn August 28th, the fifth Isle of Capri Contest of the year will take place at the Isle Black Hawk in Colorado. The food of choice will be Rocky Mountain Oysters. $5,000 in prize money will be on the line in the Isle Black Hawk Rocky Mountain Oyster Eating World Championship!\n\nRegistration for the Day-Lee/Nisei Week Gyoza Eating Championship and the Isle Black Hawk Rocky Mountain Oyster Eating World Championship will open on IFOCE.com, Wednesday, June 16th at 3:00pm ET.\n\n\n\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4084","sn":797,"title":"Nathan's July 4 Event Info","createdAt":"2010-06-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The greatest competitive eaters on earth will gather on the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island at high noon on Sunday, July 4, 2010 to compete in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, an event that has been held each year since 1916, according to archives.\r\n\r\nLast year, Joey Chestnut – the number-one-ranked eater in the world – defeated a field of 18 other eaters from around the world in front of a crowd of 35,000 fans by consuming 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.\r\n\r\nThe contest is free and open to the public. The contest pre-show begins at 10 a.m. with the Motown band, X-cluzive with Sonni Dey, featuring a special appearance by popular DJ 80HD. From 11 am to 12 pm, the stage show will feature varied entertainment, including the world renowned Skyriders trampoline performers, acrobatic and magical acts by the Ringling Bros. Circus and musical numbers by rapper Badlands Booker.\r\n\r\nBeginning at 12 pm eaters are introduced and the contest is conducted. ESPN has exclusive rights to broadcast live from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. All media is welcome.\r\n\r\nThose fans planning to attend the contest will want to arrive early.\r\n\r\nFor those on mass transit, take the subway -- D, F, Q, N -- to the final stop, Stillwell Avenue. You will not be able to miss it from there. Those driving will want to take the Belt Parkway to Exit 6, Cropsey Avenue, and head south toward the water until you hit Surf Avenue. Take a left and you will see Nathan's on the right at Stillwell Avenue.\r\n\r\nOther attractions in Coney Island include the Cyclone, Wonder Wheel and Coney Island USA.\r\n\r\nWHERE: Nathan’s Famous Restaurant\r\n1310 Surf Avenue (corner of Stillwell)\r\nConey Island, Brooklyn\r\n\r\nWHEN:\tJuly 4, 2010\r\n\r\nTIME:\t12 p.m.\r\n\r\nClick here to Get Directions!"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4085","sn":796,"title":"Chestnut and Bertoletti to Unify Pizza Eating Titles at Pizza Hut Chow-Lenge","createdAt":"2010-05-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The controversy over who is the world pizza-eating champion will finally be resolved on June 5, when Joey “Jaws” Chestnut and Pat Bertoletti, two of the world’s top eaters who both hold pizza titles, face off over their favorite14-inch pizzas at The Pizza Hut® Chow-lenge.\r\n\r\nChestnut, the number-one-ranked eater in the world who last year set the world record in hot dogs and buns (68 in 10 minutes), holds the world pizza eating title in the 14-inch category (45 slices). Bertoletti, ranked number four, holds two different pizza-eating titles: the monster 24-inch pizza (seven and one half slices) and the 16-inch pizza (47 slices). Bertoletti is from Chicago and he is known in eating circles as \"Deep Dish.\"\r\n\r\n“The existence of multiple titles has caused confusion within the world of sports, making it impossible for fans to identify the true pizza-eating champion of the world,” said Chris Fuller of Pizza Hut. “This event is designed to settle the matter once and for all with Pizza Hut®, the pizza favorite.”\r\n\r\n“In terms of sports history, this stands alongside Mike Tyson’s reunification of the heavyweight boxing titles in 1987,” said George Shea, chairman of Major League Eating. “It will be interesting to see how both eaters deal with the robust flavor of the pizza as well. Some are saying it will distract the eaters from the task at hand – they may slow down to enjoy each bite.”\r\n\r\nThe Pizza Hut® Chow-lenge is a 10-minute all-you-can-eat event that will take place in Sony Studios; portions of the contest will be broadcast on the Spike TV Guys Choice awards airing June 20 at 10:00 pm.\r\n\r\nAs the world's largest pizza restaurant company with almost 6,200 restaurants in the United States and more than 4,000 restaurants in 100 other countries, Pizza Hut, Inc., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM), is America’s Favorite Pizza. The company’s 49-year legacy of leadership and innovation has made it the recognized leader in the $37 billion pizza category. Those hungry for more information can go to the official Pizza Hut® Website atwww.pizzahut.com.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4081","sn":795,"title":"Two Nathan's Qualifiers For America's Fighting Men and Women","createdAt":"2010-05-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Nathan's Famous will hold two Official Hot Dog Eating Contests in June featuring men and women of the armed services. The contests, produced in conjunction with Specialty Foods Group, will take place at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA on June 6th and Ft. Bragg Army Base in Fayetteville, NC on June 19th. The contest fields will be comprised exclusively with active members of the armed services and a spot at the Coney Island table on July 4th will be awarded to each winner. \r\n\r\nThe Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest has become part of America's Independence Day celebration and this year, fans from across the country will have the opportunity to cheer on two true heros on the Coney Island stage. As part of its 2010 Fourth of July celebration, Nathan’s Famous also intends to provide a hot dog lunch to 100,000 U.S. troops stationed overseas. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4086","sn":794,"title":"Nathan's Qualifier added to the Circuit!","createdAt":"2010-05-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Nathan's Famous has announced the addition of an official hot dog eating contest qualifier for its 2010 Circuit. WinStar Casino, located in Thackerville, OK near the TX/OK border, will host the contest on Sunday, June 13. \r\n\r\nRegistration will open on IFOCE.com, Thursday, May 20 at 3:00pm EST."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4083","sn":793,"title":"Ribs @ Smokin' at the Ocean set for July 10-11!","createdAt":"2010-05-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating will return to Chinook Winds Casino Resort on July 10-11 for its annual Smokin' at the Ocean BBQ & Brewfest. Chinook Winds is always reminding us that \"It's Always Better at the Beach\" and this moniker is proved true each year during Smokin' at the Ocean.\r\n\r\nLike in years past, an Amateur Rib-Eating Contest will be held on Saturday (spots in the final are up-for-grabs!) with the Chinook Winds World Championship on Sunday. $2,750 is on the line in Sunday's Championship. #1-ranked Joey Chestnut has won this event five years in a row...can he make it six?\r\n\r\nSmokin' at the Ocean is a three day BBQ & Brewfest held at Chinook Winds in Lincoln City on the beautiful Oregon Coast. \r\n\r\nRegistration for the Amateur contest on Saturday, July 10 will take place at Smokin' at the Ocean BBQ & Brewfest. Registration for the Chinook Winds World Rib Eating Championship will begin at IFOCE.com Wednesday, May 19 at 3:00pm EST. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4082","sn":792,"title":"Gravy Wins, LaRue Loses, Super Paul Disappoints","createdAt":"2010-05-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"At 11:40AM on Saturday, May 15, a silver sports car pulled into the expansive parking lot of Junction Lanes in Newnan, Georgia. Behind the wheel was a resurgent Joe LaRue, a 6' 2\" man who had left his house in Kentucky seven hours earlier. Exiting his car, LaRue quickly exhibited a champion's swagger. One fan mentioned that the style of LaRue's gait was similar to what Phil Mickelson displayed as he approached 18 at Augusta on a sunny Sunday earlier this spring.\r\n\r\nGeorgia eating fans gathered in force to witness a resurgent Joe LaRue. They'd read about his victory in Sweet Corn and drove to Junction Lanes to watch a confident man regain his position in the top ranks of Major League Eating. If it happened in West Palm it could happen in Newnan.\r\n\r\nTo be fair, some fans came to cheer on Atlanta's most famous eater, Super Paul Barlow (who suffered a tough outing), and others assembled had simply stumbled on the event, their plans centered on bowling a few strings. But bowling would wait. In all, 15 eaters were introduced. LaRue was second from last.\r\n\r\nWhen the buzzer sounded at 1pm, LaRue stood tall and ate well. After 10 minutes, however, confidence, did not win the day. The reviled Gravy Brown, who had been announced last and taken the stage to ABBA's Dancing Queen and a cacophony of boos, won the contest with 28 HDBs. \r\n\r\nAfter the event, LaRue was quick to congratulate Gravy and announced to the crowd that his second place performance (27 HDBs in 10 minutes) was a personal best. LaRue finished his remarks with a loud \"I'll see you all in Charlotte!\" \r\n\r\nWhile it's unlikely any of the Newnan fans will be in Charlotte for the Nathan's Famous qualifier on June 19, by saying \"see you in Charlotte\" LaRue made a clear statement to anyone listening. That statement translates to \"I am back baby, and I'm better than ever.\"\r\n\r\nThe thinker: http://twitpic.com/1o18bo"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda407e","sn":791,"title":"Acme Oyster Eating Championship set for June 6","createdAt":"2010-05-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Acme Oyster Eating World Championship is scheduled or June 6, 2010 at the New Orleans Oyster Festival. Always a favorite among Major League Eaters, the event will make its June debut during the 2-day New Orleans Oyster Festival.\r\n\r\nRegistration will open Thursday, May 13 at 2:00pm EST on IFOCE.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda407f","sn":790,"title":"Chestnut defeats Kobayashi in Singapore","createdAt":"2010-05-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut beat Takeru Kobayashi in the CP Biggest Eater Competition in Singapore Sunday afternoon. Joey ate 380 shrimp wontons (76 bowls of 5) to Kobayashi's 370 during the 8-minute competition in front of a capacity crowd at Bishan Junction 8 Mall. \r\n\r\nSeconds into the contest, Chestnut pulled ahead by 10 wontons scooping them out of the bowl without hesitation. His lead would quickly evaporate 2 minutes in when Kobayashi, opting to use a fork for the first half of the contest, surged ahead by 15-20 wontons. Koby's lead remained until about 3 minutes to go. Chestnut, sparked by hearing the crowd cheer when Koby's lead was announced, pulled ahead in the final two minutes and held on for the victory. \r\n\r\nThe contest capped off a full day of CP Biggest Eater Shrimp Wonton contests featuring 30 Singapore eaters and also crowd favorite Juliet Lee who ate 160 wontons in an 8-minute exhibition prior to the Chestnut-Kobayashi battle. \r\n\r\nSingapore Eater Results\r\n\r\nMale Division: \r\n1-Ng Chin Sheng (115 shrimp wontons in 8 mins)\r\n2-Neil Wang (102)\r\n3-Zak Zainal (90)\r\n\r\nFemale Divison: \r\n1-Koh Yeon Thein (70)\r\n2-Momita Lee (48)\r\n3-Ching Nei Ping (41)"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda407b","sn":788,"title":"Chestnut and Kobayashi to face-off over CP Shrimp Wontons in Singapore","createdAt":"2010-05-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"On Sunday, May 9th, CP Foods will host the 2010 CP Biggest Eater Competition featuring CP's Shrimp Wontons. In the competition Joey Chestnut will face-off against Takeru Kobayashi and local hopefuls from Singapore in an 8-minute MLE Asia sanctioned contest. \"The Lovely\" Juliet Lee will also compete in the competition against a host of local female eaters who qualified to join her at the table. \r\n\r\nThe CP Biggest Eater competition will take place in Sinagpore at Bishan Junction 8 on Sunday, May 9th. \r\n\r\nFor more information on the 2010 CP Biggest Eater Competition, CLICK HERE \r\n\r\nBecome a Fan of the CP Biggest Eater Facebook Page too!"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda407d","sn":789,"title":"Cherrystone Eating Championship back at Peter's Clam Bar","createdAt":"2010-05-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating will return to Peter's Clam Bar in Island Park, NY on Memorial Day, May 31, for the 2nd Annual World Cherrystone Clam Eating Championship. $2,500 in cash prizes will be up-for-grabs. In last years inaugural event, Juliet Lee ate 23 dozen clams in the 6-minute contest to claim the title and world record. \r\n\r\nTalks of an amateur undercard event featuring Peter's Crab Cakes are also in the works.\r\n\r\nRegistration for this contest will open Tuesday, May 4th on IFOCE.com at 11:00am EST. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda407c","sn":787,"title":"Chestnut takes Philly CheeseSteaks @ Dorney Park","createdAt":"2010-05-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"MLE's Philly-based eaters, including newly appointed #2-ranked Bob Shoudt, tried their best to keep the CheeseSteak title in it's home state...Instead, top-ranked Joey Chestnut flew in from San Jose and ate 19 Subway Philly CheeseSteaks in 10 minutes to win the title and $1,500 first-place prize. The Center Stage crowd at Dorney Park was standing room only as the park celebrated it's 126th Opening Day with Major League Eating and the World Philly CheeseSteak Eating Championship. \r\n\r\nIn a field chalk full of ranked Major League Eaters, Chestnut avenged a recent loss to Shoudt who ate 16 cheesesteaks for second place. Eater X was close behind with 14.5 and Juliet Lee consumed 12.5 to take third and fourth place, respectively. \r\n\r\nSteakbellie, who after the contest ran a 7.5 mile endurance race, found time pre-contest to release a few Manitoba Meatsweats shirts to the crowd. Flash Gordon and Wing Kong also used the contest to prepare for their 10 mile Broad Street Run the next day. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS\r\n\r\n1-Joey Chestnut - 19 6\" Philly CheeseSteaks in 10 minutes ($1,500)\r\n2-Bob \"Notorious B.O.B.\" Shoudt - 16 ($750)\r\n3-\"Eater X\" Tim Janus - 14.5 ($500)\r\n4-Juliet Lee - 12.5 ($250)\r\n5-Sean \"Flash\" Gordon - 11.5\r\n6-Micah \"Wing Kong\" Collins - 11 \r\n7-Pat \"from Moonachie\" Philbin - 10.5\r\nT8-Eric \"Steakbellie\" Livingston - 9 \r\nT8-Dave \"U.S. Male\" Goldstein - 9 \r\nT10-Allen \"Shredder\" Goldstein - 8.5 \r\nT10-Pete \"Pretty Boy Davekos - 8.5\r\nT12-Crazy Legs Conti - 7 \r\nT12-Russ \"The Black Hole\" Keeler - 7\r\nT14 Wild Bill Myers - 5.5\r\nT14-Beautiful Brian Seiken - 5.5\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda407a","sn":786,"title":"B.O.B. moves to #2; Monson cracks top-10 in new world rankings","createdAt":"2010-04-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating has released updated World Rankings and with it comes some jockeying at the top. While Joey Chestnut retained the top spot, the \"Notorious B.O.B.\" Bob Shoudt jumped over Kobayashi for the #2 position. Shoudt's active competition schedule along with his top finishes clearly played a factor in his move to #2. Kobayashi now sits at the #3 position with Pat Bertoletti closely behind in the fourth spot.\r\n\r\nBen Monson moved up 17 spots to the #7 position to crack the top-10 just a handful of months into his MLE career. Monson, who has finishes over Chestnut and Bertoletti, will be in Las Vegas on May 6 for the first Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Qualifier. \r\n\r\nAdrian Morgan, the rookie out of Baton Rouge, debuts at #18 after impressive finishes over many ranked competitors already in 2010. Other notable changes include Jammin' Joe LaRue moving up 9 spots to #29 after his impressive Sweet Corn victory. \r\n\r\nClick here for the current World Rankings"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4079","sn":785,"title":"Doctors Declare Jarvis Cancer Free","createdAt":"2010-04-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Add another victory to the trademark trench coat -- Cookie Jarvis was declared cancer free today after treatment for thyroid cancer. \r\n\r\nJarvis, the former number-one-ranked eater in the world and a multiple world record-holder, was diagnosed with cancer in early 2010. Jarvis quickly assembled a team of top physicians and focused on treatment.\r\n\r\nAfter surgery to remove the thyroid and subsequent radiation treatment, Jarvis went in for a full body scan to reveal if there were any remaining cancer cells in his body. There were not.\r\n\r\n\"I never doubted his victory in this battle,\" said MLE president Richard Shea. \"I was with him at Easter Feaster in the old days and I soon learned that he was a scrapper. Jarvis likes a challenge.\"\r\n\r\nJarvis, who is considered by most to be a lock for the hall of fame, will be checked again in six months. Doctors are confident. \r\n\r\n(Additional reporting from CompetitiveEating.net)"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4078","sn":784,"title":"Ribfest-Chicago Welcomes MLE for its 12-year Anniversary","createdAt":"2010-04-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating will head to Chicago on Friday, June 11th to kick-off the opening day of Ribfest-Chicago with Rib-Mania - Ribfest-Chicago's Professional Rib Eating Competition. The 12-minute competition will take place at 6:00pm.\r\n\r\nThe Northcenter Chamber of Commerce hosts Ribfest-Chicago and what ignited in the summer of 1999 as a community block party has exploded into Chicago’s most anticipated street festival—averaging 65,000 pounds of barbecue/ribs and 50,000+ attendees who love to kickoff summer at this three-day event. What better way to celebrate the festival's 12-year anniversary than by bringing in the world's best eaters! \r\n\r\nCLICK HERE for more information on Ribfest-Chicago.\r\n\r\nRegistration for this event will open on IFOCE.com Monday, April 19th at 1:00 pm EST."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4077","sn":783,"title":"Jimmy John’s Sandwich Makers Challenge Major League Eaters","createdAt":"2010-04-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating will again team up with Jimmy John’s in 2010 for a series of “Freaky Fast Sandwich Making & Eating Contests.\" Five contests will be scheduled at festivals throughout the country beginning with Speed Street in Charlotte, NC on Friday, May 28th. \r\n\r\nThe Freaky Fast contests will pit Jimmy John’s sandwich makers versus Major League Eaters to determine who is quicker at their respective skill -- the makers or the eaters! Representing MLE at Charlotte’s Speed Street will be Bob “Notorious B.O.B.” Shoudt, “Eater X” Tim Janus and Micah “Wing Kong” Collins. \r\n\r\nAdditional Jimmy John’s Freaky Fast Sandwich Making & Eating Contests in 2010 are scheduled for Seattle, Denver, Dallas and Phoenix. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4075","sn":782,"title":"Wild Card in Play for 2010 NF Circuit","createdAt":"2010-04-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating has officially announced a Wild Card seat for the upcoming Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest Circuit. The competitor with the top non-winning performance in a qualifying contest will earn a coveted seat at the Coney Island table on July 4th. In the event of a tie, a coin will be tossed to decide the seat. \r\n\r\nThe 2010 Nathan's Famous Circuit kicks-off in Las Vegas, NV on Thursday, May 6th. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4080","sn":781,"title":"Sweet Corn Purse Gets a Little Sweeter","createdAt":"2010-04-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The prize purse for the National Sweet Corn Eating Championship at Sweet Corn Fiesta in West Palm Beach, FL has been officially increased from $2,250 to $3,500. The top three finishers in the highly technical 12-minute sweet corn eating contest will realize a hefty bump from the new payouts:\r\n\r\n1st - $2,000\r\n2nd - $1,000\r\n3rd - $500\r\n\r\nJammin' Joe LaRue has vowed to regain the title, but he'll have to fend off '07 Champ Crazy Legs Conti who is scheduled to arrive - via a 7-leg flight patter - at the Sweet Corn Fiesta just minutes prior to the contest. Conti will be in the Deep-Fried Asparagus Eating Championship in Stockton, CA a mere 24 hours before the National Sweet Corn Eating Championship begins. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4074","sn":780,"title":"Nathan's Registration to open @ 11:00am","createdAt":"2010-04-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The contest pages have been posted for the twelve Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest qualifiers for the 2010 Circuit. Registration will open on IFOCE.com today (4/6) at 11:00am EST. \r\n\r\nRegistrants will receive an email with information on their registration status 7-14 days after signing up on IFOCE.com. As in years past, the maximum amount of qualifiers one competitor may enter is three. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4073","sn":779,"title":"MLE Sports Slurping with 7-Eleven Australia","createdAt":"2010-03-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In a landmark announcement, Major League Eating has stated that it will sanction an Australian circuit of “Sports Slurping” in association with 7-Eleven Australia.\r\n\r\nLater this month, Pat Bertoletti will appear at three officially sanctioned Sports Slurping Time Trials. Bertoletti, who is known as “The Ice Man” in Australia, will display his slurping skills in the cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The series of events is being made even more remarkable by 7-Eleven’s recent introduction of a special Sports Slurpee charged with electrolytes – both in Mountain Blast and Berry Ice flavours – believed to shave seconds off Slurping times.\r\n\r\nThe Sports Slurping Time Trials will occur the week of April 11th. At each, Pat will challenge Slurpee-loving Austrailans to beat his time. Bertoletti, who is well known as the ice cream eating champion of the world, will be accompanied by MLE legend Hall Hunt. Hunt will present The Ice Man to throngs of fans in each Sports Slurping city while acting as the official referee. Outfitted in an official’s striped uniform, Hunt will hold the Sports Slurping stopwatch, a timepiece that has been approved by MLE officials in New York City.\r\n\r\n“Major League Eating is thrilled to join forces with 7-Eleven, and to visit Australia for the first time,” said Richard Shea of Major League Eating. “During one summer in Maine I earned two PHDs in Slurpology. I was just a child at the time, but I’ve adored the beverage ever since.”\r\n\r\nSlurpee is on the hunt for Australia’s fastest Slurper and will crown the first ever Sports Slurping champion in mid May 2010. The victor will be adorned with the illustrious title of ‘Sports Slurpee Champion’ and will take home the inaugural Sports Slurpee Trophy as well as a year’s supply of Slurpees. The slowest Sports Slurpee competitor will not escape public recognition as a Wooden Spoonstraw prize will be awarded for the slowest time! All Australian Slurpers aged 18 years and older can participate in the world’s first Sports Slurping contest. For Slurp Off dates and locations, visit www.sportsslurping.com.au.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4076","sn":778,"title":"Nathan's Famous 2010 Circuit is Announced","createdAt":"2010-03-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"This summer will mark the 95th year of the Nathan’s Famous July Fourth International Hot Dog Eating Contest, an annual event that’s become part of America’s celebration of independence. Nathan’s Famous, Inc. has recently unveiled a select group of cities that will host qualifying contests. The qualifying tour will begin on May 6th in Las Vegas and visit at least a dozen cities before culminating at the Nathan’s Famous flagship store in Coney Island, NY on July 4, 2010.\r\n\r\n“Nathan’s Famous is excited to embark on this nationwide campaign to find the greatest, most patriotic hot dog lovers in America,” said Wayne Norbitz, President and COO of Nathan’s Famous, Inc. “For the past three years, the Chestnut-Kobayashi rivalry has thrilled fans in Coney Island and throughout the world. I anticipate our 2010 Championship to be bigger and more memorable than ever before.”\r\n\r\nThe road to Coney Island will wind through many great American cities, with regional competitions occurring at a variety of Nathan’s Famous retail locations. The champions of each qualifier will earn a spot to compete at the original Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island on July Fourth.\r\n\r\nAudiences estimated to be as large as 40,000 fans crowd the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island each year to witness the Nathan’s Famous event first hand. What’s more, over one million households view the contest’s live telecast on ESPN. The reigning and three-time champion is Joey Chestnut of San Jose, CA. In 2009, Chestnut consumed 68 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes to set a new world record.\r\n\r\nAs part of its 2010 July 4th celebration, Nathan’s Famous intends to provide a hot dog lunch to 100,000 U.S. troops stationed overseas. According to archives, the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant.\r\n\r\nThe official 2010 Nathan’s Famous hot dog-eating circuit currently has stops scheduled in 12 cities including Las Vegas, NV (May 6), San Jose, CA (May 8), Foxboro, MA (May 8), Hartford, CT (May 15), Atlanta, GA (May 15), Atlantic City, NJ (May 29), Phoenix, AZ (June 5), Norfolk, VA (June 12), Charlotte, NC (June 19), Fishkill, NY (June 26), San Diego, CA (June 26) and Queens, NY (June 26). \r\n\r\nRegistration for the 2010 Nathan's Famous Circuit Contests will be conducted only at IFOCE.com. Registration will open at 11:00 am EST on Tuesday, April 6th. Qualifiers are open to those 18 years of age and older.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4070","sn":777,"title":"Crawfish @ French Quarter Festival - Registration Opens at 1pm","createdAt":"2010-03-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating will be heading to New Orleans French Quarter Festival again in 2010...this time featuring Crawfish courtesy of Rouses Markets. The event will take place on Saturday, April 10th to determine the World Crawfish Eating Champion. A total cash purse of $2,000 will be on the line. \r\n\r\nRegistration is set to open on IFOCE.com this afternoon (March 25th) at 1:00pm EST. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4071","sn":776,"title":"La Costena Jalapenos in San Antonio, May 2nd - $5800 cash purse","createdAt":"2010-03-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"San Antonio's HIstoric Market Square will welcome Major League Eaters on Sunday, May 2nd when the 4th Annual La Costena \"Feel the Heat\" Jalapeno Eating Championship Challenge takes place to kick-off the Cinco de Mayo celebration a few days early! \r\n\r\nIn what has become known as one of the most grueling, yet respected, events on the MLE Circuit, La Costena is again putting up $5,800 in cash prizes to recognize amazing performances from the world's greatest eaters. \r\n\r\nIn 2009, Sonya \"The Black Widow\" Thomas and defending champ Pat \"Deep Dish\" Bertoletti each ate 209 peppers in the 8-minute contest and needed a one minute eat-off to determine the champion. The Black Widow consumed another 41.5 jalapeno peppers in the overtime frame to become the world champ. Can Deep Dish regain the title or will The Black Widow make it two in a row?? The world will find out in San Antonio on May 2nd!\r\n\r\nRegistration for the 4th Annual La Costena \"Feel the Heat\" Jalapeno Eating Championship Challenge will open on www.ifoce.com Thursday, March 25 at 11:00am. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4072","sn":775,"title":"Road Report: Rhythm City","createdAt":"2010-03-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas added yet another record to her bib sheet after eating 6.75 pounds of fried catfish at the World Catfish Eating Championship from Rhythm City Casino in Davenport, IA. \r\n\r\nThomas edged out Eater X by a few catfish filets. In 3rd was Gravy Brown with 5 lbs and rounding out the money was Baton Rouge-based rookie upstart Adrian \"the Ragin' Cajun\" Morgan with 4.25 lbs.\r\n\r\nMorgan barely beat out a logjam of eaters who all consumed 4 lbs including Nate Biller, Crazy Legs and Jammin' Joe LaRue.\r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS\r\nSonya - 6.75 lbs ($1,000)\r\nX- 6.5 ($750)\r\nGravy-5 ($500)\r\nAdrian Morgan - 4.25 ($250)\r\nT-5-Biller - 4\r\nT-5-Crazy Legs Conti - 4\r\nT-5-Joe LaRue - 4\r\n8-Badlands Booker - 3.75\r\n9-Ben Taylor- 3.5\r\n10-Matthew Spahr - 1.75\r\n11-David Grimes - 1"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda406f","sn":774,"title":"MLE podcast: Cookie in his own words","createdAt":"2010-03-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"IFOCE legend Ed \"Cookie\" Jarvis recently sat down with Mike Antolini during a special MLE podcast to update the competitive eating world on his current battle with cancer in addition to reminiscing on just a few of the many memorable moments in Cookie's career. \r\n\r\nCLICK HERE to listen to Cookie in his own words on the MLE podcast"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda406e","sn":773,"title":"Chestnut Wins TooJay's Corned Beef Title","createdAt":"2010-03-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The results are in from the TooJay's World Class Corned Beef Eating Championship. Joey Chestnut reigned supreme and captured the Corned Beef Sandwich Eating Championship; a title that had eluded him until today. TooJay's Deli and National Deli put up the massive $10,000 St. Pat's prize purse and although defending corned beef champ Pat Bertoletti made a charge, he couldn't catch Joey. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS:\r\n\r\n1st-Joey Chestnut - 15.5 8 ounce corned beef sandwiches ($5,000)\r\n2nd-Pat \"Deep Dish\" Bertoletti - 12.5 ($2,000)\r\n3rd-Bob \"Notorious B.O.B.\" Shoudt - 11.5 ($1,200)\r\n4th-Sonya \"The Black Widow\" Thomas - 10.5 ($1,000)\r\n5th-Ben Monson - 10.25 ($500) \r\nT6th-Gravy Brown - 9 ($250)\r\nT6th-Badlands Booker - 9 ($250)\r\n8th-Micah \"Wing Kong\" Collins - 8.5\r\n9th-Jon Bello - 6.625\r\n10th-Bruce Ollis - 6.5\r\n11th-Bryan \"Big Sexy\" Beard - 6\r\n12th-Chris Merchant - 4\r\n13th-Brett Castillo - 3.5\r\n14th-Scott Macallister - 2.75\r\n15th-Robert Pait - 2.5"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda406d","sn":772,"title":"Ben Monson: \"I will truly turn heads this year.\"","createdAt":"2010-03-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"MLE checked-in with rookie phenom Ben Monson as he prepares to make his first start in 2010 this Wednesday in Palm Beach Gardens:\r\n\r\nYou'll be competing in the $10K TooJay's Corned Beef World Championship on St. Pat's Day along with Joey, Pat, Bob Shoudt, Sonya and other top-ranked eaters. How do you think you'll stack up?\r\nIt is going to be a very close competition and I really think any one of us can take 1st.\r\n\r\nIn December, you became the world flauta-eating champion in San Diego. Were you surprised you beat Joey so handedly? \r\nYes, as I realized that I was so far ahead by the second plate my adrenaline soared. I was amazed to do so well against one of the best, if not the best eater in the world.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts as you start your first full MLE Season?\r\nI am very excited to be already able to achieve such results at the beginning of my professional eating career. I believe I will truly turn heads this year.\r\n\r\nThe Nathan's Circuit will be announced soon. What can we expect from you on the Nathan's stage this year?\r\nI'm going for the coveted number 1 spot! And believe me I will be a top contender.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda406c","sn":771,"title":"Two More MLE May Events Added","createdAt":"2010-03-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating has added two more contests to it's active month of May in the disciplines of Gyros and Curly Fries.\r\n\r\nOn Saturday, May 15th, MLE will return to the Festival of Greece in Houston, TX to devour gyros in the Niko Niko World Gyro-Eating Championship. Deep Dish Bertoletti is the two-time defending champ, edging out Chestnut in '08 and Humble Shoudt in '09. No word yet on whether the transformed B.O.B. will be in Houston seeking the upset. Prize purse is $4,000.\r\n\r\nThen on Memorial Day, Monday May 31st, MLE will head to Morey's Piers in Wildwood, NJ to kick-off the summer with the World Curly Fries Eating Championship. $2,500 will be on-the-line at Morey's Surfside Pier along with the title of Curly Fry Champion of the World. \r\n\r\nRegistration for both of these events will open at www.IFOCE.com on Monday, March 15 at 1:00pm EST."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4068","sn":769,"title":"Binga's Stadium - Portland, ME 3/26-27","createdAt":"2010-03-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating will be heading to Binga's Stadium in Portland, Maine on March 26-27 for the 1st Annual Binga's Tender Bender Challenge! \r\n\r\nAmateurs and professional MLE'ers will both have their chance at competitive eating glory...On Friday, amateurs will step up to the MLE table for a chance to eat their way into the Championship against the pros on Saturday afternoon. A $3,000 in prize purse will be up-for-grabs!\r\n\r\nAmateurs will be selected at Bingas on March 26 to compete in the Amateur Rounds.\r\n\r\nProfessional registration for Saturday's Championship will open on IFOCE.com Monday, 3/8 at 10am EST.\r\n\r\nAmateurs may register for Friday's Amateur Rounds by CLICKING HERE \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4069","sn":770,"title":"Gravy Brown visits the MLE podcast","createdAt":"2010-03-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Another episode of the Major League Eating podcast is now available on iTunes. \r\n\r\nGravy updates the competitive eating world on his upcoming MLE schedule including the $10K TooJay's Corned Beef on St. Pat's Day, Catfish in Rhythm City Casino and Smoke's Poutine in Toronto. He also offers some fightin' words for his fellow rival Erik the Red. \r\n\r\nCLICK HERE to listen and subscribe to the MLE Podcast!\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda406a","sn":768,"title":"CheeseSteaks, Boneless Wings & Poutine, eh!","createdAt":"2010-03-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In what promises to be an action packed month on the 2010 MLE Circuit, three May contests will be open for registration next week on IFOCE.com. \r\n\r\nKicking things off on May 1st will be Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, PA serving up CheeseSteaks on its Center Stage. Philly-based Major League Eaters are already laying out the carpool details for this one...\r\n\r\nThen on May 8th, the Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville, MO will be putting up $5,000 as it crowns the World Boneless Buffalo Wing Eating Champion. Boonville will mark the fourth stop for MLE in 2010 at an Isle of Capri Casino with more to come...\r\n\r\nFirst reported on the MLE Facebook Page, Major League Eaters will travel north to Toronto on May 22 for the first-ever World Poutine Eating Championship. Smoke's Poutinerie, with franchises all over Canada, will be dishing up the nation's favorite comfort food outside BMO Field prior to the Toronto FC/New England Revolution Major League Soccer game. \r\n\r\nRegistration for these contests will open on IFOCE.com at the following times:\r\n\r\nDorney Park - 3/8 at 1pm EST\r\nIsle Boonville - 3/9 at 2pm EST\r\nSmoke's Poutine - 3/10 at 3pm EST\r\n\r\nAdditional May contests will be announced in the upcoming weeks along with the highly anticipated 2010 Nathan's Famous Circuit!"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda406b","sn":767,"title":"Jarvis Benchmarked Corned Beef Years Ago","createdAt":"2010-02-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The TooJay's St. Patrick's Day World Class Corned Beef Sandwich Eating Championship is less than one month away and most handicappers have Shoudt or Bertoletti taking home the lion's share of TooJay's $10,000 cash purse. While eating legend Cookie Jarvis won't be competing, let us not forget his corned beef blow out in 2004 (note this was a rookie event for now star Eater X). \r\n\r\nThe following is from the IFOCE news archives:\r\n\r\nNews Archive\r\n\r\nJarvis, Justice, Hardy in Corned Beef\r\n3/16/2004\r\n\r\nEd Cookie Jarvis added another title to his trench coat by eating a total of six pounds of Corned Beef and Cabbage to beat a field of 12 gurgitators at the 2004 J. Freirich Company St. Patrick.s Day Competition at Moran's Restaurant in New York City.\r\n\r\nLeon Justice Feingold placed second with an impressive four pounds three ounces of corned beef and cabbage in the 10-minute event, while Hungry Charles Hardy took third with four pounds two ounces.\r\n\r\nBeautiful Brian Sieken consumed a nibble over four pounds as Krazy Kevin Lipsitz, who prepared for the event by sniffing corned beef with his dogs in the morning for two weeks, notched approximately three pounds. Badlands Booker, Don Lerman, Crazy Legs Conti and Allan Goldstein also performed remarkably well.\r\n\r\nRookie eaters included Timothy Holden, Justin Salkind and Timothy Janus. The 10-minute all-you-can-eat contest, held at Moran.s Restaurant at 146 10th Avenue at 19th Street in Manhattan, favored the volume eater.\r\n\r\nAfter fielding media interviews, top finishers raised a pint of stout and saluted Jarvis with song: \"He's been a Gurgitator for many a year, he beat us badly, fair and square so let's have a beer. He holds many titles including corned beef, to look at his trophy room you'd think him a thief.\" This was the actual song they sang or we would not have reported it."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4065","sn":766,"title":" Isle of Capri Casino in Lula, MS serving up Ribs on April 17","createdAt":"2010-02-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating will head to the Isle of Capri Casino Lula on Saturday, April 17 where Ribs will be on the menu and $3,000 will be up for grabs. As part of the Greater Mississippi State BBQ Cook-Off, the Isle will now be adding Major League Eaters to the mix with it's inaugural competition festivities. Can the state's best bbq cooks keep pace with the world's best eaters? We'll find out in Lula on the 17th!\r\n\r\nRegistration for this event will open on IFOCE.com Friday, February 19 at 11:00am EST. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4066","sn":765,"title":"Bertoletti King of Cake @ Showboat on Fat Tuesday","createdAt":"2010-02-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"\"Today was Pat's day.\"\r\n-Bob Shoudt, Fat Tuesday 2010, Showboat Casino\r\n\r\nPat Bertoletti hopped a plane from Chicago to AC Mardi Gras morning on a mission to end Bob Shoudt's recent domination of the MLE Circuit and did he ever. \"Deep Dish\" ate 14 king cakes (10.5 pounds) at Showboat Casino to win and become the Fat Tuesday World King Cake Champion. Bertoletti won $2,500 while establishing a record in the first-ever sanctioned event featuring the Mardi Gras delicacy. \r\n\r\nIn second place was fan favorite \"The Black Widow\" Sonya Thomas with 10.5 king cakes followed by The former Mr. Humble, Bob Shoudt, in third place with 9.5 king cakes. \r\n\r\n'09 Showboat Crawfish Champion US Male ate 6 king cakes as he saw his bid for back-to-back upset wins fall short. \r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS\r\n1-Pat Bertletti - $2,500 - 14 king cakes in 8 minutes (10.5 lbs)\r\n2-Sonya Thomas - $1,000 - 10.5 king cakes\r\n3-Bob Shoudt - $500 - 9 king cakes\r\nT4-Sean Gordon - 6.5 king cakes\r\nT4-Micah Collins - 6.5 king cakes\r\nT6-US Male Goldstein - 6 king cakes\r\nT6-Juliet Lee - 6 king cakes\r\n8-Pete Davekos - 5.5 king cakes\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4061","sn":764,"title":"Don't Forget To Eat Your Vegetables...","createdAt":"2010-02-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating's unofficial Vegetable Week has been set for the weekend of April 24-25. On Saturday, April 24, the World Deep-Fried Asparagus Eating Championship will return to The Stockton Asparagus Festival which is celebrating its 25th year anniversary. Last year, the world watched as Pat \"Deep Dish\" Bertoletti strolled into Northern California and delivered hometown hero and #1-ranked Joey Chestnut his first loss in four years at the Asparagus Festival. \r\n\r\nOn Sunday, April 25, the Sweet Corn Fiesta is back with the National Sweet Corn Eating Championship. Few will forget Floridian Hall \"Hoover\" Hunt claiming his first MLE title in 2009 after eating 33 ears of corn to beat out 2006 champ Jammin' Joe LaRue and world record holder Crazy Legs Conti. Can he repeat?\r\n\r\nRegistration for both of these contests will open on IFOCE.com, next Wednesday February 17th at 12:00pm EST. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4060","sn":763,"title":"$10K Corned Beef Sandwich Showdown on St. Patty's Day","createdAt":"2010-02-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"This St. Patrick's Day (Wed. March 17th) Major League Eating will team up with TooJay's Gourmet Deli and National Deli to present The TooJay's World Class Corned Beef Eating Championship from Palm Beach Gardens, FL. A prize pool of $10,000 is on the line in the 10-minute contest featuring National Deli corned beef on rye sandwiches prepared by TooJay's!\r\n\r\nTen Major League Eaters will step up to the table alongside a handful of TooJay's fans--turned amateur hopefuls--who will win the chance to compete. Visit any of TooJay’s 26 locations or visit them on-line at www.toojays.com for details of how you can qualify to enter TooJay’s World Class Corned Beef Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nRegistration for Major League Eaters will open on IFOCE.com Wednesday, February 3rd at 12:00pm EST."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda405d","sn":762,"title":"Haiti Relief","createdAt":"2010-01-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating's MLEgives has made a donation to Wyclef Jean's Yele Haiti foundation.\r\n\r\nYou can help those suffering in Haiti also. Simply visit http://yele.org/ or text HAITI to 501 to make a $10 contribution or text YELE to 501 to make a $5 contribution."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda405e","sn":761,"title":"Rhythm City Casino to host Catfish Eating Championship in March","createdAt":"2010-01-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rhythm City Casino in Davenport, IA will host the first-ever Catfish Eating Championship on Saturday, March 20th. A limited field of Major League Eaters will square off with deep-fried catfish on the menu along with a total prize purse of $2,500. \r\n\r\nRhythm City Casino is part of the Isle of Capri family of casinos which will host a variety of Major League Eating contests in 2010. CLICK HERE for more information on MLE contests at Isle properties. \r\n\r\nRegistration for this event will open on IFOCE.com on Thursday, January 14 at 2:00pm EST."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda405f","sn":760,"title":"Notorious B.O.B. Picks-Up Where He Left Off","createdAt":"2010-01-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating kicked off its 2010 season from the Isle Casino Biloxi Saturday afternoon and although the discipline was new, the result was not. Bob Shoudt, the former Mr. Humble now Notorious B.O.B., captured the World Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwich Eating Championship on the King's 75th B-day Weekend.\r\n\r\nShoudt ate 36 PB&B sandwiches in 10-minutes of MLE-sanctioned competition to win $2,000. B.O.B. bested a star-studded field at the Isle by an impressive margin--Eater X finished in 2nd place with 27 sandwiches eaten.\r\n\r\nShoudt has won 8 times since September 2009 continuing his torrid pace into the young 2010 season.\r\n\r\nPrior to the contest, Beautiful Brian serenaded the Isle Biloxi crowd with a three-song set dedicated to The King.\r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS\r\n\r\n1-\"Notorious B.O.B.\" Bob Shoudt - 36 sandwiches in 10 mins ($2,000)\r\n2-\"Eater X\" Tim Janus - 27 ($1,200)\r\n3-Eric \"Badlands\" Booker - 24.5 ($800)\r\n4-Erik \"the Red\" Denmark - 23.5 ($600)\r\n5-Micah \"Wing Kong\" Collins - 19.5 ($400)\r\n6-Crazy Legs Conti - 19\r\n7-Adrian Morgan - 18.5\r\n8-Buffalo Jim Reeves - 17.5\r\n9-Nasty Nathan Biller - 15\r\n10-Super Paul Barlow - 9\r\n11-Damien Boykin - 9\r\n12-Beautiful Brian Seiken - 7\r\n13-Anita \"The Pita\" Jones - 3 "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda405c","sn":759,"title":"MLE Podcast has arrived","createdAt":"2010-01-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating has launched a podcast to take you inside the minds of the world's best competitive eaters as they sit down to share their experiences on the MLE Circuit. In the first episode, Mike Antolini sits down with guest Crazy Legs Conti to discuss the '09 season-hear what keeps the MLE veteran going after 8 years on the Circuit.\r\n\r\nSubscribe to the MLE podcast on itunes by CLICKING HERE.\r\n\r\nWho do you want to hear as a guest on the Major League Eating podcast? Become a fan and tell us on our Facebook Page."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda405a","sn":758,"title":"Showboat AC + Fat Tuesday = King Cake Eating Championship","createdAt":"2010-01-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating will return to the Showboat Atlantic City Hotel & Casino again in 2010 to celebrate \"Fat Tuesday\" in appropriate style when it holds the Fat Tuesday King Cake Eating Championship on February 16th. \r\n\r\nKing Cake has a long and storied tradition as a Mardi Gras specialty and now it will enter MLE lore when a champion is identified and a new world record is established. \r\n\r\nThe event will take place at 4:00pm and there will be $4,000 in prize money up-for-grabs. Registration for the Fat Tuesday King Cake Eating Championship will open on IFOCE.com Thursday, January 7th at 12:00pm EST. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda405b","sn":757,"title":"Stage Set for PB&B Contest at Biloxi's Isle Casino","createdAt":"2010-01-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating will sanction the first-ever Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich Eating Championship in honor of Elvis’s 75th Birthday. The event will occur at The Isle Casino Hotel in Biloxi, MS on Saturday, January 9th at 2 PM Central.\r\n\r\nThis is the first competition of the 2010 Major League Eating Circuit and the Isle Casino Hotel is putting up a prize purse of $5,000. This hefty purse has attracted such stars as Humble Bob Shoudt, Eater X, Badlands Booker, Beautiful Brian, Erik the Red, Wing Kong, Super Paul Barlow and Nasty Nate. Crazy Legs Conti, winner of the ’09 Nathan’s Famous Mississippi qualifier, will return to the Gulf for the contest. He is undefeated in Biloxi. \r\n\r\nElvis, a native of Tupelo, MS, was known for his love of Peanut Butter and Banana sandwiches. While he cannot perform prior to the January 2nd event, Beautiful Brian of Brooklyn is scheduled to deliver a couple of The King’s deeper cuts by way of warming up the crowd. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4059","sn":756,"title":"A New Decade Afoot?","createdAt":"2009-12-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Brady, Big Ben, Joey Chestnut. Three men you could bank on for the past number of... well... the past decade. Yet, today, December 6th, 2009, all three lost at events that should have been routine wins.\r\n\r\nOakland beat Pittsburgh, NE let it slip in Miami, and Ben Monson, yes Ben Monson, beat Joey Chestnut in an eight minute flauta contest in La Jolla. In fact, Monson beat him by a margin of 9 flautas. MLE fans know never to sleep on Joey - ever, the man's a legend - but if Favre falls tonight, it's flautas for thought.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4056","sn":755,"title":"PB&B @ The Isle in Biloxi","createdAt":"2009-12-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating will head to The Isle Casino Hotel Biloxi on Saturday, January 9 to celebrate an Elvis favorite (PB&B's) while honoring his 75th birthday. The World Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwich Eating Championship at The Isle will offer $5,000 in prize money and determine the PB&B Eating King. \r\n\r\nRegistration for this event will on Monday, December 7 at 11:00am EST on IFOCE.com. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4057","sn":753,"title":"Moving Past Tiger, MLE focus is on Salmon","createdAt":"2009-12-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating is officially moving on from the week's tabloid news and putting its entire focus on today's Slammin' Salmon Chowder Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nThe event will pit New York-based professionals against a number of amateur eaters. It will be a six-minute salmon chowder competition and will take place during lunch time at the venerable City Crab on lower Park Avenue in Manhattan.\r\n\r\nGeorge Shea will serve as event M.C. Badlands Booker is expected to unveil his new rap song \"Omega 3.\"\r\n\r\n\"Gotta get me some good fat, some essential oils/\r\nTo the best chowder eater will go the spoils/\r\nFat's unsaturated, fat's unregulated/\r\nLeave Tiger alone man that story's dated/\r\nSalmon's the number one source of Omega 3/\r\nIt comes in other fishes so feed them to me/\r\nlike herring, mackeral and anchovies/\r\neat 'em to improve hydrophilic properties\"\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4058","sn":754,"title":"Shoudt Super in Salmon","createdAt":"2009-12-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Robert Shoudt, a married male from the suburbs of Philadelphia, ate more than 2.4 gallons of chowder to win the first officially sanctioned salmon chowder eating contest and claim the title of Slammin' Salmon Champion. \r\n\r\nShoudt barely edged out his nemesis, NYC's Eater X, in the contest that occurred today at City Crab in New York City. The event supports the Dec. 11th release of The Slammin' Salmon movie, the newest Broken Lizard film starring Michael Clarke Duncan. MCD served as honorary judge during the contest while the Lizards coached up the amateurs to no avail. \r\n\r\n\r\nFull Results\r\n\r\n1-Shoudt, R - 312 oz (9.75 32 oz. bowls* in six minutes) - $1,000\r\n2-X, Eater - 304 oz - $650\r\n3-Booker, Badlands - 184 oz - $500\r\n4-Conti, Crazy Legs - 144 oz - $250\r\n5-Goldstein, Allen - 104 oz - $100\r\n6-Rose, Dave (a) - 72 oz\r\n7-Lynch, Hayden (a) - 48 oz\r\n8-Copelev, Iran (a) - 32 oz\r\n\r\n*The bowls the competitors ate from were 64 oz in capacity and each filled w/32oz of salmon chowder. \r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4054","sn":752,"title":"MLEgives","createdAt":"2009-11-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In recognition of Thanksgiving 2009, Major League Eating has made a donation to the Food Bank for New York City, a member of Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest.)\r\n\r\nMLE is happy to make this donation, and proud of the fact that, through the year, its sponsors and individual eaters donate food, money and time to support food banks and other charities. \r\n\r\nThe troubled economy and high unemployment has resulted in more and more people turning to already-taxed food pantries for nourishment. If you’d like to learn how you can help fight hunger in your area, visit Feeding America\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4053","sn":751,"title":"Nathan's Contest a Must See","createdAt":"2009-11-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"For the second time this year, the Nathan's Famous July Fourth extravaganza has been placed alongside such sporting events as The Masters, the Super Bowl, and the Kentucky Derby.\r\n\r\nThe venerable LIFE Magazine recently published a list of 'Must See Sport Meccas & Events.' The original Nathan's Famous in Coney Island is the mecca and the annual Hot Dog Eating Contest is the event. \r\n\r\nEarlier this year Robert Tuchman included the Nathan's Famous finals in his popular book \"100 Sporting Events You Must See Live.\"\r\n \r\n\r\nNathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest: One of LIFE's Must See Sport Meccas & Events\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4055","sn":750,"title":"Mr. Humble Captures 6th Victory in '09","createdAt":"2009-11-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In a battle of mid-atlantic MLE superstars, Humble Bob Shoudt reigned supreme by capturing the Roy Rogers Roast Beef Slider Eating World Championship in Frederick, MD. Appropriately dubbed the Victorious B.O.B in September after winning four consecutive MLE events, Shoudt found himself in the winners circle again edging out The Black Widow Sonya Thomas 37.5 to 33 in the 8-minute contest featuring Roy Rogers new Roast Beef Sliders.\r\n\r\nTaking third place with 26 sliders was The Lovely Juliet Lee, who didn't have to travel far from her Germantown home to compete for the Maryland fans.\r\n\r\nBadlands Booker took fourth place and $250 with 25.25 sliders and Russ Keeler bested a crop of top-tier MLE talent to finish fifth with 22.75 sliders winning $250. \r\n\r\nAn Amateur Championship was held before the pros took the stage featuring fans of Roy Rogers selected from the crowd. Frederick Mayor Jeff Holtzinger finished in first-place and won the grand prize of a trip for two to Universal Studios in Orlando, FL.\r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS\r\n\r\n1-Bob Shoudt - 37 roast beef sliders in 8 minutes ($1,000)\r\n2-Sonya Thomas - 33 ($650)\r\n3-Juliet Lee - 26 ($500)\r\n4-Badlands Booker - 25.25 ($250)\r\n5-Russ Keeler - 22.75 ($100)\r\n6-Crazy Legs Conti - 21\r\n7-Micah Collins - 20\r\n8-Pat Philbin - 18.5\r\n9-Pete Davekos - 17.5\r\n10-Brian Subich - 16.5 \r\nT11-Bill Myers - 14\r\nT11-Brian Seiken - 14\r\n13 Steve Spinosa - 13\r\n14 Karl Ford - 9\r\n\r\nFor more information on Roy Rogers, visit their website at www.royrogersrestaurants.com and follow Roy on Twitter @RoysRestaurants.\r\n\r\nFor the latest Major League Eating news, BECOME A FACEBOOK FAN OF MAJOR LEAGUE EATING and follow MLE on twitter @eatingcontest.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4067","sn":749,"title":"Giddy Up, Roy Rogers Field Takes Shape","createdAt":"2009-11-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"On Saturday the Roy Rogers on Buckeystown Road in Frederick, MD (locals call it Fred) will play host to the first ever real roast beef sandwich eating contest - the Roy Rogers Roast Beef Slider Eating World Championship.\r\n\r\nThe event, which features a $2,500 cash purse, filled up quickly and will feature some of the finest talent in eating. Registrants include Sonya Thomas, Mr. Humble, Wing Kong, Double B Seiken, Wild Bill, Russ Keeler, Pat from Moonachie, Badlands Booker, Pretty Boy, Juliet Lee, Brian Stubich, Crazy Legs and Steve Spinosa.\r\n\r\n\"Roy Rogers is well known for its real roast beef, savory USDA meat shaved thin and placed on a soft roll,\" said Mike Antolini of Major League Eating. \"What nobody knows, however, is how many of these sandwiches can be consumed in competion. I look forward to that question being answered.\"\r\n\r\nThe contest will occur under a tent alongside the busy Buckeystown Road. It will be preceeded by an amateur event, the winner of which will win a trip for two to Florida.\r\n\r\nwww.royrogersrestaurants.com \r\n\r\n@eatingcontest \r\n@rpshea \r\n@gcshea \r\n@shecrochets \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4051","sn":748,"title":"Chestnut wins Martorano's Masters!","createdAt":"2009-11-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In a star-studded affair from Martorano's at the Rio, Joey Chestnut ate 50 meatballs in 10-minutes to win the first-ever Martorano's Masters Meatball Eating Championship. Pat Bertoletti was just one off Chestnut's pace eating 49 for second place. The Black Widow took third place after eating 42 Martorano's world-class meatballs and rookie upstart Ben Monson ate 38 to round out the money winners. \r\n\r\nMartorano's was standing room only for the contest that had competitors using utensils-only to show cook/owner Steve Martorano's meatballs the respect they deserve. \r\n\r\nComing out of retirement with wife Carlene cheering from the front row, Rich LeFevre finished in sixth place after eating 33 meatballs. Playboy cover model and one of Maxim's 50 Most Sexiest Women, Angelica Bridges ate 10 meatballs in her Major League Eating debut.\r\n\r\n\r\nFull Results\r\nJoey Chestnut - 50 two-ounce meatballs in 10 minutes ($1,500)\r\nPat Bertoletti - 49 ($750)\r\nSonya Thomas - 42 ($500)\r\nBen Monson - 38 ($250)\r\nBadlands Booker - 33.5\r\nRich LeFevre - 33\r\nRon Koch - 30\r\nDamon Wells - 28\r\nRyan McKillop - 23\r\nJason Erb - 20\r\nEl Toro - 16\r\nAngelica Bridges - 10\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4052","sn":747,"title":"Eater X delivers on Halloween -- Wins Billy Sims BBQ Title","createdAt":"2009-11-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In what many saw as a fitting win on Halloween night, the masked MLE Champion, \"Eater X\" Tim Janus won the 1st Annual Billy Sims BBQ Rib-Eating Title outside Oklahoma University's Memorial Stadium in Norman, OK. X ate 4lbs 7oz of the fall-off-the-bone Billy Sims ribs in the 8-minuted contest before a packed OU Homecoming FanFest crowd. While the $750 cash prize was nice, the Championship Belt, passed to X by Billy Sims himself, was every bit as rewarding. \r\n\r\n19th-ranked \"Nasty\" Nate Biller took 2nd in the pro division with 3lbs 1oz with Nic Fry seeing action for the first time in '09 eating 2lbs 1oz for 3rd place in the pro division.\r\n\r\nOn the Amateur front Steve-O Ramirez, half of the father-son team at the Billy Sims table, took home the belt after eating an impressive 2lbs 14oz in 8 minutes. \r\n\r\nAfter the winners were announced, Billy Sims donned the mic and left the OU crowd with a few of his famous \"BOO-MER\" chants. The winning didn't stop at the MLE table as OU defeated Kansas State in their Homecoming game 42-30. \r\n\r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS:\r\nProfessionals\r\n1-Eater X Tim Janus - 4lbs 7oz in 8 mins\r\n2-Nasty Nate Biller - 3lbs 1oz\r\n3-Nic Fry - 2lbs 1oz\r\n4-Steve Ramirez - 1lb 6 oz\r\nAmateurs\r\n1-Steve-O Ramirez - 2lbs 14oz\r\n2-Greg Tate - 2lbs 3oz\r\n3-Troy Cox - 2lbs 2oz\r\n4-Michael Johannins - 2lb 1oz \r\n5-Matt Fields - 1lb 8oz\r\n\r\n\r\nTo learn more about Billy Sims BBQ, visit www.billysimsbbq.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4050","sn":746,"title":"Roy Rogers Roast Beef Sandwich Eating Championship Nov 14 in MD; Registration opens Wednesday!","createdAt":"2009-10-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating and Roy Rogers will team up to host the Roy Rogers Roast Beef Sandwich Eating Championship on Saturday, November 14th. The contest will feature both amateur and professional divisions with prizes for the top finishers in each. Roy Rogers flagship restaurant in Frederick, MD will play host to the inaugural event. \r\n\r\nRegistration is scheduled to open on IFOCE.com this Wednesday, October 28th at 3:00pm EST. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda404f","sn":745,"title":"Jose's in La Jolla to host World Flauta Eating Championship Dec 6th","createdAt":"2009-10-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating will crown the first Flauta-Eating Champion at Jose's in La Jolla, CA. The San Diego beach town will hold the contest on December 6th and a total cash purse of $4,500 will be up for grabs. The flautas, which are rolled and lightly fried soft flour tortillas, will be filled with ground chicken for the 8-minute sanctioned contest. \r\n\r\nRegistration for this event will open on IFOCE.com at 2:00pm EST on Monday, October 26. \r\n\r\nMajor League Eating is close to adding another contest in the Mid-Atlantic region for November 14. Stay tuned for details!..."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda404e","sn":744,"title":"Road Report: b.good Garlicky Greens","createdAt":"2009-10-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pete \"Pretty Boy\" Davekos defended his b.good Garlicky Greens Eating title on Saturday afternoon after downing 7.5 lbs of spinach to set a new world record. Despite the downpour, a capacity crowd turned out to b.good's new location in the Legacy Place Mall (Dedham, MA) to watch Massachusetts' top-ranked Major League Eater put on a show. \r\n\r\nDavekos beat a colorful cast of characters that included loyal b.good customers such as King Hungry VIII from Chicago, IL and the Garlicky Green Giant from Durham, NC. Gangles, a b.good employee, also competed only to fall a few bowls short of the winning total. \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda404c","sn":742,"title":"Kobayashi moves to #2 in the world after KSO win, while talented newcomers break into Top-50","createdAt":"2009-10-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating updated its rankings today (Oct. 1) shuffling eaters from top to bottom after a September that boasted nineteen events. Takeru Kobayashi jumped one spot to #2 after a decisive victory in the Krystal Square Off VI. Though impressive, the win was not enough to take over Joey Chestnut's #1 world ranking. \r\n\r\nThe Notorious B.O.B. Shoudt moved into a tie with Pat Bertoletti at the #3 spot after an impressive run of four consecutive wins. Sonya Thomas also cracked the top-5 with a three victories of her own in early September.\r\n\r\nA host of impressive newcomers, including Ben Monson (#24), made their debuts in the top-50 world rankings with limited time on the MLE Circuit. \r\n\r\nFOR FULL RANKINGS CLICK HERE"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda404d","sn":743,"title":"Billy Sims BBQ Rib-Eating Championship to be held at OU 10/31","createdAt":"2009-10-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"On Saturday, October 31st, Billy Sims BBQ will host its first-ever Rib-Eating Championship prior to the University of Oklahoma-Kansas State Football game in Norman, OK. The field will feature both professionals and amateurs each vying for the top spots i their respective divisions. \r\n\r\n$750 will go to the top professional while the top amateur finisher will receive $350. The second place pro ($150) and amateur ($100) will also cash. The third place pro and amateur finishers will receive a $50 gift card to Billy Sims BBQ Restaurants. \r\n\r\nMajor League Eating will be signing up the professional eaters only online at IFOCE.com. Registration will open on Friday, October 2nd at 12:00pm EST. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda404b","sn":741,"title":"Martorano's Masters Meatball Championship set for Las Vegas 11/8","createdAt":"2009-09-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"On Sunday, November 8th, Major League Eating will head to Las Vegas for the first-ever Martorano's Masters Meatball-Eating Championship. The event will take place at Cafe Martorano within Harrah's Rio Hotel & Casino. \r\n\r\nCafe Martorano boasts world famous meatballs prepared by chef/owner Steve Martorano. To give the Cafe Martorano Meatball the honor and respect it deserves, Major League Eaters will need to bring their manners to the table in this utensil-only fine dining competition. $3,000 in total prize money and the title of World Meatball Eating Champion is on the line at the Martorano's Masters. \r\n\r\nRegistration for the Martorano's Masters Meatball-Eating Championship will open on IFOCE.com Thursday, October 1st at 3:00pm EST. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4047","sn":740,"title":"b.good Garlicky Greens Eating Championship Returns This Saturday!","createdAt":"2009-09-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The b.good Garlicky Greens Eating Championship will take place this Saturday, October 3rd at b.good's new location at the Legacy Place Mall in Dedham, Massachusetts. \r\n\r\nBoston's own \"Pretty Boy\" Pete Davekos will defend his title against a host of local competitors. Davekos ate 7.1 lbs of the tasty b.good specialty in September 2008. Garlicky Greens are a dish of lightly sauteed spinach and garlic and a signature item of the popular b.good restaurant.\r\n\r\nRegistration for this event will open on IFOCE.com at 11:00am on Tuesday, September 29th."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4048","sn":738,"title":"Kobayashi Regains Krystal Crown","createdAt":"2009-09-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"On a beautiful day in Chattanooga, Takeru Kobayashi set a new \r\n\"no dunking\" world record and won the 2009 Krystal Square Off in a convincing fashion.\r\n\r\nThe Japanese eating phenom, who hadn't won a Major in nearly three years on the MLE circuit, delivered a convincing performance with a total of 93 Krystal points in eight minutes (68 Krystals and five Big Angus burgers). Joey Chestnut placed second with 81, and Pat Bertoletti took third with 76. Robert Shoudt, a man who had a very sucessful September, placed fourth with 71 Krystals.\r\n\r\nJammin Joe LaRue, former corn eating champion of the world, attended the event and somehow made it on stage for the Sackful Challenge, which he and his partner Cindy won.\r\n\r\nOther results:\r\n\r\nSonya Thomas, 5th place, 65 Krystals\r\nHall Hunt, 6th place, 60 Krystals\r\nEater X, 7th place,59 Krystals\r\nErik The Red, 8th place,58 Krystals\r\nGravy Brown, 9th place, 52 Krystals\r\nJim Reeves, 10th place, 50 Krystals\r\nBadlands Booker, 11th place, 47 Krystals\r\nTyler Keys, 12th place, 8 Krystals"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4045","sn":737,"title":"Wing Kong takes Upper Crust Pizza Title","createdAt":"2009-09-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In a closely contested affair that featured former Sox & Pats greats in Jim Corsi and Max Lane, Philly's own Micah \"Wing Kong\" Collins stole the show by consuming 20 slices of Upper Crust pizza for the win. In a questionable move, Collins rode into enemy territory sporting a Yankees t-shirt tot he dismay of the packed House of Blues crowd. \r\n\r\nPat \"From Moonachie\" Philbin finished just a half slice behind for second place while Crazy Legs Conti took third with 19 slices. Boston's own \"Pretty Boy\" Pete Davekos has to be a little upset he let the title slip away in his own back yard. Davekos finished in a tie for fourth place with Russ Keeler (17 slices). Allen \"Shredder\" Goldstein of Long Island finished in sixth with 16 slices. \r\n\r\nThe event was part of the Phantom Gourmet Food Festival which takes place outside Fenway Park. Full results will be posted on IFOCE.com shortly."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda404a","sn":736,"title":"KSO Wild Cards","createdAt":"2009-09-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The largest prize purse in Major League Eating is up for grabs in Chattanooga this coming Sunday. More than 10,000 fans will gather on the banks of the Tennessee River to watch the greatest eaters in the world fight for their share of the Krystal Square Off's $50,000 in cold hard cash.\r\n\r\nAmong the finalists will be two wild card winners: Jim Reeves of Boston, NY who downed 50 Krystals in Nashville, and Erik the Red of Seattle, WA who downed 55 in San Antonio. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4049","sn":735,"title":"Road Reports: NM & Bossier City","createdAt":"2009-09-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Notorious R.O.B.ert Shoudt is living up to his moniker lately after continuing his attack on the MLE September calendar. Shoudt entered the World Burrito Championship at the New Mexico State Fair Friday having won his last two events (Chili Spaghetti and ATL Krystal Qualifier) and the winning didn't stop there. Shoudt ate 33.5 4oz burritos in Albuquerque Friday afternoon to best a deep field and win $1,500 along with the World Burrito Eating Championship. \r\n\r\nRobert then hopped a plane to Bossier City for the Harrah's LA Downs World Grits Eating Championship and beat, for the second straight time, a field that included the world's top two ranked eaters in Joey Chestnut and Pat Bertoletti. Shoudt downed an astounding 18.98 lbs of grits for the title and the first-place prize of $2,200. \r\n\r\nOther top finishers from Friday's Burrito Championship include Hall Hunt in 2nd place w/30, rookie sensation Big Ben Monson in 3rd w/29.5 and Erik the Red Denmark taking 4th place w/26 burritos. \r\n\r\nSaturday's Grits contest saw defending Champ Eater X finish 2nd w/17.6 lbs, top-ranked Joey Chestnut take 3rd w/15.85 lbs and a tie for 4th place between Hall Hunt and Pat Bertoletti w/15.5 lbs.\r\n\r\nThe weekend action continues with the final two Krystal Qualifiers in Nashville (Saturday at 2pm) and Knoxville (Sunday at 2pm). The weekend's Krystal hopefuls can breathe a little easier knowing that Shoudt won't be standing next to them at the table...\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4046","sn":734,"title":"ATL Krystal Results","createdAt":"2009-09-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"FULL RESULTS:\r\n\r\n1-Humble Bob Shoudt - 66 pts (41 Krystals/5 Big Angus)\r\n2-Eric Livingston - 42 pts (17/5)\r\n3-Jon Bello - 39 pts (14/5)\r\n4-Mike Landrich - 35 pts (10/5)\r\n5-Rick Foley - 34 pts (9/5)\r\n6-Steve Martin - 32 pts (7/5)\r\nT7-Steve Ramirez - 30 pts (5/5)\r\nT7--Damien Boykin - 30 pts (5/5)\r\nT9-Chad Elkins - 28 pts (3/5)\r\nT9-Paul Barlow - 28 pts (3/5)\r\n11-David Pirkle - 24 pts (4/4)\r\n12-Kyle Thayer - 20 pts (0/4)"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4043","sn":733,"title":"Birmingham KSO VI Results","createdAt":"2009-09-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Full Birmingham Krystal Square Off VI Results: \r\n\r\n1-Eric Badlands Booker wins 51 Krystal Points (26 Krystals/5 Big Angus)\r\n2-Erik Unger 42 pts (17/5)\r\n3-Anthony Reganato 37 pts (12/5)\r\n4-Will Davis 35 pts (10/5)\r\n5-Damien Boykin 29 pts (4/5)\r\n6-Steve Ramirez 29 pts (4/5)\r\n7-Paul Barlow 27 pts (2/5)\r\n8-Steve-O Anderson 21 pts (6/3)\r\n9-Wayne Ray 18 pts (13/1)\r\n10-Joe Lynch 11 pts (11/0)\r\n11-Natasha Willams 8 pts (3/1)\r\n12-David Walker 5 pts (5/0)"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4044","sn":732,"title":"MLE Entertains American Troops in Guantánamo Bay Navy Base","createdAt":"2009-09-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Three top-ranked Major League Eaters recently returned home from the Guantánamo Bay Navy Base where they spent the Labor Day holiday entertaining American service men and women. Eater X Janus, Crazy Legs Conti and Pete Davekos flew to Cuba over the weekend to surprise the troops and hold a special Pro-Am Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.\r\n\r\nThe event was developed earlier this year when Ari Nisman of Degy Booking International, Inc., an agent servicing the military’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command, contacted Major League Eating to explore the idea of competitive eaters entertaining the troops.\r\n\r\n“The goal was to get this done on Labor Day,” said Nisman. “Guantanamo Bay had a special Jazzfest event planned for the holiday and, having seen the July 4th event on Coney Island, I thought a professional eating contest was a perfect fit programming-wise.”\r\n\r\nThe only hurdle would prove to be the date as Labor Day is the busiest weekend of Major League Eating’s calendar year.\r\n\r\n“We were extremely excited at the opportunity, but with numerous contests and tens of thousands in prize money, I thought we’d have trouble securing eaters,” said Richard Shea of Major League Eating. “I was thrilled when each eater said, without hesitation, that they’d love to take the time away to entertain the troops.”\r\n\r\nSo, putting titles and prize money aside, Janus, Conti and Davekos joined Degy and flew to Guantánamo Bay for the Labor Day event. Each professional eater was paired with a first-time competitor from the armed forces, and the teams competed in a regulation, 10-minute Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. Of all the eaters, Janus consumed the most allowing him and his military teammate to win the contest.\r\n\r\n“This is one event where I can truly say everyone involved was a winner,” said Janus, who is ranked #4 in the world by MLE and is known for his trademark competition facepaint. “We shared a lot of laughs and comraderie with the troops and it was a real joy to add some levity to their otherwise very serious lives.”\r\n\r\nNathan’s Famous, Inc., the sponsor of the Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, provided food for the event, which was part of MLEgives, an effort of Major League Eating that is focused on charitable giving.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4042","sn":731,"title":"Watch the U.S. Buffalo Wing Eating Championship LIVE online at 4:00pm","createdAt":"2009-09-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Check out all the action from the National Buffalo Wing Festival, including the U.S. Buffalo Wing Eating Championships today at 4:00pm, via live stream by CLICKING HERE\r\n\r\nThe Buffet Bowl Eating Championship will be aired live Sunday, Sept 6th at 4:00pm as well. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4041","sn":730,"title":"World Cannoli Championship Set for Sept 10th in NY's Little Italy","createdAt":"2009-09-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"This year will mark the 82nd Annual Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy. More than a million people attend this festival every year, which runs for 11 days starting on September 10. As part of the opening day's festivities, Major League Eating will once again be sanctioning the World Cannoli Eating Championships. \r\n\r\nEater X hopes to revisit the winner's circle with his 4th cannoli title in the last five years. X and other contenders will look to best his world record of 26 in 6 minutes set in 2006 while capturing the victory and eternal glory that comes with it.\r\n\r\nRegistration for this event will open on IFOCE.com Friday, September 4th at 11:00am EST. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda403e","sn":729,"title":"Bertoletti Beats Chestnut in Ribs...by a tenth of a lb!","createdAt":"2009-09-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"John Ascuaga's Nugget has a new Rib King in the name of Deep Dish. Pat \"Deep Dish\" Bertoletti downed 5.8 pounds of ribs in 12 minutes to narrowly edged out top-ranked Joey Chestnut by one tenth of a pound. That's right, 1.6 ounces separated the two Major League Eating titans in a contest that was almost too close to believe. Bertoletti's win prevented Chestnut from capturing his 4th consecutive Best in West Nugget World Rib Eating Championship. Early reports into MLE Headquarters have a capacity crowd overflowing the Main Stage at the popular Reno rib festival. \r\n\r\nErik \"The Red\" Denmark finished in 3rd with 4.7 pounds while 7th-ranked Hall Hunt took 4th place with 3.9 pounds. \r\n\r\nBertoletti will have one day to savor the victory before standing aside Chestnut again in Houston Friday night when the Kolache Factory presents the World Kolache Eating Championship at Minute Maid Park after the Astros-Phillies Game. \r\n\r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS \r\n\r\nPat Bertoletti 5.8 lbs ($2,500)\r\nJoey Chestnut 5.7 lbs ($1,500)\r\nErik Denmark 4.7 lbs ($750)\r\nHall Hunt 3.9 lbs ($250)\r\nMarco Marquez 3.8 lbs\r\nRon Koch 3.6 lbs\r\nRyan McKillop 3.0 lbs\r\nJason Erb 2.7 lbs\r\nShawn Kirby 2.0 lbs\r\nCurtis Richardson 1.6 lbs\r\nRodney Wear 1.4 lbs\r\nAaron Lamb 1.2 lbs"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda403d","sn":728,"title":"KSO VI Road Report: San Antonio","createdAt":"2009-08-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas made a definitive return to the Krystal Square Off circuit today when she posted a personal best 64 Krystal points (5 Big Angus/39 Krystals) at Six Flags Fiesta in San Antonio. The Black Widow was able to stave off a late charge by Erik the Red (55 pts: 5 Big Angus/30 Krystals) who saved his fifth Big Angus for the final minute in an attempt to close the gap. Although he couldn't catch Thomas, Denmark's 55 pts are good for the WildCard lead in the young KSO VI Circuit. Local 2-min qualifier Homer Flores finished in third place with 32 pts. TJ Henderson and Nick \"The Gorging Goblin\" Bauer tied for fourth place with 31 pts. \r\n\r\nThe next qualifier for Krystal Square Off VI takes place in Jacksonville on Labor Day – Monday, Sept. 7, where hometown hero and professional eater Hall “Hoover” Hunt will compete for a seat at the final table in Chattanooga on Sept. 27.\r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS\r\n1. Sonya Thomas – 64 Krystal Burger Points (39 Krystals, 5 Big Angus)\r\n2. Erik Denmark – 55 Krystal Burger Points (30 Krystals, 5 Big Angus)\r\n3. Homer Flores – 32 Krystal Burger Points (7 Krystals, 5 Big Angus)\r\n4. Tie: T.J. Henderson/ Nick Bauer – 31 Krystal Burger Points (6 Krystals, 5 Big Angus)\r\n5. John Baird – 22 Krystal Burger Points (2 Krystals, 4 Big Angus)\r\n6. Nicholas Konecny – 21 Krystal Burger Points (1 Krystals, 4 Big Angus)\r\n7. Shawn Chrystal – 19 Krystal Burger Points (9 Krystals, 2 Big Angus)\r\n8. Marie Freire – 17 Krystal Burger Points (2 Krystals, 3 Big Angus)\r\n9. Heber Ramos – 13 Krystal Burger Points (3 Krystals, 2 Big Angus)\r\n10. Brad Norris – 8 Krystal Burger Points (8 Krystals, 0 Big Angus)"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda403c","sn":726,"title":"16\" Pizza World Record belongs to Deep Dish","createdAt":"2009-08-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating and the IFOCE would like to report an oversight in the 16\" pizza world record category. Pat \"Deep Dish\" Bertoletti was not properly recognized for his victory at the Battle at the Big Apple World Pizza Eating Championship in Fort Pierce, FL last November 8th. Bertoletti ate an astounding 47 slices of pizza to break the record of 45 slices set a month before. As an added bonus for breaking the record, event host The Van Duzer Foundation rewarded Pat with an extra $500. The record books have been updated accordingly. \r\n\r\nThe mission of The Van Duzer Foundation is to assist families and individuals in St. Lucie County Florida, who are experiencing financial and personal hardship brought about by unforeseen crisis or tragedy. \r\n\r\nFor more information on The Van Duzer Foundation, visit www.TheVanDuzerFoundation.org.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda403f","sn":727,"title":"Three More Contests Added to MLE's September Schedule!!","createdAt":"2009-08-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In a month that already boasts fourteen Major League Eating contests, three more are being added to the schedule bringing the monthly prize purse close to $95,000!\r\n\r\n-On September 19th, Harrah's Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, LA will be hosting the Harrah's LAD World Grits Eating Championship*. $5,000 is on the line in this maximum capacity event. Eater X is primed to defend his title after eating more than 13 pounds of the southern specialty last year. \r\n\r\nTwo contests will be held on Saturday, September 26th:\r\n\r\n-The City of Lewisville Texas will again be hosting the Old Town Lewisville World Tamale Eating Championship** from the Lewisville Western Day Festival. $3,500 is up for grabs in the 12-minute tamale eating contest.\r\n\r\n-The Upper Crust Pizzeria out of Boston will be hosting The Upper Crust World Pizza Eating Championship** from the Phantom Gourmet's Food Festival behind Fenway Park on Lansdowne and Ipswich Street. Upper Crust is putting up $2,000 in prize money to see who can consume the most slices of the delicious Boston-based pizza.\r\n\r\n*Registration for Harrah's LA Downs World Grits Eating Championship will open on IFOCE.com Friday, August 28th at 10:00 am EST. \r\n\r\n**Registration for the Old Town Lewisville World Tamale Eating Championship and The Upper Crust World Pizza Eating Championship will open on IFOCE.com Monday, August 31st at 11:00am EST. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4040","sn":725,"title":"Bertoletti Sets Bar w/67 in Chatty","createdAt":"2009-08-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Courtesy of www.krystalsquareoff.com:\r\n\r\nThe new rule changes and sweltering August heat in Chattanooga were no obstacle today for Patrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, the number two-ranked competitive eater in the world.\r\n\r\nIn front of a large, boisterous crowd along the banks of the Tennessee River, the Chicago-based speed eater easily put away 42 Krystal hamburgers and five Big Angus Burgers in eight minutes. The burger count gave him a final score of 67, which includes five points for every Big Angus Burger consumed. Most importantly, the win earned Bertoletti a seat at the final table this Sept. 27 in Chattanooga, where he’ll compete live on television for the $50,000 total cash purse and attempt to unseat Joey Chestnut as the champion.\r\n\r\nIn last year’s Atlanta qualifier, under the old rules, Bertoletti ate 66 Krystals in eight minutes.\r\n\r\nThis year competitive eaters have been forced to chance their technique and strategies because of two new rule changes. First, eaters are no longer allowed to dunk their hamburgers in liquid, thus slowing their pace while eliminating “detritus.” Also new this year, every eater is given five Big Angus Burgers at the start of the competition in addition to their tray of Krystals. Each Big Angus Burger consumed adds five points to an eater’s total count.\r\n\r\nAfter a round of media interviews and signing autographs for fans, we spoke with Bertoletti about today’s event. “It was really hot out here today and that always makes it tough to put up a big number but the Chattanooga crowd helped push me the full eight minutes,” said Bertoletti, who will now wait to see how the new rules affects the other pros on the circuit.\r\n\r\nFinishing in a distant second today was Pennsylvanian pro Wild Bill Myers, with 34 Krystal Burger Points (9 Krystals, 5 Big Angus), and in third was Chattanooga’s Rick Petralia with 31 Krystal Burger Points (6 Krystals, 5 Big Angus). Super Paul Barlow, dressed in warrior paint, finished in 6th place with 26 Krystal Burger Points (1 Krystal, 5 Big Angus).\r\n\r\nHere are the official results from today:\r\n\r\n1. Pat Bertoletti – 67 Krystal Burger Points (42 Krystals, 5 Big Angus)\r\n2. Wild Bill Myers – 34 Krystal Burger Points (9 Krystals, 5 Big Angus)\r\n3. Rick Petralia – 31 Krystal Burger Points (6 Krystals, 5 Big Angus)\r\n4. Chef Mike Nafziger – 30 Krystal Burger Points (5 Krystals, 5 Big Angus)\r\n5. Tom Knopp – 29 Krystal Burger Points (4 Krystals, 5 Big Angus)\r\n6. Super Paul Barlow – 26 Krystal Burger Points (1 Krystal, 5 Big Angus)\r\n7. Dale Hines – 24 Krystal Burger Points (4 Krystals, 4 Big Angus)\r\n7. Leroy Crowder – 24 Krystal Burger Points (9 Krystals, 3 Big Angus)\r\n9. Heath Crowder – 20 Krystal Burger Points (10 Krystals, 2 Big Angus)\r\n10. Brian Smith – 19 Krystal Burger Points (4 Krystals, 3 Big Angus)\r\n11 Bryan Burns – 15 Krystal Burger Points (10 Krystals, 1 Big Angus)\r\n11 TJ Petty – 15 Krystals Burger Points (10 Krystals, 1 Big Angus)\r\n\r\nThe next qualifier for Krystal Square Off VI takes place in San Antonio on Saturday, Aug. 29. Among the eaters already confirmed for the contest include Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas and Erik “The Red” Denmark.\r\n\r\nStay tuned for more coverage from today’s event, including videos and photos and don’t forget to follow the Krystal Square Off VI on Twitter @ksquareoff."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4039","sn":723,"title":"Krystal Big A - 9 seconds","createdAt":"2009-08-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Earlier today, Pat Bertoletti put a Krystal Big Angus Burger down in just nine (9) seconds time. One Big A is worth five Krystals on the circuit this year and this time trial was an exhibit of leapfrogging that will likely get the attention of eaters and fans alike.\r\n\r\nBertoletti's benchmark was recorded in Chattanooga during the Friday festivities surrounding the kick-off weekend for KSO VI.\r\n\r\nAn earlier Twitter post from @rpshea that speculated on an over/under number of 61 for Humble Bob this year was perhaps was too conservative. While dunking will play a role it's not entirely certain the numbers will fall.\r\n\r\nMLE's George Shea is in Chattanooga for the kick off weekend. Wild Bill is driving to Tennessee from Pennsylvania and anticipates significant summer traffic.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda403a","sn":724,"title":"Chestnut remains #1; New Talent Breaks into Top 50","createdAt":"2009-08-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating has posted the latest rankings, listing the top 50 professional eaters in the world. Joey Chestnut remains at #1 to the surprise of no one, while a talented new crop of Major League Eaters made their debut on the big board including Sean Gordon (23), Bryan Beard (25) and Ryan McKillop (29). \r\n\r\nThe rankings will be updated next on October 1, 2009. In addition, Major League Eating will be updating and expanding the Eater Profile pages for its MLE Members in the upcoming months. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4037","sn":722,"title":"World Burrito Eating Championship set for NM State Fair 9/18/09","createdAt":"2009-08-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"It's official! The 2009 World Burrito Eating Championship will take place at the New Mexico State Fair on Friday, September 18th at 2:30pm MST. $3,000 will be up for grabs along with eternal glory in this prized discipline. \r\n\r\nThis contest marks the fourteenth contest on already announced on the Major League Eating Circuit in September...and we expect at least four more to add in the upcoming days. Stay tuned!\r\n\r\nRegistration for The 2009 World Burrito Eating Championship will open on IFOCE.com Wednesday, August 19th at 1:00pm MST. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4036","sn":721,"title":"Philly CheeseSteak Eating Contest Coming to Brooklyn 9/6/09","createdAt":"2009-08-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Brooklyn's Five Spot Soulfood Restaurant will host Five Spot's Famous Philly CheeseSteak Fest on Sunday, September 6th adding some added punch to Major League Eating's September schedule. \r\n\r\nRegistration for this inaugural event will open on IFOCE.com Tuesday August 18th at 11:00am EST. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4038","sn":720,"title":"Road Report: Minneapolis","createdAt":"2009-08-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eater X bested an impressive field to win the Valleyfair World Funnel Cake Eating Championship on Saturday. X downed nearly 6 pounds--5.68 to be exact-- in the ten minute contest on his way to the victory and $1,750. Second place went to Hall \"Hoover\" Hunt who ate 4.97 lbs and took $1,250 with him back to Jacksonville. \r\n\r\nRounding out the money winners was \"Humble\" Bob Shoudt with 4.075 lbs and Erik \"The Red\" Denmark with 3.844 lbs. Gravy Brown, under the black face paint and donning the alter ego \"Eater Y\", ate 3.575 lbs to fall just short of the money and place 5th. \r\n\r\nIn an event that featured 5 of the top 15 eaters in the world in addition to impressive rookies trying to make their mark on the MLE Circuit, the competition was fierce at the top of the pack as expected. In the end, though, an unmasked Eater X able to cross his arms in victory for the Valleyfair fans. \r\n\r\n\r\nFULL RESULTS\r\n1-“Eater X” Tim Janus - 5.68 lbs ($1,750)\r\n2-Hall “Hoover” Hunt – 4.97 lbs ($1,250)\r\n3-“Humble” Bob Shoudt – 4.075 lbs ($750)\r\n4-Erik “The Red” Denmark - 3.844 lbs ($500)\r\n5-Tim “Gravy” Brown - 3.575 lbs\r\n6-Bryan Beard – 2.77 lbs\r\n7-Jon Lapolla – 2.2878 lbs\r\n8-David Herem - 2.223 lbs\r\n9-Steve Ramirez – 1.9385 lbs \r\n10-Adam Sieth – 1.3481 lbs\r\n11-Peter Harem - 1.2778 lbs\r\n12-Nathan Hansen – 1.12 lbs\r\n13-Andrew Carlson - 1.045 lbs\r\n14-Amy Asafly - .6056 lbs\r\n15-Kevin Mcelderry - .5875 lbs\r\n16-Julie Dey - .414 lbs\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda403b","sn":719,"title":"Valleyfair Results","createdAt":"2009-08-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eater X won the Funnel Cake Eating Contest at Valleyfair Amusement Park by downing 5.68lbs. Hall Elujah Hunt placed 2nd w/4.97. Humble Bob placed 3rd with4.075, Erik Denmark took 4th witj 3.844.\r\n\r\nGravy Brown had a rugged outing."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4033","sn":718,"title":"King's Island Skyline Chili Spaghetti Set for Labor Day","createdAt":"2009-08-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The King's Island Skyline Chili Spaghetti Eating World Championship is back for its second year this Labor Day (Monday, September 7th). The Cincinnati specialty will be featured once again as \"Humble\" Bob Shoudt looks to hold onto the crown. Humble Bob ate 13.5 lbs of the local delicacy last year, beating the world's top 2 eaters in Joey Chestnut and Pat Bertoletti to win the Championship. Another $5,000 is on the line with MLE stars vying for their share of the prize. \r\n\r\nRegistration for this contest will open on IFOCE.com Thursday, August 6th at 1:00pm est. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4034","sn":717,"title":"$10K Up For Grabs in Houston at Kolache Factory Championship","createdAt":"2009-08-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In what will be the most lucrative month in terms of prize money on the Major League Eating Circuit, another jaw-dropper has been added to September's calendar.\r\n\r\n$10,000 will be on the line in The Kolache Factory World Kolache Eating Championship on Friday, September 4th at Minute Maid Park. The contest will take place after the Houston Astros game against the defending World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies. Mother nature stood in the way of last year's World Kolache Championship and MLE stars have been chomping at the bit for another chance at the Kolache title...that, and the winner's share of the $10,000 prize purse!! \r\n\r\nRegistration for this contest will open on IFOCE.com Wednesday, August 5th at 2:00pm est. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4032","sn":715,"title":"Weekend Recap: Deep Dish Takes Taco Crown at Balmoral Park","createdAt":"2009-08-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pat \"Deep Dish\" Bertoletti won the first ever Pepe’s Soft Taco Eating Challenge at Balmoral Park Racetrack on Saturday, August 1st after downing 33 soft beef tacos in the five minute contest. Bertoletti, eating just south of his Chicago hometown, had to stave off stiff competition from three other top-20 ranked Major League Eaters in addition to sports radio host John Jurkovic and a two local qualifiers. \r\n\r\nThe 33 beef tacos which were topped with lettuce, cheese and tomatoes are equivalent to 9.24lbs. Bertoletti took home $1,000 with the win while Gravy Brown, also a Chicago resident, took home $500 with his second place finish of 28 tacos. Erik \"The Red\" Denmark (25 tacos) and \"Nasty\" Nathan Biller (19 tacos) finished in 3rd and 4th places, respectively. \r\n\r\nFull Results:\r\nPatrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti – 33 Tacos\r\nTim “Gravy” Brown – 28 Tacos\r\nErik ‘The Red” Denmark – 25 Tacos\r\nNasty Nathan Biller - 19 Tacos\r\nJohn Jurkovic (ESPN 1000 host) – 11 Tacos\r\nMarc Brewe (local qualifier) - 7 Tacos\r\nDanny Ashworth (local qualifier) 6.5 Tacos "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4035","sn":716,"title":"KSO VI Registration Opens Tommorrow at Noon","createdAt":"2009-08-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Registration for the Krystal Square Off VI is set to open on IFOCE.com Tuesday, August 4th at 12:00pm est. $50,000 is on the line at the Krystal Square Off VI World Hamburger Eating Championship!! \r\n\r\nCheck out video of the new rule changes here\r\n \r\nKrystal Square Off VI Schedule:\r\nAugust 22 – Southern Brewers Festival in Chattanooga, Tenn.\r\nAugust 29 – Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, Tex.\r\nSeptember 7 – Jacksonville Landing in Jacksonville, Fla.\r\nSeptember 12 – University of Alabama-Birmingham Football Game in\r\nBirmingham, Ala.\r\nSeptember 13 – Lenox Square in Atlanta, Ga.\r\nSeptember 19 – Tennessee State Fair in Nashville, Tenn.\r\nSeptember 20 – Tennessee Valley Fair in Knoxville, Tenn.\r\nSeptember 27 – Ross's Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn. (KSO VI World Hamburger Eating Championship)\r\n\r\nApplicants must be 18 years or older to compete in any Krystal Square Off VI event. Applicants may register in up to three qualifying events. Applicants will be contacted via email 7-10 days after registering with information on the status of their registration request(s).\r\n\r\nFor more information on the KSO VI, visit www.krystalsquareoff.com"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4031","sn":714,"title":"La Costena Spicing up \"Feel The Heat\" Challenge","createdAt":"2009-07-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In recognition of speed-eating jalapenos being among the most grueling events on the Major League Eating Circuit, La Costena has sweetened the reward for being a champion of its fiery competition. La Costena has added $800 to the total prize purse increasing it to $5,800 in 2009. And best of all, each top finisher will feel the effects as the amounts awarded to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place finishers will all see a bump of $200 from last year’s prizes. Cash awards are now an impressive $2,700, $1,700, $950 and $450 for the 1st through 4th place finishers...\r\n\r\nSo circle the date now for the third annual La Costena “Feel The Heat” Jalapeno Eating Championship Challenge taking place on Sunday, September 13th in Chicago. \r\n\r\n\r\nClick here for highlights from the 2008 Challenge\r\n\r\nRegistration is now open on IFOCE.com "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda402e","sn":712,"title":"$50K On the Line in Chatty","createdAt":"2009-07-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Krystal To Award Largest Cash Purse In Competitive Eating .... Again\r\n\r\nThe Krystal Company is stepping up once again to prove competitive eating is a big time sport with big time money on the line. On Sept. 27, 2009, at the Krystal Square Off VI World Hamburger Eating Championship, the fast food icon will once again award the largest cash purse in the sport of eating, a whopping $50,000.\r\n\r\nEarning the lion's share of the prize purse this year will be the Krystal Square Off VI winner, who will take home $20,000 in cash along with the coveted Krystal Square Off World Champion's Belt and Crystal Trophy. Last year, that prize went to the number one-ranked eater in the world Joey Chestnut, who shocked a crowd of more than 10,000 by winning the title a second year in a row and easily defeating the great Takeru Kobayashi, who finished in a disappointing third.\r\n\r\nWhile this year’s runner-up at Krystal Square Off VI will no doubt be disappointed for coming up short of the title, they won't be disappointed with the hefty paycheck of $10,000 they'll receive for their efforts. Same goes with the third place finisher, who will leave Chattanooga $5,000 richer.\r\n\r\nThe remaining finalists will fight for the following payouts:\r\n\r\n4th – $3,000\r\n5th – $2,500\r\n6th – $2,000\r\n7th – $1,850\r\n8th – $1,500\r\n9th – $1,400\r\n10th – $1,250\r\n11th – $1,000\r\n12th – $500"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda402f","sn":713,"title":"Registration for John Ascuaga's Nugget World Rib Eating Championship Opens Tomorrow @ 3pm","createdAt":"2009-07-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The John Ascuaga's Nugget World Rib Eating Championship is back on Wednesday, September 2nd as part of the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off. $5,000 is on the line as the world's best gurgitators tackle pork ribs in Sparks, Nevada. \r\n\r\nRegistration for this contest is scheduled to open on www.IFOCE.com Thursday, July 30th at 3:00pm EST. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4030","sn":711,"title":"Krystal Circuit Announced","createdAt":"2009-07-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"KSO6 Qualifying Dates And Cities Announced\r\n\r\nWhether you're vying for a shot at the final table or simply a competitive eating fan ready to map out this year's weekend road-trip schedule, it's time to start planning your path to the Krystal Square Off VI World Hamburger Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nScheduled to kick off in Chattanooga, Tenn. on August 22, 2009, the seven-city qualifying circuit will journey through six additional Southern cities, including a first ever tour stop in San Antonio. This year's Krystal Square Off VI tour will not only pit amateur hopefuls against the world’s best competitive eaters but will also give eaters the chance to put their money where their mouth is, literally.\r\n\r\n“Now in our sixth year, the Krystal Square Off is a world-class event and Southern tradition that gives amateur hopefuls from all across the South a chance to go up against the very best,\" said Brad Wahl, vice president of marketing, The Krystal Company. \"We're thrilled to host qualifying events in many familiar places plus our first ever stop in one of Krystal's new markets, San Antonio. With many of the world's best gustatory athletes set to compete in our regional qualifiers and exciting new rules that alter the playing field for eaters, we're confident that Krystal Square Off VI will be the biggest and best yet.\"\r\n\r\nDates and cities for Krystal Square Off VI qualifying circuit and championship final are as follows:\r\n\r\nAugust 22 – Southern Brewers Festival in Chattanooga, Tenn.\r\nAugust 29 – Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, Tex.\r\nSeptember 7 – Jacksonville Landing in Jacksonville, Fla.\r\nSeptember 12 – University of Alabama-Birmingham Football Game in \r\nBirmingham, Ala.\r\nSeptember 13 – Lenox Square in Atlanta, Ga.\r\nSeptember 19 – Tennessee State Fair in Nashville, Tenn.\r\nSeptember 20 – Tennessee Valley Fair in Knoxville, Tenn.\r\nSeptember 27 – Ross's Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn.\r\n\r\nThere's no dunking in the KSO but this year competitors will have the option of downing up to five Big Angus Burgers, each of which will count as five Krystals."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda402a","sn":710,"title":"Eaters Nearly Topple Jimmy John's Sandwich Makers","createdAt":"2009-07-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Perhaps it was the addition of an upstart rookie -- Steve Dokho of Chicago -- or perhaps it was extraordinary eating by Hall Hunt, Gravy Brown and Patrick Bertoletti, but the eaters came two tomato slices short of winning the Jimmy John's Freaky Fast Sandwich Making and Eating Contest in Chicago.\r\n\r\nIn fact, there were many moments during the event when the eaters were ahead of the makers.\r\n\r\nThe event, which took place before a crowd of 500 at the Taste of Lincoln Festival, was tantalizing for eating fans, who felt victory was within reach."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda402b","sn":709,"title":"All Carb Break","createdAt":"2009-07-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"For the first weekend in more than 12 weekends, Major League Eating is not holding an event. Not today, not tomorrow and not Sunday. It’s the middle of summer so IFOCE.com is asking a few figures within the eating community how they’ll spend the down time. Some thoughts below, the list will be updated.\r\n\r\n\r\n\"Diving for abalone* in the pacific. Psyched to have some time off.\" - Joey Chestnut\r\n\r\n\"I'm going home to Connecticut to get a tooth fixed, chipped a molar on some candy. No joke.\" - Eater X \r\n\r\n“Hang with the fam, eat some salad and probably watch a little Krystal tape.” – Bob Shoudt\r\n\r\n“Soccer tournament, two barbecues, much cavorting.” – A. Ryan Nerz\r\n\r\n\"Kids at pool then a long swim in the ocean.\" - Wing Kong\r\n\r\n“Karaoke.” – Nate Biller\r\n\r\n\"Camping on the Columbia River. Beer.\" - Erik The Red\r\n\r\n\"Got a reunion at Bryn Mawr. Hopefully a pick up game with some of the girls.\" - Helen Haggerty\r\n\r\n\r\n* Banned to commercial fishing, abalone are mollusks in the family Haliotidae and the genus Haliotis."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4027","sn":708,"title":"U.S. Buffalo Wing Championship & Buffet Bowl Contests to be held September 5-6; Registration opens this Thursday","createdAt":"2009-07-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The National Buffalo Wing Festival once again returns to Buffalo, NY on September 5-6 and with it comes two prized Major League Eating contests. On Saturday, the U.S. Buffalo Wing Eating Champion will be crowned followed by the Buffet Bowl taking place on Sunday. \"Wing King\" Drew Cerza is excited to welcome top MLE talent to his festival over Labor Day. \r\n\r\nRegistration for both National Buffalo Wing Festival contests will held here on IFOCE.com beginning this Thursday at 12:00 pm EST. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4028","sn":707,"title":"Registration Opening This Week for Three MLE Events in August","createdAt":"2009-07-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Tomorrow at Noon EST, registration for the Pepe's Soft Taco Eating Contest will be available on IFOCE.com. This first-time contest will be held at Balmoral Park Racetrack in Crete, IL. Space is open for two Major League Eaters to join the field (a total of 4 MLE'ers will participate). The remaining gurgitators will be made up of local media personalities and amateur hopefuls. \r\n\r\nAt 1:45pm EST on Wednesday, July 15th, two more contests will open for registration on IFOCE.com. Funnel Cake, America's favorite amusement park sweet treat, will be contested on August 15th at Valleyfair Amusement Park in Shakopee, MN; and on August 22nd, the Gyoza Eating Championship will again take place at the Los Angeles Nisei Week Festival. \r\n\r\nThese are just three of several MLE Contests soon to be announced for the August/September months...check back often to stay connected! "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4029","sn":706,"title":"Chestnut sets new rib-eating world record at Chinook Winds Casino!","createdAt":"2009-07-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Another Smokin' at the Ocean BBQ & Brewfest is in the books at Chinook Winds Casino Resort and with it Joey Chestnut adds to his bib sheet with a new world record. The Sunday rain didn't put a damper on the festivities as a capacity crowd filled the tented pavilion to watch Chestnut down 8.8 lbs of rib meat in 12 minutes. The mark broke his own record of 8.4 lbs set at Chinook Winds in 2006. With the win, the world's top eater captured his fifth consecutive World Rib Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nRich LeFevre didn't participate this year breaking a three-year streak finishing in 2nd place to Chestnut. His absence left the door open for Erik \"The Red\" Denmark who ate a personal best 6.7 lbs of ribs on his way to a second place finish. \r\n\r\nIn third place was \"The Erbivore\" Jason Erb whose finish in the money was extra sweet considering he had finished in fourth place (and out of the money) the last three years. Erb ate 4.2 lbs, also a personal best. \r\n\r\n \r\nFULL RESULTS\r\n\r\n1st - Joey Chestnut - 8.8 lbs ($1,500)\r\n2nd - Erik Denmark - 6.7 lbs ($750)\r\n3rd - Jason Erb - 4.2 lbs ($500)\r\n4th - Ryan McKillop - 4.1 lbs\r\n5th - Nick Methven - 3.75 lbs\r\n6th - Logan Summers - 3.2 lbs\r\n7th - Christopher Scott - 2.5 lbs\r\n8th - Jay Collins - 2.25 lbs\r\n9th - Cameron McKirdy - 1.5 lbs\r\nSaturday's Amateur Contest winner Ryan Rodicker was DQ'ed in Sunday's Championship after a Reversal of Fortune."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4026","sn":705,"title":"BIO Channel July 8 - I'm A Major League Eater","createdAt":"2009-07-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"\"I'm a Major League Eater\" will air on The BIO Channel on Wednesday, July 8th at 10 EST and 11 PST.\r\n\r\nCLICK HERE TO WATCH THE TRAILER \r\n\r\nThe docudrama follows a group of the sport's biggest names as they prepare for the World Oyster Eating Championship in New Orleans. Along the way we meet Juliet Lee of Maryland, Gravy Brown of Chicago, Eater X Janus of NYC and his roommate Crazy Legs Conti.\r\n\r\nAs the contest approaches rivalries heat up and the eaters' true personalities are revealed."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4024","sn":704,"title":"Joey Takes July 4 with New Record","createdAt":"2009-07-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut today won the Nathan's Famous July Fourth International Eating Contest by eating 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, 3 1/2 more than Takeru Kobayashi of Japan, his arch-rival.\r\n\r\nPatrick Bertoletti consumed 55 HDBs in 10 minutes to place third, closely followed by Eater X. (Complete results later.)\r\n\r\nA record crowd assembled at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island under clear blue skies for the event, which was aired live on ESPN. Police unofficially estimated the crowd to be 40,000.\r\n\r\nA highlight of the event was the Coney Island Strongman, who performed a death-defying feat on a bed of nails, placing an anvil on his chest and allowing his sons to hit it with sledgehammers.\r\n\r\nFour different Ringling acts also captivated the audience, a remarkable number of whom had travelled from great distances to attend the event. Sonya Thomas set a new record for females by eating 41 HDBs -- a record in both the 10- and 12-minute HDB-eating disciplines.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4022","sn":701,"title":"Krystal Square Off Date Announced","createdAt":"2009-07-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Date Announced for the 2009 World Hamburger Eating Championship\r\n\r\nKrystal Square Off VI World Hamburger Eating Championship Slated for \r\nSeptember 27, 2009\r\n\r\nTwo New Rule Changes to Come\r\n\r\nThe world’s top competitive eaters now know when they’ll square off \r\nfor the title of World Hamburger Eating Champion, but what they may \r\nnot know is that some major changes are in the works.\r\n\r\nAnnounced today, the Krystal Square Off VI World Hamburger Eating Championship will be held on September 27, 2009. The championship event, which last year featured the largest cash purse in competitive eating history and saw Joey Chestnut repeat as champion while Takeru Kobayashi finished in a disappointing third, will once again be held along the banks of the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga, Tenn.\r\n\r\nIt has been speculated by many on the circuit that Krystal has been scrutinizing the Krystal Square Off rules during the off-season, and Krystal can confirm today that two new major rule changes will be introduced prior to the start of this year’s competition. One of the changes, which is still being fully deliberated with officials at Major League Eating, will be designed to limit “detritus” during contests, a major concern after several controversial finishes last season.\r\n\r\nAs for the other change, Brad Wahl, the vice president of marketing at The Krystal Company, shared, “Let’s just say it’s a really big change; one that will make this year’s competition the most exciting in the six-year history of the Krystal Square Off. Much like the way the three-point shot revolutionized the game of basketball, this new rule will drastically alter the way eaters approach our contest from a strategic level.”\r\n\r\n“I recognize that fans begin to focus on the Krystal Square Off at this time of year, but it would be inappropriate to comment on any future changes since none have been formally discussed or approved at the sponsor or league level,” said Richard Shea, president of Major League Eating. “Having hosted a controversial event last year, I do understand the desire to limit confusion in judging, especially considering how coveted the Krystal Square Off title is.”\r\n\r\nKrystal will once again host a qualifying circuit for Krystal Square Off VI throughout the southern United States. Details for the 2009 Krystal Square Off VI Qualifying Tour and World Hamburger-Eating Championship will be announced shortly, along with what is sure to be another impressive cash purse for Krystal Square Off VI. Info at http://KrystalSquareOff.com\r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4023","sn":702,"title":"JULY 4th Live on ESPN","createdAt":"2009-07-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"ESPN and ESPN360.com to Offer Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Live July 4\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFor the sixth consecutive year, ESPN and ESPNHD will televise the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest live from Coney Island, N.Y., Saturday, July 4, at 12 p.m. ET. The one-hour high definition telecast will include Paul Page providing bite-by-bite action with analysis from Richard Shea of Major League Eating and reporting by Rob Stone. George Shea, also from MLE, will emcee the event. ESPN360.com will offer an exclusive live simulcast of the event.\r\n\r\nThe event will showcase approximately 20 competitors, including Joey Chestnut, who beat six-time champion Takeru Kobayashi in a five-dog overtime eat-off last year after both ate 59 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in the 10-minute regulation contest. It was Chestnut’s second straight title. Click here to see the epic overtime battle.\r\n\r\nAmong other competitors are: Crazy Legs Conti, \"Eater X\" Tim Janus, Sonya Thomas, Pat \"Deep Dish\" Bertoletti, Marco \"Mongo\" Marquez and Micah \"Wing Kong\" Collins.\r\n\r\n“We look forward to showcasing the very best in the world of competitive eating at its marquee event - The Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest,” said Jason Bernstein, ESPN Senior Director of Programming and Acquisitions. “In fact, you could say we ‘relish’ the opportunity to bring this event to fans across the world.”\r\n\r\nThis is Stone’s first year reporting table-side at the contest, but not his first on-air encounter with food. For ESPN’s telecast of the Nevada and New Mexico State college football game on Nov. 2, 2007, Stone visited Paul W. Bosland, the Regents Professor & Director of the Chile Pepper Institute, and his class at a chile farm on the campus of NMSU. Without hesitation, Stone bit into a Bhut Jolokia, the world’s hottest chile pepper – not once, but twice. Click here to see Stone shed some tears. \r\n\r\nIn preparation for the annual event, ESPNU will air the last five contests on Friday, July 3:\r\n\r\nTime\t Year\r\n\r\n12:00-1:00AM\t2008\r\n1:00-2:00AM \t2007\r\n2:00-3:00AM \t2006\r\n3:00-4:00AM\t2005\r\n4:00-5:00AM \t2004\r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is held each year on July 4 at the original Nathan’s Famous location at Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, N.Y. ESPN first televised competitive eating in 2004, providing live coverage of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on the fourth of July. The event has delivered strong ratings for ESPN, and it was ESPN’s most-viewed program of the day the past two years. \r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4025","sn":703,"title":"Elephants Dominate First-Ever Cross-Species Eating Competition","createdAt":"2009-07-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Coney Island, NY – Three Asian elephants beat three Major League Eaters in the first-ever fully sanctioned cross-species eating contest today (Friday July 3, 2009) by consuming 505 hot dog buns to the humans 143 buns at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® at THE CONEY ISLAND BOOM A RING, in Coney Island, Brooklyn.\r\n\r\nVideo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjgZF5XC23s\r\n\r\nThe event was a six-minute hot dog bun-eating competition, held in cooperation with Nathan’s Famous, that featured three Ringling Bros.® Asian elephants and three Major League Eaters. The human eaters will compete on July 4 in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest, a holiday tradition that attracts worldwide attention.\r\n\r\nThe elephants -- Bunny, 42, Susie, 46, and Minnie, 48 – competed against Juliet Lee, 43, Gravy Brown, 30, and Eric “Badlands” Booker, 40. Collectively, the elephants weighed approximately 9 tons while the humans weighed just shy of 600 pounds.\r\n\r\n“This contest had significant implications for inter-species relations,” said George Shea, Chairman of Major League Eating “If the humans had won it would have shown that we are unbeatable in this sport, but the elephants have significantly enhanced their stature in the animal kingdom with this win. Humans are facing a rebuilding year.”\r\n\r\n“Eating approximately 150-200 pounds of fruits, vegetables, hay, grain and bread daily is average for meeting an elephant’s nutritional needs,” said Janice Aria, Director of Animal Stewardship, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. “Asian elephants enjoy eating bread and they can typically eat a foot long loaf of bread in 1.6 seconds. Ringling Bros. always had strong confidence that the elephants were going to be victorious.”"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda401e","sn":700,"title":"Third Time's a Charm for \"Pretty Boy\"","createdAt":"2009-06-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"\"Pretty Boy\" Pete Davekos earned this year's final qualifying spot to Coney Island in his third attempt of 2009 with a victory at San Jose State University. \r\n\r\nEveryone knew this last qualifier would be stacked with contenders who had seen their Fourth of July fate snatched before them earlier on the circuit. Davekos, who twice finished in second place at previous qualifiers (Boston and Denver) by a total of 4 HDBs, was able to stave off the competition and down 25 HDBs for the elusive victory. \r\n\r\n\"Nasty\" Nate Biller came in second place with 20.5 HDBs and Brian Subich in a close third with 20 HDBs. Biller, Subich and the rest of the Nathan's Famous hopefuls will have to wait until next year for another shot at eternal glory on the Coney Island Fourth of July stage. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda401d","sn":699,"title":"Jim Reeves Takes Newnan Georgia Nathan's Spot","createdAt":"2009-06-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The heat was a major factor in the Newnan, GA, Nathan's Famous qualifier, suppressing numbers and forcing some eaters to push back from the table. But Jim Reeves gutted it out for a big win with 22 HDBs in 10 minues.\r\n\r\nAllan Goldstein, visibly affected by the 90-degree heat, place second with 20, and multiple eaters, including Damien Boynkin and Rick Petralia, ate 11 for a third-place tie.\r\n\r\nThe event took place amid a bustling retail fair at Junction Lanes and was aired live on 92.5 The Bear, Georgia's top country station."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda401b","sn":698,"title":"Bunnette Voting on CitySearch's Feedbag","createdAt":"2009-06-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Tomorrow, the Bunnette Bootcamp will take place in Coney Island after the final Nathan's qualifier. Veteran Bunnette Laura Leu, assisted by Richard Shea, will seek the best candidates -- male and female -- to serve as Bunnettes on July 4. \r\n\r\nCurrently, voting is on at Feedbag for the best of three final Bunnette candidates. Check the girls out: http://www.the-feedbag.com\r\n\r\nThere has been a groundswell of support for Zoe, who seems to have no qualms about diving into the sometimes messy sport."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda401c","sn":696,"title":"Ross & Subich No Scylla & Charybdis","createdAt":"2009-06-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"There’s an Aesopic credo that advises “Be content with your lot; one cannot be first in everything.” Pete Davekos, while Greek, thinks Aesop was a punk who spent an inordinate amount of time and energy entertaining young children.\r\n\r\nIn a recent email exchange with MLE officials, Davekos confirmed that he’ll be in San Jose on Saturday to compete at the last Nathan’s Famous qualifier of the 2009 circuit. He also stated he believes he has what it takes to win the contest, his third attempt at a Coney Island berth. \r\n\r\nDavekos may be right. It appears he will face the limited wrath of Big Brian Subich and Double O Kevin Ross. Subich, a football coach, recently downed 20 hot dogs during a loss to Wing Kong. Double O Kevin, a moderately sized man who can dead lift 185 lbs, has not been terribly active on the circuit of late, but did make the Coney Island Classic last year by downing 17 HDBs.\r\n\r\nFrom what we’ve seen in ’09, it will take more than high teens or low twenties to beat Davekos, who consumed 29 HDBs in Denver. For that we turn to other San Jose registrants, Nasty Nate Biller and U.S. Male. Biller posted a personal best of 25 in the rain at Shea Stadium, only to leave the stage in such haste that he abandon his trademark Foster Grants (what was the urge?) U.S. Male, the disputed crawfish champ, was only able to down 20 HDBs in AC and this likely puts him cheek to jowl with Subich.\r\n\r\nSo, for the record, there are three or four eaters challenging Davekos in his quest for July Fourth glory. But the spot light remains on the garlicky greens eating champ of Boston who will approach the stage hungry yet full of desire.\r\n\r\nDavekos lost Denver by just one dog and it’s that devastating loss that has propelled this determined father of two to San Jose. His fans are hoping this Greek drama is not a tragedy.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4021","sn":697,"title":"FIRST-EVER CROSS-SPECIES EATING COMPETITION","createdAt":"2009-06-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"A fully sanctioned cross-species eating contest will occur at 11 AM on Friday, July 3, between Major League Eating and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents THE CONEY ISLAND BOOM A RING, in Coney Island, Brooklyn.\r\n\r\nThe event, a six-minute hot dog bun-eating competition, held in cooperation with Nathan’s Famous, will feature three Ringling Bros.® Asian elephants and three Major League Eaters. The human eaters will compete the next day in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest, a holiday tradition that attracts worldwide attention.\r\n\r\nThe elephants -- Bunny, 42, Susie, 46, and Minnie, 48 – will compete against Juliet Lee, 43, Gravy Brown, 30, and Patrick Bertoletti, 24. Collectively, the elephants weigh approximately 9 tons while the humans weigh just shy of 500 pounds.\r\n\r\n“This contest has significant implications for inter-species relations,” said George Shea, Chairman of Major League Eating “If the humans win it shows we are unbeatable in this sport, and if the elephants win it will significantly enhance their stature in the animal kingdom.”\r\n\r\n“Eating approximately 150-200 pounds fruits, vegetables, hay, grain and bread daily is average for meeting an elephant’s nutritional needs,” said Janice Aria, Director of Animal Stewardship, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. “Asian elephants enjoy eating bread and they can typically eat a foot long loaf of bread in 1.6 seconds. Ringling Bros. has strong confidence that the elephants participating in this first-time event will be victorious.” \r\n\r\nShea said the humans might be able to use their speed-eating technique like dunking, a process of using water to compact bread, to their advantage. Aria countered that elephants, the largest land mammal in the world have their own true advantage, with more than 150,000 muscles and tendons in their trunk, the elephants can scoop up large quantities of hot dog buns at a time.\r\n\r\nJuliet Lee, a 105-pound mother of two from Germantown, Maryland, who consumed 13.23 pounds of cranberry sauce in eight minutes to secure the world cranberry sauce-eating title, said: “An elephant can eat 200 pounds of food, but that is only three percent of its body weight. I can eat 12.6 percent of my body weight in eight minutes and I do not anticipate any difficulty eating more food than the elephants will in a head-to-head match.”\r\n\r\n\r\nRingling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents THE CONEY ISLAND BOOM A RING \r\n\r\nThe Greatest Show On Earth® hits the boardwalk this summer for the very first time in its 139-year history! Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents THE CONEY ISLAND BOOM A RING, an action-packed seaside circus spectacular in which the energy bursts out of the ring, into the audience and ricochets back to electrify the Ringling Bros.® performers. Circus-goers will enjoy an up-close and personal experience in a comfortable air-conditioned tent featuring beautiful white tigers, majestic Asian elephants and thrilling acrobats from around the world. THE CONEY ISLAND BOOM A RING action bounces from one high-energy act to the next, featuring a daring crossbow demonstration that takes archery to new extremes, a globe of steel in which whizzing motorcyclists orbit at speeds of 65 miles an hour and a gravity-defying performance on the whirling Wheel of Steel. The circus is a cornerstone of the New York City summer and THE CONEY ISLAND BOOM A RING is a one-of-a-kind experience that will engage all the senses while providing Children Of All Ages with a day at The Greatest Show On Earth they never imagined possible!\r\n\r\nNathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest\r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest features top eaters from around the globe in a dramatic event that attracts more than 20,000 fans and is aired live on ESPN. Arch rivals Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi of Japan will engage in a much-anticipated rematch this year at 12 Noon on the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues. The event has been held each year since Nathan’s Famous opened in 1916, according to archives.\r\n\r\n###\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4018","sn":693,"title":"Badlands Makes it Rain in Queens","createdAt":"2009-06-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Facing a much improved Pat Philbin and ever-improving Nasty Nate, Badlands Booker put down 40 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and Buns to win the qualifier at the new home of the New York Mets.\r\n\r\nDespite the rainy weather, each of these men posted personal bests. In second place was Pat from Moonachie who ate 32 HDBs and in third was Nasty Nate who ate 25 HDBs. Yasir Salem had a good go until the very end when the levee broke.\r\n\r\nBadlands advances to July 4th. There's just one more regular season qualifier set to occur in Northern California on the 27th. There will also be a cops vs. firefighters event in Coney Island on the 27th, preceded by a grueling Bunnette Boot Camp."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4019","sn":695,"title":"World Rib Eating Championship Registration to Open Tuesday, June 23 12:00pm","createdAt":"2009-06-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Chinook Winds Casino Resort will once again host the World Rib Eating Championship at the 2009 Smokin' at the Ocean BBQ & Brewfest. The rib eating contest, scheduled for 3:00pm on Sunday, July 12th, will be part of a two-day festival (July 11 & 12) at the popular Lincon City, OR casino. This event has become an annual favorite among MLE gurgitators and this year promises to be no different. \r\n\r\nRegistration is set to open at IFOCE.com on Tuesday, June 23 at 12:00pm. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4017","sn":692,"title":"Jimmy John's Sandwich Makers Swamp MLE Eaters","createdAt":"2009-06-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Three Jimmy John's sandwich makers overwhelmed Pat Bertoletti, Hall Hunt and Gravy Brown of MLE, making 52 sanwiches in 10 minutes--only 30 of which were downed by the eaters.\r\n\r\nThe team representing Jimmy John's were never threatened by the eaters, seemingly proving that the freaky fast sandwich makers are beyond the reach of the world's top eaters.\r\n\r\nThe event, on Rennaissance Plaza at the GM headquarters in Detroit, unfolded under blue skies after a lightning storm ripped through the area overnight, complicating travel for Hall Hunt, who ended up driving from a nearby city after his flight was rerouted."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4016","sn":690,"title":"Nathan's Among 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live","createdAt":"2009-06-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Robert Tuchman, a die hard sports fan, recently authored a book titled \"100 Sporting Events You Must See Live.\" The Nathan's Famous International July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Championship is among these events -- ranked just below the Masters but well above the Australian Open.\r\n\r\nFor the Fourth, Tuchman provides the following tips:\r\n\r\nFor those who believe that a hot-dog can be eaten most successfully when\r\nyou inhale it like a vacuum cleaner, there is an upcoming sporting event\r\nthat will be sure to tickle your fancy. Every year, amidst the\r\ntraditional 4th of July celebrations (fireworks! cookouts!), there is a\r\ndifferent kind of event taking placing in Brooklyn: Nathan's Hot Dog\r\nEating Contest. \r\n \r\nRobert Tuchman, a crazed sports fan and successful entrepreneur,\r\ninspired by his love for both cookouts and sport, has insider tips for\r\nanyone attending the eating contest. Tuchman's recently published The\r\n100 Sporting Events You Must See Live ranks the top sporting events all\r\nover the world, with Nathan's Hot-Dog Eating Contest coming in at number\r\nseventy-three. \r\n \r\nWith the Fourth of July fast approaching, you should try to plan your\r\ntrip to the eating contest now as every year the event draws thousands\r\nto Coney Island. \r\n \r\nCompetitors vie for a chance to win the Nathan's Mustard Belt, a trophy,\r\ntwo cases of Nathan's Famous Hot-Dogs, and a gift from a sponsor. If\r\nyou plan on attending the eating contest, be ready to stand in line for\r\ntwenty to thirty minutes to get your very own Nathan's Hot-Dog. It is\r\ndefinitely worth the wait! \r\n \r\nNathan's is perfect for those looking for free things to do on the\r\nweekend. This may be the only free event among Tuchman's 100 Sporting\r\nEvents You Must See Live. For those on a tight budget, spending only a\r\nfew dollars on a fantastic hot-dog at a world-famous event is not too\r\nshabby! \r\n \r\nWhether you are coming from in or out of state, plan to get there early.\r\nIn past years there has been limited visibility outside of the front and\r\nmiddle rows. [In 2009 there will be a massive jumbotron to increase crowd enjoyment]\r\n \r\nIf you are, in fact, coming from out of state, there are plenty of\r\naccommodations that would be ideal for the weekend. The New York\r\nMarriot at the Brooklyn Bridge is ideal for business types and leisure\r\ntravelers. It is located right across the river into Manhattan.\r\nAnother great hotel is the Soho Grand-this is great for anyone looking\r\nto be lost in the aura of the fashion, industry, culture, and nightlife\r\nof Soho after a long day of hot-dog eating. \r\n \r\nThe contest is relatively short, so you will have plenty of time to explore Coney Island (don't forget the Coney Island Freak Show or the Brooklyn Cyclones games!) and Manhattan.\r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda402c","sn":691,"title":"Nathan's Famous July 4 Live Event Info","createdAt":"2009-06-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest will begin with eater introductions at 12 Noon on Saturday, July 4, 2009, at the company’s flagship restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, Brooklyn.\r\n\r\nThe event will feature 20 total eaters from around the world, and will pit two-time champion Joey Chestnut against six-time champion Takeru Kobayashi. Kobayashi lost to Chestnut last year in an exhilarating five-dog overtime, but recently beat Chestnut in a head-to-head title match in Los Angeles.\r\n\r\nIn the past two years, more than 20,000 fans have come to the free event, arriving as early as 10 am. For these fans, Nathan’s Famous produces a pre-show from 10 am to 12 Noon. Nathan’s Famous also has secured a jumbotron to increase visual access for fans in the back of the crowd.\r\n\r\nThis year, the pre-show will feature four acts by the Ringling Bros. circus and musical acts including rapper Badlands Booker, local singer-songwriter Amos Wengler and the soul-inspired band, Xclusive with Sonni Dey.\r\n\r\nIn addition, there will be a neat-eating contest for children, a high-flying trampoline act, and The Coney Island Strong Man Deth-Defying Act of Strength. Event organizers urge viewer discretion on the Deth-Defying Act of Strength and will literally have clergy present in case The Coney Island Strong Man dies.\r\n\r\nThose traveling to Coney Island by subway can take the D, F, N or Q to the Stillwell Avenue terminal. Those driving can take Exit 6, Cropsey Avenue, off the Belt Parkway and take Cropsey Avenue toward the south and the ocean, turning left at Surf Avenue.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4013","sn":688,"title":"Nathan's Charlotte, Nathan's Denver","createdAt":"2009-06-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"On June 13, there were two Nathan’s Famous qualifiers. The first was at the Concord Mills Mall in the Charlotte, NC metro area. It featured a trio of northeastern eaters including Nasty Nate Biller, Big Brian Subich and Wing Kong Collins.\r\n\r\nThere were also some Charlotte eaters including Pierre Abry, Derek Comford and Jeffrey Chapman. Georgia was represented by Super Paul Bonebreaker Bigmouth Barlow and South Carolina sent Richard “Low Country” Foley.\r\n\r\nA close match ensued but in the end Philly’s Wing Kong edged out New York’s Nasty Nate. The final result was Wing Kong in first place with 23 HDBs. Nasty Nate nearly forced an overtime, but was credited with 22.5 HDBs, and Big Brian took third with 20.\r\n\r\nLater in the day, the final Sam’s Club Qualifier took place in Denver. This was another close event with a much improved Pete Davekos downing 29 HDBs, his personal best, to take second behind Mongo Marquez who consumed 30 HDBs. Third place was a tie between Jimmy Mares and Brian Beard who both at 18.\r\n\r\nWith just three qualifiers left in the 2009 tour, Eater X Janus is the only man to post 50 HDBs in a 2009 Hot Dog Eating Contest. This is an incredible accomplishment yet it’s causing little buzz.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4014","sn":689,"title":"Reeves Rocks Rudolph ","createdAt":"2009-06-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Jim Reeves, the pride of Buffalo, snuck down to Harrod, Ohio and placed first in the Rudolph Foods World Pork Rind Eating Championship that took place on Saturday, June 13th. Gravy Brown was the odds on favorite going into the event, but the Chicagoan had his hopes of competing dashed when one of the wheels of his car literally fell off during his drive to the competition.\r\n \r\nReeves, who perhaps benefited from the absence of Gravy, downed an impressive 11.32 ounces of pork rinds in 8 minutes for the win. John Palmgren took second with 10 ounces even, and third went to newcomer Steve Stone who consumed 8.07 ounces. \r\n\r\nGravy Brown never made it to the event, instead he spent the day in the cab of a heavy tow truck, sipping a Slurpee and dreaming about the celebrity that will engulf him once “I’m A Major League Eater” airs on national television.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4012","sn":687,"title":"Nathan's Holds 'Bunnette Bootcamp'","createdAt":"2009-06-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"They are often overlooked at the annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, but their role is critical. Not only must the Bunnettes tally hundreds of hot dogs eaten at a dizzying speed, they must entertain the crowd and serve as ambassadors for the sport.\r\n\r\nTo ensure that the Bunnettes are equal to the task, Nathan’s Famous will run a Bunnette Bootcamp at its flagship restaurant in Coney Island on June 27 prior to its last regional qualifying contest for the Fourth of July event.\r\n\r\nVeteran Bunnette Laura Leu will lead the would-be eating contest boosters through a grueling set of challenges to determine the three candidates best suited to the job. Those Bunnettes who are chosen to be on stage on the Fourth of July will appear before tens of thousands of fans, and millions of television and ESPN viewers, in the traditional Nathan’s Famous cheerleader outfit.\r\n\r\n“It’s a gut check when you realize that you’re the one reporting the hot dog count to a horde of media and fans who have traveled thousands of miles to attend this event,” said Leu. “I don’t want to put my girls in that position unless they are prepared to handle the pressure.”\r\n\r\nLast year, Coney Island authorities stated that 40,000 fans crowded the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island to witness Joey Chestnut’s rematch with Takeru Kobayashi. Over one million households viewed the contest’s live telecast on ESPN. Chestnut, a San Jose resident, ate 59 hot dogs in the 10-minute contest and ended up in a tie with Japan’s Kobayashi. Overtime ensued, and in just 50 seconds Chestnut consumed an additional five hot dogs to secure his second Nathan’s Famous title.\r\n\r\nMen and women age 18 and older who would like to participate can email info@ifoce.com for information on the event on June 27, 2009 at 1310 Surf Avenue (Surf and Stillwell avenues) in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Nathan’s Famous and Major League Eating reserve the right to determine participants at their sole discretion.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4010","sn":686,"title":"Colusa Casino Resort to Host World Tri-Tip Eating Challenge","createdAt":"2009-06-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"On Sunday, June 28th, the first World Tri-Tip Eating Challenge will be held at Colusa Casino Resort in Colusa, CA. These tasty primal cuts of sirloin have been a longtime specialty at Colusa Casino Resort, keeping guests satisfied for years on end. The fuller flavor and lower fat content of the Tri-Tip have seen it gain popularity across the U.S. as well. Of course, Northern Californian's have known about this gem for decades and it's about time Major League Eaters test their skills with the beef.\r\n\r\n$1,377 in total prize money is on the line with the winner taking home $777--we are in a casino after all--in addition to the esteemed title of World Tri-Tip Eating Champion. \r\n\r\nRegistration is set to open on IFOCE.com at Noon est tomorrow, June 10th."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4015","sn":685,"title":"Decisive KC Win for Gravy Brown ","createdAt":"2009-06-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In the moment of victory Gravy Brown removed his shirt to reveal his bloated belly. It was, to say the least, unfortunate, the only blemish on a perfect June day.\r\n\r\nThe women in the audience, both young and old, accustomed the the lean bodies of midest working men, were visably repelled.\r\n\r\nBut Brown was driven to disregard common courtesy by a strong, 32-HDB win in Kansas City, MO. Jim Reeves, in second with 27.5, threatened Brown in the third minute, but thereafter fell behind.\r\n\r\nMarco Marquez place third with 27.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4011","sn":684,"title":"Sonya Dedicates Norfolk To Carson","createdAt":"2009-06-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas may be known as The Black Widow, but those who know her understand she is a genuine and sweet individual. Sonya is fierce competitor with a tender side, and, as she reports below, both characteristics will be on display Saturday at the Nathan’s contest in Norfolk.\r\n\r\n“I would like for everyone to know that I am dedicating my Norfolk Qualifier for Nathan's this Saturday at MacArthur Center to Carson \"Collard Green\" Hughes,” said Thomas. “Collard Green and I both started eating competitively with the IFOCE in 2003. It was always my pleasure to be in his company, and in my heart of hearts I thought of Collard Green as a brother. So this weekend’s performance is for my competitive eating brother, whose memory is always with me.”\r\n\r\nSonya is not alone in her affection for the late Collard Green. He was a spirited and friendly man, who smiled reflexively and ate with dignity. Sadly Carson Hughes, native Virginian, passed away in December of 2008.\r\n\r\nMajor League Eating, in honor of Sonya’s dedication, has announced that the first weekend of June will be “Collard Green Weekend.” Carson Hughes will be recognized with a moment of silence prior to each of the weekend’s three MLE events.\r\n\r\n“I found Carson to be a very kind, gentle person with an unquenchable desire to compete and win,” continued Thomas. “He never took anybody or anything for granted and he had the highest regard and dignity for his fellow competitors. His child-like enthusiasm for, and appreciation of, the sport of competitive eating was second to none.”\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda400d","sn":681,"title":"Road Report: Tempe","createdAt":"2009-05-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Seattle eating great Erik the Red Denmark walked away with the Arizona Nathan's Famous Qualifier yesterday by downing 28 HDBs in 10 minutes. He doubled the number of the second place finisher who ate 14 and goes by the name \"the big sexy.\"\r\n\r\nErik the Red advances to the Coney Island Classic."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda400e","sn":682,"title":"Kobayashi, Chestnut Mingle with Hollywood Glitterati","createdAt":"2009-05-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"World Pizza Hut P'zone-eating champion Takeru Kobayashi and arch rival Joey Chestnut partied with the stars at the SpikeTV Guys' Choice awards in LA.\r\n\r\nArmed with VIP all-access credentials courtesy Pizza Hut, the two eating legends sat upfront, only seats away from Michael Irvin, Rosario Dawson, Mickey Rourke, and director Judd Apatow, who received an award for his career of movies including Superbad.\r\n\r\nPresenting his award: McLovin.\r\n\r\nAccepting a comedy award for Sasha Baron Cohen was the fashionista, Bruno, who arrived on stage in sheer leopard underwear. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda400f","sn":683,"title":"Deep Dish is Calamari King","createdAt":"2009-05-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pat \"Deep Dish\" Bertoletti continued his torrid pace with his 5th win of the 2009 season after downing 6.625 pounds of fried calamari in 10 minutes at Mallie's Sports Grill Saturday afternoon. The mark set a record for the calamari discipline as this contest was the first officially sanctioned bout with the fried food.\r\n\r\nIn second w/6.3125 pounds was \"Humble\" Bob Shoudt. Sonya \"The Black Widow\" Thomas was a close third with 6.125 pounds and Crazy Legs Conti rounded out the money winners with 3.4375 pounds.\r\n\r\nThe energy was palpable inside the popular Southgate, MI sports bar as the World Calamari Eating Championship was part of the Guinness Burger Weekend festivities.\r\n\r\nFull results at www.ifoce.com/contests.php?action=detail&eventID=286\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda400b","sn":679,"title":"Sam's Club Tampa is All Hall","createdAt":"2009-05-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Hall Hunt took down 33 hot dogs to run away with the Nathan's Famous qualifier at the Sam's Club in Pinellas Park, Florida.\r\n\r\nHall ate at a steady space throughout the contest, and Fester, a local DJ and former Sam's Club employee, provided some color during Rich Shea's call. The event, absent of music, was almost serene. \r\n\r\nIn second place was Mierns Miernicki with 14.5 HDBs. In third was local legend Frank \"the Frank\" Chebetti.\r\n\r\nVideo available shortly."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda400c","sn":680,"title":"Kobayashi Back on Top at P'Zones","createdAt":"2009-05-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Takeru Kobayashi of Japan beat his arch-rival Joey Chestnut in the Pizza Hut P'Zone Chow-lenge by eating 5 3/4 P'Zones in the six-minute all-you-can-eat title match held during SpikeTV's Guys' Choice Awards at Sony Pictures Studios in Los Angeles.\r\n\r\nChestnut jumped ahead quickly, but Kobayshi fought back in the second minute and took the lead, maintaining it thereafter. Chestnut ended with 5 1/2 P'Zones and said that he never got into his rhythm during the contest.\r\n\r\nKobayashi and Chestnut walked down the red carpet with stars including Brad Pitt, Halle Barry and Dwayne Wade. The event will be broadcast on June 21 on the Guys' Choice Awards on SpikeTV. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4009","sn":678,"title":"Chesnut, Kobayashi Clash in Pizza Hut P'Zone Chow-lenge","createdAt":"2009-05-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"World hot dog-eating champion Joey Chestnut and arch-rival Takeru Kobayashi will face off on Saturday, May 30, 2009, in one of the greatest battle of their careers: The Pizza Hut P’Zone Chow-lenge.\r\n\r\nKobayashi, an eating phenom who shocked the world in 2001 by eating 50 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes, dominated the sport of eating for six years until he was toppled by Chestnut, an upstart rookie from San Jose, CA. Chestnut is now the number-one-ranked eater in the world with dozens of titles to his name, but he has never faced Kobayashi in the P’Zone discipline.\r\n\r\nThe Pizza Hut P’Zone Chow-lenge is a five-minute all-you-can-eat event focusing exclusively on the P’Zone, a one-pound pizza with abundant ingredients sealed inside a 12” crust. The event will place at the Sony Studios in Los Angeles and portions of the contest will be broadcast on the Spike TV Guys Choice awards in June."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4007","sn":677,"title":"Head-to-Head Clash of Eating Greats?","createdAt":"2009-05-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rumors are spreading that a clash of the titans, in the form of a head-to-head title match, will soon be announced. Speculation by fans has focused on Chestnut and Kobayashi, though no confirmation has been offered. These two eaters, along with other members of the elite world of eating, are now preparing for the annual Nathan's Famous contest. Could a title match occur in the next week or two, before the hot dog season swings into full gear? Fans of the Tsunami hope that this might offer Kobayashi a chance to even the score with his arch rival. But the food remains unknown."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4005","sn":676,"title":"Juliet Adds Clams to Her World Records","createdAt":"2009-05-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Juliet Lee won the Peter's Clam Bar cherrystone clam-eating world championship on Monday, Memorial Day, by downing 23 dozen clams. Tim Janus in second with 20 dozen and Wing Kong in third with 16 dozen."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4006","sn":674,"title":"Drama in Doswell","createdAt":"2009-05-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"With the Roddick and Federer of competitive eating going head to head, it was sure to be an intense Funnel Cake Eating Championship at King's Dominion in Doswell, VA. \r\n\r\nAfter regulation, it indeed came down to a tie. Both Joey Chestnut and Pat Bertoletti consumed a world record 5.9lbs of funnel cake. An eat off ensued and Joey downed 1.45lbs to Pat's 1.04lbs. Crown to Joey.\r\n\r\nIn third place was Bob Shoudt with 4.8lbs of cake eaten. He was followed by Hall Hunt who downed 3.8lbs of the theme park treat."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4008","sn":675,"title":"Juliet Beats U.S. and other Males","createdAt":"2009-05-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Juliet Lee won the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating contest that took place at the Beach Bar of the Trump Plaza Casino in Atlantic City today. \r\nThe fit, belly baring mother of two banged down 30.5 Nathan's Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes, electrifying a crowd of nearly 1,000 with a new one-bite stuff.\r\n\r\nIn second place was Pat Philbin with 26 HDBs, and in third was Allen Goldstein with 23. \r\n\r\nThe Beach Bar was packed for the event, with eating fans coming off the boardwalk and beach to kick off summer with the contest.\r\n\r\nTop-tier eaters at the table for this event. Steakbellie, Wild Bill, US Male, Double BB Seiken, Jim Reeves, Wing Kong and Pete Mierniki among others."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda400a","sn":673,"title":"Big Weekend On Tap","createdAt":"2009-05-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In NYC, and the fashion-minded world in general, it’s not cool to wear flip-flops unless it’s summer or you’re some poser named Kris fumbling with an acoustic guitar on the Santa Monica pier. That’s why it feels so good when Memorial Day weekend arrives and it’s suddenly okay to pop on the Havianas, pack a cooler and head to the shore. With the three day weekend nearly here, eating fans in the NY Metro area are gearing up for two great oceanside events that are just a quick train ride away.\r\n\r\nFist off, it's the Nathan’s Famous qualifier on Saturday in Atlantic City, an event that will take place at the Trump Plaza’s popular Beach Bar at 2pm. U.S. Male, Wing Kong and Steakbellie will try to fend off three eaters -- Juliet Lee, Pat Philbin and the Shredder -- who have proven, unlike the Wing Bowl trio, that they can eat north of 20 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in competition.\r\n\r\nOn Monday, the venerable Peter’s Clam Bar in Island Park, NY will play host to the first-ever officially sanctioned cherrystone clam eating contest. This event kicks off at 1pm on the seaside deck of Peter’s, which has operated for 70 straight summers, and a slate of top MLE talent is registered to compete. Sonya Thomas, fresh off her Acme Oyster win, will face Eater X, the man who just downed an incredible 50 hot dogs and buns on the East Hartford / Glastonbury Line. Crazy Legs, never one to overlook a free mollusk, will compete as will Beautiful Brian Seiken, the disputed pickle champ.\r\n\r\nBut wait, what about other areas? Oh, for that we have a funnel cake eating contest on Saturday that may just be the most exciting showdown of our still-young eating season. King’s Dominion, the popular theme park in Doswell, VA, will welcome Joey Chestnut, the number one ranked eater in the world, and Patrick Bertoletti, the number two ranked eater in the world. These men will go head to head in fierce battle and, with Bertoletti on a roll, the funnel cake title is truly up for grabs. Others who will be reaching for it include Badland’s Booker, Nasty Nate, Sonya Thomas, Hall Hunt, Russ Keeler and Mr. Humble.\r\n\r\nIn just one weekend, MLE will present three top-end events. For fans it means summer is finally here. For eaters it means there’s $7,500 in cash on the line along with a chance to compete at Nathan's on July 4 in the ESPN televised Coney Island Classic™.\r\n\r\nResults and other insight at this site and on twitter (@rpshea, @gschea)."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4004","sn":672,"title":"Mr. Humble W/38","createdAt":"2009-05-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Bob Shoudt, the vegetarian from Royersford, PA, won the Pennsylvania Nathan's Famous qualifier today by downing 38 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Russ Keeler placed second with 19.9, and in third was Wing Kong with 19.8. Steakbellie placed fourth with 17.\r\n\r\nThe event, which took place at Center Stage of Dorney Park, the incredibly clean and well-maintained 125-year-old amusement park in Allentown, PA, attracted a sizable crowd. The temperature hovered at just under 60 degrees, perfect eating weather. Humble Bob's win was never in question despite the effects of a brutal weekend of eating-related travel. He will grace the Coney Island stage once again. \r\n\r\nNext stop for Nathan's is Atlantic City: buckle up buttercup."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4003","sn":671,"title":"Eater X Downs 50!","createdAt":"2009-05-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"One hot dog for every state in the nation. One hot dog for every card in a deck. One hot dog for every way to leave your lover.\r\n\r\nEater X eats 50 HDBs at the Nathan's qualifier in Hartford, CT, earning a seat at the table on July 4 while matching the 2001 world-record-setting performance by Takeru Kobayashi -- but in 10 minutes instead of 12.\r\n\r\nX was on fire throughout the event and easily led the pack, which included Badlands Booker, who performed a new single for the standing-room-only crowd before eating 27.5 HDBs to place second. Russ Keeler took third with 19.5 HDBs."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fff","sn":669,"title":"Gordon Upsets at Nathan's in Mass","createdAt":"2009-05-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sean Gordon wins Patriot Place Nathan's match, downing 26 HDBs in 10 mins to edge out Pete Davekos and Shredder Goldstein, who tied for second with 23.\r\n\r\nRuss Keeler third with 15.5."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4002","sn":670,"title":"Gordon Upsets at Nathan's in Mass","createdAt":"2009-05-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sean Gordon wins Patriot Place Nathan's match, downing 26 HDBs in 10 mins to edge out Pete Davekos and Shredder Goldstein, who tied for second with 23.\r\n\r\nRuss Keeler third with 15.5."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4001","sn":668,"title":"Shredder Vs. Davekos","createdAt":"2009-05-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"It's too bad Pavoratti is not alive to witness tomorrow's Patriot Place Nathan's Famous showdown between Allen Goldstein and Pete Davekos. The famous tenor was a huge eating fan and this is exactly the type of match up he'd favor - one with geographical and Puccini-esque undertones, one that includes hot dogs.\r\n\r\nOn one side is the flavor of the week, Pete Davekos, a former bodybuilder who goes by the name Pretty Boy. Davekos is Bostonian, a Red Sox and Patriots fan. On the other side is Allen Goldstein, a protege of eating legend Cookie Jarvis and a massive hair metal fan who goes by the name Shredder. Goldstein is a Long Island boy, a Mets and Jets fan. Both eaters are evenly matched.\r\n\r\n\"Pats vs. Jets? I'll take the Pats. Sox vs. Mets? I'll take the Sox,\" said Bob Gilman, an MLE Fan from Hingham, MA. \"But Davekos vs. Goldstein? Well that's not as easy.\"\r\n\r\nDavekos needs the win and he will be eating on his own turf. Goldstein wants the win and he will bring a tough, blue collar sensibility to the contest. The Shredder doesn't bother with niceties, he doesn't pull punches. Call Goldstein what you will, just don't call him Pretty Boy.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPre- and post-game reports at www.twitter.com/rpshea"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ffc","sn":667,"title":"road Report: Las Vegas","createdAt":"2009-05-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The heat was a factor in Las Vegas as Rich \"The Locust\" LeFevre won his hometown Nathan's Famous qualifier with 26 HDBs in 10 minutes. Ron Koch, known as The Optic in eating circles, posted an impressive 21 HDBs for 2nd place, giving LeFevre a run for his money throughout the event until slipping in the final minute. \r\n\r\nJason Leeos, a virtual unknown, downed 14 for third, while Richard Wasserman ate 13 and placed fourth. \r\n\r\nIt was 98 degrees with unbroken sun in Las Vegas yet the crowd waited as the eaters mounted the stage. Both LeFvere and Koch withstood the heat, but they seemed less energetic than usual midway through the contest.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ffd","sn":666,"title":"The Optic, a Flashback","createdAt":"2009-05-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"{{With the Las Vegas Qualifier just an hour or so away, MLE wanted to look back at this story from December 2005}}\r\n\r\nTHE ROLE OF PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR IN COMPETITIVE EATING\r\n\r\nFor competitive eaters, flying debris entering the eye – a bit of buffalo wing, a granule of garlic salt, or the errant fragment of ground beef – can mean the difference between a win and a loss.\r\n\r\nGoggles protect the eyes from hazards such as wind and water, and they're also very effective in deflecting debris during an eating contest. As such they were once quite popular within the competitive eating community. Stan Libnitz wore aviator goggles to the 1933 Nathan’s Hot Dog Championship and they fast became a common accessory for competitive eaters of that era.\r\n\r\nTrends, by definition, come and go and the use of goggles has been almost non-existent of late. While Crazy Legs Conti wore a swim mask in the Popcorn Sarcophogus, the only gurigitator to wear goggles in recent competition has been The Optic, Ron Koch. \r\n\r\nThe Optic wore a pair of swim goggles to a few competitions in the summer of 2005. He is pictured here at the Nathan’s July 4th Event where he delivered an impressive performance. He has not worn goggles in recent contests and, while there is no conclusive evidence that food has entered Koch’s eyes, many believe the lack of protective eyewear may have cost him some close battles. \r\n\r\nOne thing is for sure: no one knows better than Koch that competitive eating is trench warfare and having a fraction of food enter the eye during a contest can be disastrous. \r\n\r\nWhile not directly related, it is rumored that Brian Subich is considering wearing a miner’s ‘bug’ light on his head while competing in 2006. Plate illumination is known to help eaters identify every morsel of foodstuff, which is critical in the debris category. But is this move more a tribute to the great men who, for decades, have mined coal in Subich’s home state of Pennsylvania?"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ffe","sn":665,"title":"Rudolph Foods and MLE Join Hands for Pork Rind Championship","createdAt":"2009-05-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The largest maker of pork rinds in the world is Rudolph Foods, and MLE is thrilled to announce that it’s working in concert with this group to produce a pork rind eating championship at the 20th Annual Pork Rind Heritage Festival, which will occur in Harrod, Ohio on June 13th. \r\n\r\n“Pork rinds are a great snack and truly an iconic American treat. The crunch and flavor they deliver will present a unique challenge to our brave eaters. A challenge that will be embraced,” said Richard Shea, president of Major League Eating. “We’re excited to visit Harrod for the first time and to crown the King or Queen of the Pork Rind with Rudolph Foods at this year’s Festival.”\r\n\r\nTiming of registration will be noon eastern at this site on May 6th. A VIP early registration time may be made available, for info follow www.twitter.com/rpshea \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ffb","sn":664,"title":"Legs Steps up in Biloxi","createdAt":"2009-05-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"A road report from Richard Shea informs us that Crazy Legs has won the first Nathan's Famous qualifier with 25 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, earning a seat the table on July 4 and securing a measure of fame in Biloxi, Mississippi. Following Legs was Ralph Frasca, a rookie who placed second with 14, and John Gerriish in third with 12.\r\n\r\nThere was a capacity crowd in the casino, with overflow to the pool, and Rich Shea continued unfazed when the sound system failed midway, calling the event to the back of the house with a volume Pavarotti (now dead, RIP) would envy."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ffa","sn":663,"title":"Twitter Pandemomium","createdAt":"2009-05-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"George Shea has caused an uproar on Twitter by offering (to his followers only) special fan access to the July 4 Nathan's Famous hot dog-eating contest, including a pair of passes to the VIP area alongside eater friends and family, the first-ever \"George Shea Judgeship,\" and an unprecedented fan introduction to the 20,000-plus fans live on stage.\r\n\r\nTwo lucky fans will watctch this event from the best seats in the house; one fan actually will serve as a judge, and, in an unprecedented move, one fan will be brought on stage and introduced to the live audience.\r\n\r\nShea, who is known as GCShea on Twitter, has created a community that can only be compared to the Colbert Nation, the loyal followers of the Colbert Report. Twitter was overwhelmed by traffic when Shea announced the fan news and reported a temporary slow down in service."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ff9","sn":662,"title":"Peter's Clam Bar Registration","createdAt":"2009-04-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Due to technical difficulties, MLE HQ was unable to post registration for the clam eating championship at noon today as scheduled.\r\n\r\nRegistration will occur at 2pm today, April 30.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ff8","sn":661,"title":"Niko Niko's Gyro Registration","createdAt":"2009-04-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Registration for Niko Niko's World Gryo-Eating Championship, to be held Houston, TX, on May 16, will open on Wendesday, April 29, 2009 at 3 pm Eastern (GMT:7:00) on IFOCE.com.\r\n\r\nLast year, Pat Bertoletti and Joey Chestnut finished one and two, and Bob Shoudt finished third."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ff6","sn":660,"title":"Road Report: West Palm","createdAt":"2009-04-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Hall 'elujah' Hunt wins Sweet Corn w/34 ears. LaRue placed 2nd and Conti took 3rd. \r\n\r\nMore info to follow or twitter @gcshea"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda4000","sn":659,"title":"Road Report: West Palm","createdAt":"2009-04-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Hall 'elujah' Hunt wins Sweet Corn w/33 ears. \r\n\r\nJammin Joe LaRue placed 2nd with 31 1/4.\r\n\r\nCrazy Legs Conti took 3rd with 29 1/2.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ff7","sn":658,"title":"Road Report: Stockton","createdAt":"2009-04-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut came onto the eating scene as a rookie at the deep fried asparagus contest and rocked the world with his victory. He's gone on to reach great heights, but today, his buddy, his homeboy, Patrick Bertoletti swooped in and took the Deep Fried Asparagus title from it's longtime owner.\r\n\r\nBertoletti won with 7 lbs 5.81 ozs. Chestnut in second with 7 lbs 2.81 ozs. Badlands \"keep away from the french fry cooker\" Booker took third place with 5 lbs even.\r\n\r\nRyan Nerz stage dove, the crowd didn't anticipate it.\r\n\r\nStay Hungry."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ff3","sn":656,"title":"Three MLE Events in Pipeline","createdAt":"2009-04-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The 2009 Major League Eating season has come out of the gate faster than Funny Cide and HQ is please to announce that three additional events today, all new, will soon open for registration.\r\n\r\nOn May 23 a funnel cake eating contest will occur at King’s Dominion in Doswell, VA. The event at Virginia’s premier themed amusement park will open for registration at noon on Tuesday, April 28th. As a reminder, April 28th is the day Jessica Alba and Penelope Cruz were born. \r\n\r\nOn May 30, a sanctioned calamari eating contest will occur at Mallie’s in Southgate, MI. This historic contest will open for registration at noon on Wednesday, April 29 in honor of Master P’s birthday (he turns 42 on 4/29/09).\r\n\r\nMLE is also pleased to open registration for our first clam eating contest at Peter’s Clam Bar in Island Park, NY. If you have what it takes to masticate a mountain of mollusk, register at this site at noon on Thursday, April 30th, which is the very day that Willie Nelson turns 76 years of age.\r\n\r\n“Whiskey River Don’t Run Dry”\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ff5","sn":657,"title":"Matthew Penniman Tops at UMASS","createdAt":"2009-04-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Matthew Penniman, a sophomore at UMAS, won the UMASS Nathan's Famous pre-season match on Wednesday, April 23, with 11 hot dogs and buns. Richard Shea siad the youngster had \"good teeth,\" and that he may well have what it takes to compete with the greats in years to come. \"The children are our future,\" he said."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ff2","sn":655,"title":"Black Widow Takes Acme Oyster Eating Match","createdAt":"2009-04-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas won the Acme Oyster-Eating Contest in New Orleans Saturday, consuming 29 dozens oysters in 10 minutes to beat a field of 15 professional and amateur eaters. Patrick Bertoletti ate 26 dozen oysters to place second while Eater X downed 22 dozen for third place.\r\n\r\nThe event, which featured the marriage of a couple from chicago and an oyster shucking contest in front of a crowd of 3,000, was the highlight of the French Quarter Fest."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ff1","sn":654,"title":"California's GrATE America","createdAt":"2009-04-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut won the first annual Funnel Cake Eating championship at California's Great America today by downing 5.44 pounds of the flavorful treat. \r\n\r\nIn second place was Pat Bertoletti with 4.78 pounds. Third place goes to Mr. Humble who ate 4.12 pounds. Erik the Red consumed 3.56 lbs for fourth, Double O Kevin took fifth with 2.82lbs, Nasty Nate took sixth with 2.63 lbs. Kirbs took seventh with 1.24 lbs, Jason Beals downed .97 lbs for eigth, Lily Pham took ninth with .61 lbs and Khoa Nguyen came in tenth with .33 lbs.\r\n\r\n\r\n\"It's been said before but it's worth saying, no one could ever dream a place like California\" Jay Farrar.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fee","sn":652,"title":"Nathan's Famous '09","createdAt":"2009-04-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The sign-up process for the 2009 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit is set to begin in one hour, 12PM EST, at www.nathansfamous.com.\r\n\r\nEverybody at MLE is excited, once again, to begin the journey toward the Coney Island Classic. There are some new host cities this year, Tampa, Denver and Biloxi among them, and a new prize structure for the qualifiers. \r\n\r\nAs always, Nathan's Famous will provide the winner of each qualifier with a handsome trophy and an all expense paid trip to New York City where they can compete on July 4. This year, the sponsor is also giving the champion of each qualifier a $100 check. This cash prize takes the place of the free hot dogs that were given in circuit's past. Cash is a great gift, so versatile.\r\n\r\nMLE looks forward to seeing the 2009 match-ups and wishes everyone the best of luck."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fef","sn":653,"title":"Nathan's Registration","createdAt":"2009-04-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Nathan's site now accepting a third option.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fec","sn":651,"title":"Jimmy Fallon in Boater?","createdAt":"2009-04-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Five Major League Eaters are set to appear on NBC’s Late Night With Jimmy Fallon this evening. Also appearing are Lauren Graham, Judah Friedlander and the Cold War Kids.\r\n\r\nMLE encourages all fans to tune in and, since it's Friday, go ahead and Twitter the damn thing. \r\n\r\nRegistration for the Nathan’s Famous circuit begins at noon on Monday, April 6th so get some rest.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ff4","sn":650,"title":"Nathan's Famous Announces 2009 Circuit","createdAt":"2009-03-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Nathan’s Famous, Inc. has announced that its annual July Fourth International Hot Dog Eating Contest will return for the 94th year at the company’s flagship store in Coney Island on July 4, 2009. \r\n\r\nToday, Nathan’s Famous unveiled a list of cities throughout the United States that will play host to official qualifying events. The champions of each qualifier will compete at the original Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island on July Fourth.\r\n\r\n“Each July Fourth I am thrilled as an enormous crowd gathers in front of the original Nathan’s Famous,” said Wayne Norbitz, President and COO of Nathan’s Famous, Inc. “We value our association with this great American holiday and I appreciate the fans, who come from around the world to witness the spectacle first hand while millions more watch on ESPN.”\r\n\r\nLast year, Coney Island authorities stated that 40,000 fans crowded the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island to witness Joey Chestnut’s rematch with Takeru Kobayashi. Over one million households tuned in to the contest’s live telecast on ESPN. Chestnut, a San Jose resident, ate 59 hot dogs in the ten-minute contest and ended up in a tie with Japan’s Kobayashi. Overtime ensued, and in just 50 seconds Chestnut completed an additional five hot dogs to secure his second Nathan’s Famous title.\r\n\r\nThe official 2009 Nathan’s Famous hot dog-eating circuit begins on May 2nd in Biloxi, MS. Other cities on the tour include Las Vegas, NV (May 7),Boston, MA (May 9), Hartford, CT (May 16), Allentown, PA (May 17), Atlantic City, NJ (May 23), Tempe, AZ (May 30), Tampa, FL (May 30), Norfolk, VA (June 6), Kansas City, MO (June 6), Minneapolis, MN (June 6), Charlotte, NC (June 13), Denver, CO (June 13), Queens, NY (June 20), Atlanta, GA (June 27), and San Francisco, CA (June 27). Qualifiers are open to those 18 years of age and older and applications will be taken online at www.nathansfamous.com beginning at noon on Monday, April 6, 2009.\r\n\r\nThe winner of each qualifying round will receive the right to compete in the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest which, according to archives, has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant.\r\n\r\nIt’s become a tradition for Nathan’s Famous to donate to hunger relief organizations on July Fourth, and, as it has in the past, the company plans to give 100,000 hot dogs to the Food Bank for New York City in a ceremony prior to the 2009 contest. \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fed","sn":649,"title":"Bertoletti Wins Stroehmann Sandwich Slamm","createdAt":"2009-03-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"St. Patrick Bertoletti, the Irish Italian American kid from Chicago, won today's Stroehmann Sandwich Slamm, corned beef on rye, eating championship by downing 16 3/4 sandwiches in 10 minutes. Bertoletti took home $5,000 along with the title.\r\n\r\nIn second place with 15 1/2 Stroehmann Rye Bread with Corned Beef sandwiches was Joey Chestnut who secured $2,500. In all, $10,000 was given out to competitors in the contest, a veritable who is who in Major League Eating. \r\n\r\nThird place went to Bob Shoudt (13 sandwiches); fourth place went to Eater X (12 1/2 sandwiches); fifth place to Hall Hunt (11.25 sandwiches); sixth place went to Juliet Lee (10 3/4 sandwiches); seventh place a tie with Pat Philbin and Crazy Legs each eating 7 1/2 sandwiches; ninth place to Mike Stringer (6 sandwiches), and tenth place to Beautiful Brian who downed 5 and one half.\r\n\r\nBadlands Booker rapped but didn't eat. Also in attendance was Nasty Nate who mistook one of Philbin's buddies for Dog the Bounty Hunter. Dog was not in attendance but it's apparent that it's more than rumor that Gabe Kaplan was up in the joint.\r\n\r\nHappy St. Patrick's Day from Stroehmanns and Major League Eating. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ff0","sn":648,"title":"Male Man Delivers","createdAt":"2009-02-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"According to Steakbellie, a fellow Philly-based eater, U.S. Male dies his blood green when donating in the hopes of influencing the recipient’s choice of football teams: The Eagles. While the Eagles aren’t the most dominant team of the decade and U.S. Male is no Chestnut, both show a working class approach to their sports that’s as unique to Philadelphia as the cheeseburger. \r\n\r\nMajor League Eating had a chance to catch up with U.S. Male on the heels of his stunning win at the Fat Tuesday Crawfish Championship in Atlantic City. \r\n\r\nMLE – The Eagles choked against Arizona huh? \r\n\r\nUSM – That they did, Andy Reid’s gotta go. \r\n\r\nMLE – He looks to be a big eater though. \r\n\r\nUSM – Yeah, you don’t wanna get between him and a WaWa hoagie. \r\n\r\nMLE – So you kicked some serious ass down in A.C. recently. The upset of the year may have come on the first contest of the year. What was it about crawfish that enabled you to beat the likes of Sonya, Juliet and X? \r\n\r\nUSM –I may not have their capacity, but my hand speed and technique were just a bit better that day. I sat for this contest to assure my mouth was as close to the food as possible and never touched the water because as we know, every second counts. I also ate crawfish every day leading up to the event. \r\n \r\nMLE – How did you feel after the contest? What did you do? \r\n\r\nUSM – I felt like I just had an appetizer. Afterwards in the House of Blues we had some frosty beverages & desserts and then later on I had some pizza & a turkey hoagie. \r\n\r\nMLE – You were dedicated to the sport in ’08. Your Krystal participation in particular showed a high level of commitment. What will be your focus – circuit wise – in 2009? \r\n\r\nUSM – My focus is to improve on every food discipline I did in '08 and to try some new ones. The overall goal is always to be on the big stage July 4th so I will work hard to get there. \r\n\r\nMLE – You grew up in Voorhees in the 1980’s? Did you know a kid named Hugh Magee? \r\n\r\nUSM – No, I grew up in Northeast Philadelphia and Cherry Hill. \r\n\r\nMLE – Oh. Did you know a kid named Chris Lee from Cherry Hill? He called himself King Lee.\r\n\r\nUSM – No.\r\n\r\nMLE – What athletics did you do in high school? \r\n\r\nUSM – I played soccer and trained in the martial arts after school. \r\n\r\nMLE – Your love for the Eagles is well documented, are you also a Phillies fan? \r\n\r\nUSM – Eagles and Phillies season ticket holder. Love the Flyers and 76ers too. \r\n\r\nMLE – Do you think any players on the legendary ’93 Phils team juiced? Dutch Dalton, Dykstra, those guys? \r\n\r\nUSM – Absolutely, Dykstra for sure. Half the team bulked up prior to that great season. Two words: Mickey Morandini.\r\n\r\nMLE – Remember Inkie, Pete Incaviglia? \r\n\r\nUSM – He was one of the fan favorites and a big guy with some serious power and a killer mullet. \r\n\r\nMLE – They say new presidents have a post-election capital that they must spend during their first days in office. There’s lots of buzz surrounding your win at the first MLE contest of the 2009 season. How will this change your approach to the next few weeks, your next few contests? \r\n\r\nUSM – It won't change my approach at all. I have a steady desire to do the best I can while keeping my area free of detritus. \r\n \r\nMLE – What would you do if Beautiful Brian changed his name to U.S. Mail, using \"mail\" instead of \"male?\"\r\n \r\nUSM – Brian is a fellow postal employee who loves my eating name so I know he would never copy the idea this late in his career. Using “mail” is ridiculous because it represents paper. \r\n\r\nMLE – What about Wild Bill?\r\n\r\nUSM – What about Wild Bill?\r\n\r\nMLE – Fair enough."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3feb","sn":647,"title":"US Male Takes HOB Crawfish Match","createdAt":"2009-02-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"An upset at the Showboat Crawfish Smackdown in AC as US Male beats Humble Bod, Sonya Thomas and Badlands Booker to take the House of Blues Mardi Gras event.\r\n\r\nUS Male downed 4.99 pounds, a significant margin over Sonya Thomas, who placed second with 4.14 pounds. Badlands Booker took third with 3.88 pounds; Humble Bob Shoudt took fourth with 2.83, and Crazy Legs Conti placed fifth with 2.44."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fe8","sn":646,"title":"H.O.B. Crawfish Registration","createdAt":"2009-02-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Registration for the February 24th House of Blues Showboat Casino Fat Tuesday Crawfish Eating Championship will take place on this site at 2pm EST on Thursday, Feb 5, 2009."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fe7","sn":645,"title":"A Rugged Off Season Nears End","createdAt":"2009-01-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"It's been three months since Major League Eating has held an open, officially sanctioned eating contest. In this time the nation’s largest financial institutions have crumbled, our big three automakers have fallen desperately ill, an NFL team with a 9 and 7 record has made the Super Bowl, and Jessica Simpson has been photographed filling out jeans that are alarmingly similar to those favored by former eater Dale Boone. \r\n\r\nThis is scary stuff. What lies ahead? Well, Major League Eating doesn’t want to find out. We feel it’s time to right this ship we call America and the only way to do this is to kick off another year of gustatory excitement. So begin we will.\r\n\r\nMLE is pleased to announce that on February 24th the off-season will come to an official end with the first-ever House of Blues Fat Tuesday Crawfish Eating Championship at the Showboat Casino in Atlantic City. The League is also prepping a St. Patrick’s Day event in New York City, the Stroehmann’s Rye and Corned Beef Sandwich eating contest, which is set to occur on March 16th. \r\n\r\nAs always, April will heat up with MLE stops in Stockton, CA, New Orleans, Myrtle Beach and West Palm. New this year is a Funnel Cake Eating Championship at California’s Great America. It will occur in Santa Clara, CA on April 11th.\r\n\r\nThese and other events will soon be open for registration. Keep an eye on this site for details and other breaking news. And do yourself a favor, Google “Bacon Explosion,” it’s perhaps the greatest Super Bowl snack ever conceived.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fe9","sn":644,"title":"Gravy Brown Delivers with \"Santa's Slay\"","createdAt":"2008-12-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"I am well aware of the gustatory greatness displayed by Chicago-based Gravy Brown, but I never knew he had musical talent. I now find myself blessed by this young performer. \r\n\r\nI arrived to the office today to find a comp’d copy of Santa’s Slay, Gravy’s freshman effort. The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen and even Nerfherder succumbed to the make-a-quick-buck appeal associated with issuing a Christmas track. But unlike these artists, who waited until they’d received a high level of commercial success before covering holiday songs, Gravy sold out on day one. The result is incredibly refreshing. \r\n\r\nThis non-singer/non-songwriter is rocking my holiday with a timbre that recalls such harmonic heavies as Bing Crosby and John Tesh. What places Gravy on the level of these great men is his authentic voice. \r\n\r\nIt is clear that Gravy’s artistic vision was developed in a boundless environment, one of mixed cultures and hurried cuisine. When listening to “O Little Town of Bethlehem” I felt as if I were in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on an afternoon bender. Am I still at the dive bar sipping V.O. or have I entered a Walgreen’s in a confused effort to buy a fresh pack of smokes?\r\n\r\nSpending summers in the small tourist town of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, Gravy says he taught himself guitar while watching - over and over - Repo Man and the English comedy Withnail and I. The result is a musician who can’t strum a cord, but reveals the influences of many, from Nat King Cole all the way to Suicidal Tendencies and then back to Berlin. \r\n\r\nSanta’s Slay is Gravy’s first recording for Gravy Brown Productions. The album starts with “Go Tell It On The Mountain” and ends with “Jolly Old Saint Nick.” Two bonus tracks (\"Take My Breath Away\" and \"My Heart Will Go On\") are added to the CD, but while many bonus tracks feel like extra stuffing that needed a place to land, these two are a lovingly placed bead of mashed potatoes. It’s as if they are here to answer the obvious question of Gravy’s listener – is this guy truly sincere? The answer is YES. The singer's range is incredible, his sound as innocent and powerful as Beautiful Brian’s, his message candid and upfront. \r\n\r\nWith Santa's Slay, Gravy Brown joins Brett Dennen and Conor Oberst to round out a trio of our time’s most creepy, honest and talented musicians. \r\n\r\n- Akwafresh\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fe5","sn":642,"title":"Koby Falls Short -- Black Widow's Record Stands","createdAt":"2008-12-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Takeru Kobayashi ate an impressive four pounds, eight ounces of fruitcake on Thursday, December 26, in New York City, as part of a charitable initiative by Major League Eating on behalf of the Food Bank for New York City.\r\n\r\nKobayashi failed to break Sonya Thomas' record of four pounds, 14 ounces, that has stood since 2001. Some attributed it to the density of the fruitcake he faced, which was compared to \"moist modeling clay.\" However, nearly all fruitcake is dense, and fans who were present in 2001 said the Black Widow's fruitcake was dense and heavy as well.\r\n\r\nKobayashi seemed to struggle with the cake early on, and adjusted his strategy at the six-minute mark, breaking the cake into bits with his hands before eating it. His pace improved thereafter, but he was unable to make up the deficit he had created.\r\n\r\nMLE held the event to help raise awareness of the crisis faced by food banks across the nation in the current economic environment. With its members, clients and fans, MLE is seeking to raise funds for the Food Bank For New York City, the major provider of food to New Yorkers in need. \r\n\r\nMLE, which has raised tens of thousands of dollars for food-related charities, has formally requested its members to donate to the Food Bank by logging on to www.foodbanknyc.org and to consume any and all fruitcake they come across in the holiday season. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fe6","sn":643,"title":"Collard Green Dies","createdAt":"2008-12-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Collard Green, a bitter vegetable-eating specialist from Newport News, Virginia, whose given name was William Carson Hughes, Sr., died on Friday, December 26, 2008. He was 49 years old.\r\n\r\nCollard Green, a jovial and energetic person, was beloved by those who knew him. He was known for his positive outlook and his love for his family. He ate in collard green contests, and competed in the Natahn's Famous hot dog-eating circuit.\r\n\r\nA technician at National Welding, Collard Green is survived by his wife, Tereasa, and his four children: Jessica, Carson, Jr., Clayton and Amanda. Hehad four grandchildren: Dallas, Jacquie, Paris and Jacob.\r\n\r\nMLE Chairman George Shea said: \"To me, Carson was a virtuoso, unchalleneged in his ability to consume bitter greens. To watch him eat was to watch Picasso paint. To all of us -- eaters, fans, family and friends -- he was a truly decent and open-hearted person who will be remembered long into the future simply as \"Collard Green.\""}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fe4","sn":641,"title":"Kobayashi Seeks to Consume All Leftover Fruitcake","createdAt":"2008-12-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"EATING PHENOM TAKERU KOBAYASHI\r\nSEEKS TO EAT ALL LEFTOVER HOLIDAY FRUITCAKE\r\n\r\nEffort Highlights Major League Eating’s Holiday Food Bank Giving Initiative\r\n------------------------\r\n\r\nTakeru Kobayashi will attempt to break the fruitcake-eating world record, seeking to consume all fruitcake leftover from the holidays as part of a charitable initiative by Major League Eating on behalf of the Food Bank For New York City on Friday, December 26, 2008 at 11 am in Manhattan. \r\n\r\nMLE will help to raise awareness of the crisis faced by food banks across the nation in the current economic environment. With its members, clients and fans, MLE also will seek to raise funds for the Food Bank For New York City, the major provider of food to New Yorkers in need. \r\n\r\n“Fruitcake is given, and re-given, during the holiday, but it is very rarely eaten,” said MLE president Richard Shea. “We consider it a public service to rid the nation of fruitcake build-up and to make way for other food donations that will benefit the increasing number of hungry families in our nation.”\r\n\r\nMLE, which has raised tens of thousands of dollars for food-related charities, has formally requested its members to donate to the Food Bank by logging on to www.foodbanknyc.org and to consume any and all fruitcake they come across in the holiday season. And donations will be tripled by Robin Hood! Donations up to a total of $1 million will be matched 2-to-1! (Thankfully, we can’t say the same for the fruitcake!) \r\n\r\nKobayashi – who holds records in noodles, rice and cow brains -- will perform a sanctioned fruitcake-eating demonstration in an attempt to beat the current record of four pounds 14 ¼ ounces in 10 minutes as set by Sonya Thomas in 2001.\r\n\r\nKobayashi earned his fame by winning the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest six years in a row before being dethroned by Joey Chestnut of San Jose, California.\r\n\r\n###\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fe1","sn":640,"title":"P Bert Ends MLE Season with Big Apple Pizza World Record","createdAt":"2008-11-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The two top-ranked major league eaters in the world, Joey Chestnut and Pat \"P Bert\" Bertoletti, have traded pizza-eating blows in an exhilarating close to the 2007-2008 MLE season. \r\n\r\nChestnut shut down P Bert on Columbus Day in Times Square, downing 45 slices for the new world record. But The Artist Currently Known As Deep Dish has had the last word going into the offseason, breaking Chestnut’s record by dropping 47 slices at the Battle at the Big Apple World Pizza Eating Championship in Fort Pierce, Florida.\r\n\r\nDescribed alternately as a “blood bath” and a delightful display of culinary athletics, Bertoletti took an early lead on Florida’s best-ever competitive eater, Hall “Hoover” Hunt, and he never looked back. Hunt finished with 32, followed by “Nasty” Nate Biller with 19.5, and John “Get in my Belly” Bello with 18.\r\n\r\nThe event was organized by the Van Duzer Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Big Apple owner Scott Van Duzer that aims to help eliminate hunger on the Treasure Coast. The contest, held in conjunction with local Boy Scout troops, was attended by 1,500 people and helped raise over 50 pounds of food donations. \r\n\r\nBoth Bertoletti and Hunt contributed canned foods to the event.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fea","sn":639,"title":"Baked Bean Blowout with a Haggis Under Card","createdAt":"2008-10-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"MLE Sanctioned two record attempts on Philadelphia's WMMR (the station that reaches the beaches and rocks the shore) early this morning. The attempts were made by the Drexel Hill duo of Steakbellie and Wing Kong, two very likeable guys who exhibit an alarming reluctance to grow old.\r\n\r\nKicking off the afair was Steakbellie. Fully clad in kilt and an Eagles branded sporran, the noted daddy blogger dove shamelessly into what's reported to have been some rather pungent haggis. After the eight allotted minutes of eating time, Steakbellie had consumed 3 pounds.\r\n\r\nNext came Wing Kong who was dressed more for a visit to WaWa then any tribal affair. When it was his turn, Kong put down the Tastie Cake he was nibbling and dove into 84 ounces of baked beans, which he consumed in just 58 seconds to blow away the old record. \r\n\r\nHistory was made in Philadelphia, the former home of Nicky Scarfo, Jr., and a city now rooting for it's beloved Phillies who are in the NLCS for the first time since 1993."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fe3","sn":638,"title":"\"I.M. Fletcher You Choose\"","createdAt":"2008-10-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Crazy Legs Conti, one-time french cut Green Bean Eating champ of the world and current Lumberjack Breakfast Eating champ of the world, entered the Netflix Movie Watching Arena at noon on Thursday, October 2nd. \r\n\r\nIn the heart of Times Square Conti sat in a plexiglass arena. He watched Iron Man and moved on to numerous other movies, Alien and Braveheart among them, sitting side-by-side with the greatest movie watchers in the world. Suresh Joachim of Sri Lankan descent, Claudia Wavra of Germany, a guy named Jerry from Staten Island.\r\n\r\nCrazy Legs was among eight. Two failed before him. He hung tough. His goal? To make it to Fletch. He made it to Fletch some 32 hours into the Netflix Marathon before suffering a terrible nod of the head. Conti hadn't fallen asleep, but he had taken his eyes off the screen. That my friends is as bad as a NARF.\r\n\r\nJohn Coqtostin has left Times Square. He's left a better man. He does, however, need some ball bearings and some two-in-one oil.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n*The Netflix Movie Watching World Championship is taking place on Times Square's Military Island, the exact location of the Columbus Day Famous Famiglia Pizza Eating Championship."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fe2","sn":637,"title":"Joey Wins KSO V","createdAt":"2008-09-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"CHATTANOOGA, TENN. - American eating sensation Joey Chestnut retained his hamburger eating title today at the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship in Chattanooga, Tenn. The 24-year-old from San Jose, Calif. downed 93 Krystal hamburgers in eight minutes, ten shy of his world record mark set at last year's championship.\r\n\r\n\r\nBilled as the highly anticipated rematch between Chestnut, the No.1-ranked eater in the world, and Japan's speed-eating legend Takeru Kobayashi, the contest quickly became a one-man show as Chestnut jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as a crowd of 10,000 cheered him on in downtown Chattanooga. \r\n\r\n\r\nKobayashi, a three-time Krystal Square Off winner who missed last year's championship due to a jaw injury, finished in a disappointing third place, eating just 84 Krystals, 13 less than he ate when he won Krystal Square Off III in 2006. Twenty-three-year-old rising star Patrick \"Deep Dish\" Bertoletti was the second-place spoiler, out-eating Kobayashi by just one Krystal.\r\n\r\n\r\n\"Chestnut's win today at Krystal Square Off V proves once again that he is competitive eating's new superstar and the undisputed number one ranked eater in the world,\" said Brad Wahl, vice president of marketing, The Krystal Company. \r\n\r\n\r\nChestnut pockets $20,000 for his win, along with the coveted Krystal Square Off Champion's Belt and Trophy made out of crystal. Bertoletti earns $10,00 for his second place finish while Kobayashi takes away $5,000. The remaining top eleven finalists receive payouts ranging from $3,000 to $500. The $50,000 total cash purse is the largest in competitive eating history.\r\n\r\n\r\nPresented by The Krystal Company and featuring the iconic fresh, hot, small, square Krystal hamburger, the Krystal Square Off is one of the two majors in the sport of competitive eating and the only world hamburger eating championship sanctioned by Major League Eating.\r\n\r\n\r\n\"There are precious few moments in professional sports when you can watch as a competitor affirms his place in the history books. With this win today, Joey Chestnut just said to the world: I am Krystal King hear me growl,\" said Richard Shea, president of Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sports. \"In today's economy anybody can be negatively impacted by unforeseen circumstances. Kobayashi is feeling that impact, but if I know him he'll be back.\"\r\n\r\n\r\nToday's victory was Chestnut's first win over Kobayashi in a Krystal-eating contest, and further cements his dominance over the 30-year-old Japanese eating star. Kobayashi is responsible for first bringing the sport of competitive eating into the American mainstream more than seven years ago, only to see his star fall lately after several high-profile losses.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe official results are as follows:\r\n\r\n\r\n1. Joey \"Jaws\" Chestnut, San Jose, Calif. (93 Krystals)\r\n2. Pat \"Deep Dish\" Bertoletti, Chicago, IL., (85 Krystals)\r\n3. Takeru Kobayashi, Tokyo, Japan, (84 Krystals)\r\n4. \"Humble\" Bob Shoudt, Philadelphia, Pa. (76 Krystals)\r\n5. Tim \"Eater X\" Janus, New York, N.Y. (64 Krystals)\r\n6. Hall \"Hoover\" Hunt, Jacksonville, Fla. (63 Krystals)\r\n7. Juliet \"The Lovely\" Lee, Germantown, Md. (55 Krystals)\r\n8. Crazy Legs Conti, New York, NY. (49 Krystals)\r\n9. Rich \"The Locust\" LeFevre, Henderson, Nev. (47 Krystals)\r\n10. Juris \"Dr. Bigtime\" Shibayama, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (43 Krystals)\r\n11. Eric \"Badlands\" Booker, Long Island, N.Y. (41 Krystals)\r\n12. Kyle \"12th Eater\" Brogdon, Hixson, Tenn (10 Krystals)\r\n\r\n\r\nWhile this is just the fifth year of the Krystal Square Off, Krystal has been hosting eating contests ever since it first opened its doors in 1932. Indeed, Krystal's second customer, Roy Ward, claimed he could eat twice as many Krystals as French Jenkins, the chain's first customer. He did just that by eating 12 Krystals, and according to legend invented the famous Krystal Sackful in the process. The years have passed, but Krystal Lovers have never stopped challenging each other to Krystal Eating Contests. This longstanding tradition became official in 2004 with the first Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship.\r\n\r\n\r\nTHE KRYSTAL COMPANY\r\n\r\n\r\nFounded in 1932, Krystal restaurants have become more than sparkling-clean eateries where friendly employees serve up fresh, delicious food. Krystal has become a cultural icon and an experience that virtually every man, woman and child in the South has shared. Nearly everyone in the region has a Krystal memory. The Krystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the South and the second oldest in the United States. The Chattanooga, Tenn.-based company currently has nearly 400 restaurants in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. For more information, visit www.krystal.com.\r\n\r\n\r\n###\r\n "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fdc","sn":635,"title":"Tamales to Van Dam","createdAt":"2008-09-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Patrick Vandam won't the tamales contest in Lewisville TX by eating 44. Second place went to Gravy Sinclaire w/41 and Erik The Red took 3rd with 34.5. \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fdf","sn":636,"title":"Davekos Takes b.good","createdAt":"2008-09-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pretty Boy Pete Davekos consumed 7lbs of Garlicky Greens (sauteed spinach) at the b.good celebration in Harvard Square today. The feat earned him first place. \r\n\r\nIn second place was Mike Springer with 5+ pounds and in third place was the previous Garlicky Greens champ and b.good family member Betsey's Boy.\r\n\r\nThe event took place outside in the pouring rain but the weather did not impact the crowd's excitement or Pete's record performance.\r\n\r\nAll eyes on Chatty."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fe0","sn":634,"title":"KSO V, Live on FSN South ","createdAt":"2008-09-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"FSN South To Televise 2008 Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship Live On Sunday, Sept. 28 at 2:00 p.m. EST\r\n\r\nWorld's Top Competitive Eaters, Including Joey Chestnut and Takeru \r\nKobayashi, to Square Off for $50,000 Cash Purse at the Krystal Square \r\nOff V World Hamburger Eating Championship\r\n\r\nCHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - American competitive eating phenom Joey Chestnut, \r\nJapan's legendary gurgitator Takeru Kobayashi and nine other masters \r\nof mastication will battle live on FSN South for the top burger title \r\nand a $50,000 cash purse this Sunday, Sept. 28 at the Krystal Square \r\nOff V World Hamburger Eating Championship in Chattanooga, Tenn.\r\n\r\nFSN South will air a live, 60-minute special on Krystal Square Off V, \r\nincluding the championship event, starting at 2 p.m. EST.\r\n\r\nNow in its fifth year, the Krystal Square Off is one of the two majors \r\nin the sport of competitive eating and the only world hamburger eating \r\nchampionship sanctioned by Major League Eating, the official governing \r\nbody of all stomach-centric sports. An eight-minute eating contest, \r\nKrystal Square Off V is presented by the fast food icon Krystal and \r\nfeatures the famous, fresh, hot, small, square Krystal Hamburger.\r\n\r\n“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Krystal Square Off V televised \r\nthis year for the first time on FSN South,” said Brad Wahl, vice \r\npresident of marketing, The Krystal Company. “FSN South is the leading \r\nsports network in the South, and together, we’re committed to \r\nproviding eating fans the best coverage possible of this year's ‘must \r\nsee’ rematch between Chestnut and Kobayashi.”\r\n\r\nAt Krystal Square Off V, a showdown of epic proportions is set to take \r\nplace as the 2007 champion Joey Chestnut (ranked No. 1 in the world) \r\nwill defend his title against three-time Krystal Square Off Champion \r\nTakeru Kobayashi. Last year at Krystal Square Off IV, Joey Chestnut \r\nshocked the competitive eating world and a live audience of 10,000 by \r\neating 103 Krystals in eight minutes, shattering Takeru Kobayashi’s \r\nprevious world record mark of 97 set in 2006.\r\n\r\nDue to a debilitating jaw injury, Kobayashi did not compete in last \r\nyear’s final. With Kobayashi hoping to reclaim his title from \r\nChestnut, this year’s showdown is the most hotly anticipated event in \r\ncompetitive eating and thousands of spectators from across the U.S. \r\nand as far away as Japan are expected to witness Krystal Square Off V \r\nin person.\r\n\r\nThis year's winner will walk with $20,000 and the coveted Krystal \r\nSquare Off Champion's Belt and Trophy made out of crystal. The runner- \r\nup and third place finisher will each take home $10,000 and $5,000, \r\nrespectively, and the remaining finalists will receive payouts ranging \r\nfrom $3,000 to $500.\r\n\r\nWhile Chestnut received an automatic seat at this year's final table \r\nas the defending champ, the ten other finalists, including Kobayashi, \r\nhad to battle it out during a seven-city qualifying circuit in which \r\nthe winner in each city won a spot at the finals and the rest fought \r\nfor three wild card seats. Kobayashi posted the top qualifying number \r\nthis year, easily winning the Birmingham qualifier last Saturday by \r\ndevouring 89 Krystals in eight-minutes. His mark betters Chestnut's \r\nall-time qualifier record of 87 Krystals set at the trials in \r\nTuscaloosa last year.\r\n\r\nThe 11 finalists for Krystal Square Off V (Finalist - Hometown - No. \r\nof Krystals Eaten in Qualifier):\r\n\r\nJoey \"Jaws\" Chestnut, San Jose, Calif. (Automatic seat as defending \r\nchamp)\r\nTakeru Kobayashi, Tokyo, Japan (89 Krystals in Birmingham, Ala.)\r\nPat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, Chicago, Ill. (66 Krystals in Atlanta)\r\nTim “Eater X” Janus, New York, N.Y. (63 Krystals in Knoxville)\r\nHall \"Hoover\" Hunt, Jacksonville, Fla. (60 Krystals in Jacksonville)\r\n“Humble” Bob Shoudt, Philadelphia, Pa. (58 Krystals in Chattanooga)\r\nRich “The Locust” LeFevre, Henderson, Nev. (52 Krystals in Memphis)\r\nJuliet \"The Lovely\" Lee, Germantown, Md. (51 Krystals in Nashville)\r\nCrazy Legs Conti, New York, N.Y. (50 Krystals in Knoxville - Wild Card)\r\nJuris \"Dr. Bigtime\" Shibayama, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (51 Krystals in \r\nNashville - Wild Card)\r\nEric \"Badlands\" Booker, Long Island, N.Y. (51 Krystals in Nashville - \r\nWild Card)\r\n\r\nIn addition to the 11 finalists, for the first time in Krystal Square \r\nOff history, one person from the crowd will be chosen on the spot to \r\ncompete in the championship event, giving them the chance to compete \r\nalongside some of the best eaters in the world live on television.\r\n\r\nWhile this is the fifth year of the Krystal Square Off, Krystal has \r\nbeen hosting eating contests ever since it first opened its doors in \r\n1932. Indeed, Krystal's second customer, Roy Ward, claimed he could \r\neat twice as many Krystals as French Jenkins, the chain's first \r\ncustomer. He did just that by eating 12 Krystals. The years have \r\npassed, but Krystal Lovers have never stopped challenging each other \r\nto Krystal Eating Contests. This longstanding tradition became \r\nofficial in 2004 with the first Krystal Square Off World Hamburger \r\nEating Championship.\r\n\r\nwww.krystalsquareoff.com/blog\r\n\r\nTHE KRYSTAL COMPANY\r\n\r\nFounded in 1932, Krystal restaurants have become more than sparkling- \r\nclean eateries where friendly employees serve up fresh, delicious \r\nfood. Krystal has become a cultural icon and an experience that \r\nvirtually every man, woman and child in the South has shared. The \r\nKrystal brand and the great food, service, value and setting that it \r\nrepresents has taken a prominent place in the South’s cultural \r\nlandscape. The Krystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant \r\nchain in the South and the second oldest in the United States. The \r\nChattanooga, Tenn.-based company currently has nearly 400 restaurants \r\nin Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, \r\nMississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. For more \r\ninformation, visit www.krystal.com.\r\n\r\n# # #\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fd9","sn":633,"title":"Kobayashi Wins Krystal Qualifier","createdAt":"2008-09-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Takeru Kobayashi, the former Krystal champ, edged out Super Paul to win today's Bimingham Krystal qualifier. He ate 89 Krystals in eight minutes."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fda","sn":632,"title":"Eater X: Burrito Repeat","createdAt":"2008-09-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eater X and Humble Bob tied after ten minutes at Costa Vida in South Portland. A two-minute burrito eat off ensued and 8 came out the victor. In third was Gravy Brown, Badlands in 4th. \r\n\r\nGravy was very vocal on his affection for all of Portland's jam bands, likening one Friday night stop in the Old Port to 'Haddock Nation' and calling a local cover band 'Contained Panic.'"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fd8","sn":631,"title":"Costa Vida Draws Top Talent","createdAt":"2008-09-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"This Saturday, September 20th, Kobayashi is expected to be krushing the Krystals in Birmingham (feature on this site due Friday). Many of the world's other top Major League Eaters will be headed to South Portland, Maine, for the second annual Costa Vida World Burrito Eating Championship. \r\n \r\nThe competitive foodstuff will once again be Costa Vida’s notorious Big Kahuna burrito – an 18-ounce beast filled with rice, beans, sweet pork, and cheese, all blanketed by a fresh flour tortilla.\r\n \r\nIn only its second year, the Costa Vida contest boasts one of the best lineups of any MLE contest. Last year’s winner and the burrito world record holder is 4th-ranked Tim “Eater X” Janus, a face-painting eater who has been called The Whaler and Helen Haggerty among other things. X's challengers this time around include 2nd-ranked Patrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, a mohawked chef from Chicago who once ate 21 pounds of grits in 10 minutes. \r\n \r\nAlso competing will be the oft underrated “Humble” Bob Shoudt, who recently upset top-ranked eater Joey Chestnut in both ribs and chili spaghetti. Nipping at their heels will be Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas, holder of 21 eating titles, whose 11.25 pounds of Costa Vida burrito in last year’s contest somehow wasn’t enough for a victory. Also vying for the $3,000 in prize money will be gravy specialist Tim “Gravy” Brown of Chicago, popcorn sarcophagus escapee Crazy Legs Conti, male model “Pretty Boy” Pete Davekos, and Eric “Badlands” Booker, who will perform from his competitive eating-themed hip hop album, “Hungry and Focused IV.”\r\n \r\n“Like a storm makes people scatter, Kobayashi is pushing talent away from the Birmingham Krystal qualifier,\" said Richard Shea, president of Major League Eating. “While the best of the best will be in Chattanooga next weekend, this is the weekend for MLE fans in New England to witness the greatest gathering of gurgitators ever to compete north of New York.\"\r\n "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fd6","sn":630,"title":"Mustard Yellow Card","createdAt":"2008-09-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating announces today the creation of a new rule called the Mustard Yellow Card. The rule allows league officials and judges to formally caution a competitor if the official or judge feels said competitor is eating in a fashion that is so messy it impedes the ability to determine the amount of food consumed. \r\n\r\nAfter one caution is given the judge has the right to disqualify the warned competitor if the competitor has not satisfactorily corrected his or her eating style. \r\n\r\nWhile no formal definition need be given, messy eating can include food and debris on a competitor and in a competitor's eating area and cups."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fdd","sn":629,"title":"Juliet Wins Krystal Nashville, League to Huddle","createdAt":"2008-09-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Juliet 'The Lovely' Lee won today's Nashville qualifier amid a controversy that swirled around excessive debris. The contest ended up in a first ever three person Krystal Square Off off. Juliet, Badlands Booker and Dr. Bigtime participated in the three way overtime and all were presented 10 Krystals. Juliet consumed hers first for the win. \r\n\r\nThe fastest-rising female eater since Sonya Thomas, Juliet Lee maintained a five second dunk throughout regulation but pre-chewed so aggressively the judges had difficulty determining her final count. Many fans and eaters alike questioned the outcome. Judges determined that the eat off should occur.\r\n\r\nMajor League Eating has announced it will hold an an impromptu conference call this evening to consider the adoption of a new rule to eliminate confusion in future contests. While the Sheas are expected to be on the call, the league is still trying to confirm the participation of Commissioner Hungry Charles Hardy.\r\n\r\nPrior to the contest, Badlands Booker did a four song rap performance that energized the large Nashville crowd. Erik the Red, US Male, Wild Bill, Nasty Nate, and Pretty Boy Pete Davekos all competed. Newcomers Andrew Wong and Steve Larson also stepped up to the big kids' table."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fd7","sn":628,"title":"Road Report: Atlanta","createdAt":"2008-09-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Patrick Bertoletti secured his seat at the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship today, eating 66 Krystals in 8 minutes at the Atlanta, GA qualifier at Lenox Square Mall. 66 marks the highest qualifying total yet on the 7-contest circuit. The next stop will be in Nashville on September 13, where Juliet Lee will face off against Juris Shibayama, Erik Denmark and Badlands Booker, among others. \r\n\r\nAtlanta Results:\r\nPat Bertoletti: 66\r\nGravy Brown: 45\r\nBuffalo Jim Reeves: 44\r\nSteakbellie: 35\r\nWing Kong: 33\r\nAllen \"Shredder\" Goldstein: 33\r\nBeautiful Brian: 22\r\nSuperPaul: 21"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fdb","sn":627,"title":"NEW MLE POLL SHOWS PALIN DESTROYING BIDEN","createdAt":"2008-09-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"New York, NY, Sept. 5, 2008 -- Major League Eating has released polling results that show Alaska Governor Sarah Palin overwhelming Senator Joe Biden in a hypothetical hamburger-eating match-up. According to more than 99 percent of respondents, Palin would beat Biden if they faced off in a one-on-one Krystal hamburger-eating contest.\r\n\r\nMajor League Eating, the world body that governs the fast-growing sport of eating, conducted a Web-based snapshot poll on September 4, the day after Palin delivered her highly scrutinized speech before the Republican National Convention. The poll asked which of the two vice presidential candidates would win in a one-on-one Krystal-eating contest and full 109 of 110 respondents picked Palin.\r\n\r\n“It stands to reason that someone nicknamed “Barracuda” would win an eating contest, but this has to be a disappointment for Biden,” said George Shea, president of MLE. “It also reinforces Palin’s populist bona fides, as there are no elitists or sophisticates in the world of competitive eating.”\r\n\r\nShea also offered competitive eating as a platform to decide the upcoming presidential elections if the race is too close to call, as it was in 2000.\r\n\r\n“I don’t think anyone wants to go back to the Supreme Court to choose the president,” Shea said. “We are willing to run an eating contest between the candidates to determine who will run this country. Competitive eating ability is certainly as relevant to the Office of President as the issues that have been discussed during the campaign this year.”\r\n\r\nMLE is now preparing for the Krystal Square Off V, the world hamburger-eating championship to be held in Chattanooga, TN, on September 28, 2008. World champion eaters Takeru Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut will meet at the event in a highly anticipated rematch.\r\n\r\n###\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fd5","sn":626,"title":"Laboring Through Labor Day Weekend ","createdAt":"2008-09-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"It was a big Labor Day Weekend on the MLE circuit, with events from Jacksonville to Buffalo and many ports in between.\r\n\r\nSaturday found Sonya Thomas capturing the hearts of the good people of Buffalo once again and taking home $2500 and two titles at the National Buffalo Wing Festival. Sonya won the National Wing Eating Contest by consuming 4.23 pounds of wing meat. She was able to shake off a hard biting Badlands Booker who ate 4.15 lbs of wing meat. In a close third was the lovely Juliet Lee, who managed 3.98 lbs. \r\n\r\nMeanwhile in Myrtle Beach at the World BBQ Eating Championship Joey Chestnut reaffirmed his pulled pork prowess by downing 49.5 BBQ sandwiches in 10 minutes. Pat Bertoletti was right behind him with 49 and Bob Shoudt placed third with 46. Hall Hunt placed 4th with 36.\r\n\r\nBack in Buffalo on Sunday, Sonya won the annual Wing Fest Buffalo Buffet Bowl. Juliet placed second and Badlands took third. \r\n\r\nSonya then raced to the airport to catch a plane down to Jacksonville for Monday’s KSO V qualifier. Here she would face Hall \"Hoover\" Hunt who had a solid home field advantage. That home crowd combined with Hall’s refined game and led him to his first career victory over Sonya. In fact, Hunt ate a personal best of 60 Krystals to Sonya's 55 (both eaters beat the standing Jacksonville record of 52). Sonya is the currently the frontrunner in the wildcard race, followed by Larry McNeil, who ate 28 Krystals in Chattanooga at the circuit opener. \r\n\r\nElsewhere on Monday, Humble Bob Shoudt continued to wage his campaign against Chestnut. After a disappointing third place finish in Myrtle, Shoudt followed Joey to Cincinnati. This time, he was able to overtake both Chestnut and Bertoletti in the Skyline Chili Spaghetti Eating Championship at Kings Island. Shoudt ate 13.5 lbs of the local delicacy in 10 minutes. Chestnut was a very close second with 13.2 lbs, and Bertoletti finished third with 11 lbs. Tim Gravy Brown, Chicago’s other eater, placed very much in the money with 7.25 lbs. \r\n\r\nMuch ground was covered over the weekend and there’s lots more to go. In the next few weeks, the 2008 circuit will bring Major League Eaters to such great cities as Atlanta, Houston, Shreveport, Nashville, Knoxville, Portland, ME and Chicago. And then there’s the $50,000 Krystal event in Chattanooga on September 28.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fd4","sn":625,"title":"KSO V : Jacksonville","createdAt":"2008-09-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Hall Hunt faught off a tough and determined Sonya Thomas in Jacksonville today to keep his beloved position as the Krystal Jax champion. What's more, he set a new Florida record by downing 60 Krystals in eight minutes. \r\n\r\nSonya also broke the old Jax record of 52 when she downed 55 for second. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fd2","sn":624,"title":"road report: Myrtle Beach","createdAt":"2008-08-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut beat his rivals Pat Bertoletti and Humble Bob Shoudt today at the Pulled Pork Sandwiches Championship in a sweltering Myrtle Beach.\r\n\r\nChestnut ate 49.5 sandwiches in 10 minutes, just beating Bertoletti who downed 49. Humble Bob Mr. Humble Bob Shoudt ate 46 and Hall Hoover Hunt downed 36."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fce","sn":622,"title":"Humble Bob, Krystal Square Off V","createdAt":"2008-08-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Humble Bob Shoudt wins the first qualifier of KSO V Saturday in Chattanooga, TN. Mr. Humble don't call me Humble ate 58 Krystals in the eight minute competition. He easily beat Larry McNeil who downed a solid 28 for second place. In third was Rick \"Bacchanalia\" Petralia with 20.\r\n\r\nVisit www.KrystalSquareOff.com for killer coverage and video."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fd3","sn":623,"title":"Chestnut Breaks His Own Gyoza Record","createdAt":"2008-08-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut again stunned the world with his gurgitory prowess on Saturday, downing 231 gyoza in 10 minutes to break his own world record at the Los Angeles Nisei Week World Gyoza Eating Championship. The number one eater in the world was able to beat his friend and rival, Pat Bertoletti, by 30 dumplings. Bertoletti has his own dumpling record, however, having just returned as a champion from the Czech Republic's annual plum dumpling eating championship. In Los Angeles, Rich LeFevre placed third with 175 gyoza, and Gravy Brown and Double-O Kevin came in with 135 and 107, respectively. In a pledge to raise money for charity the 2007 Nisei week queen and her court collectively ate 110 gyoza."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fd1","sn":621,"title":"Krystal ’08 Kicks Off in a Big Way","createdAt":"2008-08-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The 2008 Krystal Square Off circuit is here, and the Chattanooga-based company has stepped up to the plate in a big way. With a record prize payout of $50K on the line and His Humbleness Bob Shoudt breathing down the neck of 2007 Krystal Champ Joey “Jaws” Chestntut…it’s on. \r\n\r\nFSN South, the nation’s largest regional sports network, will telecast the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship live from Chattanooga, Tennessee. FSN South will also televise weekly updates, beginning August 23rd, from the eating competition’s seven-city qualifying tour, where Major League Eaters do battle for one of the twelve coveted spots in what insiders are calling the most spectacular contest in competitive eating history.\r\n\r\n\"The opportunity to partner with Krystal in this truly Southern event featuring internationally recognized competitors is a natural fit for our respective brands and reinforces our commitment of localism for the community we serve,\" said Jeff Genther, senior vice president and general manager of FSN South.\r\n\r\nCompetitive eating fans are already abuzz with the drama of the ’08 circuit, where it seems like anything could happen. Joey beat Kobe on the 4th but then Kobe slaughtered Joey in Singapore, Humble Bob took Joey at the Ash Creek rib contest, and voracious gurgitators like Deep Dish, Eater X, and the Black Widow are always waiting in the wings, ready to pounce. \r\n\r\nIf the traffic on competitive eating blogs is any indication of the enthusiasm for this showdown, it’ll be a doozy. Everybody’s talking about this one:\r\n\r\nBellyBomb16 said, “I kant (sic) frickin wait! It’s goin off in Chattty!!!!!! Joey’s gonna do it for U.S.A!!!!!” \r\n\r\nAnd AkwaFresh, a competitive eating-themed rapper from Yonkers, NY with a loose affiliation to Badlands Booker, said, in rhymed couplets: \r\n\r\n“The Krystal Square Off is off the chain\r\nIt's now 2008 and Kobayashi’s back again\r\nAnd what about Shoudt, the humble one\r\nLike they say in Chatty he's gonna git urr done\r\nWe could go knives yo, we could go pistols\r\nJust hurry up dude and give me some Krystals\r\nNo time to be nice, no time to be tactful\r\nMy belly's growlin bro please give me a sackful\"\r\n\r\nTo learn more about the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship, visit www.KrystalSquareOff.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fcf","sn":620,"title":"Shoudt Takes Ash Creek","createdAt":"2008-08-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In a stunning upset, Bob Shoudt took the title of Ash Creek Saloon World Rib Eating Champion today, besting Joey Chestnut at his own game. Chestnut has only once before been beaten in the rib discipline. Today Shoudt ate 6 pounds 8 ounces to Chestnut's 6 pounds 6 ounces. Eater X was a close third and the lovely Juliet Lee placed fourth. \r\n\r\nIt was a who's who of Major League Eating featuring everyone from Russ Keeler to Wild Bill, Scozzybone and many in between. Additional info to follow."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fcd","sn":619,"title":"Krystal Announces Epic Cash Purse for KSOV","createdAt":"2008-08-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Largest cash purse in competitive eating history up for grabs at the World Hamburger Eating Championship\r\n\r\nChattanooga, Tenn. – When the very best from the sport of eating descend upon Chattanooga for the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship on Sept. 28, 2008, it will be more than just the title on the line. Top-ranked eaters such as Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi will also battle for some serious money as The Krystal Company announced today that it will award an unprecedented $50,000 in cash prizes, making it the largest cash purse in competitive eating history.\r\n\r\n\"Victory will be as good as gold at the Krystal Square Off V finals this year as we give away the largest cash purse in competitive eating history,\" said Brad Wahl, vice president of marketing, The Krystal Company. \"As elite, world-class athletes, these competitors are focused on the title first and foremost, but winning some cold, hard cash will make victory taste even sweeter.\"\r\n\r\nThe winner this year will receive $20,000 in cash, twice the amount Chestnut took home in 2007 when he shocked a live audience of 10,000 by eating an unfathomable 103 Krystal Hamburgers in eight minutes. Chestnut's mark last year shattered Takeru Kobayashi's previous world record of 97.\r\n\r\nThe runner-up at Krystal Square Off V will take home a paycheck of $10,000, while third place will leave Chattanooga $5,000 richer. On the line for the remaining finalists are the following payouts: 4th - $3,000; 5th - $2,500; 6th - $2,000; 7th - $1,850; 8th - $1,500; 9th - $1,400; 10th - $1,250; 11th - $1,000; 12th - $500.\r\n\r\nA seven-city qualifying circuit for Krystal Square Off V kicks off in Chattanooga with an opening ceremony on Aug. 22 followed by an eight-minute contest on Aug. 23. From there, the circuit journeys through six more cities with the winner of each regional qualifier awarded a seat to the World Championship in Chattanooga. Three wild card spots to the final will also be awarded based on performances in the regional qualifiers.\r\n\r\nAt the Krystal Square Off V final, the seven regional winners and three wild cards will face off against the world's number one ranked eater Joey Chestnut, who receives an automatic seat to this year's championship as the defending champion.\r\n\r\nThe Krystal Square Off is one of the two majors in the sport of competitive eating and the only world hamburger-eating championship sanctioned by Major League Eating, the world governing body of all stomach-centric sports.\r\n\r\nFor complete details on Krystal Square Off V, visit www.KrystalSquareOff.com.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fd0","sn":618,"title":"Krystal Announces Schedule for Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship","createdAt":"2008-08-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The road to the world championship starts August 23 in Chattanooga\r\n\r\nFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\nAugust 07, 2008\r\n\r\nChattanooga, Tenn. – The Krystal Company, the fast food icon famous for its fresh, hot, small, square hamburgers craved by millions all across the South, today announced the dates and cities for the fifth annual Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship (“Krystal Square Off V”), one of the majors in the sport of competitive eating and the only world hamburger-eating championship sanctioned by Major League Eating, the world governing body of all stomach-centric sports.\r\n\r\nThe seven-city qualifying circuit, which pits amateur hopefuls against the world’s best competitive eaters, will officially kick off in Chattanooga with an opening ceremony and eight-minute contest on August 23, 2008. From there, the road to the top burger title will journey through six more cities with the winner of each regional qualifier awarded a seat to the World Championship in downtown Chattanooga on September 28. Three wild card spots to the Krystal Square Off V final will also be awarded based on performances in the regional qualifiers.\r\n\r\n“The eyes of the competitive eating world will once again be on the South as Krystal hosts the Krystal Square Off V qualifying tour in seven great cities across the South this August and September. These cities have all shown phenomenal support for the Krystal Square Off and have helped make it a world-class event and a great new Southern tradition,” says Brad Wahl, vice president of marketing, The Krystal Company.\r\n\r\nDates and cities for Krystal Square Off V qualifying circuit and championship final are as follows:\r\n\r\nAug. 23 - Chattanooga, Tenn.\r\n\r\nSept. 1 - Jacksonville, Fla.\r\n\r\nSept. 6 - Atlanta, Ga.\r\n\r\nSept. 13 - Nashville, Tenn.\r\n\r\nSept. 14 - Knoxville, Tenn.\r\n\r\nSept. 20 - Birmingham, Ala.\r\n\r\nSept. 21 - Memphis, Tenn.\r\n\r\nSept. 28 - Chattanooga – Krystal Square Off V World Championship\r\n\r\nIndividuals interested in competing in any of the regional qualifiers can visit www.KrystalSquareOff.com and can register at www.IFOCE.com and www.MajorLeagueEating.com. Also, for the first time, five amateurs will be selected “on-the-spot” at each of the regional qualifiers to compete in the eight-minute event. Participants must be 18 years or over.\r\n\r\nAt the Krystal Square Off V final in Chattanooga, the seven regional winners and three wild cards will face off against the world’s number one ranked eater Joey Chestnut, who receives an automatic seat to this year’s championship as the reigning Krystal Square Off champion. Last year at Krystal Square Off IV, Chestnut shocked the competitive eating world and a live audience of 10,000 people by eating an unfathomable 103 Krystal Hamburgers in eight minutes, shattering Takeru Kobayashi’s previous world record mark of 97.\r\n\r\nDue to a debilitating jaw injury, Kobayashi, a three-time Krystal champion, did not compete in last year’s final. The eating legend from Japan has never lost to Chestnut in a Krystal contest, making this year’s showdown the most hotly anticipated event in competitive eating this year.\r\n\r\n“So much is riding on the qualifiers and final this year, with Chestnut and Kobayashi set for a rematch and the best eaters in the world gunning for their coveted seat at the final,” said Wahl. “We expect the excitement and thrill to be unprecedented at every stop along the tour, and we’re thrilled to give Krystal fans everywhere the chance to put their money where their mouth is for the chance to go up against the world’s very best.”\r\n\r\nFor complete details on Krystal Square Off V, visit www.KrystalSquareOff.com.\r\n\r\nTHE KRYSTAL COMPANY\r\n\r\nFounded in 1932, Krystal restaurants have become more than sparkling-clean eateries where friendly employees serve up fresh, delicious food. Krystal has become a cultural icon and an experience that virtually every man, woman and child in the South has shared. Nearly everyone in the region has a Krystal memory. The Krystal brand—and the great food, service, value and setting that it represents—has taken a prominent place in the South’s cultural landscape. The Krystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the South and the second oldest in the United States. The Chattanooga, Tenn.-based company currently has nearly 400 restaurants in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. For more information, visit www.Krystal.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fca","sn":616,"title":"Shoudt Takes Tulsa","createdAt":"2008-07-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Bob Shoudt had a huge win on Saturday at the Cherokee Casino World BBQ Eating Championship. Beating out four other top ten eaters, Humble Bob seems in good form to move into the Krystal circuit next month. Shoudt took half of the generous $10,000 provided by Cherokee Casino, which makes this the second-largest monetary prize in his competitive eating career. \r\n\r\n1st-5th Place:\r\nBob Shoudt--34.75 $5000\r\nTim Janus--32 $2500\r\nSonya Thomas--29 $1500\r\nHall Hunt--28 $600\r\nRich LeFevre--25.5 $400\r\n\r\nTo learn more about Cherokee Casino, visit www.CherokeeCasino.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fcc","sn":617,"title":"Road Report: Singapore","createdAt":"2008-07-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Takeru Kobayashi took the World Chicken Satay-eating title this weekend at the first Major League Eating event in Singapore. Kobayashi ate 5.419 kg (11.95 lbs) of chicken satay in 12 minutes, while Joey Chestnut ate 4.086 kg (9 lbs). There were five additional 12-minute contests won by local Singaporeans.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fc8","sn":615,"title":"Judge Lerman","createdAt":"2008-07-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Don Moses Lerman will judge the 2008 Cannoli Contest at the Festa Di San Gennaro in New York City. The event is currently slated for September 12th. \r\n\r\nLerman is known for his discerning eye and discriminating palate. The former Major League Eating great held baked bean, jalapeno and matzoh ball eating titles during his illustrious career. Lerman's Glutton Bowl butter eating record has never been officially challenged so he remains the butter eating champion of the world to this day.\r\n\r\nAt last year's cannoli eating contest, Eater X consumed XXI cannoli in VI minutes. It was X's second straight cannoli title. The question on everybody's mind is whether or not X will go for the three-peat.\r\n\r\nAnother unanswered question is whether Cookie Jarvis, the original cannoli eating champ, will judge alongside Lerman. And if Cookie does attend, is there a chance Krazy Kevin Lipsitz could swing over to Little Italy to take a bow for the Lifetime Achievement Award he recently received? \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fc6","sn":614,"title":"Road Report: Chinook Winds","createdAt":"2008-07-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut once again took the Chinook Winds rib-eating title with 8.05 lbs of rib meat in 12 minutes. This is Chestnut's fourth win at the Lincoln City, Oregon casino, and Rich LeFevre came in second for the fourth time (this year he consumed 5.3 lbs). Erik the Red ate 4.55 lbs for third place, which has been his finishing position in this contest since 2006. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fc7","sn":613,"title":"Krystal Square Off V","createdAt":"2008-07-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Krystal has announced that the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship will take place on September 28, 2008, and will once again be held along the banks of the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga, Tenn. \r\n\r\nA major in the sport of competitive eating, Krystal Square Off V is the only world hamburger-eating championship sanctioned by Major League Eating. Last year, Krystal Square Off IV attracted a live audience of more than 10,000 people to the Chattanooga Riverfront where they witnessed Joey Chestnut devour 103 Krystal burgers in eight minutes. Chestnut's mark shattered the previous world-record of 97 Krystals set by three-time Krystal Square Off champion Takeru Kobayashi in 2006. \r\n\r\nKobayashi is expected to return in 2008 to try and reclaim his throne. He'll face eaters like \"Humble\" Bob Shoudt, Sonya \"The Black Widow\" Thomas, Pat \"Deep Dish\" Bertoletti and Tim \"Eater X\" Janus. \r\n\r\nAll details of the revamped Krystal Square Off Qualifying Tour, including how to qualify, will be announced shortly along with the prize purse for Krystal Square Off V. The official website is www.krystalsquareoff.com.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fcb","sn":612,"title":"Chestnut Beats Kobayashi in OT ","createdAt":"2008-07-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"JOEY CHESTNUT BEATS TAKERU KOBAYASHI IN OT\r\nDOWNING 59 NATHAN’S HOT DOGS IN 10-MINUTE REGULATION\r\n\r\nMustard Yellow Belt Remains in the United States \r\n________________\r\n\r\nNew York, NY, July 4, 2008 — Joey Chestnut of San Jose, Calif., today won the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, beating Takeru Kobayashi of Nagano, Japan in a five-dog overtime after both ate 59 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in the 10-minute regulation match.\r\n\r\nThe two competitors were tied at 59 hot dogs and buns at the end of the 10-minute contest. To settle the contest, Major League Eating officials contest organizers held an overtime round. Chestnut and Kobayashi were each given a plate of five hot dogs and buns. The first one to finish their plate won the contest. Chestnut finished his plate in 50 seconds, seven seconds before Kobayashi.\r\n\r\n\"Gas is approaching $5 a gallon, tomatoes are unsafe to eat, but the Mustard Yellow Belt is on American soil. Joey Chestnut is an agent of change,\" said Richard Shea of Major League Eating.\r\n\r\nThe victory comes after the much anticipated rematch of Kobayashi of Japan and American champion Joey Chestnut. Kobayashi sought to regain his title as world eating champion on July 4, 2008, as he competed against Chestnut at the 93rd annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest on the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, NY. \r\n\r\nIn 2007, the world watched in awe as Joey Chestnut won this classic Independence Day battle, beating six-time champion Kobayashi by eating 66 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes, and bringing the Mustard Yellow Belt back to American soil for the first time this century.\r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest has been held each year since 1916, according to archives. This year’s contest may have been the most highly anticipated match-up in the event’s storied 93-year history.\r\n\r\n“Nothing represents summer and the Fourth of July like the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog-Eating Contest,” said Wayne Norbitz, president and COO of Nathan’s Famous.\r\n\r\nOfficial Results:\r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut: 59\r\nTakeru Kobayashi: 59\r\nTim Janus: 42\r\nPat Bertoletti: 38\r\nSonya Thomas: 34\r\nHall Hunt: 30\r\nBob Shoudt: 30\r\nJuliet Lee: 29\r\nErik Denmark: 28\r\nJuris Shibayama: 28\r\nTim Brown: 27\r\nEric Booker: 25.5\r\nPatrick Vandam: 25\r\nRich LeFevre: 25\r\nCrazy Legs Conti: 24\r\nAllan Goldstein: 21\r\nPat Philbin: 20\r\nNathan Biller: 18.5\r\nPete Davekos: 18\r\nArturo Rios: 16\r\nKevin Ross: 14\r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest is sanctioned by the Major League Eating (MLE), the world governing body of all stomach-centric sport. The Nathan’s Famous International Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Championship has been held each year on July 4 since 1916, according to archives.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fc4","sn":611,"title":"Road Report: Nathan's Famous Camden, NJ","createdAt":"2008-06-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"A large crowd assembled on the corner of 3rd and Market Streets in Camden today to watch the big man, the bad man, Eric Badlands Booker bust out of retirement.\r\n\r\nHe didn't dissapoint rather he won the thing by eating 27.5 Nathan's Famous HDBs. In 2nd was Buffalo Jim Reeves with 22. Drexel Hill's Steakbellie ate 20.75 HDBs for a personal best and 3rd place. \r\n\r\nWild Bill, US Male, Wing Kong, Paulie Sack, Daryl Newman and Yasir Salem were also on the flatbed truck that served as a stage. It was 97 degrees and sunny in the shadow of Philadelphia. G Love was present. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fc5","sn":610,"title":"The 1,2,3 from QVC","createdAt":"2008-06-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pat Philbin wins again!! The man from Moonachie ate 22.5 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs to edge out Wing Kong for the win. Wing Kong ate 22 HDBs and finished second. Flash Gordon downed 21 but, much to the dread of the QVC employee lunch crowd, suffered a reversal and was instantly DQ'd. Third place goes to Steakbellie who suffered from the Meat Sweats and barely downed 17.\r\n\r\nThe world will welcome Philbin to Coney on July 4th. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fc3","sn":609,"title":"Nathan's Famous to Donate 100,000 Hot Dogs","createdAt":"2008-06-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"On July 4, 2008 Nathan’s Famous will donate 100,000 hot dogs to the Food Bank For New York City, a hunger relief charity that is part of the America’s Second Harvest network. \r\n\r\nNathan’s Famous President Wayne Norbitz will make the donation during his company’s annual Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY.\r\n\r\n“Each year, Nathan’s Famous makes a donation to hunger relief organizations as part of our world famous July Fourth hot dog eating contest,” said Wayne Norbitz, president and COO of Nathan’s Famous, Inc. “I am very pleased to announce that this year we’ll make our biggest donation ever, a total of 100,000 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs.” \r\n\r\nPatrick Mooney, director of Philanthropy at The Food Bank For New York City said: \"With its generous donation Nathan’s Famous has made a significant contribution to our ongoing fight against hunger. Communities throughout New York City will benefit greatly from this gift.\" \r\n\r\nAs it has in year’s past, the donation will be made at the original Nathan’s Famous on Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island, NY. The ceremony will happen just before the 2008 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, which last year drew tens of thousands of competitive eating fans and millions of TV viewers. The contest has been held the original Nathan’s Famous restaurant in Coney Island each July 4th since 1916.\r\n\r\nFor information on ways to help fight hunger, individuals and corporate entities can visit www.foodbanknyc.org or www.secondharvest.org. Food Bank volunteers will also be present in Coney Island on July 4th, collecting donations from the crowd.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fc2","sn":608,"title":"Nathan's Famous: Weekend Wrap-Up","createdAt":"2008-06-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"It's the longest day of the year and major league eaters everywhere are fixin to dance naked under the stars. Before they do, they'll need to digest this: Nate, Shredder and Davekos will be roaming the lobby of the W on Lexington Ave come July 3rd.\r\n\r\nDavekos ate 19.25 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in Atlanta to beat Yarbrough who got 18.5 after a 1.5 dog deduction for epic detritus. Larry McNeil did 17 for 3rd, SPBBB ate 16 for 4th. \r\n\r\nIn Myrtle Beach, the Shredder ate 22 HDBs for the win. Damon Serignet ate 16. It rained hard and rocked also. \r\n\r\nAt Sam's Club in Dallas, Nasty Nathan and Double O Kevin Ross tied after regulation, each with 20 dogs. A 2 minute eatoff ensued and Nate ate 5 to Double O's 4. Third place went to Ken Mansfield with 18 Nathan's Famous in regulation. \r\n\r\nHappy Summer everyone. Mike Doughty encourages you all \"to stand on the arms of the Williamsburg Bridge screaming 'hey man this is babylon.'\"\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fc9","sn":607,"title":"Mattituck Lions, Strawberry Shortcake Championship","createdAt":"2008-06-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pat Bertoletti held his title under fierce strawberry shortcake competition today from Eater X, Crazy Legs and Suffolk county Legend Eric Badlands Booker.\r\n\r\nBertoletti ate 14.5 lbs for the win. Eater X ate 12 lbs for second place and Crazy Legs edged out Badlands by a quarter pound (Legs 9.5, Badlands 9.25.\r\n\r\nIt was a great fathers day feast and, to make it even greaer, Long Island's greatest realtor and future competitive eating hall of famer Cookie Jarvis was present."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fbf","sn":606,"title":"Final Contest at Shea","createdAt":"2008-06-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Nathan's Famous, the hot dog of the Mets, hosted its last contest at historic Shea Stadium tonight. At the end, Ryan Nerz yelled at the top of his lungs that Eater X had won with 42 HDBs.\r\n\r\nIn second place was The Shredder with 24.5 and in third place was Patrick Philbin with 21.\r\n\r\nSadly, due to the lack of PA, Beautiful Brian could not perform. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fc1","sn":605,"title":"Road Report: Nathan's in Charlotte","createdAt":"2008-06-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"On a great stage with a great band and big ole NC crowd, Hall Hunt crushed his 2007 record of 28.75 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes by eating 34.5 in 10 minutes. Hunt, who is training for a July 12th marathon, advances to Coney Island for the ESPN televised Nathan's Famous finals.\r\n\r\nThe second place finisher was C. Todd Hennessey with an impressive 18 HDBs. In third was Chris 'no gluten' Wooten who ate 11, a personal best. \r\n\r\nDavid and Emily, a fierce girlfriend/boyfriend eating team, came onto the stage dancing to Islands in the Stream, the emotional Parton/Rogers duet. David, who is getting his MBA and hopes to someday create powerpoints for the BofA brass, requested we not use his last name. No sweat Mr. Osieri."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fbd","sn":603,"title":"J Shibs Owns NOLA","createdAt":"2008-06-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Juris Shibayama ate 28 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes at the Sam's Club in Metairie, LA to qualify for the 08 Coney Island classic. \r\n\r\nIn 2nd was Peter Parker with 17, and in third was Damon Serignet with 16. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fbe","sn":604,"title":"Sonya Walks Away With Norfolk","createdAt":"2008-06-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Black Widow blew out the competition at Nathan's Famous in Norfolk today by eatin 38.5 HDBs. In second place was Russ The Bus Keeler with 20 and three quarters. William Schierer ate 19 and three quarters to edge out The Gent, Joe Tursi who ate 19 and one half. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fc0","sn":602,"title":"MLEgives: Boston","createdAt":"2008-06-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"On June 1st, Major League Eating and Nathan's Famous held an event at the 19th annual Hot Dog Safari in Boston. The event, which raises money for the fight against cystic fibrosis, drew 40,000 hot dog fans to Suffolk Downs in East Boston, MA. Kevin Faulk, a member of the three-time world champion New England Patriots, served as Grand Marshall.\r\n\r\nCrazy Legs faced off against three teams, couples from various parts of Massachusetts including Wilmington, Ludlow and Woburn. Crazy Legs, who grew up in the Boston suburb of Belmont, beat all the couples with 20 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes. The closest couple to Conti ate a combined 13 Nathan's Famous. \r\n\r\nPretty Boy Pete Davekos was positioned in the spray zone and judged the event. Eddie Andelman and Steve Sweeney helped with the call, which aired live on Boston's 1510 The Zone. This was an official MLEgives event. For information on how you can help with the fight against cystic fibrosis visit http://joeyfund.org/"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fb9","sn":599,"title":"Road Report: Kansas City","createdAt":"2008-05-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Erik The Red won the Kansas City Sam's Club Nathan's Famous qualifier today by consuming 24 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes.\r\n\r\nIn second place was The Mad Greek who downed 23 HDBs. On the Fly Fry placed third with an impressive 21. \r\n\r\nHave a heart, return your cart."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fba","sn":601,"title":"Road Report: Nathan's Famous Arizona","createdAt":"2008-05-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Standing on the shoulders of Krazy Kevin Lipsitz, who qualified for the Nathan's Famous July 4th International Hot Dog Eating Contest in the Arizona Mills Mall food court in 2000, Tim Gravy Brown pounded down 33 HDBs to win today in the Arizona qualifier. He will advance to Coney Island. Conan the Gregorian will not, he ate 13.5 for second. Gus Beisel will not either, he placed third with 13."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fbc","sn":600,"title":"Three Brothers to Bertoletti","createdAt":"2008-05-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pat Bertoletti, an Italian American from America, won the Three Brother's Pizza Eating Contest in Baltimore by eating 20 of the famous pizzeria's slices.\r\n\r\nHumble Bob, Eater X and Sonya Thomas had a three way tie with 16 slices a piece. Juliet Lee ate 13 slices and Crazy Legs and Sean Gordon each consumed 11.\r\n\r\nBeautiful Brian performed for the first time in Baltimore and sang an acoustic version of his controversial Black & White, which skewers a former Major League Eater. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fb8","sn":597,"title":"Road Report: Pittsburgh Nathan's Famous at Sam's Club","createdAt":"2008-05-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Juliet Lee downed 29 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and Buns to win the Pittsburgh Sam's Club qualifier and entry into the 2008 Nathan's Famous International July 4th Hot Dog Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nIn second place was Buffalo Jim Reeves with 19 3/4 HDBs and there was a tie for third with Steakbellie and Big Brian Subich both downing 17. Mike Landrich put up a noble effort, but with Juliet swallowing two at a time, it was clear nobody would touch her brilliance. Discoe Iskoe brought much spirit -- along with a mom who served honorably as bunnette -- but failed to down more than seven dogs.\r\n\r\nThe event also kicked off the 'Have a Heart, Return Your Cart' campaign, an initiative aimed at alleviating the stress cart haulers face when required to roam the parking lot gathering errant carts and flatbeds. \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fbb","sn":598,"title":"Road Report: Nathan's In Philadelphia","createdAt":"2008-05-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Humble Bob Shoudt, a vegetarian from Doylesford, PA, consumed 38 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes to win the Philly Qualifier and earn entry to the 2008 Nathan's Famous International July 4th Hot Dog Eating Championship. \r\n\r\n(correction) In second place was Splash Gordon with 20, and Russ Keeler took third with 17. While Bob is way too humble to admit it, he crushed the competition. Shoudt will face off against reigning champ Joey Chestnut, and others who recently qualified: Juliet Lee, Rios Grande, Pat Vandam, Pat Bertoletti, Rich LeFevre and Crazy Legs Conti."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fb6","sn":596,"title":"Eater X, Crazy Legs and Head Woof Rock Rock Center","createdAt":"2008-05-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating held a formal launch event for MLE: The Game today at the Nintendo store in Manhattan’s Rockefeller Center.\r\n\r\nTo celebrate the forthcoming WiiWare offering, Crazy Legs and Eater X faced off in a real, six-minute watermelon eating contest. Crazy Legs beat Eater X by one bite, consuming just over 15 slices of watermelon. Next, the two eating stars competed in a virtual watermelon eating contest on a 50” plasma television that was hooked up to MLE:The Game. Conti was doing well -- ahead more than half way through – but he suffered an embarrassing reversal, making Eater X the overall winner.\r\n\r\nPrior to the contests, Badlands Booker performed his upbeat “Sweet Science” and Beautiful Brian performed his “Let Me Tell Ya,” a ballad of unadulterated emotion. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fb7","sn":595,"title":"A Star is Born in Chicago","createdAt":"2008-05-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eric Booker. Sonya Thomas. Eater X. Juliet Lee. \r\n \r\nBefore they were ranked in the Top 10, before they even had nicknames and rap albums and profiles on national TV, they were all just regular people with an appetite and a dream. Until that one showdown at high noon, where they faced down a plate of steaming hot HDB's, and performed the unthinkable. \r\n \r\nAnd now, in the humble confines of a Chicago-area Sam's Club, a fresh-faced young man has outdone them all. In his second-ever attempt at the grueling hot dog discipline, he outshone the #13-ranked eater on the planet and turned in the best rookie performance in competitive eating history (for the second week in a row). That young man's name is Patrick \"Wham Bam\" Vandam. \r\n\r\nFirst Place: Patrick Vandam, 31 HDB's\r\nSecond Place: Gravy Brown, 28.5 HDB's\r\nThird Place: Mike Fitzgerald, 22.75 HDB's\r\n\r\n(On May 10 in Minneapolis, Vandam finished second to Pat Bertoletti with 30 HDB's, and Mike Fitzgerald had his first of two impressive third place finishes with 23.5). "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fb4","sn":593,"title":"Road Report: Nathan's Hartford","createdAt":"2008-05-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Arturo Rios \"Grande\" ate 22.75 Nathan's Famous HDBs on the East Hartford Glastonbury Line to win today's quailfier. \r\n\r\nRuss Keeler took 2nd wirh 19.5 HDBs, newcomer Jon Taylor took third with 17, and Pretty Boy Pete Davekos took fourth with 16.5. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fb5","sn":594,"title":"Road Report: Houston","createdAt":"2008-05-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pat Bertoletti ate 12 gyros to win 2000 bucks and edge out Joey Chestnut who placed second with 11 gyros and earned 1000 bucks. Humble Bob ate 9.5 gyros to take 700 bucks and third place. Nasty Nate the Newcomer ate 6 for fourth place and 300 bucks. \r\n\r\nAll gyros were 12 ounces and the event was 10 minutes."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fb2","sn":592,"title":"Road Report: Minnesota","createdAt":"2008-05-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pat Bertoletti secured his place at the Coney Island table today near Minneapolis by eating 41 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Exciting newcomer Patrick Vandam came in second with 30, and rookie sensation Mike Fitzgerald took third with 23.5.\r\n\r\nThe next two stops on the circuit will be in E. Hartford, CT and Chicago, IL next Saturday, May 17."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fb3","sn":591,"title":"Brooklyn Ephemera Impacts Contest Length","createdAt":"2008-05-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating was recently presented with a document that suggests the original hot dog eating contest was 10 minutes in length. \r\n\r\nThe League sought preliminary verification of the document - which was found among numerous old items and ephemera in Brooklyn - and was told it is genuine. \r\n\r\nMajor League Eating has elected to conduct all qualifying rounds of the 2008 multi-city Nathan's Famous circuit tour as 10-minute competitions and may shift to this duration permanently, making it the official contest length. More information will follow.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fb1","sn":590,"title":"Joey Owns Stockton","createdAt":"2008-04-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut spearheaded another exciting tempura fried asparagus eating contest today and won the event by downing 8.8 pounds of the green vegetable.\r\n\r\nPat Bertoletti placed second with 7.14 pounds and Erik the Red took third place with 4.75, edging out Juris \"my abs don't lie\" Shibiyama by a quarter of a pound.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3faf","sn":588,"title":"","createdAt":"2008-04-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Roughly two years ago, MLE health correspondent Alexis Schneider published the column that appears below. Since it's posting, MLE has learned that Joey Chestnut is also type A.\r\n\r\n******************************************************************************\r\n\r\nRole of Blood Type in Competitive Eating\r\n(from www.competitiveeating.net)\r\n\r\nThe International Federation of Competitive Eating has launched a research initiative to determine if blood type plays a role in an individual’s success as a competitive eater. The suggestion of this investigation comes on the heels of the discovery that the great Takeru Kobayashi of Japan has type-A blood.\r\n\r\nIn Japenese culture, many believe that blood-type determines one's personality, just as many Americans believe zodiac signs play a role in a person's nature. Is it true that people with type-A blood have the propensity to eat more than people with type B, AB and O?\r\n\r\nThe answer is unclear, however, there are doctors who maintain that blood type dictates the type of food a person should eat. These very doctors say that people with type A blood benefit from a vegetarian diet and should eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Oddly, this high carb, low fat premise is anathema to Kobayashi’s dominance in the hot dog and tailgater disciplines. What’s more, these doctors state that type O people are meat eaters and high protein foods should dominate their diet. An analysis of the teeth of Jim Mullen (Nathan's Champ 1916) showed that indeed he was type O.\r\n\r\nOther medical experts believe that hemoglobin also plays a factor in competive eating skills. The average vertebrate has 6% heme and 94% globin. What is Kobayashi’s ratio? Stay tuned for updates."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fb0","sn":589,"title":"TYPE A vs. TYPE A","createdAt":"2008-04-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Roughly two years ago, MLE health correspondent Alexis Schneider published the column that appears below. Since it's posting, MLE has learned that Joey Chestnut is also type A.\r\n\r\n******************************************************************************\r\n\r\nRole of Blood Type in Competitive Eating\r\n(from www.competitiveeating.net)\r\n\r\nThe International Federation of Competitive Eating has launched a research initiative to determine if blood type plays a role in an individual’s success as a competitive eater. The suggestion of this investigation comes on the heels of the discovery that the great Takeru Kobayashi of Japan has type-A blood.\r\n\r\nIn Japenese culture, many believe that blood-type determines one's personality, just as many Americans believe zodiac signs play a role in a person's nature. Is it true that people with type-A blood have the propensity to eat more than people with type B, AB and O?\r\n\r\nThe answer is unclear, however, there are doctors who maintain that blood type dictates the type of food a person should eat. These very doctors say that people with type A blood benefit from a vegetarian diet and should eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Oddly, this high carb, low fat premise is anathema to Kobayashi’s dominance in the hot dog and tailgater disciplines. What’s more, these doctors state that type O people are meat eaters and high protein foods should dominate their diet. An analysis of the teeth of Jim Mullen (Nathan's Champ 1916) showed that indeed he was type O.\r\n\r\nOther medical experts believe that hemoglobin also plays a factor in competive eating skills. The average vertebrate has 6% heme and 94% globin. What is Kobayashi’s ratio? Stay tuned for updates."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fac","sn":587,"title":"Road Report: NOLA","createdAt":"2008-04-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pat Bertoletti continued to dominate the sport today in New Orleans, while Juliet Lee is quickly proving herself to be a force of nature. The Acme World Oyster Eating Championship was an 8-minute event this year, down from 10 minutes in the past. Sonya Thomas holds the 10 minute record with 46 dozen, or 552 oysters.\r\n\r\nResults:\r\nPat Bertoletti: 35 dozen in 8 minutes\r\nJuliet Lee: 31 dozen in \r\nCrazy Legs Conti: 24 dozen, The Mad Greek: 24 dozen\r\nNewcomer Scott \"Scozzy Bone\" Zukowski: 20 dozen \r\n\r\nFull results to follow."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fad","sn":586,"title":"NATHAN’S FAMOUS UNVEILS 2008 QUALIFYING TOUR FOR THE INTERNATIONAL JULY FOURTH HOT DOG EATING CONTEST ","createdAt":"2008-04-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"On July 4, 2007, America watched in awe as Joey Chestnut won the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Championship, beating six-time champion Takeru Kobayashi of Japan and bring the Mustard Yellow Belt back to American soil for the first time in this century.\r\n\r\nIn anticipation of the 2008 rematch, Nathan’s Famous, Inc. has announced the list of cities that will play host to official qualifying events. The champions of each qualifier will compete at the original Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island on July Fourth.\r\n\r\n“Our hot dog eating contest has occurred in Coney Island since 1916, but never has the excitement been bigger than it is today,” said Wayne Norbitz, President and COO of Nathan’s Famous, Inc. “Fans worldwide consider the Nathan’s July Fourth event to be the Masters of Major League Eating, and we are thrilled to sponsor events throughout the country as we approach what will surely be an historic Independence Day.”\r\n\r\nIn 2007, 45,000 fans crowded the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island to witness Joey Chestnut’s victory over Takeru Kobayashi. An additional 1.5 million households tuned in to the contest’s live broadcast on ESPN. Chestnut ate a world record 66 Nathan’s Hot Dogs and Buns in the 12-minute contest. Kobayashi placed second with 62. \r\n\r\nThe 2008 Nathan’s Famous hot dog-eating circuit begins on May 8th in Las Vegas, NV. Other cities on the tour include Minneapolis, MN (May 10), Hartford, CT (May 17), Philadelphia, PA (May 24), Tempe, AZ (May 31), Norfolk, VA (June 7), Charlotte, NC (June 14), Queens, NY (June 14), Myrtle Beach, SC (June 21), Atlanta, GA (June 21), West Chester, PA (June 26), Camden, NJ (June 28), and Daly City, CA (June 28).\r\n\r\nThe winner of each qualifying round will receive the right to compete in the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest which, according to archives, has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY since 1916. Qualifiers are open to those 18 years of age and older and applications will be taken online at www.nathansfamous.com beginning Monday, April 14 at 12:00pm EST.\r\n\r\nMajor League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the events are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fae","sn":585,"title":"Bradley, We Hardly Knew Ye: Sciullo Announces Retirement","createdAt":"2008-03-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"“Your candle burned out long before your legend ever did.”\r\n--Elton John, “Candle in the Wind”\r\n\r\nIt is with humility that Major League Eating bids adieu to a promising young talent. Bradley Sciullo called MLE HQ via webcam at 10:53 a.m. on March 13, 2008. The purpose of the call was to announce his departure from Major League Eating. Like Barry Sanders, Sciullo had retired early.\r\n \r\nThe news took just hours to appear on www.competitiveeatingnews.com and it rattled many within the league. Eric \"Steakbellie\" Livingston, reached at his home in Drexel Hills, PA, refused to comment. Sean \"Never Squirm\" Verma, \"Wild\" Bill Myers, and Jesus \"WWJD?\" Cabrales also declined to comment. (To be fair, the Cabrales call went straight to voicemail and he never called back.) \r\n \r\nCrazy Legs Conti, normally closed-mouth beyond the competitive eating table, was surprisingly expansive on the subject: \"It's tragic when a rising star just up and leaves the sport like that. The rest of us eaters wonder: 'Why?' I mean somebody with so much promise and capacity, a guy who put up twenty-six dogs at the QVC qualifier, then just vanishes? We're left wondering what might have been. He is, in my mind, the Michael Schoeffling of competitive eating.\"\r\n\r\nOn cue, other eaters began to call in with such comments as, \"I can't believe it,\" \"I totally didn't see this coming,\" and \"He is like the Michael Schoeffling of eating.\" The retirement was particularly surprising since Sciullo had only competed in eight events. A question began to circulate around the competitive eating rumor mill, started, as it is often is, by Beautiful \"Brian\" Seiken, who asked to no one in particular, \"Just who was Brad Sciullo?\"\r\n\r\nWe will likely never know. A 21-year old chef from Pittsburgh, Brad Sciullo arrived and flamed out with the intensity of a raging fire. He established his name at last year's Shoo Fly Pie Eating Championship, where he earned $500 for a sixth-place finish. Known alternately as \"Old Skool Sciullo\" for his air of sage calm at the table, and \"The Lunatic\" for his fierce eating style, Sciullo did the deuce-and-then-some at his first Nathan's contest—highly impressive stuff.\r\n\r\nThis year’s Wing Bowl in Philly would be his last contest. Sciullo ripped into the first round and edged out Pat Bertoletti to take second place. In the second round a Wing Bowl official made a controversial call. Sciullo was castigated for snotting a wing, a crime that results in immediate disqualification. The call upset many who felt he hadn't snotted any wing meat at all. The performance and unpopular judge's decision will be discussed for years. After all, who'd have known it would be the final notation in the journal of a promising young gurgitator named Brad Sciullo.\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\nBrad Sciullo \r\nPittsburgh, PA\r\n21 M 5' 11\" 180 lb.\r\n\r\nRanked 26th at the time of retirement\r\n\r\nCareer Results:\r\n\r\nFebruary 1, 2008 - Wing Bowl 16, second after first round with 112, DQ'd for \"snotting a wing\"\r\n\r\nJanuary 14, 2008 - Wing Bowl 16 Wing Off - 37 wings, 10 min (1st) \r\n\r\nOctober 7, 2007 - Waffle House World Waffle Eating Championship - 17.5, waffles, 10 min (4th)\r\n\r\nSeptember 1, 2007 - U.S Buffalo Wing Eating Championship - 65.6 ounces, 12 min (3rd - $300)\r\n\r\nAugust 18, 2007 - 3 Brothers Pizza World Pizza Eating Championship - 11 slices, 10 min (7th) \r\n\r\nJune 28, 2007 - Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest qualifier - 26.5, hot dogs, 12 min (2nd) \r\n\r\nJune 23, 2007 - World's Greatest Shoo-Fly Pie-Eating Championship - 6.18, pounds, 8 min (6th - $500)\r\n\r\nApril 21, 2007 - Broadway at the Beach Ultimate Eating Tournament (8th)\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fa7","sn":583,"title":"Joey Stays on Top","createdAt":"2008-03-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut walked away with the top prize at the Kenny & Ziggy's World Matzoh Ball Eating Championship today in Houston. Chestnut ate 78 matzoh balls in 8 minutes, followed by Pat Bertoletti with 76. Doctor Bigtime came in third with a solid 40.\r\n\r\nThe previous matzoh ball record was held by Eric Badlands Booker with 21 balls in 5 minutes, 25 seconds.\r\n\r\nThis was an MLEgives charity event. And, although not asked, the eaters themselves donated generously."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fab","sn":582,"title":"10 Questions for Gravy","createdAt":"2008-02-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Meet Tim \"Gravy\" Brown. \r\n\r\n1. Describe your first contest experience/How did you discover your talent?\r\n\r\nMy first contest was Golden Palace Grilled Cheese in Detroit. I went\r\nexpecting to clean up. Unfortunately I was green. Pat and that LaRue guy\r\nshowed up and I had no liquid for dunking. Nevertheless I came in third\r\nsucking them down dry. I've always had a big appetite.\r\n\r\n2. Meats or Sweets?\r\n\r\nSweets.\r\n\r\n3. What do you eat for breakfast every morning?\r\n\r\nNothing 'til lunch and then mostly rotisserie chicken.\r\n\r\n4. What is the most challenging event on the circuit?\r\n\r\nHotdogs for sure\r\n\r\n5. What music do you listen to during competition?\r\n\r\nThe sweet sound of my competitors gagging. But when I do have my iPod, MIA\r\nkeeps me moving.\r\n\r\n6. What is the last book you read (or favorite book)?\r\n\r\nA Short History of Tractors in the Ukraine.\r\n\r\n7. What is the last movie that you saw (or favorite movie)?\r\n\r\nLast movie I saw was There Will Be Blood but my favorite movie has to be\r\nSpaced Invaders.\r\n\r\n8. What profession other than your own would you like to try?\r\n\r\nI would love to shuck Clams for a living!!!!!! Or possibly be the proprietor\r\nof a burger joint.\r\n\r\n9. What is your favorite website?\r\n\r\nMajorleagueeating.com of course...but mostly I'm on twithfilm.com.\r\n\r\n10. Who is your presidential choice for '08?\r\n\r\nObama.\r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fa8","sn":579,"title":"10 Questions for Doc Bigtime","createdAt":"2008-02-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"One of the most exciting up-and-comers on the 2008 IFOCE/MLE circuit is Juris \"Dr. Bigtime\" Shibayama. A man of conflicting identities, he is at once a spine surgeon and a Harley enthusiast, a loving father with the irrepressible zeal of a teenager, a body builder and a competitive eater.\r\n\r\nWe sat down with Dr. Bigtime recently over some polenta, crawfish jambalaya, and a bottle of Kajimir as the sun set on the Murfreesboro Reservoir, and discussed his burgeoning career as a gurgitator.\r\n\r\n1. Describe your first contest experience/How did you discover your talent?\r\nFirst contest, Nashville Krystal qualifier, 2006. 33 Krystals in 8 minutes, first ever eating contest, first time ever even trying to eat anything competitively, first time I ever had a Krystal burger. Ryan Nerz was super encouraging, saw my raw talent, and pushed me to continue. \r\n\r\nIt just grew from there. Knew I could be a competitive eater when went to Don Shula's Steakhouse in Miami as a chief resident. Ate Caesar salad, oysters rockefeller, bread, 8 beers, two 48-oz porterhouse steaks, chocolate cake, and apple cobbler. Not bad for a country boy. \r\n\r\n2. Meats or Sweets?\r\nSweets! I'm a sweet guy underneath all this muscle. \r\n\r\n3. What do you eat for breakfast every morning?\r\nProtein shake, and 1 cup of oatmeal. \r\n\r\n4. What is the most challenging event on the circuit?\r\nNathan's. Hot dogs are hard to get down, don't slide well. And 12 minutes is a long time. \r\n\r\n5. What music do you listen to during competition?\r\nI don't, but if I did, it would be Kid Rock, Metallica, or Miami trance music\r\n\r\n6. What is the last book you read (or favorite book)?\r\nLast book was \"Adult & Pediatric Spine Surgery.\" Favorite book is Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy. \r\n\r\n7. What is the last movie that you saw (or favorite movie)?\r\nLast movie I saw, Wild Hogs. Favorite movie, Shawshank Redemption. \r\n\r\n8. What profession other than your own would you like to try?\r\nRock star. No doubt about it. \r\n\r\n9. What is your favorite website?\r\nwww.doctorbigtime.com of course! \r\n\r\n10. Who is your presidential choice for '08?\r\nYeah, I'm not answering that one. \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fa5","sn":578,"title":"Joey Wins, Pat Second, Gentleman Impresses","createdAt":"2008-02-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joseph “Jaws” Chestnut defended his title and his number one ranking today, winning Wing Bowl for the third consecutive year. He ate a staggering total of 241 chicken wings in a half hour, fourteen more than Patrick Bertoletti. Fan favorite Bill “El Wingador” Simmons, the only other gurgitator to three-peat at Wing Bowl, took third with 205 wings. \r\n\r\nThere was widespread concern that the excitable Philly fans would start a riot upon the announcement of Joey’s victory, but George Shea noted that most of them were too drunk to notice. \r\n\r\nBrad Sciullo shocked the Wachovia Center after the first round with a second place finish, only to get disqualified in the following round for “snotting a wing.”\r\n\r\nDave \"US Male\" Goldstein placed 4th, and future star Gentleman Jerry came in 5th. \r\n\r\nChestnut wins a Toyota Tundra, a 2008 Black 883 Sportster motorcycle, and a championship ring. \r\n\r\nMLE was well-represented in Philly by Chestnut, Bertoletti, US Male, Wing Kong, Humble Bob, Big Brian, Brad Sciullo, Dr. Bigtime, Steakbellie, and Wing King. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fa9","sn":577,"title":"Janus Eats a Football","createdAt":"2008-01-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eater X consumed 14.3 ounces of fried pig skin (the equivalent of an official football) in six minutes to win the MLE Pigskin Eating Championships at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone in NYC's Times Square today. For his effort, Eater X took home $2,500 and a Super Bowl XLII Football signed by Giants legend Sean Landetta.\r\n\r\nThe event, which promoted Sunday's Major League Eating Halftime Special on Spike TV, drew a number of Patriots fans including eaters Pete Davekos and Crazy Legs Conti. Despite the presence of Pats supporters, five Hawaiian Tropic Zone models guaranteed a Giants victory on Sunday.\r\n\r\nRuss Keeler placed second and Crazy Legs Conti came in third. Beautiful Brian, Nasty Nate, Mierns and Brickhouse Braunstein also competed.\r\n\r\nMLE's Chowdown Championships will be on Spike during halftime on Feb. 3, 2007. According the today's contest host, the show \"is a strong family friendly option considering Mr. Tom Petty often celebrates drug use in his songs.\""}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fa6","sn":576,"title":"10 Questions for Super Paul BoneBreaker BigMouth PicassoBrush Barlow","createdAt":"2008-01-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"MLE: Paul, your underground artwork recently hit the mainstream when it graced the cover of Badlands Booker’s new hip hop CD: Hungry and Focused 4: Fork, Knife, and Mic. How do you react to people who claim that you're selling out? \r\n \r\nSPB: I've always wanted to sell out. It means I might actually be making some money!\r\n\r\n\r\nMLE: The lion’s share of your art deals appear to be brokered through the website www.tropicmon.com. What is your relationship to the site, and are they at least giving you a cut of the proceeds? \r\n\r\nSPB: I own the website, and 100% of the Tropicmon art money goes to a great cause, the SPBBBMB Stop the Poverty Foundation. This is a fund that tries to help me break the cycle of lower-middle-class status that I am stuck in, by providing me with occasional dribbles of cash, which I then invest in high-risk, high reward, lottery tickets. \r\n \r\n\r\nMLE: Art historians have noticed similarities between Picasso’s painting Guernica, which depicts the Nazi bombing of Guernica, Spain, and your painting, Gurgitatornica. Picasso said the following about his work: “In the panel on which I am working, which I shall call Guernica, and in all my recent works of art, I clearly express my abhorrence of the military caste which has sunk Spain in an ocean of pain and death.” What comment would you make about your work? \r\n \r\nSPB: \"I try, in all my art, except some of it, to show my adorance of competitive eaters wallowing in an ocean of gas, beef, and pizza dough.\"\r\n\r\n\r\nMLE: Your competitive eating personal-bests include 21 Krystals in 8 minutes, 11 Nathan’s HDBs in 12, and 10 waffles in 10. What eating feat are you most proud of, and why? \r\n\r\nSPB: I am proudest of eating 21 Krystals on the University of Alabama campus recently, because I predicted Alabama would score two points for every one Krystal I ate. Alabama scored 41 points in the game against Tennessee, which meant that once again, my fearless food foraging forecast was practically perfect. That is why I have also earned the nickname \"SuperPaul The Krystal Ball\" in some circles. Some very small circles, specifically Coleman's Bar and Grill, where two people living there called me that....once.\r\n \r\n\r\nMLE: The Tropicmon website claims that Paul Barlow is not only an author, but a hoser as well. Explain. \r\n\r\nSPB: A hoser is someone who is, or may be, a meat-headed, fat brain, well-meaning, semi-knuckleheaded, handsome, mis-guided, SpongeBob Squarepants loving individual. \r\n\r\n\r\nMLE: Tropicmon.com also shows a host of celebrities – such luminaries as Michael Jordan, Bill Clinton, and Emmanuel Lewis – hunting down SuperPaul for a photo. Does this ever get irritating? What stalker celebrity have you had to turn down for a photo op, and why? What was your favorite celeb run-in? \r\n\r\nSPB: Many, many, times I have had to turn down beautiful supermodels who wanted more than just a picture, but then I woke up. \r\n\r\nMy favorite celebrity run-in was Jenny McCarthy, the Playboy centerfold turned actress turned autism advocate. I wanted more than a picture, but she turned me down. I actually made her laugh with me, not at me. It made me feel all funny inside, and I ruined my Depends. Another favorite was meeting Vendela Kirsebom, a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model. She told me she would never forget me, and the next two times I met her, she remembered me…after I reminded her of who I was. \r\n \r\n\r\nMLE: If you were, say, an innocent Krystal burger staring down a ravenous SuperPaul, what would be going through your mind? \r\n\r\nSPB: \"He probably won't be able to eat those other 22 burgers ahead of me, so this is a very safe place to sit, if I want to stay alive!!\"\r\n \r\n\r\nMLE: Who do you predict will be the most improved eater on the MLE circuit in 2008? \r\n\r\nSPB: If Dr. Bigtime, Juris Yabbadabbadoo, would stop drinking 5 million gallons of juice, water, Kool-Aid, or soda in every competition, he'd have a lot more room for food. Once he does that, he will be a Top Ten eater, and his shirts may stop being covered in Kool-Aid. \r\n \r\n\r\nMLE: The word around the competitive eating campfire was that your nephews prevailed at the 2007 Nathan’s Famous neat-eating qualifier in Charlotte. Many contend that your coaching made this victory possible. What advice do you give to young eaters trying to come up in the game? \r\n\r\nSPB: Make friends with Badlands Booker. That way, even if you never become a great eater, you can get mentioned, or sing, on a rap album. \r\n\r\n\r\nMLE: In the rock band Sublime's song Santeria, the lead singer shouts: \"What I really wanna say is I've got mine.\" Nobody knows what he means by \"mine.\" If you were to sing the same thing, \"I've got mine\" what would you mean? \r\n\r\nSPB: That would mean I have finally had a massive return on my lottery ticket investment fund, which I would have to turn over to my wife, so I may have to sing \"She's got mine.”\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3faa","sn":574,"title":"Year in Review: 2007","createdAt":"2008-01-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"With 2007 at an end and the New England Patriots smashing records both old and new, we have elected to take a look at the Tom Brady and Randy Moss of Major League Eating. Chestnut and Bertoletti had incredible 07s. But wait, they weren't alone. A guy named Gravy put up some pretty impressive numbers of his own. So take a look at the year in review. Some of these records happened as millions watched on television. Others happened as hundreds watched in a crowded parking lot.\r\n\r\nNew Records Per Eater in 2007:\r\n\r\nBertoletti: 10\r\nChestnut: 6\r\nJanus: 3\r\nLee: 1\r\nConti: 1\r\nShoudt: 1\r\nRios: 1\r\nBrown: 1\r\n\r\nMajor Milestones:\r\n\r\n * Joey takes Nathan’s Belt with 66 HDB’s—12.25 more than Kobayashi’s 2006 record\r\n * Joey breaks 100 at the Krystal Square Off\r\n * Bertoletti eats 21 lbs of grits in 10 minutes—most weight to ever be eaten in competition\r\n * Conti gets his first win and first record in over two years\r\n * Shoudt shocks the world by breaking Chestnut’s 2-minute record for Krystals and finishing second in the Square Off\r\n * Kobayashi falls to Chestnut and Bertoletti and his own jaw at the MLE Chowdown\r\n\r\nBERTOLETTI:\r\n\r\n16\" Pizza \r\n22 Slices/Three Brothers Pizza \r\n10 Minutes/Aug. 18, 2007 \r\nPatrick Bertoletti\r\n\r\nBlueberry Pie (Hands-Free) \r\n9.17 lbs blueberry pie/Stand By Me World Pie Eating Championship \r\n8 minutes/July 28, 2007 \r\nPatrick Bertoletti\r\n\r\nCorned Beef & Cabbage \r\n10.63 lbs Corned Beef & Cabbage/MLE St. Patrick’s Day Chowdown \r\n10 Minutes/ Mar. 16, 2007\r\n\r\nPatrick Bertoletti\r\n\r\nDoughnuts, Cream-filled \r\n47 Glazed and Cream-filled Doughnuts/MLE St. Patrick's Day Chowdown \r\n5 minutes/March 17, 2007 \r\nPatrick Bertoletti\r\n\r\nGrits \r\n21 lbs of Grits at Harrah's Louisiana Downs \r\n10 minutes/Sept. 29, 2007 \r\nPatrick Bertoletti\r\n\r\nPeanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches \r\n42 PB&J/Drum Corps International \r\n10 minutes/Aug. 8, 2007 \r\nPatrick Bertoletti\r\n\r\nShoo-Fly Pie \r\n11.1 Pounds Shoo-Fly Pie/ Rockvale Outlets \r\n8 Minutes/ June 23, 2007 \r\nPatrick Bertoletti\r\n\r\nStrawberry Shortcake \r\n15.25 lbs Strawberry Shortcake/Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Festival \r\n8 Minutes/June 17, 2007 \r\nPatrick Bertoletti\r\n\r\nWaffles \r\n29 Waffles (8 oz.)/ Waffle House \r\n10 Minutes/ Oct. 7, 2007 \r\nPatrick Bertoletti\r\n\r\nWhole Turkey, Short Form \r\n6.91 lbs roast turkey meat/Spike TV's MLE Chowdown \r\n8 Minutes/Nov. 22, 2007 \r\nPatrick Bertoletti\r\n\r\nCHESTNUT:\r\n\r\nAsparagus \r\n8.6 pounds Tempura Deep Fried Aspargus Spears/ Stockton Asparagus Fest \r\n10 minutes/ Apr. 28, 2007 \r\nJoey Chestnut\r\n\r\nChicken Wings, 12 minutes \r\n7.5 lbs Buffalo Chicken Wings \r\n12 minutes/ May 21, 2007 \r\nJoey Chestnut\r\n\r\nHamburgers: Krystals \r\n103 Krystal Burgers \r\n8 minutes/October 28, 2007 \r\nJoey Chestnut\r\n\r\nHot Dogs \r\n66 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and Buns \r\n12 minutes/ July 4, 2007 \r\nJoey Chestnut\r\n\r\nPizza Hut P'Zones \r\n4.82 lbs Pizza Hut P'Zones \r\n6 minutes/July 10, 2007 \r\nJoey Chestnut\r\n\r\nPork, Pulled Sandwiches \r\n45 pulled pork sandwiches \r\n10 minutes/ Sept. 1, 2007 \r\nJoey Chestnut\r\n\r\nJANUS:\r\n\r\nBurritos, Long Form \r\n11.81 lbs burritos/Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill \r\n10 Minutes/Sep. 22, 2007 \r\nTimothy Janus\r\n\r\nRamen Noodles \r\n10.5 lbs Ramen Noodles/NARUTO: Clash of Ninja Revolution for Nintedo Wii \r\n8 minutes/October 27, 2007 \r\nTimothy Janus\r\n\r\nTamales \r\n71 Tamales/Old Town Lewisville/Dallas Tortilla & Tamale Factory \r\n12 Minutes/Sept. 1, 2007 \r\nTimothy Janus\r\n\r\nLEE:\r\n\r\nCranberry Sauce, Jellied \r\n13.23 lbs jellied cranberry sauce/Spike TV's MLE Chowdown \r\n8 Minutes/Nov. 22, 2007 \r\nJuliet Lee\r\n\r\nCONTI:\r\n\r\nSweet Corn \r\n34.75 ears sweet corn/ Sweet Corn Fiesta \r\n12 minutes/ Apr. 29, 2007 \r\nCrazy Legs Conti\r\n\r\nSHOUDT:\r\n\r\nKrystal Hamburgers, 2 minutes \r\n39 Krystal Hamburgers \r\n2 minutes/September 2007 \r\nBob Shoudt\r\n\r\nRIOS:\r\n\r\nPigs' Feet and Knuckles \r\n2.89 lbs pigs' feet meat/State Fair Meadowlands \r\n10 minutes/June 23, 2007 \r\nArturo Rios, Jr.\r\n\r\nBROWN:\r\n\r\nPotato Wedges \r\n3.74 lbs Buffalo Wild Wings Potato Wedges/Spike TV's MLE Chowdown \r\n8 minutes/October 18, 2007 \r\nTim Brown\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fa3","sn":573,"title":"Eater Donations Push Initial Hunger Charities Gift to $15,000","createdAt":"2007-11-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating and the International Federation of Competitive Eating have increased the initial donation of $10,000 to hunger charities to $15,000 after additional donations have flooded in from league eaters. With matching donations from Food Bank for New York City partners, this pushes the total raised thru this effort to over $35,000. \r\n\r\nThe total donation will now provide 45,000 meals to the hungry and advances the campaign to raise $100,000 for hunger charities.\r\n\r\nThe fundraising initiative, which will include donations from the league, eaters, clients and fans, follows in the footsteps of IFOCEgives, a similar effort that raised more than $50,000 for charities including Second Harvest and the American Red Cross.\r\n\r\n“We have been overwhelmed by the swift response of the eaters,” said president Richard Shea. “Small donation go a long way and we hope to further leverage our platform to combat hunger.”\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fa2","sn":572,"title":"Deep Dish Giveth","createdAt":"2007-11-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Who can forget the day that the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes, when all the Who’s in Whoville were so impressed that they let him carve the Roast Beast? Who doesn’t remember the day The Peanuts told their favorite friend, “You’re a good man, Charlie Brown!”\r\n\r\nWell, now it’s time for all the gustatory gladiators in Major League Eating to doff their hats to young Patrick “Battle of the” Bertoletti, who declared today that he would like to donate $1,000 of his competitive eating winnings to the MLEgives program.\r\n\r\nIndeed, Major League Eating has been in the giving spirit. Tim “Eater X” Janus recently finished off a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 in just 15 minutes, to draw attention to New York City’s hungry. His Thanksgiving stunt served as a platform for a $10,000 donation from MLE to Food Bank For New York City, which will provide 30,000 meals to those affected by hunger. (Witnesses claim that a pilgrim and a rather stolid Native American emceed the event, but these claims are as yet unconfirmed.) This donation kicks off a $100,000 MLE hunger charity fundraising campaign that will gather donations from MLE members, sponsors and fans.\r\n\r\nIn the past, hot dog champ Joey Chestnut and sweet corn champ Crazy Legs Conti have both contributed to MLE charitable efforts. But as the holiday spirit emerges, making hearts and stomachs alike grow, many hope that more gurgitators will follow the lead of their magnanimous brethren."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fa4","sn":567,"title":"Joey Breaks 100 Mark at Krystal","createdAt":"2007-10-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"History was made today in Chattanooga when Joey Chestnut ate 103 Krystals to win the KS0 IV. \r\n\r\nCHATTANOOGA, TENN. - American eating sensation Joey Chestnut \r\ndemonstrated once again why he is competitive eating's new superstar \r\nand the undisputed number one ranked eater in the world. Fending off \r\na full table of the world's best today, the 23-year-old from San \r\nJose, Calif. devoured 103 Krystal hamburgers in eight minutes to win \r\nthe Krystal Square Off IV World Hamburger Eating Championship, held \r\nalong the banks of the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga.\r\n\r\nChestnuts' historical win marks the first time an eater has broken \r\nthe once-inconceivable \"100 Krystals in eight minutes\" barrier and \r\nsurpasses the previous world record of 97 Krystals held by Japan's \r\nTakeru Kobayashi, set at last year's Krystal Square Off.\r\n\r\nPresented by The Krystal Company and featuring the iconic fresh, hot, \r\nsmall, square Krystal hamburger, the Krystal Square Off is one of the \r\ntwo majors in the sport of competitive eating and the only world \r\nhamburger eating championship sanctioned by Major League Eating\r\n\r\n\"We never thought we'd see someone anywhere near, let alone past the \r\ncentury mark when we started the Krystal Square Off in 2004. But like \r\nwhen Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile barrier more than 50 \r\nyears ago, Joey Chestnut has set a new benchmark today for all moving \r\nforward,\" said Brad Wahl, vice president of marketing, The Krystal \r\nCompany.\r\n\r\nWhile Chestnut dominated the field the entire contest, the battle for \r\nsecond between 22-year-old rising star Patrick \"Deep Dish\" Bertoletti \r\nand \"Humble Bob\" Shoudt, 39, was the closest ever in Krystal Square \r\nOff history with just one Krystal separating the two eaters. In an \r\nupset, Shoudt, ranked seventh in the world, consumed 95 Krystals to \r\nedge out Bertoletti, the number two ranked eater in the world.\r\n\r\nAs this year's winner, Chestnut walks away with $10,000 and the \r\ncoveted Krystal Square Off Champion's Belt and Trophy made out of \r\ncrystal. Shoudt's runner-up finish earns him $7,500, while Bertoletti \r\ntakes home $3,500. The remaining top ten finalists receive payouts \r\nranging from $2,300 to $500.\r\n\r\nAn audience of more than six thousand people were on hand to watch \r\nthis year's Krystal-eating contest. A live national television \r\naudience also watched on ESPN.\r\n\r\nThe official results are as follows:\r\n\r\nJoey “Jaws” Chestnut, San Jose, CA - 103\r\n“Humble Bob\" Shoudt - Philadelphia, Pa. - 95\r\nPat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, Chicago, Ill. - 94\r\nTim “Eater X” Janus, New York, NY -74\r\nSonya “The Black Widow” Thomas, Alexandria, Va. - 58\r\nRich “The Locust” LeFevre, Henderson, Nev. - 53\r\nHall “Hoover” Hunt - Jacksonville, Fla. - 52\r\nChip “The Phenom” Simpson - BIrmingham, Ala. - 49\r\nErik “The Red” Denmark, Seattle, Wash. - 45\r\n“Crazy Legs” Conti - New York, N.Y. - 45\r\nJuliet Lee, Germantown, Md. - 44\r\nTim “Gravy” Brown, Chicago, Ill. - 38\r\nAllen “Shredder” Goldstein, Plainview, N.Y. - 34\r\n\r\nWhile this is just the fourth year of the Krystal Square Off, Krystal \r\nhas been hosting eating contests ever since it first opened its doors \r\nin 1932. Indeed, Krystal's second customer, Roy Ward, claimed he \r\ncould eat twice as many Krystals as French Jenkins, the chain's first \r\ncustomer. He did just that by eating 12 Krystals, and according to \r\nlegend invented the famous Krystal Sackful in the process. The years \r\nhave passed, but Krystal Lovers have never stopped challenging each \r\nother to Krystal Eating Contests. This long-standing tradition became \r\nofficial in 2004 with the first Krystal Square Off World Hamburger \r\nEating Championship.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f9e","sn":566,"title":"Naruto Noodle Results","createdAt":"2007-10-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eater X won today's Naruto Clash of the Ninja Ramen Noodle Eating Championship in New York City. \r\n\r\nEater X ate 10.5 lbs of noodles in the 10 minute event. Wing Kong placed second with 7.2 lbs. Arturo was 3rd with 6.64 lbs...Shredder was close behind. Steakbellie wore a kilt and Pretty Boy Davekos did a handstand for the hundreds gathered at Rock Center for the event. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fa1","sn":565,"title":"MLE / IFOCE to Raise $100,000 for Hunger Charities","createdAt":"2007-10-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eating and the International Federation of Competitive Eating have donated $10,000 to Second Harvest and selected organizations to kick off a campaign to raise $100,000 for hunger charities.\r\n\r\nThe initiative, which will include donations from the league, eaters, clients and fans, follows IFOCEgives, a similar effort that raised more than $50,000 for charities including Second Harvest and the American Red Cross.\r\n\r\n“We hope to encourage hundreds of individuals and organizations to give to hunger charities during this campaign,” said president Richard Shea. “A very small donation can feed thousands of people, and we will use our platform to help combat hunger.”\r\n\r\nShea said MLE will help to facilitate the donation process to Second Harvest and other hunger-related charities, and that the organization will continue to help cystic fibrosis and lung cancer groups as it has for years.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3fa0","sn":564,"title":"Joey Takes Birmingham Krystal Qualifier","createdAt":"2007-10-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut ate 87 Krystals today to qualify for the KSO IV. This is ten off the record but very impressive for a qualifier.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe annual square off is just one week away and the excitement is mounting for this battle, which will be televised on ESPN.\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more information, visit www.KrystalSquareOff.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f9f","sn":563,"title":"Spike to Televise ChowDown","createdAt":"2007-10-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The first episode of Major League Eating’s three-part ChowDown series will air on Spike on Thursday, October 18th at 11pm EST. \r\n\r\nThe show, packed cover-to-cover with eating action, is called Wedges & Wings and will feature 16 competitive eaters in two grueling eating contests. \r\n\r\nStarring eaters like Joey Chestnut, Takeru Kobayashi, Eater X and Pat Bertoletti, the ChowDown will explore the limits of human capacity along with a number of Major League Eating’s most hardnosed rivalries.\r\n\r\nShow hosts George Shea, Crazy Legs Conti and Richard Shea will deliver all the action from the heart of The Fremont Street Experience, one of the most colorful and energetic spots in Las Vegas, NV.\r\n\r\nMany gurgitators in Wedges & Wings will be competing for the first time on national television. Known as table enders, newcomers like Steakbellie and Wing Kong will go cheek to jowl with The Mad Greek and Juris Shibayama. All of these individuals will be looking to prove to the world that they have what it takes to compete in the top rankings of the world’s fastest growing sport.\r\n\r\nThis show will change the course of our world forever so don’t miss a second of the action.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f99","sn":562,"title":"Crazy Legs, Mr. October","createdAt":"2007-10-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Crazy Legs Conti qualified for the KSO IV by eating 44 of the cult classic Krystals in eight minutes today. Conti ll appear on the ESPN-televised Krystal Square Off on October 28th.\r\n\r\nIn second place was Buffalo Jim Reeves with 40 and Nasty Nate Biller placed third with 26.\r\n\r\nMore information at www.krystalsquareoff.com"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f9b","sn":561,"title":"Deep Dish Does Dallas","createdAt":"2007-10-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pat 'Deep Dish' Bertoletti continued his winning streak against Joey Chestnut today at the State Fair of Texas, winning the Waffle House World Waffle Eating Championship with a new record of 29 waffles in 10 minutes. \r\nBertoletti walked away with $3500 and the newly minted Waffle House Belt, an award that's almost blinding in its raw beauty.\r\n\r\nJoey took second with 28 1/2, and Eater X finished 3rd with 21 1/4. Brad 'Old School' Sciullo nabbed the $600 4th place prize with 17 1/2 waffles. \r\n\r\nIn other competitive eating news, retired gurgitator Edward 'Cookie' Jarvis reportedly mowed his lawn today."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f9a","sn":560,"title":"Krystal Qualifier Goes to Eater X","createdAt":"2007-09-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eater X continued his impressive fall season with a win in Memphis today downing 73 Krystals in eight minutes for entry into the KSO IV, which will air on ESPN on October 28th.\r\n\r\nErik the Red ate 43 for second and the Mad Greek consumed 24.\r\n\r\nMore info at www.krystalsquareoff.com"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f97","sn":559,"title":"Louisiana Downs a Lot of Grits","createdAt":"2007-09-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Patrick Bertoletti won the Lousiana Downs World Grits Eating Championship today by eating 21 pounds of grits in 10 minutes. Tim Janus placed second with 20 pounds and in third was Joey Chestnut with 19.\r\n\r\nSonya Thomas placed a close fourth with 18.5 pounds. Hall Hunt came in fifth with 15 pounds.\r\n\r\nThis was capacity benchmarking that would make Polly Holiday blush."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f98","sn":557,"title":"Bertoletti Downs 85 Krystals","createdAt":"2007-09-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Superstar Major League Eater put down 85 Krystals in eight minutes today to win the Atlanta qualifier for KSO IV. Bertoletti will be a force come October 28th.\r\n\r\nCORRECTION (Via Wicked PR) In second place was Allen THE SHREDDER Goldstein with 42 and in third place was Juliet Lee with 41.\r\n\r\nKSOIV is gonna be Huge."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f96","sn":556,"title":"Burrito Champion X","createdAt":"2007-09-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"New Englanders set aside their concern over the Red Sox today and celebrated the Costa Vida World Burrito Eating Championship in South Portland, ME. Results were as follows:\r\n\r\n1st) Eater X, 10.5 Burritos\r\n2nd) Sonya Thomas, 10 Burritos\r\n3rd: Gravy Brown, 6.5 Burritos\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f94","sn":554,"title":"Road Report: Krystal Knoxville","createdAt":"2007-09-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Chip Simpson cruised to victory in Knoxville this afternoon by downing 49 Krystals in eight minutes to qualify for the Krystal Square Off IV. \r\n\r\nIn second place was Paul Egger who ate 27 and in third place was Rick Petralia with 21 Krystals. Major League Eaters love their Krystals and Chip is nothing if not a Major League Eater.\r\n\r\nMore info at www.krystalsquareoff.com"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f95","sn":555,"title":"Road Report: La Costena Feel the Heat Jalapeno Eating Challenge","createdAt":"2007-09-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"With mariachis beating in the distance, Chicago's hometown boy Pat 'Deep Dish' Bertoletti prevailed in what many believe is the most grueling discipline on the circuit - jalapenos. \r\n\r\nA crowd of Chi-town fans cheered him to a 191 jalapeno performance worth $2500. The feat marked a new short form record - 6.5 minutes, due to a La Costena pepper shortage. The peppers were so piquant and in such high demand they had to cut the contest time.\r\n\r\nIn second place was Sonya Thomas with 141 jalapenos, Rich LeFevre took 3rd with 120, Hall Hunt 4th with 110, and Erik the Red took 5th with 97.\r\n\r\nBertoletti was last seen smiling and drinking whole milk from the carton."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f93","sn":553,"title":"Cannoli to X","createdAt":"2007-09-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eater X won his second straight cannoli title today in Little Italy. The face painted lothario consumed XXI cannoli in VI minutes to the amazement of the thousands gathered at Grand and Baxter Streets. \r\n\r\nCrazy Legs ate 17 for 2nd place. Third was a tie with Allen Goldstein and Nat Biller eating 16 a piece. \r\n\r\nThe last place finisher, and winner of the Pavarotti Box Set, was Noriaka Takada of Tokyo. \r\n\r\nWild Bill did 7 cannoli. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f90","sn":552,"title":"Humble Bob 69 Krystals","createdAt":"2007-09-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Humble Bob Square Pants rolled like the Patriots offense today by winning the Krystal Square Off Nashville qualifier with 69 Krystals, 30 more than any other competitor. \r\n\r\nIn second place was Juris Prudence who downed an impressive 39 Krystals in eight minutes. In third place was Kevin Ross with 30 Krystals.\r\n\r\nHumble Bob also holds the two-minute Krystal record with 39!"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f8f","sn":551,"title":"Hall Hunt Hometown Hero","createdAt":"2007-09-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Hall Hunt won today's Krystal Square Off in his hometown of Jacksonville, FL. \r\n\r\nMore than 400 fans gathered at the Landing for the annual Krystal tour stop. Hunt treated them to a Krystal clinic and ate 49 of the cult classic hamburgers in eight minutes. \r\n\r\nGravy Brown put down 38 Krystals as did newcomer Rubber Gut Canady. The beautiful Juliet Lee consumed an impressive 35 in her first attempt in the Krystal discipline. \r\n\r\nIt was 95 degrees with a real feel of 110, which is likely why Mike Romero placed last with just 9 Krystals. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f8d","sn":550,"title":"Sonya Beats the Boys in Buffalo","createdAt":"2007-09-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas won the annual buffalo wing eating championship at the National Buffalo Wing Festival in Buffalo by downing 5.17 lbs of wing meat. \r\n\r\nLast year's champ, Chip Simpson placed second with 4.77 lbs. In a surprise, third place went to Brad Sciullo who ate 4.1 lbs to edge out Humble Bob square pants who consumed 4 lbs even. \r\n\r\nBadlands Booker performed to the thousands gathered in Buffalo for the festival, which is run by Mr. Drew Cerza, a man the world knows best as The Wing King. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f8b","sn":548,"title":"Eater X Sets Record","createdAt":"2007-09-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"X ate 71 tamales in 12 minutes today to set a new Lewisville and World record.\r\n\r\nLeFevre placed second with 51 despite his bad tooth. Mongo Marquez took 3rd with 27. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f8e","sn":549,"title":"Chestnut Sets New Record in Myrtle Beach","createdAt":"2007-09-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Today in Myrtle Beach at the Beach, Boogie and BBQ Festival, Joey Chestnut set a new world record in pulled pork BBQ sandwiches. The record was previously set by Sonya Thomas in 2003, when she devoured 23 sandwiches for the win. Four years later, that number was nearly doubled by the incomparable Chestnut with 45 sandwiches in 10 minutes. Pat Bertoletti reportedly led Joey for about 85% of the contest, but in the end, Chestnut's chipmunking ability shot him into the lead.\r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut: 45 Sandwiches\r\nPat Bertoletti: 43.5 Sandwiches\r\nJuliet Lee: 22.5 Sandwiches\r\nPatrick Vandam: 20 Sandwiches\r\nTodd Hennessey: 12.25 Sandwiches\r\nBill Roth: 10.5 Sandwiches"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f8c","sn":547,"title":"Road Report: Reno","createdAt":"2007-08-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"On August 29, Major League Eaters gathered at the 19th Annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off in Sparks, NV for the 2nd Annual World Rib Eating Championship. Joey Chestnut retained his title, but the real hero of this event was Rich LeFevre. The Locust broke his left front tooth in the course of the contest, but kept on eating to finish an incredible 4.3 lbs of rib meat in 12 minutes for third place. The remnants of the tooth are thought to have been swallowed.\r\n\r\nFull Results:\r\nJoey Chestnut: 7 lbs\r\nPat Bertoletti: 6.1 lbs\r\nRich LeFevre: 4.3 lbs\r\nJason Erb: 3.6 lbs\r\nErik Denmark: 3.3 lbs\r\nJason Beals: 2.4 lbs\r\nTim Waite: 1.9 lbs\r\nShawn Kirby: 1.8 lbs\r\nWayne Wilson: 1.8 lbs\r\nDennis Mui: 1.2 lbs\r\nSpencer Thomas: .9 lbs\r\nAnthony Miller: .8 lbs\r\n\r\nFor more information on John Ascuaga's Nugget Hotel and Casino, visit www.janugget.com.\r\n\r\nFor more information on the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off, visit www.NuggetRibCookOff.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f89","sn":545,"title":"Road Report: Krystal Country","createdAt":"2007-08-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas won the first of nine Krystal Square Off qualifiers today in Chattanooga, TN by downing 51 of the classic burgers in just eight minutes.\r\n\r\nThomas was unhurried in her attempt to qualify for KSO IV. In second place was a local man who downed 24 Krystals.\r\n\r\nThe Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship is the only sanctioned hamburger eating contest in the world. The reigning champ is Takeru Kobayashi who has downed 97 Krystals in eight minutes.\r\n\r\nMore information is at www.KrystalSquareOff.com. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f92","sn":546,"title":"Road Report: Fairfield","createdAt":"2007-08-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pat Bertoletti once again proved his astonishing athletic ability today by winning the Ash Creek Saloon World Rib Eating Championship with 6.06 lbs of rib meat in 12 minutes. Joey Chestnut, who until today had not been beaten in the rib discipline, came in second with 5.53 lbs. Bob Shoudt and Eater X rounded out the top four with 4.91 and 4.73 lbs, respectively.\r\n\r\nThree seats in the competition were auctioned off for charity, bringing in an extra $675 for the cause. \r\n\r\nFull Results:\r\nBertoletti--6.06lbs\r\nChestnut--5.53lbs\r\nBob Shoubt--4.91lbs\r\nTim X Janus--4.73 lbs\r\nJuliet Lee--3.94 lbs\r\nMad Greek--3.71lbs\r\nJames Rosetti--3.5lbs\r\nRuss Keeler--3.4lbs\r\nPat Bruss--3.175lbs\r\nCrazy Legs--2.75lbs\r\nPete Merinecki--2.6lbs\r\nPaul Gorra--2.47 lbs\r\nJordan Palmer--2.28\r\nGlen Bensey--2.19lbs\r\nBill Meyers--2.16lbs\r\nThe Punisher--1.9 lbs\r\nMike Springer--1.8lbs\r\nBrian Generous--1.3lbs\r\n\r\n\r\nVoted BEST RIBS and BBQ in both Ct. Magazine and the Fairfield County Weekly for 9 out of 10 years, Ash Creek has expanded their culinary horizons and are now considered one the best known and most popular dining establishments in Connecticut, serving more than 200,000 people a year.\r\n\r\nFor more information on Ash Creek Saloon, visit www.AshCreekSaloon.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f87","sn":544,"title":"Road Report: Saratoga","createdAt":"2007-08-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Crazy Legs Conti won the Saratoga Springs Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest by downing 21.5 HDBs in 12 minutes. \r\n\r\nFull results:\r\n\r\nCrazy Legs Conti: 21.5\r\nJeff Bouyea: 10\r\nMark James: 9\r\nMark Ronczkowski: 9\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f88","sn":543,"title":"Rapid Fire Surprise: Nathan","createdAt":"2007-08-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"IFOCE added an unexpected Nathan's event in Saratoga. This is a rapid fire addition to the MLE 2007 Eating Event Schedule.\r\n\r\nIt will occur on August 20, 2007 in Saratoga Springs, NY.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f8a","sn":542,"title":"Road Report: Drum Corps PB&J Contest","createdAt":"2007-08-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Patrick “P-Rock” Bertoletti solidified his reputation as the best sweets-eater in the known universe by taking the Drum Corps International Peanut Butter and Jelly Eating Championship, downing 42 sandwiches in 10 minutes. A not-so-distant second went to Tim “Eater X” Janus, who knocked down 37.5, using an unprecedented milk-water dunking solution. Not far behind came the circuit’s grizzled veteran, Rich “The Locust” LeFevre, who ate 34. Erik “The Red” put down 20.\r\n\r\nIn a rather unfortunate turn of events, the eater known as El Toro suffered a reversal so dramatic it would’ve put Davey Hogan’s to shame.\r\n\r\nLegendary Ron \"the Optic\" Koch was on hand as Special Guest Judge. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f91","sn":541,"title":"KSO IV Announced","createdAt":"2007-08-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"KRYSTAL ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR KRYSTAL SQUARE OFF IV WORLD HAMBURGER \r\nEATING CHAMPIONSHIP\r\n\r\nNINE-CITY QUALIFYING TOUR STARTS AUGUST 22 IN CHATTANOOGA\r\n\r\nChattanooga, Tenn., August 02, 2007 - The Krystal Company, the fast \r\nfood icon famous for its fresh, hot, small, square hamburgers craved \r\nby millions all across the South, today announced the dates and \r\ncities for the 2007 Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating \r\nChampionship, one of the majors in competitive eating and the only \r\nworld hamburger-eating championship sanctioned by Major League \r\nEating, the world governing body of all stomach-centric sports.\r\n\r\nBilled in its fourth year as Krystal Square Off IV and annually \r\ndrawing thousands of the world's top eaters and amateur hopefuls, the \r\nthree-month long qualifying circuit and championship event will \r\nofficially get underway on August 22, 2007, in Chattanooga, with the \r\nfirst of nine regional qualifiers. From there, the road to the top \r\nburger title will journey to cities all across the South with each \r\ncity sending its winner to the World Championship event held in \r\ndowntown Chattanooga in early November.\r\n\r\nAt the Krystal Square Off IV final, competitors will face three-time \r\nchampion and world record holder Takeru Kobayashi of Japan. The King \r\nof the Krystal, Kobayashi has never lost a Krystal Square Off contest \r\nand receives an automatic seat at the final table this year after \r\nsmashing his own world record in 2006 by eating an astonishing 97 \r\nKrystals in eight minutes. For the second year in a row, Kobayashi \r\nwent Krystal for Krystal in 2006 against American sensation Joey \r\nChestnut, who finished just behind Kobayashi with a mark of 92 \r\nKrystals. \r\n\r\nThe dates and cities for the Krystal Square Off IV qualifying circuit \r\nand championship final are as follows (exact times and locations can \r\nbe found at www.KrystalSquareOff.com):\r\n\r\nAug. 22 - 25: Chattanooga, Tenn.\r\n\r\nAug. 31 - Sept. 3: Jacksonville, Fla.\r\n\r\nSept. 7 - 9: Nashville, Tenn.\r\n\r\nSept. 14 - 16: Knoxville, Tenn.\r\n\r\nSept. 21 - 23: Atlanta, Ga.\r\n\r\nSept. 28 - 30: Memphis, Tenn.\r\n\r\nOct. 5 - 7: Perry, Ga.\r\n\r\nOct. 12 - 14: Jackson, Miss.\r\n\r\nOct. 19 - 21: Birmingham, AL\r\n\r\nTBA: Chattanooga, Tenn. \r\n\r\n\"Like following the 'Fight of the Century' between Muhammad Ali and \r\nJoe Frazier, the world is craving a rematch between Takeru Kobayashi \r\nand Joey Chestnut. Before that can happen though, Chestnut still has \r\nto qualify for the World Championship at one of our nine regional \r\nqualifiers,\" explained Brad Wahl, vice president of marketing, The \r\nKrystal Company. \"And it won't be easy for the new number one ranked \r\neater in the world. We anticipate more than 2,000 hopefuls to compete \r\nin our circuit events, including all of the top eaters in the world, \r\nand the competition will be fiercer than ever as guys like Patrick \r\nBertoletti and Tim \"Eater X' Janus are out to prove that this is more \r\nthan a two man contest.\"\r\n\r\nIndividuals interested in competing in Krystal Square Off IV can find \r\nthe most up-to-date information at www.KrystalSquareOff.com. As an \r\nofficially sanctioned Major League Eating event, all registration for the \r\nqualifying contests will be handled by the IFOCE. Participants must be 18 years or over.\r\n\r\nTHE KRYSTAL COMPANY\r\n\r\nFounded in 1932, Krystal restaurants have become more than sparkling- \r\nclean eateries where friendly employees serve up fresh, delicious \r\nfood. Krystal has become a cultural icon and an experience that \r\nvirtually every man, woman and child in the South has shared. Nearly \r\neveryone in the region has a Krystal memory. The Krystal brand-and \r\nthe great food, service, value and setting that it represents-has \r\ntaken a prominent place in the South's cultural landscape. The \r\nKrystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the \r\nSouth and the second oldest in the United States. The Chattanooga, \r\nTenn.-based company currently has more than 400 restaurants in \r\nAlabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, \r\nMississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and \r\nVirginia. For more information, visit www.krystal.com.\r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f86","sn":540,"title":"Road Report: Stand By Me","createdAt":"2007-07-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Blueberry pie results - winner: Pat Bertoletti 9.17 lbs in 8 min, Second place, Gravy Brown 8.47, Third goes to Mongo 6.56, then Kevin Ross 5.58, \r\nHaimfan@aol.com (aka Crazy Legs) and and Erik the Red tie for 5th with 4.88...Bison gives compelling judges address and goes on to judge in a compelling fashion. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f83","sn":539,"title":"Road Report: Oregon","createdAt":"2007-07-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut has once again taken the title at the Chinook Winds World Rib Eating Championship. Chestnut has never been beaten in the rib discipline. Coming in second was crowd-favorite Rich \"the Locust\" LeFevre. Erik Denmark and Jason Erb represented the Pacific Northwest coming in third and fourth, respectively. Brickhouse Braunstein made the trip all the way from Maryland to take fifth, and Carl \"the Hungarian Freight Train\" Ronto rounded out the top six. Ronto has won the amateur round at Chinook Winds for the past two years and has made a good showing with the pro's each time. \r\n\r\nFull Results:\r\nJoey Chestnut - 7.65 lbs\r\nRich LeFevre - 5.75lbs\r\nErik Denmark - 4.7lbs\r\nJason Erb - 3.6lbs\r\nBrickhouse Braunstein - 2.95\r\nCarl Ronto - 2.9"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f85","sn":538,"title":"Chestnut Beats Kobayashi, Brings Mustard Yellow Belt Back to America","createdAt":"2007-07-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut of San Jose, Calif., today won the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, beating former champion Takeru Kobayashi and setting a new world record by downing 66 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\nKobayashi, the six-time hot dog-eating world champion, arrived at the 2007 event with a jaw injury. He reportedly received therapy on the jaw until two hours before the contest and appeared to compete at 100 percent — he ate 63 HDBs, eight more than his personal best.\r\n\r\nMany thought Kobayashi would be unable to compete, or that he would compete at a lower level of intensity. In fact, he and Joey were neck and neck until the final moments of the contest.\r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest has been held each year since 1916, according to archives. This year’s contest may have been the most highly anticipated match-up in the event’s storied 92-year history. Police reported that nearly 50,000 people attended the event in Coney Island.\r\n\r\n“Nothing represents summer and the Fourth of July like the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog-Eating Contest,” said Wayne Norbitz, president and COO of Nathan’s Famous. “This year our nation has new hope for glory.”\r\n\r\nOfficial Results\r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut: 66\r\nTakeru Kobayashi: 63\r\nPat Bertoletti: 49\r\nTim \"Eater X\" Janus: 43.5\r\nSonya \"The Black Widow\" Thomas: 39\r\nBob Shoudt: 35\r\nChip Simpson: 35\r\nRich LeFevre: 31\r\nHall Hunt: 29\r\nJuliet Lee: 26\r\nDale Boone: 25\r\nPat Philbin: 24\r\nCrazy Legs Conti: 23.5\r\nErik \"the Red\" Denmark: 23\r\nTim Brown: 22.5\r\nArturo Rios, Jr.: 21\r\nAllen Goldstein: 21\r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest is sanctioned by the Major League Eating (MLE), the world governing body of all stomach-centric sport. The Nathan’s Famous International Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Championship has been held each year on July 4 since 1916, according to archives."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f84","sn":536,"title":"July 4 Resource Center","createdAt":"2007-07-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Nathan’s Famous July Fourth International Hot dog Eating Contest\r\n\r\nSix-time world champion Takeru Kobayashi of Japan will return to the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, Brooklyn, on Wednesday, July 4, 2007 to defend his world championship title at the annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest. Kobayashi has significant competition this year in the form of Joey Chestnut, an American eater who set a new world record by consuming 59.5 Nathan's Famous HDBs to qualify in Tempe on June 2. \r\n\r\nAt stake is possession of the Coveted Mustard Yellow International Belt, the World Cup of competitive eating, and $20,000 in total prize money.\r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating contest is sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE) and sponsored by Heinz.\r\n\r\nMedia and Fan Details\r\n\r\nThe show that accompanies the event will begin at 11:00 am, and the 12-minute eating competition will begin at 12:40 pm. ESPN has exclusive live broadcast rights to the event from 12 noon to 1 pm.\r\n\r\nDirections\r\n\r\nThose seeking to attend or cover the event should take the F or N train to Stillwell Avenue, or take the Belt parkway to Cropsey Avenue, Exit 6, then follow Cropsey Avenue south to Surf Avenue and take a left. Nathan’s is located at 1310 Surf Avenue at Stillwell."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f81","sn":535,"title":"Road Report: QVC","createdAt":"2007-06-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Bob Shoudt won the QVC qualifier today with 32 HDBs in 12 minutes. Shoudt was followed closely by rising star Brad Sciullo with 26.5. The Mad Greek made a good showing with 19, and \"Buffalo\" Jim Reeves rounded out the top four with 18."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f82","sn":534,"title":"Kobayashi 'Day-to-Day'","createdAt":"2007-06-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"New York, NY, June 25, 2007 -- Japanese eating phenom and hot dog-eating world champion Takeru Kobayashi was listed as “day-to-day” on Monday after reportedly suffering from jaw pain.\r\n\r\nHowever, Kobayashi has stated that he plans to compete in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in Coney Island and in the Pizza Hut P’Zone Challenge on July 10 in Manhattan.\r\n\r\n“Eater safety is our top priority and we will respect whatever decision Kobayashi makes about participating in these events,” said Richard Shea, President of Major League Eating."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f7e","sn":533,"title":"Rios Takes Pigs Feet-Eating Contest","createdAt":"2007-06-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Arturo Rios, Jr. won the Pigs Feet-Eating Contest at the New Jersey State Fair, beating out Eric Denmark, who took second, Crazy Legs Conti, who placed third, and Pat from Moonachie, who trailed badly and came in fourth.\r\n\r\nThe event, which featured 11-pound trays of pigs feet and pigs knuckles (boiled and sptitzed with lemon juice), was the first of its kind in eating history and provided Rios with his fist major title."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f7a","sn":530,"title":"Zoo Atlanta all Boone","createdAt":"2007-06-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Dale Boone shook off a surging Bubba Yarbrough to win the Nathan's qualifier in Atlanta. Boone ate 21 HDBs to Bubba's 20. In third place was Juris Prudence, the surgeon, who ate 18. \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f7b","sn":531,"title":"St. Pat Sets Shoo Fly Record","createdAt":"2007-06-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Chicago's Pat Bertoletti set a new Shoo Fly Pie eating record by downing 11.1 pounds at Pennsylvania's Rockvale Outlets. \r\n\r\nWith a massive purse and feverish crowd, it was a fantastic event and full results will follow. \r\n\r\nBertoletti was last seen browsing barware at the Dansk factory store. \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f7c","sn":532,"title":"LeFevre Takes San Fran NF Title","createdAt":"2007-06-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rich LeFevre at 34 HDBs to win the San Francisco Nathan's Famous qualifier. Erbivoe did 16 and Skinny Boy Lane ate 14. \r\n\r\nGabe Kaplan was reportedly among the fans. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f7d","sn":529,"title":"Road Report: Molly Pitcher","createdAt":"2007-06-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pat “from Moonachie” Philbin won the Nathan's Famous qualifier at the Molly Pitcher Rest Stop in Cranbury, NJ, today by consuming 27 HDBs in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\nHe advances to the finals in Coney on July 4.\r\n\r\nAllen “the Shredder” Goldstein placed second with 24 HDBs.\r\n\r\nArturo Rios “Grande” took third with 21 HDBs."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f80","sn":528,"title":"Mustard Yellow Money Belt","createdAt":"2007-06-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"For nearly a century the most coveted prize in competitive eating has been the bejeweled Nathan's Famous Mustard Yellow Belt of International Hot Dog Eating Supremacy. This is still the case. But as a little extra Nathan's Famous, Inc. has decided to put $20,000 in prize money on the line at the Coney Island Classic that will air live on ESPN on July 4, 2007.\r\n\r\nPeople have always loved toppings on their Nathan's - mustard, Heinz ketchup, relish, but nothing tops $20,000 in cash. The prize will break down as follows.\r\n\r\n1st Place: $10,000\r\n2nd Place: $5,000\r\n3rd Place: $2,500\r\n4th Place: $1,500\r\n5th Place: $1,000\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f7f","sn":527,"title":"Strawberry Strawberry","createdAt":"2007-06-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"St. Patrick Bertoletti set a world record for eating strawberry shortcake at today's Mattituck Strawberry Festival sponsored by the Mattituck Lions Club.\r\n\r\nThe mohawked Chicagoan consumed 15.25 pounds of shortcake in 8 minutes for first place. In second place was Eater X who consumed 13.5 pounds and in third place was Crazy Legs Conti with nine and a half pounds of strawberry shortcake.\r\n\r\nSpecial mention to Peter X, Eater X's dad, who competed for the first time on a sunny east end father's day."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f77","sn":526,"title":"Road Report: MOA","createdAt":"2007-06-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Crazy Legs Conti, the venerable East Village eater, won the Mall of America qualifier with a personal best of 24 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and buns. \r\n\r\nIn second place was Mongo Marquez with 20, and in third place was Harvard's Justin Mih with 18.\r\n\r\nAs the circuit moves toward it's final week, the wild card picture is looking good for Gravy Brown."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f78","sn":525,"title":"Road Report: Norfolk","createdAt":"2007-06-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Juliet Lee won the Norfolk, VA Nathan's Famous qualifier today by consuming 26 HDBs in 12 minutes. \r\n\r\nShe advances to the finals in Coney on July 4.\r\n\r\nJoe Tursi, a virtual unknown placed second.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f76","sn":524,"title":"Hall Hunt Wins Charlotte Nailbiter","createdAt":"2007-06-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Hall Hunt edged out Juliet Lee at the Nathan's Famous Charlotte qualifier. \r\n\r\nFlorida's faith-based eater consumed 28.75 HDBs to Juliet's 28. \r\n\r\nIt was a close conest all the way. A savory hot dog volley of sorts that evoked memories of Connors/Lendl if say Jimmy and Ivan were competitive eaters. \r\n\r\nTim Gravy Brown did an impressive 25 and Pat Bruss nailed down a respectable 23.5. \r\nBruss had been credited with more but corrected the judge. \r\nJuris the Purist, Super Paul and Krazy Kevin Carr were in it as well. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f71","sn":521,"title":"Competitive Eating Giant to Represent India at Nathan's 2007 Contest","createdAt":"2007-06-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"P. Theyagarjan, the eating champion of India, will attend the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island in New York City.\r\n\r\nThe Indian eater stands out in two ways. One, he is the chicken tiki masala-eating champion of the world and the hot dog-eating champion of India. Two, he is 7'8\" tall, the tallest competitive eater in the world.\r\n\r\n\"America welcomes this eater, a man who will act as an ambassador for the second largest nation in the world and the largest English-speaking nation in the world,\" said IFOCE Chair George Shea. \"This will be a landmark day in international relations -- however, we anticiapte a leg-room problem on the Bus of Champions.\""}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f74","sn":523,"title":"Erik The Red Makes Coney at Shea","createdAt":"2007-06-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In a dramatic one minute overtime eat off, Erik the Red beat Pat from Moonachie to take the Shea Stadium qualifier. The man from Seattle moves on to Coney Island for the second straight year.\r\n\r\nIn third place was Allen the Shredder Goldstein.\r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut, the new world record holder, threw out the first pitch. Chestnut will visit the Today Show tomorrow morning."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f72","sn":522,"title":"Chestnut Sets World Record","createdAt":"2007-06-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut set a world record today in Phoenix, AZ, eating 59.5 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. Chestnut breaks the world record of 53.75 hot dogs and buns held by Takeru Kobayashi, setting the stage for a monumental matchup in Coney Island at the 2007 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f75","sn":520,"title":"TripRewards Ultimate Hot Wing Eaing Championship","createdAt":"2007-05-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut won the TripRewards Ultimate Hot Wing Eating Championship held in New York's Grand Central Terminal today and goes home with one million TripRewards points.\r\n\r\nChestnut ate 7.05 lbs of wings, a new world record and a pound more than second place finisher Sonya Thomas who consumed 6.01 lbs of hot wings. Eater X placed third with 5.381 pounds. \r\n\r\nAt the conclusion of the event fans rushed the stage seeking autographs and photos with the stars of Major League Eating. Wing Kong, Crazy Legs and Steakbellie were among the greats assembled in historic Vanderbilt Hall.\r\n\r\nDuring the event, M.C. George Shea unveiled an idea for a reality show called 'Left World.' "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f73","sn":519,"title":"Road Report: Nathan's Hartford","createdAt":"2007-05-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eater X rocked the crowd assembled at the vacant Ames in East Hartford by eating 41.5 Nathan's Famous HDBs in 12 minutes. \r\n\r\nTim Brown took second with 24 and Russ Keeler ate 23 for third place. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f79","sn":518,"title":"East Hartford Venue Change","createdAt":"2007-05-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Last evening, Fox’s hyperbolic weather man Joe Bastardi wrote the following in all caps: \r\n\r\n“METEO MAP DISCO HAS BEEN CUT AND SHOULD BE ON LINE SOON.. COVERS EASTERN STORM AND LOOKS AT THE CARIBBEAN”\r\n\r\nThe ‘eastern storm’ he is referring to is part of the same system that caused unthinkable damage to Chappaqua, NY on Wednesday. The storm has been building ever since and is currently about to strike the northeastern seaboard. It will be a sustained rain event. This system will deliver rain to East Hartford all day Saturday and that has had many eaters and fans worried.\r\n\r\nMajor League Eating has issued the following statement:\r\n\r\n“The East Hartford contest is typically held in an open-air parking lot. For years we’ve been blessed with good weather for this event. In consideration of this Saturday's forecast, we’ve elected to hold the contest in a building that is the former home of an Ames department store. This vacant Ames is in the same strip mall as the Nathan’s Famous in East Hartford. It is the ideal replacement venue for this qualifier.”\r\n\r\nThe winner of the East Hartford contest will be given a spot in the 2007 Nathan’s Famous International July 4th Hot Dog Eating Championship. He or she will also be presented a trophy, a year’s supply of hot dogs, and a DVD copy of “The Good Girl.” In this highly acclaimed film, Jennifer Aniston plays a store clerk who strikes up an affair with a stock boy who considers himself the embodiment of Holden Caulfield. John C. Reilly and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s brother also star.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f6e","sn":517,"title":"Joey Back on Top","createdAt":"2007-05-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"After a big St. Pats victory and an impressive showing at the Nathan's Las Vegas Qualifier, everyone felt Pat Bertoletti would have walked away with the Berry Hill Baja Grill Tamale Eating Championship. Everyone except Joey Chestnut. \r\n\r\nThe American hot dog champ won Saturday's classic at The Woodlands outside of Houston. He downed 53.5 tamales to Bertoletti's 51. \"What about\" Bob Shoudt took third place with 45. Viva Mexico. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f70","sn":516,"title":"Road Report: Vegas","createdAt":"2007-05-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pat Bertoletti continues to earn his keep as the #3 eater in the world. On May 3 in Vegas, the young culinary graduate from Chicago ate an amazing 46 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes, securing his place in the 4th of July contest in Coney Island. \r\n\r\nBehind Pat in second place was Rich \"The Locust\" LeFevre with a personal best of 33 HDB's. This was a fantastic achievement for LeFevre as he continues to prove that he is still a force to be reckoned with at the competition table. \r\n\r\nWith numbers like these, it should prove to be a very interesting year for the Americans. Bertoletti is the second Major League Eater to qualify this year. Chip Simpson ate 39.25 HDB's in Sunrise, FL to earn his seat. The next qualifier will be on May 19 in E. Hartford, CT.\r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f6f","sn":515,"title":"Conti Crowned King of Corn","createdAt":"2007-04-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Jammin' Joe LaRue walked into the arena in West Palm Beach to raucus \r\ncheers. A yellow shirt with the inscription \"MLE -- Got Corn?\" covered \r\nthe enormous frame of this 6'8\" champion. A South Florida resident and \r\ncorn specialist, LaRue had arrived to defend his sweet-corn eating title \r\nin front of a crowd anticipating nothing less than a record-setting \r\nday. At the end of the 12-minute contest, a new record had indeed been \r\nset, but not by LaRue.\r\n\r\nCrazy Legs Conti, a dreadlock-wearing Bohemian from New York -- and arch \r\nrival of LaRue -- took the corn crown by downing 34 3/4 ears of corn \r\nunder very tight judging. LaRue placed second with 32 1/4 ears, while \r\nBrian Miller placed third. Chip Simpson placed fourth with a reported \r\n30 ears and Justin Mih and Steven Gotlib tied for fifth. Hall Hunt \r\nplaced sixth. The judging was much stricter than in years past, but \r\nmost felt it was even-handed and fair.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f6d","sn":514,"title":"Joey Again in Asparagus","createdAt":"2007-04-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut has done it again in Stockton at the Asparagus Festival. The phenom downed 8.6 lbs of tempura fried asparagus in the event for first place. In second place was Erik the Red with 4.25 lbs and in third was Kevin Ross with 3.75."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f6c","sn":512,"title":"Simpson Wins Broadway at the Beach Event","createdAt":"2007-04-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"This weekend confirmed that the man known simply as ChipBurger is one of the hottest eaters on the circuit. \r\n\r\nOn a lovely afternoon at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Chip improved on the performance of last year’s steeplechase champion, Humble Bob Shoudt. Early on, the crowd grumbled when it was told Mr. Humble had stayed back in Pennsylvania to wax his Scion, but all in attendance soon forgot 2006 as enthusiasm built around the mano-a-womano battle between Chip and his comely rival, Ms. Juliet Lee. \r\n\r\nSimpson handily took the first three rounds, barely breaking a sweat. The fourth round, consisting of four deep-dish pan pizzas, was the most challenging for Simpson, but he finished in four minutes. In the final round, dessert, Simpson beckoned a massive brain freeze to down six Italian ices in 37 seconds. \r\n\r\nThe crowd applauded Simpson throughout, but also took a liking to his foe, Juliet Lee. Close friends and training partners, Eric “Steakbellie” Livingston and Micah “Wing Kong” Collins, were also crowd favorites. \r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f69","sn":503,"title":"Bertoletti Takes St. Pat's Chowdown","createdAt":"2007-03-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Patrick Bertoletti won the St. Patrick's Day Chowndown on Spike TV, edging out eating phenom Joey Chestnut and setting three new records in the process. The three-tiered elimination tournament, which took place as part of the St. Patrick's Day celebration in Savannah, GA, featured $15,000 in prizes.\r\n\r\nBertoletti consumed 10.63 pounds of corned beef and cabbage in the first round (a record he now shares with Joey Chestnut, who tied this round with Pat), 47 cream-filled donuts in five minutes and 98 jalapeno peppers in five minutes.\r\n\r\nChestnut placed second in the eight-person event, beating out Chip Simpson and Sonya Thomas, who made it to the second four-person round. Approximately 4,000 fans were on hand for the event, which is the first in a series of live events on Spike TV, the new home of competitive eating."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f6a","sn":502,"title":"St. Pat's ChowDown Tonight on Spike","createdAt":"2007-03-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The St. Patrick's Day ChowDown will air on Spike TV at 7pm Eastern on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2007.\r\n\r\nIt is a three round event pitting eight of the planet's best eaters in a grueling elimination series. Foods for the events are corned beef and cabbage, green donuts, and jalapenos. A pot of gold worth $15,000 is on the line.\r\n\r\nIt all takes place in the midst of Savannah Georgia's St. Patrick's Day celebration. Your hosts are George Shea, Richard Shea, Crazy Legs Conti and Dan Schachner. Eating legend Jammin' Joe LaRue is manning the kitchen while Kate Westfall and Ryan Nerz scour the streets of Savannah for the hottest jalapenos."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f68","sn":501,"title":"Eater X, Crazy Legs Video","createdAt":"2007-03-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In advance of the St. Patrick's Day Chowdown, Legs and Eater X shot a video promo at IFOCE HQ. Following is the link. Eater X Crazy Legs Video\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f6b","sn":500,"title":"Nathan's Famous '07 Tour Stops","createdAt":"2007-03-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Nathan’s Famous, Inc. has announced the list of American cities that will host official qualifying events for Coney Island 2007. \r\n\r\nThe tour will gather the world’s best Major League Eaters and put them on the biggest stage in the sport of competitive eating -- The Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest at high noon on July Fourth. \r\n\r\n“Our July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest has become an institution that reaches new heights each year,” said Wayne Norbitz, President and COO of Nathan’s Famous, Inc. “Last year’s event was watched by more people than ever and this year’s anticipated rematch between Kobayashi and Chestnut is generating incredible excitement.”\r\n\r\nThe 2007 Nathan’s Famous hot dog-eating circuit begins on March 24th in Sunrise, Florida. Registration for qualifiers will soon begin at www.nathansfamous.com and participants will be alerted if they’ve received a spot or a stand by position in a qualifier. Hopeful participants should not telephone or email Nathan’s Famous or the IFOCE / MLE regarding registration.\r\n\r\nConfirmed cities follow. Additional stops may be announced in the future and all dates and locations are subject to change.\r\n\r\nMarch 24, Sunrise, FL\t\t\r\nMay 03, Las Vegas, NV\t\t\t\r\nMay 19, Hartford, CT\t\t\t\r\nMay 26, Philadelphia, PA\t\t\t\r\nJune 2, Tempe, AZ\t\t\t\t\r\nJune 3, Shea Stadium, Queens\t\t\t \r\nJune 9, Charlotte, NC\t\t\t\r\nJune 16, Mall of America\t\t\t\r\nJune 22, Molly Pitcher Rest Area, NJTP\t\t\t\r\nJune 23, Zoo Atlanta\t\t\t\t\r\nJune 23, California (Location tbd)\t\t \r\nJune 27, NYC Civil Service Contest\t\t\r\nJune 28, QVC L.C.Q. Main Line Philly\t\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f67","sn":498,"title":"Long Beach - QM Wienerschnitzel","createdAt":"2007-02-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Takeru Kobayashi, in L.A. to shoot a commercial, watched as Joey Chestnut continued his undefeated streak at the Weinerschnitzel World Chili Cheese Fry Eating contest today in Long Beach, California. A total purse of $10,000 was split among the top finishers.\r\n\r\nJoey ate 5.44 pounds of chili cheese fries for the first place slot. Eater X came in a close second with 5.31 lbs, and Sonya Thomas placed third with 5.29. \r\n\r\nHumble Bob, or Mr. Humble, or just Humble, came in fourth with 4.98. Juliet Lee took fifth, followed by Jed Donahue, Rich LeFevre and Justin Mih.\r\n\r\nSources say Gabe Kaplan was in the audience cheering loudly for Juliet Lee. Kaplan, a Brooklyn native, played Gabe Kotter in Welcome Back Kotter, a popular sit com from the last century. Kotter taught a fictional group of unruly Brooklyn PS students known as the \"Sweathogs.\" Kaplan is now a noted poker player who has earned in excess of $970,000 in professional games. The reports of Kaplan's presence are not confirmed."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f66","sn":497,"title":"Spike TV and MLE™ ","createdAt":"2007-02-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Spike TV and Major League Eating announced today that four MLE specials will be broadcast on the popular cable network in 2007. \r\n\r\nEach broadcast will be one-hour featuring Major League Eaters in exciting competitions. \r\n \r\nThe first show, called the St. Patrick’s Day ChowDown, will take place in Savannah, Georgia during the historic southern city’s massive St. Patrick’s Day celebration. It will air on Spike on March 17th at 7pm EST. \r\n \r\n“Guys are hungry for new and exciting sports on television that satisfy the craving for gut-busting action,” notes Kevin Kay, General Manager, Spike TV. \r\n \r\n“We’re very excited that Spike has embraced the fast-growing sport of competitive eating,” said George Shea of MLE and Shea Baer Productions, which is producing the programming. “We feel that our exciting competitions and compelling eating stars are a perfect fit for the Spike audience.” \r\n \r\nSpike TV is available in 91 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. Major League Eating was developed by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), which was established in 1997."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f65","sn":496,"title":"MLE 1, 2, 3 at Wing Bowl 15","createdAt":"2007-02-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Major League Eaters invaded Philly once again for the fanatical bacchanalia that is WIP’s Wing Bowl. \r\n\r\nWhile some big names – Bob Shoudt, Chip Simpson and Rich LeFevre – fell out after a controversial first round, MLE took the event win, place and show.\r\n\r\nFor the second year in a row, Joey Chestnut won and was credited with 182 wings. Bertoletti took second place and Sonya Thomas placed third. Thanks to the powerful promotional skills of Angelo Cataldi, more than 20,000 competitive eating fans packed the Wachovia Center for the event, which began at 7am this morning.\r\n\r\nThe win provided Chestnut with a Suzuki Grand Vitara courtesy of Blatt Dealerships. This is the second car Chestnut has won in 13 months. He is undefeated in 2007.\r\n\r\nEl Wingador pledged to Philadelphia eating fans that he’d make a triumphant return to the sport that he loves in 2008.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f63","sn":495,"title":"Bikini's Results: Joey, Second In A Row","createdAt":"2007-01-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut has continued his stellar start to the 2007 Major League Eating season by winning the Bikini's Bar and Grill String Fry Eating Championship. \r\n\r\nThe San Jose resident impressed the fans in Austin by downing six pounds and eight ounces of Bikini's trademark french fry in 10 minutes. In second place was Eater X with five pounds and in third place was Chip Simpson with four pounds four ounces. \r\n\r\nRounding out the field were Seaver, Crazy Legs, Kevin Ross, Nate Biller, the Legend, Brickhouse, Pretty Boy Davekos, and Andy Lane. Bill Meyers was also in there, ahead of some UT students.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f62","sn":494,"title":"Joey Leads Points Chase, Wins Pretzel Twister Miami","createdAt":"2007-01-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut won the Pretzel Twister World Pretzel Championship in Miami today by eating 21 Pretzel Twister Pretzels in 10 minutes. In 2nd place with 17.5 was Eater X and in 3rd place was Sonya Thomas with 17. \r\n\r\nThe Axia 3 Points Chase began today with the first contest of 2007. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f64","sn":493,"title":"History Made at Acme Oyster House ","createdAt":"2007-01-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pat Bertoletti consumed 53.5 dozen Louisiana Oysters today at the Acme Oyster House in Metairie, Louisiana. This is a new record in the Acme long form.\r\n\r\nAcme has sponsored a number of IFOCE World Oyster Eating Championships, ten minute events occuring at the annual French Quarter Festival and also at Acme's Metairie location. It was in Metairie that Bertoletti consumed 53.5 Louisana Oysters in 48 minutes.\r\n\r\nOysters have long been a measuring stick. Crazy Legs Conti ate 34 dozen of the Louisiana treats while watching the Patriots beat the Rams in the Super Bowl years back and is best known for winning the first Acme Championship when he consumed 14 dozen oysters in ten minutes at French Quarter Fest 2002. Bayou Boyd dethroned Conti the next year by eating 18 dozen in ten minutes. \r\n\r\nThe short form, however, belongs to Sonya Thomas who consumed 46 dozen Acme Oysters in ten minutes in spring 2005. To the amazement of fans gathered, Thomas then consumed six additional dozen to set the long form record, which stood until today. Thomas' long form was completed in roughly 35 minutes (an award ceremony took place immediately after the championship event).\r\n\r\n\"Bertoletti witnessed Sonya's feat at the 2005 Acme Oyster Championship. He was a newcomer and I remember calling him 'a virtual unknown,'\" said Richard Shea. \"He now owns the long form record and is ranked just ahead of Sonya. If we run an Acme championship this year I hope these two greats will face off.\"\r\n\r\nThe 2006 Acme event was postponed due to complications with Hurricane Katrina. To donate to those in the New Orleans area who continue to struggle with rebuilding, visit http://www.no-hunger.org/\r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f5f","sn":492,"title":"Bertoletti Chock full O'Nuts","createdAt":"2006-12-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Competitiveeatingnews.com reports that Patrick Bertoletti won the Chock full O'Nuts World Date Nut Bread Eating Championship held today at Madison Square Garden, the world's most famous arena.\r\n\r\nBertoletti, a Chicagoan who holds ice cream, chocolate and key lime pie titles, consumed 29 date nut bread sandwiches in eight minutes. He led second-place finisher Joey Chestnut throughout the contest. Chestnut consumed 26 sandwiches for second place and Humble Bob ate 18 3/4 for third place.\r\n\r\nJuliet Lee finished an impressive fifth in the field of ten eaters that included Bill Myers, Justin Mih, and Arturo Rios Grande. \r\n\r\nThe contest was overseen by Hungry Charles Hardy and Beautiful Brian was on hand to film the event. \r\n\r\nWhen asked what he wants for Christmas, competitor Crazy Legs Conti replied \"Joey Chestnut's two front teeth.\""}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f60","sn":491,"title":"Ham for Seaver","createdAt":"2006-12-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Seaver Miller, the 10th-ranked eater in the World, will look to set a ham-eating record on Friday, December 15th. \r\n\r\nMiller’s record attempt is part of the Stevens and Medley Morning Show Holiday Special, which will air live on 94.7 in Washington, DC from 6-10 a.m.\r\n\r\nThe annals of ham eating catalog Ed Cookie Jarvis (retired ’05) who ate six pounds of ham and mashed potatoes at the legendary if ill-attended Easter Feaster contest in Pasco, Washington on April 18, 2003. It was a 12-minute contest and the ham represented three pounds of Jarvis’ total intake. Ray the Bison Meduna (retired ’05) placed second in Pasco that day.\r\n\r\nDespite being ranked 10th on the IFOCE circuit, Miller has no world records to his credit. He has performed well in his rookie year, capturing a spot on the money list in the Lewisville Tamale-Eating Championship and earning wild-card berth to the Krystal Square-Off III. \r\n\r\nWhen asked about his recent 9th place finish at the Tropicana Meatball-Eating World Championship, Miller said: “The high flying Colts, Pats & Cowboys all lost this weekend. Things happen in sports.”\r\n\r\nMiller’s attempt will occur live during Stevens and Medley's 8 a.m. hour, and will be simulcast on various CBS Radio affiliates across the country. Miller will have five-minutes to eat as much ham as he can.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f61","sn":490,"title":"Shoudt Wins Meatball Eating Contest Amid Controversy","createdAt":"2006-12-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Humble Bob Shoudt won the Carmines Meatball Eating Contest at the Tropicana in Atlantic City, consuming 9.97 lbs of meatballs in 12 minutes. However, the win was not without controversy.\r\n\r\nSonya Thomas disputed the ruling and refused to shake hands with Shoudt at the conclusion of the contest, instead turning her back on him and leaving the stage amid a chorus of loud boos from the crowd.\r\n\r\nThomas placed second with 9.91 lbs after a one-ounce deduction and Joey Chestnut placed third with 9.35 lbs of meatballs.\r\n\r\nThe contest was amazingly close -- the top five finishers all consumed more than 9 lbs of meatballs (Chip Simpson placed fourth and Rich LeFevre placed fifth).\r\n\r\nAt the official scale Thomas edged out Shoudt by less than 1/10th of an ounce. However, both Thomas and Chestnut received a one-ounce deduction for leaving an enormous amout of meatball debris on the table and on the floor, despite multiple warnings from George Shea, who spoke to each eater to urge them to place any remaining food back on their plate.\r\n\r\nThomas was not happy with the ruling and other eaters also expressed dissatisfaction. However, IFOCE representative George Shea said the deductions levied on Thomas and Chestnut were less severe than they could have been.\r\n\r\nShea said the total amount of meatball debris left between Thomas and Chestnut would have amounted to a total of three meatballs had someone taken the time to reassemble the meatballs."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f5d","sn":489,"title":"Thomas Takes UK Mince Pie Eating Contest","createdAt":"2006-11-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas won the Wookey Hole Big Eat Mince Pie Eating Championship, considered to be the the single greatest sporting event in the long history of the United Kingdom.\r\n\r\nThe competition took place at the Big Top restaurant at Wookey Hole Caves in Wells Somerset. Thomas consumed 46 mince pies, a new world record, while Shane Bridle placed second with with 15, and AD Tree Pirate (that rare combination of a pirate and a chainsaw sculptor) came in third with 13.5 pies.\r\n\r\nA 74-year-old woman, billed as the world's oldest competitive eater, competed as well."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f5e","sn":488,"title":"Bertoletti Wins Axia3 Thanksgiving Invitational","createdAt":"2006-11-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Patrick Bertoletti, the #3 ranked gurgitator in the entire world, won the prestigious Axia3 Thanksgiving Invitational today by devouring 4.8 lbs of turkey in 12 minutes. It was a thrilling event, with Sonya Thomas and Bertoletti both gnawing at their turkeys' carcasses before Thomas suffered a shocking disqualification during the final moments.\r\n\r\nCommissioner Charles Hardy immediately disqualified Thomas, the first such ruling against her during her stellar competitive eating career. \r\n\r\nSaid Axia3 President Michael Keller: “Axia3 is proud to have sponsored such a stunning display of athleticism and grace. The inhalation of our forefathers' symbolic bounty reflected a triumph of the human spirit.” \r\n\r\n$2,500 in prize money was awarded during the contest, which was held at Artie’s Deli in Manhattan. The final results were as follows:\r\n\r\nPatrick Bertoletti: 4.8 lbs\r\nTim Helen Janus: 3.8 lbs\r\nArturo Rios: 2.8 lbs\r\nCrazy Legs Conti: 2.38 lbs\r\nJustin Mih: 2.375 lbs\r\nSteak Bellie: 1.80 lbs\r\nBrian Subich: 1.42 lbs \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f5a","sn":487,"title":"Axia 3 Thanksgiving Invitational","createdAt":"2006-11-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Axia 3 Thanksgiving Invitational is confirmed for Wednesday, November 22 at Artie's Delicatessen in Manhattan. The event will feature a variety of top competitive eaters, each of whom will face an entire 12-pound roasted turkey. \r\n\r\nSonya Thomas, reigning Thanksgiving Invitational Champ, will be on hand to defend her title against Eater X, Justin Mih, Crazy Legs, Pat Bertoletti, Arturo Rios Grande, Brian Subich, and Steakbellie.\r\n\r\nAxia 3, the 100% natural extreme heartburn formula, is sponsoring the event and providing a purse of $2500. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the IFOCE has made a donation to provide hundreds of meals to New Orleans residents in need. \r\n\r\nThe winner of the contest will be named the extreme gastronome of Thanksgiving, a title first held by Squanto, an Indian of the Pawtuxet tribe who out ate William Bradford at the eating contest that took place at Plymouth Plantation in 1621. \r\n\r\nBradford was the top-ranked gurgitator of his time, and most historians believe he lost to Squanto because he was suffering from chronic heartburn. \r\n\r\n\"Bradford had eaten an entire pot of venison Fra Diavolo the night before the first Thanksgiving contest,\" said Ezra Edelman, a historian of some note. \"No matter how much I read, I will never understand why he took that chance. Knowing he was facing Squanto and not having a remedy like Axia 3 handy, it's almost as if he threw it as a gesture.\"\r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f57","sn":484,"title":"Sky City Posole Results","createdAt":"2006-11-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pat Bertoletti ate 9 pounds 2.25 ounces to win the Sky City Casino Posole Eating championship in Acoma,NM today. \r\n\r\nRich LeFevre placed third with 8 pounds 8 ounces. \r\n\r\nIn a surprise, newcomer Helen Haggerty placed 2nd with 8 pounds 10.75 ounces. \r\n\r\nA recent Bryn Mawr college graduate, Ms. Haggerty wore her lucky field hockey skirt and a red sash in her hair. \r\n\r\nIn fourth place was Seattle's Erik The Red who consumed 7 pounds 5 ounces. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f58","sn":483,"title":"Can LeFevre Keep Posole Title in the Family","createdAt":"2006-11-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Competitive eating fans are focused on a big battle set to take place on Saturday at the World Posole Eating Championship at Sky City Casino in beautiful Acoma, New Mexico.\r\n\r\nAt the event, Pat Bertoletti, the mohawked Chicagoan who was recently named the third biggest force in major league eating, will look to secure the Posole title. Bertoletti will be challenged by Rich LeFevre, the eighth-ranked eater in the world. While Bertoletti has been performing better than LeFevre this year, there is an element of family pride on the line that may swing the outcome in LeFevre’s favor.\r\n\r\nFans remember that it was at Sky City in November of 2004 that the fair Carlene LeFevre (right) spanked her husband by eating 109.75 ounces of posole in 12 minutes to his 96.25 ounces. With the win Carlene became world posole champ.\r\n\r\nPosole is a stew made from water-soaked corn kernels with pork, chili and seasonings. Carlene’s posole record from 2004 has yet to be broken and she will be in Acoma to root on her main man who the people of Acoma call The Locust.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f55","sn":482,"title":"Conti Returns to Louisiana for WOW Café & Wingery Event","createdAt":"2006-11-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Crazy Legs Conti will return to Louisiana to conduct a wing-eating clinic prior to the WOW Wingman Amateur Wing Eating Competition at the WOW Café and Wingery in Covington. \r\n\r\nThe former Louisiana Oyster Eating Champion is familiar with the area, having competed in three Big Easy Eat Offs and also in an oyster-eating contest prior to the 2004 Sugar Bowl. \r\n\r\n“I am excited to visit the WOW Café and Wingery to enjoy its New Orleans inspired menu and pass on a few wing tricks like the umbrella method,” said Conti. “I also look forward to catching up with some of my friends in this region, which is full of spirit despite the incredible difficulties stemming from the hurricanes.”\r\n\r\nHe’s sure to be welcomed with open arms. In October of 2005, Conti hosted an “I Love NOLA” benefit in New York City that raised thousands of dollars for Katrina Relief. The bulk of the funds went to charities serving Louisiana’s fishing communities. Conti also put together a separate fund to purchase instruments and amps for the Eddie Simons, a Lakeview-area band that lost everything in the disaster.\r\n\r\nThe WOW Wingman Amateur Wing Eating Competition will occur at 7pm on Thursday, November 16th at the WOW Café and Wingery in Creekstone Village on Highway 21 in Covington, LA. For more information regarding this chain of fun, casual, all-American cafés visit www.wingery.com . \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f56","sn":481,"title":"Kobayashi with 97 Krystals","createdAt":"2006-10-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Takeru Kobayashi raised the bar of athletic greatness yet again today, devouring 97 Krystals in 8 minutes in what was arguably the most impressive competitive eating feat of all time. In doing so, Kobayashi defended his title in the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship, which he has held since its inception in 2004.\r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut once again challenged Kobayashi until the final seconds, eating 91 Krystals. Patrick Bertoletti finished third with 76. The totals were as follows:\r\n\r\nTakeru Kobayashi: 97\r\nJoey Chestnut: 91\r\nPat Bertoletti: 76\r\nBob Shoudt: 65\r\nChip Simpson: 55\r\nTim Janus: 55\r\nSonya Thomas: 53\r\nRich LeFevre: 52\r\nArturo Rios: 44\r\nCrazy Legs Conti: 42\r\nSeaver Miller: 40\r\nDale Boone: 38\r\nJustin Mih: 36\r\n\r\n$30,000 in prize money was awarded at Krystal Square Off.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f54","sn":480,"title":"Sky City Fry Bread at AZ State Fair","createdAt":"2006-10-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Arizona State Fair will play host to the Sky City Casino Fry Bread Eating Challenge on Saturday, October 28th. \r\n\r\nMajor League Eaters including Jed Donahue, Erik the Red, Frank 'Fraggle' Wach and El Toro will compete in this event, which preceeds the Sky City Casino World Posole Eating Championship set for November 18th in Acoma, NM.\r\n\r\nFry bread, a powdered sugar-covered deep fried flat dough, is a favorite among Southwesterners. It is a time-honored treat within Native American culture, often served at home or at gatherings such as traditional pow-wows and state fairs.\r\n\r\nPosole is a soup or stew made from hominy, often with pork, chile, and other seasonings. Sky City is famous for its classic rendition of Posole, which has been adopted as the cocina tipica of New Mexico and is sometimes served on Christmas Eve.\r\n\r\nIn November of 2004, the lovely Carlene LeFevre downed 109.75 ounces of Sky City Casino Posole in 12 minutes to set a world record and beat her husband Rich, who also competed.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f59","sn":479,"title":"KSO III Nears","createdAt":"2006-10-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Japan's Takeru Kobayashi will face his greatest challenge ever on American soil this October 28, 2006, when he competes live on ESPN2 at the Krystal Square Off III World Hamburger Eating Championship in Chattanooga, Tenn. \r\n\r\nOnce considered unbeatable, the current Krystal-eating world record holder will be up against the finest field of competitive eaters ever assembled, many who have been closing in on his dominance lately, including Joey \"Jaws\" Chestnut and Sonya \"The Black Widow\" Thomas. The eight-minute eating contest presented by the fast food icon Krystal and featuring the famous, fresh, hot, small, square Krystal Hamburger is a major in the sport of competitive eating and the only world hamburger eating championship sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating.\r\n\r\n\r\nESPN2 will air a live, 60-minute special of Krystal Square Off III, including the championship event, starting at 4 p.m. EST. The entire program will be rebroadcast on ESPN the following day, Sunday, October 29, at 3 p.m. EST.\r\n\r\nWith Kobayashi's unbeaten streak and an unprecedented total cash purse of $30,000 on the line, thousands of spectators from across the U.S. and as far away as Japan are expected to witness the Krystal Square Off in person at the First Tennessee Pavilion just blocks away from The Krystal Company's headquarters. This year's winner will walk with $10,000 and the coveted Krystal Square Off Champion's Belt and Trophy made out of crystal. The runner- up and third place finisher will each take home $7,500 and $3,500, respectively, and the remaining top ten finalists will receive payouts ranging from $2,000 to $300.\r\n\r\nWhile Kobayashi received an automatic seat at this year's final table as the defending champ, the remaining 12 finalists had to battle it out during an eight-city qualifying circuit in which the winner in each city won a spot at the finals while the rest fought for one of four highly contested wild card seats. Thousands competed along the way, including all the top-ranked professionals, and an unprecedented six eaters surpassed the magic 50-Krystals mark. It was \"The Black Widow\" Thomas though who posted the top qualifying number this year, easily winning her qualifier in Chattanooga with 62 Krystals-a mark that tied Joey Chestnut's American record and fell just seven shy of Kobayashi's world record mark of 69 Krystals. Chestnut, who nearly beat Kobayashi in 2005, was disappointing in his qualifier, finishing 10 Krystals less than he did at the Krystal Square Off finals in 2005.\r\n\r\nThe 13 finalists for Krystal Square Off III are:\r\n\r\nFinalist, Hometown ( 2006 Qualifying City and # of Krystals Eaten in Qualifier)\r\n\r\nTakeru Kobayashi. Nagano, Japan 2005 Champ (67 Krystals) 2004 Champs (69 Krystals) Received Automatic Seat\r\n\r\nSonya “The Black Widow” Thomas. Alexandria, VA ( Chattanooga, Tenn., 62 Krystals )\r\n\r\nChip “The Phenom” Simpson, Gainesville, FL. ( Atlanta, Ga., 53 Krystals )\r\n\r\nTim “Eater X” Janus, New York, NY ( Memphis, Tenn., 53 Krystals )\r\n\r\nJoey “Jaws” Chestnut, San Jose, CA ( Jacksonville, Fla., 52 Krystals)\r\n\r\n“Humble” Bob Shoudt, Philadelphia, PA. ( Nashville, Tenn., 52 Krystals )\r\n\r\nRich “The Locust” LeFevre, Henderson, NV (Wildcard, 51 Krystals)\r\n\r\nPat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, Chicago, IL ( Knoxville, Tenn., 48 Krystals)\r\n\r\nSeaver “The Achiever” Miller, Ashburn, VA (Wildcard, 41 Krystals )\r\n\r\n“Crazy Legs” Conti, New York, NY (Jackson, Miss., 38 Krystals )\r\n\r\nDale “Mouth of the South” Boone, Atlanta, GA ( Macon, Ga., 37 Krystals )\r\n\r\nArturo Rios, Long Branch, NJ (Wildcard, 36 Krystals )\r\n\r\nJustin Mih, Irvine, CA (Wildcard, 36 Krystals )\r\n\r\n\r\n\"Krystal Square Off III is one of the most anticipated finals in the history of competitive eating with the top eight eaters in the world competing and many expecting Kobayashi to be challenged like never before,\" said IFOCE Chairman, George Shea. \"The famous Krystal may prove to be the great equalizer as young guns like Joey Chestnut and Chip Simpson as well as the veteran Sonya Thomas have shown incredible acumen in their handling of the fresh, hot, small, square hamburger that gave birth to the legendary Krystal chain, and on October 28 the Krystal burger just may give birth to a brand new legend.\"\r\n\r\nWhile this is just the third year of the Krystal Square Off, Krystal has been hosting eating contests ever since it first opened its doors in 1932. Indeed, Krystal's second customer, Roy Ward, claimed he could eat twice as many Krystals as French Jenkins, the chain's first customer. He did just that by eating 12 Krystals. The years have passed, but Krystal Lovers have never stopped challenging each other to Krystal Eating Contests. This longstanding tradition became official in 2004 with the first Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nTHE KRYSTAL COMPANY\r\n\r\nFounded in 1932, Krystal restaurants have become more than sparkling-clean eateries where friendly employees serve up fresh, delicious food. Krystal has become a cultural icon and an experience that virtually every man, woman and child in the South has shared. The Krystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the South and the second oldest in the United States. The Chattanooga, Tenn.-based company currently has more than 400 restaurants in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. For more information, visit http://www.krystal.com/ . "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f52","sn":478,"title":"Crazy Legs Takes Jackson ","createdAt":"2006-10-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Crazy Legs Conti won the Jackson MS Krystal Square Off today eating 38 of the cult favorites and earning a spot in the ESPN-televised world hamburger eating championship set for October 28, 2006. \r\n\r\nIn second place was Arturo Rios who ate 35 and in third was Erik the Red with 32. \r\n\r\nJustin Mih actually finished second with 37 but suffered a minor but immediate reversal causing the judges to issue a DQ. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f51","sn":476,"title":"LeFevre Wins Jalapeno Match","createdAt":"2006-10-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Veteran Major League Eater Rich 'the Locust' LeFevre ate 247 Jalapeno peppers to beat Sonya Thomas, Pat Bertoletti and Erik the Red at today's contest at the Texas State Fair. \r\n\r\nThe Locust proved that it's not just just a young guns game. \r\n\r\nThe IFOCE put 4,000 dollars on the line to make this event even more exciting. Complete results to follow. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f53","sn":477,"title":"Boone is Back in Georgia ","createdAt":"2006-10-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Dale Mouth of the South Boone took the stage at today's Krystal Square Off in his trademark coveralls and with his ever-annoying cow bell. With eyes glaring and nostrils flaring, the 9th generation direct descendant of Daniel Boone ate 37 Krystals for the win and a spot in Chatty for the third installment of the KSO. \r\n\r\nBoone, it should be noted, just edged out the better-schooled and slightly more athletic Justin Mih of Cambridge who ate 36 Krystals for second place. \r\n\r\nIn third with 33 Krystals was Hall 'dog will' Hunt, the fan favorite and faith-based eater from Florida. \r\n\r\nMLE officials confirmed that Boone will appear on the Krystal ESPN broadcast, but they refused to discuss rumors of the supposed 78 page appearance release sources say is being prepared especially for the controversial eater. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f50","sn":475,"title":"KSO Memphis","createdAt":"2006-10-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eater X accomplished his goal of winning a Krystal qualifier today when he banged down 53 Krystals in 8 minutes. \r\n\r\nOn X's heels was Rich LeFevre who ate 51 Krystals for 2nd place. In third was Virginia's Seaver the Achiever with 41. \r\n\r\nArturo Rios put down an impressive 36 Krystals for 4th place. Sam Vise rounded out the top five with 30."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f5c","sn":474,"title":"Competitve Eating Krystal Style","createdAt":"2006-09-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In an effort to win a Krystal Square Off qualifier outright, Eater X will fly to Memphis for the KSO III event taking place there this Sunday. \r\n\r\nEater X, who consumed 52 ½ Krystals last week to take second place behind Chip Simpson, is an unlikely entrant considering he’s a near lock for a wild card spot.\r\n\r\n“Like Erik the Red and Krazy Kevin, I am not afraid to hit the road on occasion to prove my worth,” said Eater X. “Being a wild card winner would be okay, but I am a warrior and I want to take the stage in Chatty as a legitimate KSO III champion.”\r\n\r\nSunday’s contest is a pretty big deal and Eater X is not the only Major League Eater slated to compete with his feet ten feet off of Beale. Sam Vise, Seaver the Achiever, Hammertime, Steakbellie and the Mad Greek are all making the trip to Memphis.\r\n\r\n“This is an incredible line up,” said the IFOCE’s Matt Rizzetta. “Pretty much every player is a star. It’s like the movie The Departed only The Departed is a movie.”\r\n\r\nThe Mad Greek, who hails from Maryland, ate over 30 Krystals in his first attempt. A rookie, he claims that he didn’t even try dunking and that this time he will. The Mad Greek has boldly put his over/under at 70 Krystals. \r\n\r\nWhile Eater X goes into Memphis the favorite, Sam Vise of Union City, TN could give him a run. \r\n\r\n“Vise is a very stealth eater and also a proud son of Tennessee,” said Eater X. “I know precious little about Vise and Tennessee so I will keep him in mind, listening for updates the whole way.”\r\n\r\nAs a side note, Rich The Locust LeFevre and his charming wife Carlene are on their annual cross-country road trip -- largest ball of twine, etc. Never one to sleep, the Locust will pull off to compete in a two-minute pre-qualifier in Memphis on Saturday afternoon. Should he win, as is expected, he too will be in the hottest Krystal contest to occur in 06.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f4f","sn":473,"title":"Booker's Wife Swap Episode October 9","createdAt":"2006-09-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Competitive Eating Network news site reports that Eric Badlands Booker will appear on ABC's Wife Swap on October 9 at 8 pm. The show is considered to be among the most compelling of all Wife Swap episodes and it is expected that the producers will choose the show as their Emmy submission."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f4e","sn":472,"title":"Simpson Edges Out Janus","createdAt":"2006-09-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Chip Simpson edged out Tim Janus in the Atlanta Krystal qualifier, eating one half of a Krystal more to secure a seat in Chattanooga on October 28.\r\n\r\nSimpson ate 53 and Janus ate 52.5 in the eight minute event. George Shea mistakenly said Janus ate 52 at first.\r\n\r\nAtlantan Dale Boone drove Janus to the airport, providing a tour of Buckhead."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f4b","sn":470,"title":"Kobayashi 41; Boston 28","createdAt":"2006-09-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Takeru Kobayashi devoured 41 lobster rolls in 10 minutes, beating a team of four Boston eaters who combined to finish with 28. The contest was an official stop on the GoldenPalace.net World Series of Competitive Eating circuit. \r\n\r\nBesides adding another world title to his collection, Kobayashi collects $10,000 for the win.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f4d","sn":471,"title":"Joey Wins Green Chili Grilled Cheese","createdAt":"2006-09-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut of San Jose banged dow 34.5 green chili grilled cheese sandwiches to win the Golden Palace.net event in NM.\r\n\r\nRich LeFevre took 2nd with 28 and Marco Marquez took 3rd with 14.\r\n \r\nSkinny Boy tied for 4th w/Allan Jones, both eating 13.5. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f4c","sn":469,"title":"Kobayashi is in Boston","createdAt":"2006-09-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The world's greatest eater, Takeru Kobayashi, has arrived in Boston and lobsters all over the Atlantic Ocean floor are running scared. \r\n\r\n\"They run backwards, the lobsters, so they're likely bumping into things like rocks and other lobsters,\" said Bob Gilman, an eating fan who works at Boston's Mintz Levin law firm.\r\n\r\nOn Saturday, Kobayashi will compete against a team of four amateurs in the first-ever GoldenPalace.net Lobster Roll-Eating Challenge to be held on September 23rd at Boston's Phantom Gourmet Food Festival. At stake is a purse of $10,000.\r\n\r\nThe GoldenPalace.net Lobster Roll-Eating Challenge will occur at 11:30 AM on Saturday, September 23, at Club Avalon on Landsdowne Street in Boston, MA. It is a ticketed event and sold out. \r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f48","sn":467,"title":"Bertoletti to Chattanooga","createdAt":"2006-09-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Patrick Bertoletti, of Chicago, IL, set a new Knoxville area Krystal hamburger-eating record today, devouring 48 of the fast food icon’s famous hamburgers in eight minutes at the Knoxville Qualifier for the Krystal Square Off III World Hamburger Eating Championship. \r\n\r\nThis win secures Bertoletti a seat in the ESPN-televised Krystal Square Off III World Hamburger Eating Championship Final on October 28, 2006.\r\n\r\nAt the World Championship Final the top eaters from the regional qualifiers will battle it out for one of competitive eating’s most coveted titles and a piece of the unprecedented $30,000 cash prize purse. The winner this year will receive a $10,000 cash prize along with the coveted Krystal Square Off World Champion's Belt and the Champion's Trophy made out of crystal. The runner-up and third place finishers will take home an increased paycheck of $7,500 and $3,500 respectively. The remaining top ten finalists will receive payouts ranging from $2,000 to $300."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f49","sn":468,"title":"Kobayashi Against Team of Four in Competitive Eating First","createdAt":"2006-09-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Takeru Kobayashi will compete against a team of four amateurs in the first-ever GoldenPalace.net Lobster Roll-Eating Challenge to be held on September 23rd at Boston's Phantom Gourmet Food Festival. At stake is a purse of $10,000.\r\n\r\n\"Kobayashi has never lost an eating contest to a human being on American soil -- we’ll now see if he can handle a team of four,\" said Richard Shea, President of the International Federation of Competitive Eating. \r\n\r\nThe lobster rolls for the 10-minute contest will be provided by Jasper White’s Summer Shack. This an official contest of the GoldenPalace.net World Series of Competitive Eating. \r\n\r\nThe GoldenPalace.net Lobster Roll-Eating Challenge will occur at 11:30 AM on Saturday, September 23, at Club Avalon on Landsdowne Street in Boston, MA. \r\n\r\nThe Phantom Gourmet Food Festival, Boston’s best block party. The 2006 Phantom Gourmet Food Festival is a ticketed event, and features entertainment such as DJ Stevie Ray and samplings from more than 40 of Boston’s most notable restaurants, including Jasper White’s Summer Shack, Cabot Creamery, Emma’s Pub and Pizza and the Nordic Lounge. For more information visit www.phantomgourmetfoodfestival.com. \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f47","sn":466,"title":"Road Report: Council Bluffs","createdAt":"2006-09-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut established a new pulled pork eating record at Harrah's Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs, IA by downing 9.6 lbs of slow roasted pork. \r\n\r\nChip Simpson took 2nd with 7.4 lbs. \r\n\r\nLast year, Rich LeFevre won with 7.1 pounds. This weekend, he placed 3rd with 6.1 lbs. \r\n\r\nJim \"the Hammer\" Hamrick took fourth place with 4 lbs, and Bill Roth placed fifth with 3 lbs. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f45","sn":465,"title":"Road Report: Oklahoma City","createdAt":"2006-09-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas wins the GoldenPalace.net Okra Eating Championship by consuming 9 and 3/4 lbs of fried okra. \r\n\r\nPat Bertoletti placed second, a close second, with 9.5 lbs and Erik the Red tool 3rd with 5 pounds. \r\n\r\nEater X and the Legend scratched due to travel problems aided by foul weather on the east coast Friday. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f46","sn":464,"title":"Competitive Eating News: X Wins Cannoli-Eating Contest","createdAt":"2006-09-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"According to CompetitiveEatingNews.com, the breaking news website of the competitive eating world, Eater X Tim Janus won the World Cannoli-Eating Championship and tied Cookie Jarvis' previous record by downing 26 cannoli in six minutes.\r\n\r\nPlacing second at the event, which was held at the 79th Annual Feast of San Gennaro in New York's Little Italy, was Crazy Legs Conti with 22 connoli, and placing third was Justin Mih with 18. Despite the rain, a significant crowd assembled for the event. \r\n\r\nThe 79th Annual Feast of San Gennaro will run through Sunday, September 24, 2005. Presented annually since 1996 by Figli di San Gennaro, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, this year’s Feast will again bring more than 1 million people to the streets of Little Italy in the annual salute to the Patron Saint of Naples. The street festivities include parades, entertainment and food stands.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f44","sn":463,"title":"Festa di San Gennaro","createdAt":"2006-09-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eater X, Conti, Mih and other Major League Eaters will gather at the Annual Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy tomorrow to vie for the title of World Cannoli Eating Champion.\r\n\r\nThe current world record is 26 cannoli in six minutes. This record was set by Ed Cookie Jarvis. Now retired, Jarvis will receive a lifetime achievement award prior to the event. Recent retiree Don Moses Lerman All American is also signed up to assist Hungry Charles in the capacity of judge.\r\n\t\r\nThe six-minute, all-you-can-eat contest will feature six-inch cannoli from Ferrara bakery. The winner will gain possession of the Coveted Cannoli Champion’s Corinthian Column and the title of Mangiatore dei Cannoli Campione del Mondo.\r\n\r\nAll the action will occur at the Feast of San Gennaro on Baxter and Grand Streets, one block west of Mulberry in Manhattan's Little Italy at 2pm.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f41","sn":461,"title":"Mirroring Chestnut","createdAt":"2006-09-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Having eaten 28 Krystals in two minutes yesterday, Philly's top gurgitator Bob Shoudt qualified for the 06 KSO by eating 52 Krystals at the Tennessee State Fair today. \r\n\r\nSeattle's Erik the Red took 2nd with 34 Krystals. \r\n\r\nMeanwhile, just down the road in Nashville, the Jets beat the Titans, putting them in a rare divisional tie for first place with the mighty Patriots. The question now becomes whether Shoudt's stay on par with Chestnut will outlast the Jets' perch atop the AFC East. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f42","sn":462,"title":"Road Report: Salt Lake City ","createdAt":"2006-09-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Under the watchful eye of pioneer Joe Smith, Joey Chestnut ate 29 Colosimo Italian sausages to win the GoldenPalace.net World Italian Sausage Eating Championship. \r\n\r\nIn second place, with 25.5 eight inch sweet sausages was Dead Kennedy's fan Pat Bertoletti. In third was Frankie Valley fan Rich the Locust Lefevre. Not afraid of the young guns, LeFevre downed 21.5 sausages. \r\n\r\nHappy valley local, Levi 'don't call me Oliver Nelson,' placed 4th. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f43","sn":460,"title":"Joey Eats 52 Krystals in Jacksonville, Your MLE Mid Week Update","createdAt":"2006-09-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut, 2005 Krystal Square Off Runner Up, qualified for the 2006 KSO by downing 52 Krystals in Jacksonville, Florida. \r\n\r\nMany Labor Day revelers turned out to watch America's top-ranked Major League Eater perform and he didn't let them down, easing his way to victory and displaying his great eating skills. \r\n\r\n\"I drove two hours to see this kid eat,\" said John Price, a Florida realtor. \"Joey seemed to cruise a bit and I would reckon his thoughts are on Kobayashi and (the finals in) Chattanooga.\"\r\n\r\nThe story of the day may have been \"Crazy Legs\" Conti, who stormed past Seaver Miller, Joe Larue and David \"Brickhouse\" Braunstein to claim second place with 36 burgers. Conti's performance proved once again that the former Johns Hopkins point guard remains in peak physical condition. \r\n\r\nLast year at the finals, Kobayashi beat Chestnut by just five Krytals. The story on October 28th (Live on ESPN) will be the Krystal rematch: Kobayashi vs. Chestnut. \r\n\r\nCheck out www.krystal.com for additional info and images."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f3e","sn":458,"title":"Chestnut Sets New World Record at Waffle House Match","createdAt":"2006-09-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut broke the world reccord of 18.5 large waffles at exactly ten minutes and 23 seconds into the 12 minute match. From there it was just a scramble to see how many he could add to his history making effort.\r\n\r\nChestnut faced some of the greatest talent in America during the Waffle House World Waffle-Eating Championship, which was held in Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta, GA. To his right was Sonya Thomas, the 100-pound eating phenom from Virginia who holds 27 world titles. To his left was Chip Simpson, a rising rookie seeking to make his bones on the eating circuit.\r\n\r\nSimpson was on a tear, having just won the National Buffalo Wing Festival's wing-eating contest by eating 158 chicken wings in 12 minutes and setting a new world record.\r\n\r\nAt the Waffle House event, Chestnut established an early lead of 1.5 Buttermilk Waffles and held to it for the bulk of the contest. But in the final three minutes, Thomas made a run for it, briefly pulling even with Chestnut, the number-two-ranked eater in the world.\r\n\r\nHowever, as the seconds ticked down Chestnut picked up speed and ended with a total of 23 Waffle House Waffles in 12 minutes, approximatley 7.5 pounds not counting water. Thomas ate 21 waffles and Simpson consumed 18.\r\n\r\nAlso competing were veterans Crazy Legs Conti, Super Paul Barlow, Larry McNeil and Loren Yarbrough.\r\n\r\nFor his effort, Chestnut won $5,000. The remaining $2,500 in prizes was split among Thomas and Simpson."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f3f","sn":459,"title":"Eaters Finsh Three-Day Swing in Jacksonville","createdAt":"2006-09-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Crazy Legs Conti, Sonya Thomas and several of the other top Major League Eaters will complete a three-day Labor Day swing at the Krystal Square Off qualifier in Jacksonville Florida on Monday, September 4.\r\n\r\nLegs and Thomas began the weekend in Buffalo, traveled to Atlanta and the flew to Jacksonville to round out the weekend of events. The Krystal Square Off qualifying circuit will conclude in Chattanooga on October 28 in a championship that will be aired on ESPN. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f3d","sn":455,"title":"Buffalo Championship Contest to Occur at 4 pm Buffalo Amateur at 6 pm","createdAt":"2006-09-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The National Buffalo Chicken Wing Championship, originally scheduled for 6 pm on Saturday, September 2, will be held at 4 pm. The local contest will occur following this -- at 6 pm.\r\n\r\nBooth events will be held despite the rain."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f4a","sn":457,"title":"Road Report: Buffalo, Dallas and Nebraska","createdAt":"2006-09-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Drew Cerza's legendary Wing Fest went off before Ernesto hit and Chip Simpson rocked Dunn Tire Park, inning with 158 Buffalo Wings. Shoudt and Sonya tied for 2nd. \r\n\r\nIn Dallas, Eater X did it for Jennifer Anniston, winning with 51 tamales. LeFevre did it for Carlene placing 2nd with 50. Close call that. In 3rd was Seaver with 30. \r\n\r\nMeanwhile, in Nebraska, the GoldenPalace.Net World Series continues with Pat from Bertoletti eating 44 Kolache for the win. Oregon's Erbivore ate 24 for 2nd and Fraggle Wach took 3rd with 22. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f3c","sn":454,"title":"Road Report: Reno","createdAt":"2006-08-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut continues his six-month streak, having never been defeated by an American eater in that time. The Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off, hosted by John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino Hotel, set the perfect stage for the final rib contest of the summer. The winner of last year's Cook-Off, Butch's Lip Smackin' BBQ, provided the ribs for the contest. They proved to be quite a challenge for all of the gurgitators, but they asserted themselves as athletes once again.\r\n\r\nFull Results:\r\nJoey Chestnut 4.5 lbs\r\nPat Bertoletti 4 lbs\r\nRich LeFevre 3.8 lbs\r\nJed Donahue 3.3 lbs\r\nErik Denmark 2.5 lbs\r\nJason Erb 2.5 lbs\r\nJason Leos 2 lbs\r\nRon Koch 1.7 lbs\r\nEl Toro 1.7 lbs\r\nScott Morrison 1.7 lbs\r\nTad Newcomb 1.5 lbs\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f3b","sn":452,"title":"Cannoli-Eating Contest at feast of San Genarro","createdAt":"2006-08-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Cannoli-Eating Title, currently held by eating legend Edward Cookie Jarvis, will be up for grabs on Friday, September 15th at the 79th Annual Feast of San Gennaro in New York's Little Italy.\r\n\r\nLast year nearly 1,000 festival goers watched as Cookie beat an impressive field of eaters including Tim Janus, Brian Subich, Tim Holden and Crazy Legs Conti. Cookie consumed 26 large cannoli in six minutes to secure the championship title.\r\n\r\nThe 79th Annual Feast of San Gennaro will run through Sunday, September 24, 2005. Presented annually since 1996 by Figli di San Gennaro, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, this year’s Feast will again bring more than 1 million people to the streets of Little Italy in the annual salute to the Patron Saint of Naples. The street festivities include parades, entertainment and food stands.\r\n\r\nThe cannoli-eating event will take place at 2 pm. This is an IFOCE event and sign up will take place via the IFOCE.com website.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f40","sn":453,"title":"$100,000 to Amateur Who Can Top Chestnut's Grilled Cheese Record","createdAt":"2006-08-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"There is a $100,000 Bounty on Joey Chestnut's world grilled cheese-eating record.\r\n\r\nGoldenPalace.net has announced that it will hold amateur contests prior to every event on the 2006 fall circuit with a prize of $100,000 for the amateur who can break Joey Chestnut's record of 47 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes.\r\n\r\nThe amateur contests will be limted to residents of the state in which the event is taking place and competitors must have never before competed in an eating contest. (Other rules and restrictions apply and will appear on contest application.)\r\n\r\n“This is an ideal opportunity for a person seeking to consume 47 days worth of lunch while earning a generous year's salary -- all within 10 minutes,\" said IFOCE Chair George Shea. \"It's just common sense to get it all done quickly and free up time for other pursuits.\"\r\n\r\n“America has never fully recognized its debt to the grilled cheese sandwich,” said IFOCE President Richard Shea. “I hope that this remarkable bounty will highlight the grilled cheese’s position as one of history’s great entrees.”\r\n\r\nGoldenPalace.net is the web’s ultimate resource for individuals learning casino games. With expert advice on more than 30 classic casino games including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, video poker, craps, keno and others, GoldenPalace.net is 100 percent free and 100 percent fun."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f3a","sn":451,"title":"GoldenPalace.net Horseshoe-Eating Contest Results","createdAt":"2006-08-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Delayed results for the first-ever horseshoe eating championship, a 10-minute competition held at the Illinois State Fair on August 12, 2006. Joey Chestnut won with six pounds, five ounces in 10 minutes.\r\n\r\nIllinois horseshoes - two pieces of toast topped with ham, French fries and cheese sauce – are loved throughout the Midwest. GoldenPalace.net offered a total purse of $4,000 on this Major League Eating(TM) event, an official stop on the 2006 World Series of Competitive Eating.\r\n\r\nFull results:\r\n\r\n1) Joey Chestnut- 6lbs. 5ozs.\r\n2) Tim Janus- 5lbs. 9ozs.\r\n3) Tim Brown- 3lbs. 12ozs.\r\n4) Frank Wach- 3lbs. 9ozs.\r\n5) 3 way tie- 2lbs. 13ozs.\r\n Loren Yarbrough\r\n Jim Hamrick\r\n Kevin Carr\r\n6) Domenico Alesi- 2lbs. 8ozs.\r\n7) Bill Roth- 1lb. 13ozs.\r\n8) Bob Hudgins- 1lb.8ozs.\r\n9) James Davis- 1lb.7ozs."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f38","sn":450,"title":"Sonya Takes Chatty","createdAt":"2006-08-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas banged down a personal best 62 Krystals in today's Square Off qualifier in beautiful Chattanooga, TN. She set a new female record and tied Joey Chestnut's eight minute American record.\r\n\r\nIn second place with 30 fewer burgers was the Mad Greek. Shawn Kessler placed third with 23 Krystals. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f37","sn":448,"title":"Road Report: New Mexico","createdAt":"2006-08-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pat Bertoletti took home the title of World Jalapeno Eating Champion with 177 pickled peppers in 15 minutes. Coming in second was Rich \"the Locust\" LeFevre with 155. Third was \"Jalapeno\" Jed Donahue with 144. Erik the Red was in fourth, consuming 107, and \"Buffalo\" Jim Reeves rounded out the top five with 74."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f39","sn":449,"title":"New Record in Sausage Sandwiches","createdAt":"2006-08-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Today at the New York State Fair, competing on the stage before the epic band, Color Me Badd, Chip Simpson continued on his streak of impressive performances and gained another title. The GoldenPalace.net World Sausage Sandwich Eating Championship was a very close competition, and had everyone in the large crowd on the edge of their seats. Humble Bob Shoudt was right on Chip's heels, with Eater X extremely close behind. Crazy Legs Conti also performed well, claiming 4th place. Gianelli Sausages, a Syracuse mainstay, provided the enormous and challenging sandwiches for the event. \r\n\r\nFull Results:\r\nChip Simpson--13.25 sandwiches, $2000\r\nHumble Bob--13 sandwiches, $1000\r\nTim Janus--12.5 sandwiches, $750 \r\nCrazy Legs Conti--9 sandwiches, $250\r\nJustin Mih--8 sandwiches\r\nWilliam Myers--7.25 sandwiches\r\nArturo Rios--7 sandwiches\r\nRuss Keeler--6.5 sandwiches\r\nJim Small-4.5 sandwiches\r\nMichael Lorusso--2 sandwiches\r\nSierra Lynn Becay--1.75 sandwiches\r\nMarie Kelley--1 sandwich\r\n\r\nThe sausages themselves were each 1/3 lb, not including the bun. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f34","sn":447,"title":"Joey Chestnut to Defend Waffle House Title, One of Major League Eating's Top Honors","createdAt":"2006-08-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The dramatic Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta, GA, will serve as the arena for some of the World’s finest competitive eaters on Sunday, September 3, at 3:00 p.m. as the 2006 Waffle House World Waffle-Eating Championship takes place.\r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut will return to Atlanta to defend the title of Waffle House World Waffle-Eating Champion. Patrick Bertoletti and Sonya Thomas are expected as well, so it promises to be a battle. The champion will receive a $5,000 prize, with another $2,500 being distributed among other finishers.\r\n\r\nGeorge Shea, Chairman of the International Federation of Competitive Eating, said: \"Waffle House waffles are especially difficult for Major League Eaters because their delicious flavor (with tantalizing hints of vanilla) can easily distract an eater from the task at-hand.\"\r\n\r\nChestnut, the American hot dog eating champion, last year consumed 18.5 waffles in 10 minutes. He is riding a wave of momentum heading into the contest, having captured the World Grilled Cheese-Eating Championship and the Baby Back Rib-Eating Championship within the past two months. Georgia’s own Larry “The Legend” McNeil hopes to unseat Chestnut from his waffle-eating title. \r\n\r\nMajor League Eating fans consider last year’s contest to be one of the most memorable competitive eating events in recent memory, as Chestnut took the victory by a mere one-half waffle over Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas. Chestnut proceeded to donate half of his winnings to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.\r\n\r\nHeadquartered in Norcross, GA, Waffle House has been serving Good Food Fast® since 1955. Today the Waffle House system operates 1,500 locations in 25 states and is the world’s leading server of waffles, t-bone steaks, hash browns, cheese ‘n eggs, country ham, pork chops and grits. Since opening fifty years ago, Waffle House has served its customers nearly 500 million waffles. For more information visit www.wafflehouse.com. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f33","sn":446,"title":"Major League Eaters Gather in Buffalo for National Buffalo Wing Match","createdAt":"2006-08-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The National Buffalo Wing Festival on Labor Day weekend will host some of the World’s finest competitive eaters in the Buffalo Wing Fest World Buffalo Wing-Eating Championship and the Buffalo Wing Fest World Buffet Bowl-Eating Championship. The Major League Eaters of the IFOCE will seek more than $4,000 in cash over the two days. \r\n\r\n“There is no competitive eating contest more elegant than the Buffalo Wing contest \r\nand no victory more important,” said George Shea, Chairman of the IFOCE. “The essence of the human struggle to survive is on display in Buffalo on Labor Day Weekend.”\r\n\r\nHeadlining the weekend’s events is Chip “Burger” Simpson, the seventh-ranked Major League Eater in the world. Simpson, a Pennsylvania native, is riding a wave of momentum heading into the contest. He recently captured the 2006 Midwest Regional Hot Dog Eating Championship and finished second in the International Pizza-Eating Championship. Seattle’s Erik “The Red” Denmark and Boston’s “Buffalo” Jim Reeves hope to upset Simpson in his quest to win the Buffalo Wing title. \r\n\r\nThe Buffalo Wing-Eating Championship, to be held on Saturday will precede Sunday’s Buffet Bowl-Eating Championship. Both events will begin at 5:00 p.m. from Dunn Tire Park in Buffalo, NY. \r\n\r\nMajor League Eating fans consider this to be one of the most anticipated contests on the IFOCE circuit, as last year’s contest was a memorable showdown between competitive eating’s greatest athletes. Eric “Badlands” Booker captured last year’s wing contest by consuming 137 Buffalo Wings, while Ed “Cookie” Jarvis was victorious in the Buffet Bowl. Both Booker and Jarvis have since retired from competitive eating, and fans are eager to find out who will fill in their shoes this year.\r\n\r\nThe International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 100 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y. The competitive eating community, which numbers more than 3,000 veteran and rookie athletes, travels the nation in search of top titles and the glory that they provide.\r\n\r\nEvent Info:\r\n\r\n\r\n2006 Buffalo Wing Fest Buffalo Wing and Buffet Bowl-Eating Championships\r\n\r\nNational Buffalo Wing Festival\r\nDunn Tire Park\r\nBuffalo, NY\r\n\r\nSaturday, September 2 – Sunday, September 3 \r\n\r\n5 p.m.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f35","sn":445,"title":"Krystal: Instant Satisfaction","createdAt":"2006-08-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Krystal Square Off III World Hamburger Eating Championship begins its two-month qualifying circuit this weekend and fans across the world will be able to witness every second of the hamburger-eating action.\r\n\r\nLive webcasts of all qualifiers will run at www.krystalsquareoff.com. \r\n\r\nFans away from their computers will also be able to follow the action via instantaneous text messages sent directly to their mobile phones.\r\n\r\nBy logging onto www.krystalsquareoff.com, the official website for the World Hamburger Eating Championship, competitive eating fans can watch local Krystal Lovers go head-to-head and burger-for-burger at each of the 157 two-minute preliminary contests that will take place in eight cities across the South starting August 24, 2006, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Fans will also be able to watch live as the top eaters in those cities square off in the eight-minute qualifying finals against Major League Eaters like Joey Chestnut and Sonya Thomas.\r\n\r\nThe qualifying finals will decide which competitors will compete at the ESPN-televised World Hamburger Eating Championship in Chattanooga on October 28, 2006. At the finals, competitors will square off against each other and the current world champion, Takeru Kobayashi, for the coveted title and a share of the unprecedented $30,000 cash prize purse.\r\n\r\nIn addition to watching live webcasts of this year’s Krystal Square Off III, competitive eating fans eager to be the first to know how many Krystal Hamburgers were eaten after every eight-minute qualifying final can sign up to have results text messaged directly to their mobile phones by logging onto www.krystalsquareoff.com and entering their mobile phone number.\r\n\r\n\"Krystal has recognized the growth of competitive eating in recent years, and is proud to offer the sport’s die-hard fans the opportunity to follow the action at this level,\" said Mike Williams, Vice President of Marketing for The Krystal Company. \r\n\r\nThe Krystal Square Off III World Hamburger Eating Championship is one of the majors in the sport of competitive eating and the only world hamburger-eating championship sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE). Japan’s Takeru Kobayashi is the current eight-minute world record holder, setting a mark of 69 Krystals at the inaugural Krystal Square off in 2004. Joey Chestnut, of San Jose, Calif., is the American record holder in the eight-minute event with 62 Krystals, and is the current world record holder in the two-minute sprint event with 28 Krystals, a mark he set this past July at a press conference for Krystal Square Off III.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f36","sn":444,"title":"Road Report: L.A.","createdAt":"2006-08-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut edged out Sonya Thomas by two gyoza to win the dumpling contest. \r\n\r\nChestnut ate 212 gyoza to Sonya's 210. \r\n\r\nIn third was Rich LeFevre with 162 and in fourth was Hall Hunt with 107. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f32","sn":443,"title":"Shoudt takes Indy ","createdAt":"2006-08-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Humble Bob Shoudt dominated in Indianapolis, taking first place in the Toyota Trucks State Fair Chowdown Championship. \r\n\r\nJim the Hammer Hamrick placed second and Ohio's Kevin Carr placed third."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f31","sn":442,"title":"Bertoletti Celebrates 30 Years of Three Brothers","createdAt":"2006-08-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Over the weekend, Patrick Bertoletti won the Three Brothers Pizza Eating Championship and took home $2,500 for the effort. \r\n\r\nKnown as Deep Dish for his Chicago origins, Bertoletti traveled to Greenbelt, MD for the event as did Bob Shoudt, Allen Goldstein, Brian Subich and Larry the Legend.\r\n\r\nPat from Bertoletti consumed 19 slices of Three Brothers pizza for the win, and in second place was Chip Simpson with 16.5 slices. Third place went to Humble Bob Shoudt, once the Ursinus College Pizza Champ, who ate 15 slices.\r\n\r\nAlso in the money was Larry the Legend McNeil who downed 13 slices and went home with $250.\r\n\r\nJuliet Lee took home free pizza for a year by eating 11 slices and reminding many in the crowd of an early Sonya Thomas."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f2f","sn":441,"title":"Road Report: Fairfield, CT","createdAt":"2006-08-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey wins the Ash Creek Baby Back Rib contest with 6.15 pounds of rib meat off the bone in 12 minutes. Chip Simpson places second with 5.80 pounds and Humble Bob took third with 5.05 pounds. \r\n\r\nA large crowd of eating fans gathered for the event and cheered as local Lars Anderson handed Joey the Bone-in Rib Wreath that reportedly illuminates the night. \r\n\r\n\r\nFull Results (minus locals):\r\nJoey Chestnut: 6.15 lbs\r\nChip Simpson: 5.8 lbs\r\nBob Shoudt: 5.05 lbs\r\nEater X: 4.15 lbs\r\nJustin Mih: 4 lbs\r\nArturo Rios: 3.85 lbs\r\nChris Abatsas: 3.75 lbs\r\nPat Philbin: 3.0 lbs\r\nPaul Sakelarides: 2.65 lbs\r\nRuss Keeler: 2.45 lbs\r\nCrazy Legs Conti: 2.4 lbs\r\nWilliam Myers: 2.2 lbs\r\nBrian Seiken: 1.65 lbs"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f30","sn":440,"title":"Kobayashi Sets New Johnsonville World Brat-Eating Record","createdAt":"2006-08-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Takeru Kobayashi set a new Johnsonville world bratwurst-eating record on August 5, in Sheboygan, WI, by downing 58 of the world-class brats in 10 minutes.\r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut, ranked number 2 in the world among Major League Eaters, placed second with 45 brats and Patrick Bertoletti placed third with 39 brats. Bob Shoudt was right behind Bertoletti with 38.5 and Tim janus consumed 37. Former world champ Sonya Thomas placed sixth with 34.\r\n\r\nPrize money broke down as follows\r\n\r\n1st Place: $8,000--Takeru Kobayashi (58 brats/10 min)\r\n2nd Place: $4,500--Joey Chestnut (45 brats/10 min)\r\n3rd Place: $2,500--Pat Bertoletti (39 brats/10 min)\r\n4th Place: $1,500--Bob Shoudt (38.5 brats/10 min)\r\n5th Place: $1,000--Tim Janus (37 brats/10 min)\r\n6th Place: $750----Sonya Thomas (34 brats/10 min)\r\n7th Place: $600----Rich LeFevre (31.5 brats/10 min)\r\n8th Place: $500----Crazy Legs Conti (22.25 brats/10 min)\r\n9th Place: $400----Tim Brown (22 brats/10 min)\r\n10th Place: $250---Erik Denmark (15.5 brats/10 min)\r\n11th Place: Frank Wach (15 brats/10 min)\r\n12th Place: Jim Hamrick (13 brats/10 min)\r\n13th Place: El Toro (11 brats/10 min)\r\n14th Place: PJ Kim (10 brats/10 min)\r\n15th Place: Damon Serignet (9 brats/10 min)\r\n16th Place: Tom Denure (6 brats/10 min)\r\n\r\nThe weather was beautiful and a crowd of more than 4,000 came to Kiwanis Park for the Jaycee's Brat Days to watch the event, which was aired on ESPN2 after a pre-emption by the NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The event will be aired again numerous times. It was originally scheduled to be aired on ESPN proper after the NFL show."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f2c","sn":439,"title":"Top Competitive Eaters arrive in Sheboygan for Johnsonville Brat Match on ESPN","createdAt":"2006-08-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"ESPN will televise a one-hour show of the August 5 Johnsonville World Brat-Eating Championship in Sheboygan, an event that features more than $20,000 in prizes and which has attracted top competitive eating talent including Takeru Kobayashi of Japan, Joey Chestnut of San Jose and Sonya Thomas of Alexandria, VA.\r\n\r\nOther Major League Eaters in Sheboygan for the event include Patrick Bertoletti, Bob Shoudt, Tim Janus and Rich LeFevre."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f2e","sn":438,"title":"Krystal Square Off, $30K","createdAt":"2006-07-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Registration begins on this site today for the eight official qualifying contests that comprise the 2006 Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship circuit. The first of these qualifiers will be held in Chattanooga, TN, home of the world famous Krystal, on August 27th.\r\n\r\nThe 2006 Krystal Square Off Championships will air on ESPN. This is the third straight year of the Square Off and eating fans have come to embrace the highly competitive circuit and its incredibly exciting final event.\r\n\r\n“The Krystal Square Off is colorful and fast-paced and one of the most anticipated events of the competitive eating year,” said Rich Shea, president of the IFOCE. “What’s more, it’s a major and Krystal is putting up some serious cash.”\r\n\r\nThe winner of each regional qualifier will earn one of the coveted seats at the world championship final table on Oct. 28, 2006, in Chattanooga, Tenn., where they will compete for a share of the unprecedented $30,000 cash purse. Four wild card competitors will also be given entry to the October 28th event.\r\n\r\nFounded in 1932, Krystal restaurants have become more than sparkling-clean eateries where friendly employees serve up fresh, indulgently delicious food. Krystal has become a cultural icon and an experience that virtually every man, woman and child in the South has shared. Nearly everyone in the region has a Krystal memory. The Krystal brand and the great food, service, value and setting that it represents has taken a prominent place in the South’s cultural landscape. The Krystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the South and the second oldest in the United States. The Chattanooga, Tenn.-based company currently has more than 420 restaurants in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.\r\n \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f29","sn":437,"title":"A Game of Horseshoes","createdAt":"2006-07-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"GoldenPalace.net is pleased to present the first-ever horseshoe eating \r\nchampionship. It will be a 10-minute competition and will occur at the \r\nIllinois State Fair on August 12, 2006.\r\n \r\nJust as horseshoes mounted on a door signal good luck, Illinois \r\nhorseshoes - two pieces of toast stuffed with ham, French fries and \r\ncheese sauce - signal good eating. While social eaters throughout the \r\nMidwest revere horseshoes for their nutritional content, this regional \r\ntreat has yet to be eaten in competition. \r\n \r\n \"It is not possible for anyone to accurately predict the number of \r\nhorseshoes a man can eat in ten minutes. For this reason, it's very \r\nimportant that we hold this contest,\" said Rich Shea of the IFOCE. \r\n\"With a generous cash prize and history on the line, we expect top \r\neating talent to compete at the Illinois State Fair on August 12th.\"\r\n \r\nGoldenPalace.net has placed a total purse of $4,000 on this Major League Eating^(TM) event, an official stop on the 2006 World Series of \r\nCompetitive Eating.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f2a","sn":436,"title":"Chestnut Eats 28 Krystals in Two Minutes","createdAt":"2006-07-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut visited Chattanooga today and downed 28 of Krystal’s famous hamburgers in two minutes, a new short course record.\r\n\r\nChestnut, who is also the American record holder in the eight–minute Krystal eating contest (62 Krystals), attended a press conference to kick off the 2006 Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship circuit. \r\n\r\nThe 2006 Krystal Square Off finals will occur on October 28 in Chattanooga and be televised live on ESPN. \r\n\r\nAt last year's Krystal Square Off Chestnut rocked the competitive eating world by leading Takeru Kobayashi for seven of the contest’s eight minutes, only to lose ground in the waning seconds of the eight-minute contest. \r\n\r\n“Today, right here in Chattanooga, Joey Chesnut has proven that he has the strongest jaws in America and the quickest first bite in the world,\" said George Shea, chair of the International Federation of Competitive Eating. \r\n\r\nBilled in its third year as Krystal Square Off III, the three-month long qualifying circuit and championship hamburger-eating event will officially get underway on Aug. 24, 2006, in Chattanooga, Tenn., with the first of eight circuit qualifiers. From there, the road to the top burger title will journey through seven more cities across the South with each city sending its winner to the world championship final in Chattanooga on Oct. 28, 2006, where competitors will battle for the title and one of the richest purses in the sport of competitive eating.\r\n\r\nAdditional info is available at www.krystalsquareoff.com\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f28","sn":435,"title":"Road Report: Oregon","createdAt":"2006-07-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Mike Castellano reports from the Northern Pacific Coast that America's greatest eater consumed 8.4 pounds of rib meat to win the Chinook Winds Rib Championship. \r\n\r\nChestnut finished more than three pounds ahead of the revered elder statesman, Rich The Locust, who placed second with 5.05 lbs. In third was Erik The Red of Seattle with 4.1 lbs. \r\n\r\nThe amateur contest on Saturday was taken by Carl \"the Hungarian Freight Train\" Ronto of Tigard, Oregon, with 2.2 lbs of rib meat in 6 minutes. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f27","sn":434,"title":"July is Rib Month, All You Can Eat","createdAt":"2006-07-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"As Chestnut, Erik The Red and the Pork Slayer prepare for battle in Oregon this weekend they can benchmark ribs easily by looking at recent events.\r\n\r\nOn July 7th in Cherokee, North Carolina, Harrah’s hosted its annual rib eating challenge with $5,000 in prizes on the line. Sonya Thomas took first place with 5.45 pounds of rib meat eaten in 12 minutes. In second was Eater X with 4.28 pounds and in third was Dale Boone, the Hindi music video impresario, who consumed 3.92 pounds. Super Paul Barlow and Mike Wilkerson also competed.\r\n\r\nOn July 3rd in Memphis, www.GoldenPalace.net displayed its mobile museum of oddities that features the Virgin Mary Grilled Cheese, the Abe Lincoln French Fry and William Shatner’s kidney stone. Beale Street revelers were most shocked, however, by Dale Boone who downed 2.93 pounds of rib meat in eight minutes. Bubba Yarbrough placed second with 2.5 pounds and the Legend came in third with 1.75 pounds. \r\n\r\nAfter the event Boone began to belittle Bubba and the Legend, but contest official Charles Hardy was quick to remind the Mouth of the South of a few eaters not in attendance: Chestnut, Thomas, Bertoletti, Simpson, Janus, LeFevre, Shoudt, Booker, Philbin, Denmark, Subich, Conti, Seaver, and Goldstein.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f26","sn":433,"title":"Sonya, LeFevre and Eater X at Harrah's Cherokee","createdAt":"2006-07-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Harrah’s Cherokee Casino will play host to a number of the circuit's finest competitive eaters on Friday, July 7, at 7:00 p.m. atthe second annual Harrah’s Cherokee Rib Eating Championship. \r\n\r\nExpected to compete are Sonya Thomas, Rich LeFevre, Eater X, Bubba Yarbrough, Dale Boone, and Eater X. These great competitors will gather in Cherokee to battle for the title of 2006 Harrah’s Cherokee Rib-Eating Champion. The champion will receive a $2,000 cash prize, with an additional $3,000 being distributed to the rest of the winners.\r\n\r\nFew have forgotten the 2005 contest, when Rich \"The Locust\" LeFevre took first place after a runoff off against Eater X. In the main event both tied with 3.75 lbs. of ribs. LeFevre took the title and $2,000 first place prize by eating a total of 4.81 lbs. of ribs in 14 minutes. Eater X downed 4.31 lbs. for second place. The abrasive Dale Boone finished third, and is expected to compete again.\r\n\r\nHarrah’s Cherokee is recognized as one of the premiere resorts in the Carolina area, and features an 80,000 square foot casino floor. It’s located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Cherokee, North Carolina. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel is an enterprise of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and is managed by Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f25","sn":432,"title":"July 4 Eater Totals","createdAt":"2006-07-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Takeru Kobayashi 53.75\r\nJoey Chestnut 52\r\nSonya Thomas 37\r\nPatrick Bertoletti 34.25\r\nTim Janus 34\r\nChip Simpson 33\r\nRich LeFevre 28\r\nBob Shoudt 30\r\nBadlands Booker 24\r\nPatrick Philbin 23\r\nEric Denmark 22\r\nBrian Subich 22\r\nCrazy Legs Conti 21.33\r\nSeaver Miller 20.5\r\nAllen Goldstein 20.5\r\nRobert Andersson 20\r\nHall Hunt 19\r\nKamil Hamersky18\r\nKenji Oguni 16\r\nJed Donahue 1"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f24","sn":431,"title":"Koby (53.75) Fights Off Challenge From Chestnut (52)","createdAt":"2006-07-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Takeru Kobayashi of Japan ended the 2006 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest as champion once again, setting a new world record of 53 and 3/4 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\nBut not without a major challenge from rookie Joey Chestnut of San Jose, Califonia, who set a new American record of 52 HDBs in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\nChestnut led Kobayashi for the first half of the contest, establishing a two hot dog lead before slowly losing ground to the five-time winner from Nagoya. By the 10-munite mark, Chestnut was a dog and a half behind and could not mount the comeback necessary to win.\r\n\r\nNever before, however, has an american performed so well against Kobayashi and never before has America been so galvanized by a sports hero. The crowd of more than 30,000 cheered Chestnut on throughout the contest, but especially in the final minutes, chanting \"Joey,\" \"Joey.\"\r\n\r\nSonya Thomas placed third with 37 HDBs, Patrick Bertoletti ate 34.5, Eater X had 34, and Chip Simpson consumed 33.\r\n\r\nThe event, which was preceded by an extravagant show featuring Coney Island performing talent, took place in nearly 90-degree heat and nearly 90 percent humidity. Some eaters were overwhelmed with the heat and their performance was impacted.\r\n\r\nMany in the crowd expressed dismay that a scheduled performance by the dance troupe, Clogtastica, had to be cancelled due to technical delays. Still others expressed horror that show organizers chose to proceed with a rap rendition of Burt Bacharach's \"Say a Little Prayer\" by George Shea rather than running with Clogtastica, the Neat Eating Contest, or the much-anticipated \"Dance Battle to the Death.\""}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f2b","sn":430,"title":"Nathan's Famous Donates to City Harvest","createdAt":"2006-06-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Nathan’s Famous will make a donation of 10,000 hot dogs to City Harvest, the world's oldest food rescue organization and a member of Second Harvest, the country’s largest charitable hunger-relief organization. \r\n\r\nNathan’s Famous President Wayne Norbitz will make the donation during the annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest that occurs on July 4th in Coney Island, NY.\r\n\r\n“City Harvest does so much good for the people of New York City that it’s our pleasure to host them each year at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July celebration,” said Wayne Norbitz, president and COO of Nathan’s Famous. “Hunger is a terrible problem in America and we are pleased to assist City Harvest, a group the feeds more than 260,000 New Yorkers each week.”\r\n\r\nJennifer McLean, Director of Food Development for City Harvest said: \"Each year Nathan’s Famous makes this generous donation, which helps City Harvest work toward our goal of ending hunger in New York City.\"\r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest grows in popularity each year. Roughly 10,000 people attend the event live while over a million households tune in to the live ESPN broadcast.\r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, believed to be in its 91st year, is a culmination of a seven-week hot dog-eating contest circuit. Qualifying events occur in Miami, FL; Philadelphia, PA; Las Vegas, NV; Atlanta, GA; Norfolk, VA; Phoenix, AZ; San Francisco, CA; Tokyo, Japan, and other cities. \r\n \r\nThe Nathan's Famous System consists of 355 franchised or licensed units, six company-owned units (including one seasonal restaurant) and more than 5,900 Branded Product points of sale, located in 46 states, the District of Columbia and 13 foreign countries featuring the Nathan's, Miami Subs and Kenny Rogers Roasters brands. For Additional information about Nathan's, Kenny Rogers Roasters or Miami Subs please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com.\r\n \r\nFounded in 1982, City Harvest is the world’s first food rescue organization, dedicated to feeding New York City’s hungry men, women and children. This year, City Harvest will collect 21 million pounds of excess, nutritious food from all segments of the food industry, including restaurants, grocers, corporate cafeterias, manufacturers and farms. This food is then delivered free to charge to more than 600 community food programs throughout New York City using a fleet of 15 trucks and volunteers on foot. Each week, City Harvest helps over 260,000 hungry New Yorkers find their next meal.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f22","sn":429,"title":"Booker Takes Seaport Qualifier","createdAt":"2006-06-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eric Badlands Booker ate 30.5 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes at New York City's South Street Seaport to win the Nathan's Famous qualifier for a seat in Coney Island.\r\n\r\nBooker was cheered by the audience of 500, many of whom knew of his eating and rapping exploits. Booker tied his personal best of 30.5 and positioned himself among the top eaters for the Fourth."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f23","sn":428,"title":"One More Nathan's Eating Contest Qualifier","createdAt":"2006-06-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Thai eating officials recently contacted the IFOCE with an offer to sponsor an American eater to represent Thailand in the Nathan’s Famous International July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest.\r\n\r\nThe Pattaya Chonburi Nathan's qualifier was reportedly cancelled due to weather. Hoping to maintain the Southeast Asian nation's pressence in the event, Thai officials issued a formal request to have the IFOCE run a qualifying contest to select a Thai representative.\r\n\r\nNiran Suchin of Pattaya Chonburi stated that the country “longs to be on the worldwide stage of Coney Island -- if not in person, in spirit.”\r\n\r\nTalks between the IFOCE and Suchin concluded late last night and the IFOCE has announced that it will conduct the Thai qualifier in Coney Island on July 3. Spots will be restriected to Thai citizens and eaters who have competed, without qualifying, in at least one US Nathan's qualifier.\r\n\r\n“We will comply with the Thai request in the spirit of global harmony,\" said the IFOCE's Matt Rizzetta.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f2d","sn":427,"title":"Hunt Gets Nathan's Wild Card","createdAt":"2006-06-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Hall Hunt, an eating champion from Florida, has been named the 2006 Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest Wild Card Contestant. \r\n\r\nThe selection process is determined by contest results over the regular hot dog eating season. Eaters in contention must have competed in three qualifiers, and the eater with the highest average over three events is granted the wild card. \r\n\r\nHall consumed 18 HDBs in Sunrise, FL, 20.375 in Norfolk, VA, and 17.5 in Atlanta, GA. His average came to 18.625 HDBs. \r\n\r\nOthers in contention going into the weekend included Larry McNeil, Loren Yarbrough, Erik The Red, Pat Philbin and Allen Goldstein. Philbin and Goldstein both won events.\r\n\r\nErik the Red, who started with just 13 in Florida and did an impressive 19 in San Francisco, finished the circuit with an average of 17.17 HDBs.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f21","sn":426,"title":"Shoo-Fly Showdown","createdAt":"2006-06-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Shoo-Fly Pie Day in Lancaster, Pa is as recognizable as 4th of july in Coney Island. The gods of Competetive Eating held off the rain long enough to see two heats of sanctioned competition on Saturday. \r\n\r\nIn the 1st 8-min round, 18 Dutch Country rookies dueled in shoo-fly pie. First place($250 gift certificate to Rockvale Outlets) went to \"gooey\" Sean Gordon with 3.75lbs. Runner-up was York, PA's Chris \"the hunk\" Brunk with 3.5lbs. \"The Intimidater\" JD Slater(rumored to be AC's father) came in third with 3.1lbs. \r\n\r\nIn the pro's show, Eater X returned to defend the coveted \"Heavyweight Champion Shoo-Fly Pie Belt\", and although he posted 8.25lbs in 8mins (over 1.5 more than his previous year's record) it was only good enough for second place on The Rockvale Outlets stage this year. \r\n\r\nHumble Bob captured the title with an incredible 9.25lbs and the 1st place prize of $2,000. A new-comer, 20-yr-old \"Cincinnati Kid\" Nathan Kunce beat out some of the favorites, including Yellow-cake Subich, Brick-House Braunstien, and managed to edge out Crazy Legs Conti by 0.1 lbs., claiming 3rd place with 5.5lbs. \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f1c","sn":423,"title":"Jed Takes San Fran Nail Biter","createdAt":"2006-06-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The O.C.'S Jalapeno Jed Donahue made California proud at the Daly City Nathan's Famous qualifier by eating 19.5 HDBs today, earning a spot in Coney. Jed just beat Seattle's Erik The Red who finished with 19. Ron Koch of Las Vegas was the third place finisher. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f1d","sn":424,"title":"Road Report: Shoo Fly Pie","createdAt":"2006-06-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Bob Shoudt won the Shoo Fly Pie eating contest with well north of 9 pounds. \r\n\r\nEater X took 2nd place. Details to follow. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f1e","sn":422,"title":"Bertoletti Wins Atlanta","createdAt":"2006-06-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The annual Nathan's Famous qualifier at Zoo Atlanta drew a near-capacity crowd and the fans were thrilled by the finest assemblage of eaters to ever compete in Atlanta. \r\n\r\nBartoletti headed the table and set a new Atlanta record with 33 Nathan's Famous dogs and buns. \r\n\r\nIn 2nd place was Sam Vise with 20 and third went to a slim Dale Boone who ate 18 Nathan's Famous. \r\n\r\nBoone is not only 100 pounds lighter than he was in '05 but he's also going with a hair style that closely resembles the coloring of a skunk. \r\n\r\nHall Hunt finished with 17.5. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f20","sn":425,"title":"Competitive Eating Stalwart Allen Goldstein Wins to Earn Seat at Coney","createdAt":"2006-06-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Allen \"The Shredder\" Goldstein consumed a personal best of 21.5 HDBs to take the LI Ducks Nathan's Famous qualifier and earn a seat at the table on July 4. Goldstein competed with 11 other eaters (including the sister of semi-retired Leon Justice Feingold) in the concession area of Citibank Park.\r\n\r\nThe game was rained out, but the contest continued. Kevin Basso ate 13 to place second. Cookie Jarvis attended and served as head official judge."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f18","sn":421,"title":"Philbin Advances in NJ","createdAt":"2006-06-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Competitive eating fans gathered on the side of the New Jersey Turnpike for the 4th installment of the Molly Pitcher Nathan's Famous Hot Dog qualifier. \r\n \r\nNew Jersey residents present cheered as Garden State Great Pat From Moonachie won the event with 22.5 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. \r\n\r\nAllen Goldstein was on Philbin's heels throughout and finished in second with 20.5 HDBs. \r\n\r\nImpressive performances were put up by a variety of newcomers including 3rd place finisher Arturo Rios who got down 15.5. \r\n\r\nOther notable contestants included Beautiful Brian and Don Lerman. Don's performance came to a disturbing and abrupt end, his wild card hopes seemingly dashed now with an average of 0 HDBs after two contests. Wild card watchers now look to Atlanta where Hall Hunt and Larry the Legend battle for either victory or the card. \r\n\r\nConti and Eater X judged the NJ event as did Lipsitz and wife Lorraine. \r\n\r\nIt was a hot, busy day at the rest area and regular unleaded was selling well at $2.90 a gallon. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f1f","sn":420,"title":"Seaver the Achiever to Coney","createdAt":"2006-06-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Competitive Eating newcomer Seaver Miller edged out accomplished veteran Jim Reeves in the QVC Nathan's Famous Qualifier today in West Chester, PA. Seaver consumed 21 Nathan's Famous HDBs to Reeves' 20.5. In third place was Steakbellie with 19.\r\n\r\nThe incredibly exciting contest took place at the QVC studios and nearly 400 people watched the event during their lunch break.\r\n\r\nSeaver is a rookie out of the crab cake circuit who competed in his first Nathan's Famous contest in Norfolk this year, finishing with 18.\r\n\r\nWhile Reeves didn't anticipate this upset, he did register for the Molly Pitcher qualifier that occurs in New Jersey tomorrow. It's a must win situation for Reeves as he is not registered for the Ducks, San Francisco or Zoo Atlanta, all events that take place on Saturday.\r\n\r\nSeaver, who is married, accepted the trophy graciously and was later seen contemplating a purchase from QVC's jewelery department. The Epiphany Platinum Clad Diamonique Baguette Tennis Bracelet (shown) is currently offered at www.qvc.com for just $103.92.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f1b","sn":419,"title":"Wild Card Race Is On","createdAt":"2006-06-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"As the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit comes down to its final qualifiers in Philly, New Jersey, Atlanta and New York, the wild card race is heating up.\r\n\r\nEarlier in the season, the entire world was shaken by Chestnut’s astounding 50 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns at the Las Vegas qualifier, and from there the numbers have been up across the board. Simpson’s 38 in Minnesota and Sonya’s 36.5 in Philly underscore the fact that the 2006 Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest will feature its most talented field ever. Along with Kobayashi, Chestnut, Simpson and Sonya, qualified eaters include Conti, Chestnut, Janus, R. LeFevre, Shoudt, and Subich.\r\n\r\nAs always, Nathan’s Famous will award a wild card spot to the best eater not to win a qualifier. In order to be eligible for the wild card, eaters must have competed in three regional qualifiers and the eater with the highest overall average from his or her three events will be awarded the 2006 Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest Wild Card.\r\n\r\nHere’s an overview of the heated 2006 wild card race, and the five gurgitators in play. \r\n \r\nHALL HUNT \t\r\nTotal qualifiers: 2\t\t\r\nAverage hot dogs consumed: 19.19\r\nNext qualifying event: Atlanta, GA (June 24)\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\nHall can clinch July 4th berth with win in Atlanta OR any of the following scenarios: Philbin win in Cranberry AND averages more than Denmark, Lerman and Goldstein \r\n\r\nThis will be Hunt’s first regional event since his second place finish to Brian Subich in Norfolk. With only one chance left to qualify for Coney Island, it will be interesting to see how Hunt responds to the adversity.\t\t\r\n\r\nPATRICK PHILBIN\r\nTotal qualifiers: 2\r\nAverage hot dogs consumed: 24.5\r\nNext event: Cranbury, NJ (6/23)\r\n\t\t\t\r\nPat can clinch July 4th berth with win in Cranbury OR any of the following scenarios: Loses Cranbury regional, but maintains higher overall average than Hunt, Denmark, Lerman and Goldstein\r\n\r\nPhilbin enters the Cranbury regional a heavy favorite. However, critics have questioned whether “Pat from Moonachie” will be able to handle the pressure of capturing a regional championship in front of his adoring New Jersey fans. \r\n\r\nERIK DENMARK\r\nTotal qualifiers: 2\r\nAverage hot dogs consumed: 16.25\r\nNext event: San Francisco (6/24)\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\nErik can clinch July 4th berth with win in San Francisco OR any of the following scenarios: Loses San Francisco, but surpasses overall average of Hunt, Philbin, Lerman and Goldstein\r\n\r\nDenmark impressed competitive eating fans by showing majore improvement in his second qualifier. Jed Donahue is favored in the California qualifier, but “Erik the Red” could steal this with a strong performance. \r\n\r\nDON LERMAN\r\nTotal qualifiers competed in: 1\r\nAverage hot dogs consumed: 0\r\nNext event(s): Cranbury, NJ, Islip, NY (6/24) \r\n\t\t\t\t\r\nDon can clinch July 4th berth with win in Cranbury or Islip OR any of the following scenarios: Loses Cranberry and Islip, but surpasses overall average of Hunt, Philbin, Denmark and Goldstein\r\n\r\nLerman was disqualified from the New England regional for a reversal of fortune giving him a total of 0 hot dogs consumed so far. He’s all but out of Wild Card contention and many feel he needs a straight-up victory.\r\n\r\nALLEN GOLDSTEIN\r\nTotal qualifiers competed in: 0\r\nAverage hot dogs consumed: 0\r\nNext event(s): Cranbury, NJ,Islip, NY, New York (6/27)\r\n\r\nAllen can clinch July 4th berth with win in Cranberry, Islip or New York OR any of the following scenarios: Loses Cranbury and Islip, but surpasses overall average of Hunt, Philbin, Denmark and Lerman\r\n\r\nGoldstein’s strategy was to wait until the final three qualifiers, assuming the big numbers would come earlier in the circuit. He was right. \r\n\r\nThe Wild Card Spot will be announced on Tuesday, June 27th unless the math allows for a determination at an earlier date. The promising Skinny Boy Lane competed gallantly in three events, registering a high of score of 12 HDBs at Mall of America.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f19","sn":418,"title":"Shoudt Qualifies for Coney","createdAt":"2006-06-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Bob Shoudt showed the faith of Thomas Aquinas and the wisdom of a Jedi Knight this past weekend to win the Shea Stadium nathan's qualifier and earn a seat in the July 4 championship in Coney Island.\r\n\r\nShoudt ate 29 HDBs in 12 minutes, a personal best, while Charles Hardy's son, Eddie, placed second with 17. Brian Seiken placed third with 11 HDBs.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f15","sn":416,"title":"Chip Simpson, Amazing","createdAt":"2006-06-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Chip Simpson underscored the incredible ability of eating's 'young guns' today by eating 38 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in the Mall of America qualifier. \r\n\r\nSimpson not only won the contest, but he beat fellow young gun Pat Bertoletti, who went into the event heavily favored. Bertoletti downed an impressive 32 HDBs, but he was a full six off the mark in a qualifying circuit that is proving more and more fantastic by the day. \r\n\r\n\"I came out here to see big league eating,\" said Jim Arvidson of Kalamazoo, MI. \"I am stunned. Simpson rocked. Bertoletti rocked. The IFOCE has a crop of new talent that is unbelievable.\"\r\n\r\nChip Simpson will be at Nathan's on July 4 along with Kobayashi, Chestnut, and Sonya. Eating fans now look to Shea Stadium where, tomorrow prior to the Mets Oriole's game, Hungry Charles Hardy's son hopes to upset a rising Bob Shoudt. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f16","sn":417,"title":"Janus, Wach, Brown in Brats","createdAt":"2006-06-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Tim Janus won the Milwaukee Harley Davidson Johnsonville Brat-Eating Contest in Milwaukee on Saturday, downing 29 of the top-rated brats in 10 minutes. Placing second was Chicago's Frank Wach, who consumed 20 to edge out Tim Brown, who ate 19 for third place.\r\n\r\nThese three individuals earned seats in the final championship on August 5, at which $20,000 is at stake. Joining them in sheboygan will be Crazy Legs Conti and Jim Hamrick.\r\n\r\nThe Johnsonville Brat event was held as part of a rally at the region's leading Harley Davidson dealer. Milwaukee is extraordinary in the summer and the day of the event was spectacular."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f17","sn":415,"title":"Harrah's is Host Once Again","createdAt":"2006-06-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Ribs will be the focus as top eaters gather in the shadow of Great Smokey Mountains National Park for the Harrah’s Rib-Eating Contest. A total of $5,000 will be on the line in the July 7 event in Cherokee, NC.\r\n\r\nRibs are considered extremely difficult to eat in competition and strong teeth are required. All eaters must be at least 21 to enter this contest and those with dentures, full or partial, are urged to closely consider the implications of participation.\r\n\r\n“Harrah’s Cherokee is excited to offer our guests and patrons this unique form of sports entertainment,” said Leeann Bridges-McHattie, VP of Marketing for Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.\r\n\r\nHarrah’s Cherokee is recognized as one of the premiere resorts in the Carolina area, and features an 80,000 square foot casino floor. It’s located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Cherokee, North Carolina. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel is an enterprise of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and is managed by Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. The casino opened in November 1997, and has opened two 15-story hotel towers since 2002. The casino also has a 1500 seat Pavilion featuring headliner entertainment, and four delicious restaurants. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f14","sn":412,"title":"Chestnut Sets New GoldenPalace.net Grilled Cheese Record: 47 in 10 Mins","createdAt":"2006-06-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut continued his amazing rise in the eating world, downing 47 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes to win the GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese-Eating Contest, setting a new world record in the process.\r\n\r\nSecond place was shared by Sonya Thomas and Patrick Bertoletti, who tied by eating 37 grilled cheese sandwiches apiece. In fourth place was Rich LeFevre.\r\n\r\nThe event took place at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas as part of the Arena Football League's Arena Bowl XX weekend.\r\n\r\nMike Justice won the amateur contest, but fell far short of the 37 grilled cheese sandwiches needed to win the $100,000 bounty for breaking the world record.\r\n\r\nThe previous world record of 36.5 sandwiches was held by Tim Janus, who did not compete in the open eating contest. Eater X squared off against AFL star Gear Gudmundson, who plays offensive line and defensive line for the New York Dragons, in front of the Arena Bowl Skills Challenge audience. Janus, who appeared to coast through the five-minute contest, downed 18 grilled cheese sandwiches.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f12","sn":411,"title":"Road Report: Nathan's in Norfolk","createdAt":"2006-06-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Big Brian Subich took his first Nathan's qualifier by downing 20.5 HDBs in 12 minutes. \r\n\r\nThe event almost went to overtime as Hall Hunt was a scant fraction behind Subich. The visual evidence present, proved Subich was the winner. Hunt placed second with 20 and 3/8ths HDBs. \r\n\r\nSeaver the Achiever, who cut his teeth at the Phillip's crab cake event, placed third with 18 and Mih did a personal best of 17. \r\n\r\nJon Kott, the Congressional pork eating champ, disappointed with 9.5. \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f13","sn":413,"title":"Seat Allocation for Johnsonville Brat-Eating Contest","createdAt":"2006-06-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"It has been determined that seats for the August 5 Johnsonville Brat-Eating Championship -- which will feature $20,000 in prizes -- will be available in three ways.\r\n\r\nSeats will be offered to the five top-ranked eaters in world; five seats will be awarded to the top-five finishers in the June 17 Milwaukee Harley Davidson qualifier, and five seats will be awarded via raffle to those who have applied for the August 5 championship. All those who enter the Milwaukee qualifier are automatically elligible for the raffle if they choose.\r\n\r\nThe $20,000 in prizes for the qualifier will be broken down as follows: $8,000 for first place; $4,000 for second; $2,000 for third; $1,500 for fourth; $1,000 for fifth; $850 for sixth; $700 for seventh; $600 for eighth; $500 for ninth; $400 for tenth; $250 for eleventh; and $200 for twelfth. (Adjusted slightly--this is final)."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f10","sn":410,"title":"Chinook Winds World Rib Eating Championship","createdAt":"2006-06-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Chinook Winds Casino will hold the 2006 Chinook Winds World Rib Eating Championship on July 15 and July 16, 2006, in Lincoln City, OR. The event will include both amateur and professional contests with prize money.\r\n\r\nThe rib-eating contest is a feature of the Chinook Winds’ annual “Smokin’ at the Ocean” food festival. Those over 18 years of age are eligible and the IFOCE will handle registration beginning Monday, June 5.\r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut won the rib-eating title in 2005 with a world-record performance of 5.5 pounds in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f11","sn":409,"title":"LeFevre Downs 28 HDBs to Win Tempe","createdAt":"2006-06-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Henderson, NV, resident Rich LeFevre consumed 28 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes to win the Nathan's Famous qualifier at the Arizona Mills Mall in Tempe, AZ.\r\n\r\nBy winning the event LeFevre earned a seat at the 2006 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in Coney Island.\r\n\r\nA crowd of more than 1,000 watched LeFevre as he set a new Arizona record. This amazing number -- 28 -- would have won the world contest every year until 2001. Placing second in the event was Erik The Red Denmark with 19 and placing third was Russell Blackwell from Mesa arizona with 13.\r\n\r\nTo qualify for the July 4 event this year has required extraordinary numbers. Bob Shoudt consumed 28 HDBs in Philadelphia on Memorial Day to place second. At the same event Brian Subich ate 25 for third -- this also would have been a world record only a few years ago. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f0c","sn":408,"title":"Nathan’s Famous and ifoceGIVES on Safari","createdAt":"2006-06-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"There will be an amateur Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in Boston this weekend as part of the 16th annual Hot Dog Safari, which is hosted by Eddie Andelman and raises funds to help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.\r\n\r\nPete Davekos, the unofficial baked kibbee eating champion of Boston’s North Shore, will compete alongside other aspirants. \r\n\r\n“Boston is fast becoming a competitive eating hub,” said George Shea, chair of IFOCE. “While the winner of the Safari contest doesn’t advance to Coney Island, they do get a shot at regulation hot dog eating and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a kid like Davekos become a circuit player in 2007.” \r\n\r\nThe contest will take place on Sunday, June 4 at 2pm near the Hot Dog Safari's VIP area at Suffolk Downs Racetrack. For details on the Hot Dog Safari visit www.hotdogsafari.com and to find out how to help fight Cystic Fibrosis you can visit www.joeyfund.org \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f0f","sn":407,"title":"$100,000 Bounty to LV Amateur Who Can Break GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese Record","createdAt":"2006-05-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"GoldenPalace.net will hold three grilled cheese-eating contests – one of which will offer $100,000 to an amateur who can break the world grilled cheese-eating record -- on Saturday, June 10, in Las Vegas, Nevada as part of the Arena Football League ArenaBowl XX Weekend.\r\n\r\nThe three-contest steeplechase of grilled cheese sandwich eating, to take place at the Thomas & Mack Center, will include a contest for Las Vegas amateurs, a contest for IFOCE professional eaters and a one-on-one eating contest between top IFOCE eater Tim Janus and an AFL star.\r\n\r\nThe amateur contest will begin at 3:30 pm and is exclusively for Las Vegas residents who have never before competed in an eating contest. If one of the amateurs breaks the world record of 36.5 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes, that eater will receive a $100,000 prize (rules and restrictions apply).\r\n\r\nThe contest for IFOCE eating professionals, to be held at 3:30 pm, will feature $5,000 in prizes and the one-on-one contest will be held at 7 pm.\r\n\r\n“This will go down in history as one of the greatest-ever gastronomic celebrations of competitive gluttony,” said GoldenPalace.net CEO Richard Rowe. “The IFOCE events are always a hit with fans and spectators and we know this one will be a winner as well. We wish all competitors the best of luck and we can’t wait to see what happens.” \r\n \r\nAmong the eating greats who are expected to compete in the professional contest are top-ranked Sonya Thomas of Virginia, Patrick Bertoletti of Illinois and Richard LeFevre of Las Vegas. Tim Janus holds the world record with 36.5 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes.\r\n\r\n“The grilled cheese sandwich has been unjustly ignored in America,” said George Shea, chairman of the International Federation of Competitive Eating, which is sanctioning the event. “I believe this contest will highlight the grilled cheese’s position as one of history’s great sandwiches.”\r\n\r\nGoldenPalace.net is the web’s ultimate resource for individuals learning casino games. With expert advice on more than 30 classic casino games including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, video poker, craps, keno and others, GoldenPalace.net is 100 percent free and 100 percent fun.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f0b","sn":406,"title":"QVC Nathan's Qualifier","createdAt":"2006-05-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Nathan's Famous has added a last-minute regional qualifier to the preliminary circuit this year. The event will take place at the QVC shopping studios and will be aired on QVC. The contest, for which there will be 10 seats only, will take place at 11:45 AM at QVC Studio Park, West Chester, PA.\r\n\r\nQVC Studio Park is located in West Chester, PA, near Route 202, Interstate 76 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and Interstate 95. The address is 1200 Wilson Dr., West Chester, PA 19380.\r\n\r\nThose considering making an overnight trip out of the event may want to visit competitiveeatingevents.com, a new website dedicated to eating events and travel opportunities surrounding them."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f0a","sn":405,"title":"Simpson Takes House of Blues Wing Match","createdAt":"2006-05-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Chip Simpson won the House of Blues Wing-Eating Contest in Cleveland, Ohio, consuming 3 pounds 15 ounces of wings in eight minutes, or approximately 95 individual wings. \r\n\r\nBrickhouse Braunstein placed second with 1 pound 13 ounces and Richard Douglas placed third with 1 pound 5 ounces.\r\n\r\nTotal prizes: 1,000 dollars."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f0e","sn":404,"title":"Thomas with 36.5 HDBs in Philly","createdAt":"2006-05-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas set a new Philadelphia record by eating 36.5 HDBs in 12 minutes at a Nathan's Famous qualifier. Bob Shoudt second with 28, Brian Subich third with 25, Pat Philbin with 24."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f08","sn":403,"title":"Bertoletti New Ice-Cream-Eating King","createdAt":"2006-05-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Patrick Bertoletti won the GoldenPalace.net World Ice Cream Eating Contest by consuming 1.75 gallons of ice cream in eight minutes.\r\n\r\nCrazy Legs Conti, who has demonstrated remarkable strength lately, placed second with 1.5 gallons and Eater X, Tim Janus, placed third with 1.25 gallons.\r\n\r\nThe event took place at Manhattan's The Water Club, an elegant waterside restaurant that features the world's finest ice cream from the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. The ice cream for the GoldenPalace.net match was vanilla.\r\n\r\nInexplicably, Eater X used the occasion to present a science project called History's Modern Ice Age: ice cream through the ages."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f09","sn":402,"title":"$5,000 on Line in GoldenPalace.net Las Vegas Grilled Cheese Contest","createdAt":"2006-05-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"GoldenPalace.net will hold a GoldenPalace.net Grilled Cheese Eating Contest with $5,000 in prizes on Saturday, June 10, 2005 as part of an Arena Football League event in Las Vegas, Nevada.\r\n\r\nThe GoldenPalace.net World Series of Competitive Eating will offer more than $100,000 in prize money during the summer and fall seasons of 2006. A total of $37,000 in prizes was available to IFOCE eaters and amateurs during the winter and spring seasons of 2006.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f0d","sn":401,"title":"Eaters Prep for GoldenPalace.net Ice Cream Match","createdAt":"2006-05-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"On the eve of Memorial Day weekend, eaters will vie for the world ice cream title at the GoldenPalace.net World Ice Cream-Eating Championship. The eight-minute, all-you-can-eat contest will take place at the Water Club on the East River in Manhattan and will feature Brooklyn Ice Cream.\r\n\r\nPat from Moonachie, Don Moses Lerman, Bob Shoudt, Brian Seiken, Pat Bertoletti, Eater X and Crazy Legs Conti are expected to attend. Ron Koch, who has reportedly eaten three gallons of ice cream in 13 minutes, is unable to attend. Cookie Jarvis, record holder in a 12-minute contest, recently retired, so the field is wide open."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f07","sn":400,"title":"Janus Repeats in Hartford","createdAt":"2006-05-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eater X took his second straight Nathan's Famous qualifier in Connecticut this past weekend by downing a personal best 27.5 HDBs. While X was the favored eater going into the event, he was pushed by Pat Philbin who placed second with 25. Mike LeMay and Ryan McBride performed well, but third place went to newcomer Russ Keeler with 16.\r\n\r\nA few Glutton Bowl Alumni were on hand for the contest including Krazy Kevin Lipsitz, William Black Tie Stobierski and Don Moses Lerman. Just before the competition Stobierski danced to Elvis Presley's Hound Dog. His moves energized the crowd and may have encouraged the skies to open.\r\n\r\n\"The minute Stobierski stopped dancing I felt a rain drop,\" said Janus. \"Then it poured, which actually helped with the buns a bit.\"\r\n\r\nJanus will join Joey Chestnut, Crazy Legs and Kobayashi in Coney on July 4th."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f06","sn":399,"title":"CHESTNUT: 50 HOT DOGS!!!","createdAt":"2006-05-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut devoured 50 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes today to set a new American record in the Las Vegas qualifier of the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest.\r\n\r\nSaid IFOCE President Richard Shea: \"This is the greatest thing to happen in the history of American sports. Joey Chestnut's accomplishment may change the course of a nation.\"\r\n\r\nChestnut's record tops Sonya Thomas' mark of 37 HDBs in 12 minutes, set on July 4, 2005.\r\n\r\nThe amazing Rich LeFevre set a personal best of 30.5 HDBs while Ron Koch ate 15. Screenwriter Josh Heald ate 11."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f05","sn":398,"title":"Nathan's Circuit Begins in Earnest","createdAt":"2006-05-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eaters begin traveling America this week as the Nathan's Famous circuit kicks into high gear. On Thursday, Rich LeFevre will defend his title at the New York New York Hotel & Casino and on Saturday, eaters will gather in east hartford for another hot dog challenge.\r\n\r\nPhiladelphia will host Nathan's Famous on Memorial Day weekend, and in the following weeks eaters will compete in Tempe, Norfolk, New Jersey and Atlanta. The level of competition continues to rise and it is possible that every eater will need to break the deuce to get a seat at the table this year."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f04","sn":397,"title":"Simpson Takes Tamales at Berryhill Baja Grill","createdAt":"2006-05-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rookie Chip Simpson won the the Berryhill Baja Grill tamales-eating contest in Houston over the weekend, beating eating veteran Rich LeFevre and rookie powerhouse Patrick Bertoletti. \r\n \r\nPat Bertoletti had consumed a record-shattering 48 3.5-ounce beef tamales (out of the husk) when he met with a tragic reversal of fortune.\r\n \r\nChip Simpson, who trailed Bertoletti throughout the contest, won his first title with a total of 41 tamales in 12 minutes. He also took home his first major cash purse, $2500.\r\n \r\nTim Janus placed second with 38 tamales, earning $1000, and Rich LeFevre came in third with 36 tamales to win $500.\r\n \r\nThe tamales were said to be extremely large and rich and many eaters said that with such a filling and flavorful tamales a shorter sprint might have been in order.\r\n\r\nTexas champion Levi Oliver failed to place in this event."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f03","sn":396,"title":"Jammin' Joe's Redemption","createdAt":"2006-05-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Florida's Jammin' Joe LaRue drew a record crowd to the World Sweet Corn Eating Championship today and he did not disappoint. The top-ranked eater in Florida set a new sweet corn on the cob eating record by consuming 34 ears in 12 minutes. The previous record of 33 ½ ears was set in 2004 by legendary gurgitator Ed Cookie Jarvis.\r\n\r\nIn second place was Jason Smith with 30 and in third place was Bryan the Lion Miller with 28 ears. The event took place at the annual Sweet Corn Fiesta in West Palm Beach.\r\n\r\nThe crowd was comprised largely of LaRue supporters, a group of Florida eating fans who've vocally supported the big man since his loss in hot dogs two weeks ago to Crazy Leg's Conti. That event, which went into overtime, has become one of the most talked about Nathan's Famous qualifiers in history.\r\n\r\nLaRue had promised to win the Sweet Corn Championship and appeared satisfied and a tad jaunty during the awards ceremony."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3efe","sn":393,"title":"EATS OF STRENGTH Films in Long Island","createdAt":"2006-04-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eating fans are welcome to attend as the IFOCE begins filming a new series for InHD on Saturday, May 6, in Islandia, NY (off LIE exit 57 not far from the home of top eater Cookie Jarvis and a Chinese buffet renowned among eaters).\r\n\r\nThe new series will feature individual eaters as they attempt to break an established record or personal best. On May 6, Don Lerman will seek to break the bologna record originally set by Allan Goldstein. This record-breaking attempt is considered to be one of the most important things to happen in the bologna space in more than a decade.\r\n\r\nThose who would like to attend the 1 pm filming may sign up online in the \"Eating Contest\" page of IFOCE.com. A confirmation and directions will be sent via email.\r\n\r\nAdditional shows will be filmed at the same location on May 12, 13 and 14."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f02","sn":395,"title":"","createdAt":"2006-04-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Florida's Jammin' Joe LaRue drew a record crowd to the World Sweet Corn Eating Championship today, and he did not disappoint. The top-ranked eater in Florida set a new sweet corn on the cob eating record by consuming 34 ears in 12 minutes. The previous record of 33 ½ ears was set in 2004 by legendary gurgitator Ed Cookie Jarvis.\r\n\r\nIn second place was Jay Smith with 30 ears and in third place was Atlanta’s Larry McNeil who downed 28 ears. The contest took place at the annual Sweet Corn Fiesta in West Palm Beach.\r\n\r\nThose gathered in the large crowd were primarily locals who have been vocally supporting LaRue since he lost his Florida Hot Dog Title to New Yorker Crazy Legs Conti in a much analyzed overtime just two weeks ago. After that loss LaRue vowed to win at the Sweet Corn Fiesta. After the contest LaRue struck a somewhat satisfied, if not jaunty, pose.\r\n \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f01","sn":394,"title":"Sonya Reigns in Mid Atlantic, Simpson Impresses","createdAt":"2006-04-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas, the top-ranked eater in America, won the Phillips Seafood Crab Cake Eating Championship in Baltimore today by consuming 46 three ounce cakes in just 10 minutes. \r\n\r\nIn second place was Pennsylvania's Chip Simpson, who did 39 crab cakes. Philly's Bob Shoudt, who will appear on Emeril's Red Hot Kitchen this Sunday at 8pm, came in third with 38. Eater X, who will also appear on Emeril, was right on Shoudt's heels for fourth place.\r\n\r\n\"This was a break out performance for Simpson,\" said IFOCE Commissioner Hungry Charles Hardy. \"He grew as an eater today.\"\r\n\r\nOn hand to officiate the contest, Hardy strictly enforced his dunking rule. After the event he reported the results to IFOCE h.q. using his mobile telephone. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3efd","sn":392,"title":"Sighting: Eater X Scouts Crab","createdAt":"2006-04-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eater X was spotted today at the Whole Foods Market on 24th Street and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan. \r\n\r\nThe gurgitator known for his fondness for all things related to the sea, was by the cocktail sauce display carrying on a discussion with the fishmonger. While our source did not overhear the conversation, it seems clear that Eater X was doing a bit of homework in preparation for the Phillips Seafood Crab Cake Eating Championship that will occur in Baltimore this Saturday, April 29.\r\n\r\nThe contest -- which has attracted many top American eaters including Sonya Thomas, Bob Shoudt, Chip Simpson, Crazy Legs Conti, Brickhouse Braunstein and Mongo Federighi -- will be held at the Bay Cabaret/Main Stage as part of the Volvo Ocean Race at the Baltimore Waterfront Festival at noon on Saturday.\r\n\r\nThe total purse for the 10-minute, all-you-can-eat event is $2,500. Sonya Thomas, who once ate 40 three-ounce crab cakes in competition, is currently favored to win.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3efb","sn":390,"title":"Road Report: Myrtle Beach ","createdAt":"2006-04-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rain and hail greeted the gurgitators at the annual Taste of Broadway Ultimate Eating Competition but the event went off as scheduled. Humble Bob Shoudt took the title this year, edging out Bubba Yarbrough in the final Tiramisu Gelato round sponsored by Gelato Joe's. Eater X, the world Tiramisu champ, was bounced in the fourth round, which was peel and eat shrimp provided by Key West Grille.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3efc","sn":391,"title":"Road Report: Stockton, CA","createdAt":"2006-04-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut retained his Asparagus Title in Stockton, CA today by beating Sonya Thomas, the former world record holder, in an incredibly close overtime. \r\n\r\nIn regulation, Thomas and Chestnut tied with six and 1/4 pounds of fried Stockton asparagus. That broke the old record and also forced overtime. Each gurgitator ate over a pound in OT, and the scales showed Joey edged Sonya by two ounces.\r\n\r\nChestnut, a San Jose resident, was the crowd favorite. \"He's brought a certain blue collar attitude to the sport, which is refreshing,\" said Novato's Henry Hautau.\r\n\r\nIn third place was Rich \"The Locust\" LeFevre who ate 5 and 1/4 pounds and in fourth was Pat Bertoletti with just under five pounds. Erik The Red of Seattle did four pounds for fifth place."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3efa","sn":389,"title":"Conti over LaRue in One Minute OT","createdAt":"2006-04-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Nathan's Famous circuit kicked off today in Florida in a fashion befitting the hype the 2006 qualifiers have received. \r\n\r\nJammin' Joe LaRue, the 2005 Florida Nathan's champ was in Sunrise to defend his title. LaRue was confident going in, despite the fact that he'd been on hiatus of late. The contest came down to a tie, and overtime was forced. In the end, it was a judge's call. Detritus was analyzed and Conti came away the victor.\r\n\r\nConti has one stop before Coney on July 4. He'll be in Boston on Monday running the marathon. While not a runner, Jammin' Joe has great endurance and will surely be back at it soon.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eff","sn":387,"title":"Competitive Eaters Embark on Nathan","createdAt":"2006-04-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The 2006 Nathan's Famous hot dog-eating circuit begins.\r\n\r\nFlorida residents Joe LaRue (sweet corn champion) and Hall Hunt will battle out-of-staters Crazy Legs Conti, Larry McNeil, Loren Yarbrough and Erik the Red in the first Nathan's qualifier of the year.\r\n\r\nThe recently absent Ed Taboada Jr. will also be looking to make a comeback at the event, which will be held prior to the Florida Panther's game in Sunrise, Florida. IFOCE color man Ryan Nerz, author of the recently published Eat This Book, will provide play-by-play. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ef6","sn":385,"title":"Competitive Eating Star Joey Chestnut Takes Jalapeno Poppers","createdAt":"2006-04-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Comfirming what seems to be a new order within the ranks of American competitive eating, Joey Chestnut won the GoldenPalace.net Jalapeno Popper-Eating Contest, narrowly beating rising rookie Patrick Bertoletti.\r\n\r\nChestnut consumed 118 jalapeno poppers in 10 minutes, followed by Bertoletti with 105. Eater X Tim Janus placed third with 96 while Jed Donohue, the world record holder in jalapeno pepper eating (152 in 15 minutes), placed fourth with 63.\r\n\r\nThe event was held at the University of Arizona Spring Fling in Tucson, AZ on Saturday, April 8. Loppi Kirschner won the amateur contest on Friday."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ef7","sn":386,"title":"Legs Tops Zigun at CIUSA Fundraiser","createdAt":"2006-04-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Crazy Legs Conti topped Coney Island impressario Dick Zigun and set a new world record by downing 92 mini franks in 10 minutes. Zigun, a 52-year-old rookie, consumed a remarkable 87.\r\n\r\nThe contest was held on Saturday night as a feature of the Coney Island USA annual fundraiser at Crobar in Manhattan's trendy Chelsea district. The eating contest occured following an impressive list of entertainers -- including a burlesque trapeze act -- that was led by the inimitable Fred Kahl, noted magician and host.\r\n\r\nKen Adams, one of Brooklyn's first citizens, was on hand to lend the affair credibility within the world of normality."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ef8","sn":384,"title":"Broadway at the Beach, But no Boone","createdAt":"2006-04-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Dale Boone has won the Broadway at the Beach Eating Tournament each of the past two years, but the cherubic trash talker will not defend his title in 2006 due to the fact that he is in India producing Hindi music videos.\r\n \r\nThis means that the annual springtime classic, which occurs in sunny Myrtle Beach during the Taste of Broadway, is anybody's game. The tournament consists of three speedy elimination rounds and a final head-to-head contest, a steeplechase of sorts. \r\n \r\nEach year Myrtle Beach's top restaurants present the foods that are eaten in competition. In the past, Broadway at the Beach has presented eaters with dishes ranging from shrimp to frozen custard. \r\n \r\nThis year's foods are yet to be determined, but the date is set for Saturday, April 22nd at Broadway at the Beach's Celebrity Square.\r\n \r\nThere is $500 on the line and all registration is being handled by the IFOCE.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ef9","sn":383,"title":"Eaters Hungry, Circuit Full","createdAt":"2006-03-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"This year’s Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest qualifying circuit has drawn exceptional interest. Veterans and newcomers alike were quick to register and each contest is now full. What’s more, dozens of hopefuls are currently waiting on standby lists that are maintained for each event.\r\n\r\nThe 2006 circuit will begin earlier than in past years, with the first hot dog slated for consumption just prior to the Panthers hockey game on April 15 in Sunrise, Florida. That contest actually took over a week to fill up, longer than others, which booked within hours. \r\n\r\nFeverish registration is nothing new, but qualifying spots have become increasingly difficult to secure in recent years, and there used to be certain events with room for last minute surprises.\r\n\r\n“I remember being thunderstruck by the appearance of Kevin Lipsitz who showed up minutes before the L.A. qualifier in ’03,” said west coast eating pundit Robert Chandler. “Not because he was wearing an umbrella hat on Pico Boulevard, but because he hadn’t told a soul he was flying out to compete.”\r\n\r\nLipsitz failed to win that day, but his sneak attack is evidence of the nonchalance gurgitators exercised just a few short years ago.\r\n\r\n“There was always speculation and rumor about who was competing and where,” said IFOCE Commissioner Hungry Charles Hardy, who was active at the time of Lipsitz’s memorable L.A. loss. \"Back in the day you could play with other eaters. Screw with their heads. Lie. Mask the truth. Make ‘em crazy.”\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3f00","sn":382,"title":"Bertoletti Takes GoldenPalace.net Key Lime Pie-Eating Contest","createdAt":"2006-03-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Patrick Bertoletti continues his amazing eating juggernaut, downing 10.8 pounds of Key Lime Pie in eight minutes to win the GoldenPalace.net World Key Lime Pie-Eating Championship, which falls under the GoldenPalace.net World Series of Competitive Eating.\r\n\r\nThe event, which took place at the Spinnaker Beach Club in Panama City, FL, served as a platform for Bertoletti, a rising young star who has emerged (along with Joey Chesnut) as a serious threat to Sonya Thomas' eating hegemony.\r\n\r\nBertoletti earned $1,500 for his effort while Tim Janus consumed 10.2 lbs of pie to earn $750. Eric Broe ate 7.8 lbs to earn $250. Broe won the collegiate key lime pie challenge yesterday earning $600.\r\n\r\nHall Hunt came in 4th and Crazy Legs Conti 5th, both out of the money.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ef4","sn":381,"title":"LeFevre Tops in GoldenPalace.net Huevos Rancheros-Eating Match","createdAt":"2006-03-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rich LeFevre, a retired CPA who is really just a college kid a heart, won the GoldenPalace.net Huevos Rancheros-Eating Contest in South Padre Island, TX, on Saturday, downing 7 3/4 pounds of the high-protein dish in 10 minutes.\r\n\r\nCrazy Legs Conti, the lifelong merry prankster, was along for the ride and ate 4 1/4 pounds of eggs to place second, and fast-rising IFOCE rookie, Eric \"The Red\" Denmark, placed third with 3 1/4 pounds.\r\n\r\nLeFevre's performance, dubbed \"huevos-rific\" by IFOCE color man Ryan Nerz, set a new world record, easily topping the mark set on Friday by newcomer Bobby Bodea, who was was dubbed \"The Bidet\" by the crowd in reference to his meticulous personal hygiene.\r\n\r\nThe events took place amid a crowd of college students on spring break. The students, apparently letting off steam after two grueling months of study, engaged in light-hearted hijinks, and it was reported that at one point a young coed had GoldenPalace.net tatoos on either side of her behind. The IFOCE is investigating whether any statutes from the code of conduct were violated.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ef2","sn":379,"title":"Tamales-Eating Contest at Berryhill Baja Grill","createdAt":"2006-03-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Berryhill Baja Grill has announced that it will hold a tamales-eating contest on May 6, 2006, in honor of Cinco de Mayo. The 12-minute contest will take place in Houston, TX. The IFOCE will handle all registration (Levi Oliver is the current world record holder in the tamales discipline.) Further information to follow."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ef5","sn":378,"title":"Upstart Bertoletti Takes GoldenPalace.net Corned Beef Match","createdAt":"2006-03-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Chicago eater Patrick Bertoletti today won the GoldenPalace.net Corned Beef and Cabbage Eating Championship at Ned Devine’s Irish Pub in Boston, consuming 5.75 pounds of corned beef and cabbage in 10 minutes.\r\n\r\nAlong with the coveted title of Corned Beef and Cabbage Eating Champion, Bertoletti won $2,500 out of a total purse of $5,000 provided by GoldenPalace.net. The International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE) sanctioned the event.\r\n\r\n“It should be noted that citizens of Ireland view this contest in the same way citizens of Boston view the Super Bowl,” said Richard Shea, president of the IFOCE. “Bertoletti will be a hero throughout Ireland and the Celtic world.”\r\n\r\nBadlands Booker ate five pounds to place second in the contest and earn $1,250; Eater X, Tim Janus consumed 4.75 pounds to place third and win $750; Crazy Legs Conti ate 4.5 pounds for fourth place and $325, and Pat from Moonachie ate 3.75 pounds for fifth place and $175. Philbin’s strong finish sets the wheels in motion for an invigorated campaign to establish a sister-city relationship between Moonachie, NJ and Little Rock, AR.\r\n\r\nCentrally located in Faneuil Hall’s Quincy Market Building, Ned Devine’s is Boston’s most authentic upscale Irish Pub featuring hand painted murals and imported Irish woodwork. Ned Devine’s celebrated kitchen provided competitors with an endless supply of plates, each featuring one-pound of expertly prepared corned beef and cabbage. \r\n\r\nGoldenPalace.net is the web’s ultimate resource for individuals learning casino games. With expert advice on over 25 classic casino games including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, video poker, craps, keno and others, GoldenPalace.net is 100% free and 100% fun.\r\n\r\nThe International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 80 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY. The competitive eating community, which numbers more than 4,000 veteran and rookie athletes, travels the nation in search of top titles and the glory that they provide."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ef0","sn":377,"title":"Boastful Boone Back in June","createdAt":"2006-03-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Dale Boone, the eater known worldwide for his deft hand with reindeer sausage and an uncanny ability to prove the resiliency of today’s machine-milled denims, has reported he’ll be back from India in time to compete in the 2006 Nathan’s Famous circuit. \r\n\r\nThe Aaron Spelling of Atlanta’s Hindi public access scene, Boone moved from his air-conditioned Buckhead manse to Bangladesh late last summer to produce Indian music videos on the cheap. \r\n\r\n“I don’t think Dale quite grasps the meaning of outsource,” said Jed Donahue, the business-minded jalapeno eating specialist of Southern California. “I’ve always wondered why he went to India himself rather than simply sending over his workload. For kicks maybe.”\r\n\r\nIn the eight months Boone has been in India, he has actually compiled an extensive library of new material and he states he will return this summer with hours of tape ready for air, and an ability to focus on competitive eating full time. His talk of late is pure Boone, and it would seem he’s more than ready to restore his position as one of the least-liked eaters in the IFOCE.\r\n\r\n“I could care less about any other eater,” Boone said in a recent phone conversation. “Bubba Yarbrough? Excuse me, Bubba who? Who’s that? That’s nobody, that’s who that is.”\r\n\r\nIt’s not yet clear where Boone will stage his comeback, but it’s sure to be a colorful affair. The baked bean eating champ who often appears at events ringing a cowbell and screaming unintelligibly, has stated that American eating fans will be shocked by the ‘New Dale.’ Sadly he has fallen short of hinting at exactly what form this New Dale will take.\r\n\r\n“I don’t think anybody will be too surprised,” said competitive eating mouthpiece Beautiful Brian Seiken. “Unless Boone took a class in etiquette. Now that would surprise me.”\r\n \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ef1","sn":376,"title":"Power Returning to South Florida","createdAt":"2006-03-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Jammin’ Joe LaRue, Florida’s reigning Hot Dog Eating Champion who has been inactive since last fall’s devastating hurricane season, recently reported he’d be re-entering the IFOCE circuit at the first qualifier of the 2006 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog season. \r\n\r\n“The hurricane took my home, it took my car, it took my power,” said the big man on a recent phone call. “But it didn’t take my hunger, it didn’t take my desire. I’ll be back at the table and I’ll be better than ever.”\r\n\r\nWhile LaRue’s impending return is welcome news to eating fans everywhere, it may be less well received by some of his gurgitating peers. \r\n\r\nMany have speculated that LaRue’s absence from the ’05 Krystal circuit facilitated the rise of fashionable newcomers like Bubba Yarbrough and Hall Hunt. Others believe that LaRue, who displayed great things at the beginning of last year (victory in sweet corn, victory at Pembroke Pines Nathan's qualifier), would have likely broken the top ten had he participated in the Krystal, GoldenPalace.com and Verizon circuits.\r\n\r\n“LaRue was rolling in early ‘05,” said Hungry Charles Hardy, IFOCE commissioner. \r\n“His disappearance definitely allowed some room for the young guns to come up. With Joe out an obstacle was removed.” \r\n\r\nA big obstacle at that: LaRue stands a proud 6’4” and weighs no fewer than 270 pounds. He is a student of the culinary arts who understands the make up of all variety of foodstuffs. Enzymes, Omega 3’s, self-rising dough - LaRue knows these things. \r\n\r\nLaRue’s bib sheet proves he knows a few things about sweet corn, baked beans and conch fritters. He also understands he’s got a Florida Hot Dog Title to defend. \r\n\r\n“I’ll be at the Nathan’s qualifier on April 15,” says LaRue. “And I don’t anticipate a loss.”\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eef","sn":375,"title":"Nathan's Circuit Announced","createdAt":"2006-02-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Host cities for of the 2006 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit have been determined. As in years past, each host city will send one champion to compete in Coney Island at the Annual Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest, which will appear live on ESPN on July 4, 2006.\r\n\r\nThe circuit will begin in mid-April, with the bulk of the events occurring in June. Additonal info is available by visting www.nathansfamous.com. Hopeful participants should not pick up their telephones as all registration will be handled via the Internet.\r\n\r\nIn 2005, rookie Joey Chestnut competed in the Bay Area, securing a berth in the Nathan’s Championship where he stunned fans worldwide by eating 32 HDBs and placing third behind Sonya Thomas and Kobayashi. \r\n \r\nThe Nathan’s Famous International Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Championship has been held each year on July 4 since 1916, according to archives. For the past five years, Takeru Kobayashi of Japan has won the Fourth of July contest. Kobayashi holds the world record with 53 and ½ Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. \r\n\r\n2006 Hot Dog Circuit\r\n \r\nApril 15, Southern Regional, Florida Panthers, Sunrise, FL \r\nMay 18 Midwest Regional, NY, NY Casino, Las Vegas, NV \r\nMay 20 New England Regional, Nathan's, E. Hartford, CT\r\n \r\nMay 27 Memorial Day Regional, Independence Mall, Philadelphia, PA\r\n \r\nJune 4 Southwest Regional, Arizona Mills Mall, Tempe, AZ \r\nJune 10 Mid Atlantic Regional, MacArthur Center Mall,Norfolk, VA \r\nJune 17 Northern Regional, Mall of America, Bloomington, MN \r\nJune 18 Regional Qualifier, NY Mets-Shea, Queens, NY \r\nJune 23 New Jersey Regional, Molly Pitcher Travel Plaza, Cranbury, NJ \r\nJune 24 Northwest Regional, Century Theaters, San Francisco, CA \r\nJune 24 NY Metro Regional, Long Island Ducks Stadium, Central Islip, NY \r\nJune 24 Southeast Regional, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta, GA \r\nJune 27 NY Civil Service Regional, South Street Seaport, NY \r\nJuly 3 Weigh-In, City Hall, New York, NY\r\nJuly 4 International Hot Dog Eating Contest, Coney Island, NY \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eee","sn":373,"title":"IFOCE Expands to College Circuit","createdAt":"2006-02-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In an unprecedented move intended to broaden the ever-expanding scope of competitive eating, the IFOCE announced today that the two-event GoldenPalace.net Intercollegiate Eating Championship will be held on March 17, 2006 in South Padre Island, TX and March 20, 2006 in Panama City Beach, FL. Additional college events will likely be added in the near future.\r\n\r\nBoth events will be limited to college students attending the popular spring break gatherings. $1,000 in prize money will be awarded to the winner of each event. Food items and time limits will be announced shortly. \r\n\r\n“Seeing the success that college athletes like Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart experienced last year, it just seemed natural for the sport of competitive eating to expand to the college ranks,” said Richard Shea, President of the IFOCE. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ef3","sn":372,"title":"Results by weight for Chili Cheese Fries","createdAt":"2006-02-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Following is a list of eater results from the Queen Mary Weinerschnitzel Chili Cheese Fry Contest.\r\n\r\n1) Sonya Thomas: 8 pounds 2 ounces\r\n2) Joey Chestnut: 8 pounds 1 ounce\r\n3) Tim Janus: 5 pounds 13 ounces\r\n4) Jed Donahue: 5 pounds 11.25 ounces\r\n5) Rich LeFevre: 5 pounds 9 ounces\r\n6) Chip Simpson: 4 pounds 14 ounces\r\n7) Ron Koch: 4 pounds 13.5 ounces\r\n8) Ken Federighi: 3 pounds 14.5 ounces\r\n9) Erik Denmark: 3 pounds 7.5 ounces\r\n10) Paul Chestnut: 2 pounds 13 ounces\r\n11) Larry Mcneil: 2 pounds 12.5 ounces\r\n12) El Toro 2 pounds 2.5 ounces\r\n13) Dog: 1 pound 15 ounces"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eed","sn":371,"title":"Bertoletti Takes GoldenPalace.net Chocolate Eating Contest","createdAt":"2006-02-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Chicago's Patrick Bertoletti was victorious at the GoldenPalace.net St. Valentine’s Day Chocolate Massacre in Chicago. The contest was seven minutes long to honor each of the seven men killed by the hitmen of Al Capone in 1929.\r\n\r\nThe event was held on the eve of Valentine's Day at the Chicago Chocolate Company, which provided custom milk chocolate hearts weighing 3.5 oz each for the contest.\r\n \r\nBertoletti (Chicago, IL) consumed 1 lb, 15.5 oz to win $2500; Bubba Yarbrough (Newnan, GA) placed second to earn $1250; Kevin Carr (Columbus, OH) placed third for $750; Jim Hamrick (Springfield, IL) was fourth and earned $325 and\r\nDomenico Alesi (Chicago, IL) took fifth place and went home with $175.\r\n\r\nBertoletti, a student of the culinary arts at Kendall College, caught people's attention in January when he beat Sonya Thomas, the top-ranked eater in America, at the corned beef sandwich eating championship in Hot Springs, Arkansas. \r\n\r\n“Bertoletti enters ’06 as strong as any other eater on the circuit,” said Charles Hardy, commissioner of the IFOCE. “Erik the Red, Hall, and Chip have shown skills, but Bertoletti is looking Chestnut-like of late.”\r\n\r\n“The buzz around Bertoletti has been incredible,” said Kate Westfall of the IFOCE. “He has earned a place in the hearts of women all over America.” The chocolate contest resulted in this web article.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eec","sn":370,"title":"Thomas Over Chestnut by a Fry","createdAt":"2006-02-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas edged out arch-rival Joey Chestnut by one ounce at the Weinerschnitzel World Chili Cheese Fry Eating Championship in Long Beach, CA. Thomas consumed 8 pounds 2 ounces of the famed fries in 10 minutes while Chestnut ate 8 pounds 1 ounce.\r\n\r\nIn third was Eater X Janus (wearing custom face paint with elegant whitecaps in honor of the Queen Mary) downed 5 pounds 13.5 ounces to place third. Jed Donahue ate 5 pounds 11.25 ounces for fourth, followed closely by LeFevre. Next was Chip Simpson.\r\n\r\nThe event was held aboard the remarkable Queen Mary, a historic ship now docked in Long Beach. Eaters' scheduled flights home were all preemptively cancelled due to the impending blizzard. The sun, however, was shining at 70 degrees in California, softening the blow.\r\n\r\nA total purse of $10,000 went to the eaters. The contrast between Sonya's size and her amazing eating ability prompt many to ask her dozens of questions. here is an FAQ she prepared."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eea","sn":368,"title":"Bertoletti's Kind of Town","createdAt":"2006-02-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Chicago’s Patrick Bertoletti, who credits the music of Irish punk bands as the driving force behind the creation of his signature roast leg of lamb with mixed berry coulis, will compete at the GoldenPalace.net St. Valentine’s Day Chocolate Massacre in Chicago on February 13th. \r\n\r\nBadlands Booker, Yellow Cake Subich, Frank Wach, Bubba Yarbrough and Kevin Carr will also be competing at the event, which will be held at the Chicago Chocolate Company at 847 W. Randolph, but many believe Bertoletti will beat all comers and take top honors on Monday. \r\n\r\nA student, who studies culinary art at Kendall College, Bertoletti raised a number of eyebrows in January when he beat Sonya Thomas, the top-ranked eater in America, at the corned beef sandwich eating championship in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Joey Chestnut also competed in that event, taking second in a hard fought overtime battle with Sonya. \r\n\r\nBertoletti continued to surprise the eating community when he finished an impressive 3rd in front of a number of veteran competitive eaters at the recent GoldenPalace.com World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship at Planet Hollywood in New York City. \r\n\r\n“I can’t forecast where we’ll be at the end of this first quarter, but if Bertoletti wins Monday's event he’ll be entering ’06 as strong as any other eater on the circuit,” said Charles Hardy, commissioner of the IFOCE. “Erik the Red, Hall, and Chip have shown skills, but Bertoletti is looking Chestnut-like of late.”\r\n\r\n“I am shocked there is so much buzz on Bertoletti this week,” said Kate Westfall of the IFOCE. “With Valentine’s Day approaching and Dale Boone off in India, perhaps we should consider the loss being felt by all women in the Greater Atlanta area.”\r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eeb","sn":369,"title":"Early Arrivals Seen on Queen Mary","createdAt":"2006-02-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Reliable reports now confirm that IFOCE eaters have begun to gather aboard the historic Queen Mary - former transatlantic ocean liner - in Long Beach, CA. These individuals are arriving in California in order to compete in tomorrow's World Chili Cheese Fries Eating Championship. \r\n\r\nLocal favorite Jalapeno Jed Donahue was the first to arrive and sources also confirm the presence of El Toro and Erik the Red. Tim \"Eater X\" Janus, who has performed well in the cheese fry discipline before, has yet to be seen.\r\n\r\n\"It's anyone's ballgame over at the Queen Mary tomorrow,\" said George Shea. \"But I am confident X will show and put up a big number.\"\r\n\r\nAccording to global tracking devices, the Whaler set sail for the Pacific Ocean from the port of Gloucester, MA earlier today in anticipation of attending tomorrow's event. Sailing experts, using the most liberal interpretation of nautical charts, say it is impossible to place the Whaler in Long Beach sooner than late February or early March."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ee9","sn":367,"title":"CHESTNUT TAKES WING BOWL","createdAt":"2006-02-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Nearly 20,000 competitive eating fans packed Philadelphia’s Wachovia Center for WIP Radio’s 14th Annual Wing Bowl. This year’s contest was unique in that WIP elected to only allow entry to gurgitators who’d never competed in a Wing Bowl before.\r\n\r\nWhile that kept names like El Wingador, Badlands Booker and Sonya Thomas away, it encouraged a number of other IFOCE talents to make the trip. Rookie sensation Joey Chestnut led all eaters, setting a new Wing Bowl record with a total of 173 wings eaten in 30 minutes. \r\n\r\nVeteran IFOCE superstar Rich LeFevre of Henderson, NV trailed Chestnut by approximately a dozen wings to come in second place and took home a 4-night trip for two to Cancun or Punta Cana where he will stay at Iberostar Resorts & Hotels. The Locust will also receive a medallion from Steven Singer Jewelers in Philadelphia.\r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut, who won $4,000 on Wednesday by taking second place at the GoldenPalace.com World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship, won the Wing Bowl’s top prize, a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara S model, valued at $20594. He also won a Wing Bowl 14 ring from Steven Singer Jewelers valued at $5,500.\r\n\r\nIn a span of three days, IFOCE eaters have won cash and prizes totaling well over $40,000.\r\n\r\nAs always, Wing Bowl -- created by Al Morganti and Angelo Cataldi -- was an extraordinary platform for the sport.\r\n\r\nWhile the other eaters at the Wing Bowl put in a worthy effort, they were not in the same class as the IFOCE eaters. In fact, third, fourth and fifth places trailed the winners by 50 wings or more. Some of the unproven eaters showed promise, however, and given the right environment they might blossom into real eaters.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ee8","sn":365,"title":"Sonya Thomas Wins GoldenPalace.net Grilled Cheese Finals","createdAt":"2006-02-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Passion of the Crust reached its apex today at the GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship when Sonya Thomas edged out Joey Chestnut by just half a sandwich for the win. Thomas consumed 26 grilled cheeses to Chestnut's 25.5.\r\n\r\nIn third place was the wildly impressive Patrick Bertoletti. Still a rookie, Bertoletti consumed 24.5 grilled cheeses to stun an otherwise veteran field of gurgitators.\r\n\r\n\"I don't care if it rains or freezes,\" sang Bertoletti in the heart of New York's Times Square. \"Cuz I ate 24 grilled cheeses, earlier today at Planet Hollywood.\"\r\n\r\nIn total, the competitors split GoldenPalace.net's generous $20,000 cash purse. Sonya's exploits were reported around the world, and in the United Kingdom."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ee7","sn":364,"title":"Hardy's Rule","createdAt":"2006-01-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Hungry Charles Hardy, IFOCE commissioner and arguably the most respected athlete in the history of the sport, released an important mandate this morning that presents new standards for dunking and water retention. It is not known if this mandate will apply to all future contests, but Hardy clearly issued this in time for tomorrow’s GoldenPalace.com World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nThe mandate, dubbed 'Hardy's Rule,' is sure to rankle some of the circuit's keenest gurgitators as it limits the amount of time that a grilled cheese sandwich can be submerged in water to five (5) seconds. \r\n\r\n\"I've seen eaters submerging their bread for such a lengthy period of time that it essentially dissolves,\" said Hardy. \"Dunking is cool, but extended dunking makes judging all the more complicated.\"\r\n\r\nAccording to Hardy, eaters that submerge a grilled cheese sandwich for longer than five seconds will risk disqualification."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ee5","sn":363,"title":"$20,000 at GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese-Eating Championship","createdAt":"2006-01-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The nation’s top competitive eaters – including 100-pound Sonya Thomas, newcomer Joey Chestnut and surging rookie Patrick Bertoletti -- will meet in Manhattan to compete for $20,000 in total prizes at the World Grilled Cheese-Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nThe contest, which takes place on the eve of America’s greatest food holiday, the Super Bowl, will be held at Planet Hollywood at the corner of 45th Street and Broadway in Manhattan at 11 am on Wednesday, February 1, 2006.\r\n\r\nAmong the eating greats who have qualified for the championship are top-ranked Sonya Thomas of Virginia, Joey Chestnut of California, Cookie Jarvis of Long Island, Tim Janus of New York, Bob Shoudt of Pennsylvania, Hall Hunt of Florida, Ron Koch of Las Vegas, Richard LeFevre of Las Vegas, Patrick Bertoletti of Illinois and Badlands Booker of New York, Crazy Legs Conti of New York, Leland Collins and Walter Hamilton.\r\n\r\nThe current world record belongs to Joey Chestnut, who devoured 32 1/2 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes at the Arizona qualifier. However, many believe Thomas comes in as the top-seed; she holds numerous world records including 46 dozen Louisiana oysters in 10 minutes, 11 lbs. of cheesecake in nine minutes, 48 chicken tacos in 11 minutes, 37 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes, and 56 Krystal hamburgers in eight minutes.\r\n\r\nFans are welcome to attend and those who arrive early may be treated to an exciting undercard featuring Brian Seiken. It is not certain yet, but it could happen."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ee4","sn":361,"title":"Sonya Thomas Retains Big Daddy Burger Title","createdAt":"2006-01-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya 'The Black Widow' Thomas retained her title today at the Plaza Hotel & Casino Big Daddy Burger Eating Contest by devouring the monstrous 9 LB burger in only 27 minutes. The victory earns Thomas $4,000 in prize money, out of a total purse of $10,000 that was divided up amongst the top eight finishers. In a close second place, finishing less than half a pound behind Thomas, was distance and capacity specialist Rich 'The Locust' LeFevre, and in third was JAWS Chestnut.\r\n\r\nRay The Bison Meduna served as head judge. The dispute over the size of the burger compared to the human head of '80s television sensation David Hasselhoff was not resolved. Hasselhoff rejected the invitation to participate in a non-surgical/non-invasive weighing of the head at the Plaza Hotel & Casino, ensuring that the 'Burger Head' dispute will rage on.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ee3","sn":360,"title":"Eating Contest Upset! Bertoletti Beats Thomas, Chestnut","createdAt":"2006-01-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"At first the news coming over the wire was too shocking to be believed. \"It must have been a mistake,\" people said. \"There must have been a judging foul-up.\"\r\n\r\nBut no. After several confirmation calls it became clear that one of the greatest upsets in competitive eating history had occurred.\r\n\r\nRookie Patrick Bertoletti ate 11 corned beef sandwiches to beat Sonya Thomas and Joey Chestnut, the number two- and three-ranked eaters in the world, who ended regulation in a tie for second with 10 3/4 sandwiches.\r\n\r\nAfter a two-minute overtime for second place, Thomas and Chestnut were so close that the scales had to be brought to the table. It was a difference of only one tenth of an ounce ... but Chestnut edged her out.\r\n\r\nThe event that played host to this little piece of history was the Hot Springs International Corned Beef Eating Championship in Arkansas featuring Oaklawn's famous corned beef sandwiches, a Hot Springs staple. It was the first championship of the new year, and if this is any indication, the competitive eating community is in for a roller coaster ride in 06. \r\n\r\nThe total purse at the event was $5,000 and for his effort Bertoletti took home $3,000.\r\n\r\n“Hot Springs is already famous as Arkansas’s dining capital, with 226 local restaurants,” said Steve Arrison, executive director of the Hot Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Oaklawn’s corned beef is a huge hit and has been called among the best in the world.”"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ee2","sn":359,"title":"All Aboard! Eaters Chow on Chili Cheese Fries on Queen Mary","createdAt":"2006-01-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The nation's top competitive eaters will converge at the historic Queen Mary - former transatlantic ocean liner - in Long Beach, CA, on Saturday, February 11 for the Queen Mary World Chili Cheese Fries Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nThe eating contest will feature a total of $10,000 in prize money.\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE is handling registration. You must be 18 years or over to compete. Remember that registration via the web does not guarantee entry - you must receive a confirmation. \r\nClick here to register.\r\n\r\nThe Queen Mary Hotel is rich in history and tradition. Guests do not merely check-in, they stroll aboard, slumber in elegant Art-Deco staterooms, dine in award-winning restaurants with spectacular ocean views. The historic Queen Mary is located on the water in Long Beach California. It is a favorite location for an array of catered events ranging from conventions or meetings to celebrations and receptions."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ee1","sn":358,"title":"First Showdown of the Year at Hot Springs Corned Beef Eating Contest","createdAt":"2006-01-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Competitive eaters from all over the country including Dallas, Chicago and Baton Rouge, will face-off at the Hot Springs International Corned Beef Eating Championship in Arkansas on Saturday - the first championship of the new year. The contest will feature the top two-ranked US gurgitators Sonya Thomas and Joey Chestnut chowing down on Oaklawn's famous corned beef sandwiches, a Hot Springs culinary staple.\r\n\r\nThe Thomas and Chestnut match up is expected to set the tone for the following week's Big Daddy Burger Contest at the Plaza Casino in Las Vegas and the year to come. \r\n\r\n“I expect nothing short of an epic battle for this coveted title,” said George Shea.\r\n\r\n“Hot Springs is already famous as Arkansas’s dining capital, with 226 local restaurants,” said Steve Arrison, executive director of the Hot Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Oaklawn’s corned beef is a huge hit and has been called among the best in the world.”\r\n\r\nEaters will have a chance to win $5,000 in prize money at the Hot Springs Convention Center which includes a top prize of $3,000. Other contestants looking to get off to a strong start in 2006 are rookies Patrick Bertoletti and Chip Simpson, and local brothers Tyler and Tim Shuffield. There will also be a local celebrity event preceeding the championship."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3edf","sn":357,"title":"Competitive Eating at its Best: GoldenPalace.net Grilled Cheese Bowl Set for February 1","createdAt":"2006-01-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"This is what competitive eating is all about! The highly anticipated GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship will be held on February 1, 2006 in New York, NY.\r\n\r\nThe eating contest will be open only to winners of the GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship qualifying circuit. The current world grilled cheese eating record is held by JAWS Chestnut, who devoured 32.5 of the sandwiches in 10 minutes on Oct. 22, 2005 at the Arizona State Fair.\r\n\r\nOther eligible competitive eaters for the GoldenPalace.net championship include: Sonya Thomas, Eater X, Badlands Booker, Cookie Jarvis, Pat Bertoletti, Rich LeFevre, Jed Donahue, Hall Hunt, Humble Bob Shoudt, Ron Koch, Crazy Legs Conti, Leland Collins and Walter Hamilton.\r\n\r\nThere will be $20,000 in prize money on the line, broken down as follows:\r\n\r\n1st Place: $8,000 \r\n2nd Place: $4,000\r\n3rd Place: $2,350\r\n4th Place: $1,500\r\n5th Place: $1,000\r\n6th Place: $900\r\n7th Place: $800\r\n8th Place: $700\r\n9th Place: $500\r\n10th Place: $250\r\n\r\nThe event will be held four days before the Super Bowl, offering sports fans two events of tremendous magnitude within mere days of each other. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ede","sn":356,"title":"Sonya Thomas: 250 Tater Tots at Orlando Magic","createdAt":"2006-01-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas shocked a crowd of 15,000 at the TD Waterhouse Arena on December 30, consuming 250 Tater Tots in five minutes during a halftime show eating contest at the Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves game.\r\n\r\nThomas, who has competed for Orlando Magic fans three years in a row, said she could have doubled her number if the contest was 10 or 12 minutes long. However, Tater Tots, which squish in the mouth, are difficult to eat quickly."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ee0","sn":355,"title":"Big Daddy Burger Contest is Back in Vegas","createdAt":"2005-12-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"History will be made on January 21, 2006 at 1 p.m. when competitive eating’s finest gurgitators descend upon the Plaza Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV, for one of the sport’s greatest eating contest challenges: devouring the monstrous nine-pound Big Daddy Burger at the Plaza Casino Big Daddy Burger Eating Contest. \r\n\r\nSonya Thomas, the top ranked eater in the United States, will attempt to break her 2005 world record of devouring the famed burger in 48 minutes and 10 seconds. However, the Black Widow will face stiff competition. \r\n\r\nThe pride of Las Vegas, meanwhile, will rest on the shoulders of Rich \"The Locust\" LeFevre, a local resident and the #6 ranked eater in the entire world, with records including 10 lbs of chili in 10 minutes.\r\n\r\nThere will be $12,000 in prize money on the line, broken down as follows: $4,000 for first place; $2,500 for second place; $1,500 for third place; $1,000 for fourth place; $750 for fifth place and $450 for sixth, $300 for seventh and $200 for eighth place. \r\n\r\n“The nine-pound Big Daddy Burger is perhaps the most challenging food in the history of competitive eating,” said Richard Shea, President of the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE). “This is our Mount Everest.”\r\n\r\n“The rule at the Plaza is ‘the bigger, the better,’” said Phil Flaherty, COO of the Plaza. “So we are working with the IFOCE to put together the most outrageous and spectacular eating event the public has ever seen.” \r\n\r\nThe event will be held in the new Plaza Showroom, located directly off the casino floor. Competitors must be at least 21 years of age and can register in advance on the contest page.\r\n\r\nThe Plaza Hotel and Casino, a spectacular Las Vegas destination, will provide lodging for all main event eaters. The Plaza offers an array of classic and innovative table games and slot machines, downtown’s premiere gourmet restaurant; the glass-domed Center Stage, dynamic entertainment and sporting events and an array of amenities. Guests may call (702) 386-2110 or (800) 634-6575 for more information and/or hotel reservations."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3edd","sn":354,"title":"Sonya Repeats at Carmines at the Tropicana","createdAt":"2005-12-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Cementing her spot at the top of the American meatscape, Sonya Thomas consumed 10 lbs., 3 oz. of Carmine's meatballs to win the Tropicana Meatball Eating Championship today in Atlantic City.\r\n\r\nThis is her second straight win at the annual event and with it she secured the first place prize of $2,500. In second place was San Jose's Joey Chestnut with 8 lbs., 3 oz., and the fast-rising vegetarian Bob Shoudt took third by eating 7 lbs., 6 oz. of meatballs in the 12 minute contest.\r\n\r\nBadlands Booker delivered a pre-game rap performance of three tracks from his new CD 'Ingestion Engine.' He was received warmly by the crowd at the Tropicana. David Ryan, an audience member from Philadelphia, said he felt Booker's style was reminiscent of a young Q Tip from Tribe Called Quest. \"Badlands is way off the hook,\" said Ryan.\r\n\r\nThis year, many of the gurgitators took to mashing their meatballs rather than eating them whole or \"apple style,\" as the eaters call it. According to the Law of Conservation of Matter and Energy, however, Meatballs can not be created nor destroyed."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3edb","sn":353,"title":"DeVito to Hold \"Commissioner's Volunteer Day\"","createdAt":"2005-11-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"IFOCE eaters will sort (not eat) food on December 10 (tentative date) as IFOCE Director of Charitable Giving Michael DeVito holds the \"Commissioner's Volunteer Day\" at the Monmouth and Ocean County Food Bank in New Jersey.\r\n\r\nAs now scheduled, eaters will meet at the Monmouth and Ocean County Food Bank, located at 3300 Route 66 in Neptune Township, NJ, at 11 am on Saturday, December 10 to sort donated food for distribution during the holidays.\r\n\r\nThe event is organized by DeVito, former world champion hot dog eater. This year's Commissioner's Volunteer Day also provides the opportunity for IFOCE members to collect food for donation. For more information and schedule confirmation email DeVito at Michael.Devito@gs.com.\r\n\r\nAll are welcome at this event. An RSVP with Devito necessary to organize volunteers and confirm the final date and time, which may change.\r\n\r\n\r\nDIRECTIONS TO THE FOODBANK\r\n\r\nFrom the North: Take Garden State Parkway South to EXIT 102, bear right onto Asbury Avenue. Make right turn just before 2nd light (sign will say Route 66 West). Make a right onto Route 66. The Foodbank entrance will be on the left just past Wayside Road.\r\nFrom Brielle/Pt. Pleasant Beach Area: Take Route 35 North to Route 138 West, to Route 18 North, follow Route 18 North and exit at Route 66 West. Continue on Route 66West to first traffic light. Continue on Route 66 through the traffic light. Proceed through traffic light. Entrance is on the left just past Wayside Road. \r\n\r\nFrom The West (Trenton Area): Route I-195 East towards the Shore points, go approximately 32 miles to Route 138 East (I-195 becomes Route 138 East). Take Route 18 North to exit for Route 66 West, continue thru the traffic light. The entrance to The Foodbank is on the left just past Wayside Road.\r\n\r\nFrom Route 35 North (Eatontown Area) and Route35 South (Wall Area): Follow Route 35 to the Asbury Circle (Landmark-Coca-Cola Bottling Company). At the Circle merge onto Route 66 West. (Seaview Square on the right and Shop-Rite/Ames on left). Follow Route 66 West to 2nd traffic light. Proceed thru the light. The Foodbank entrance will be on the left just past Wayside Road.\r\n\r\nFrom The South (Toms River, Brick Area): Take the Parkway North to exit 100A. Follow Route 66 East (about 1 mile). Look for Beacon Street Grill on the left. Foodbank entrance is on the right just past Beacon St.\r\n\r\nFrom Philadelphia & South Jersey Area: New Jersey Turnpike to Exit 7A. Take I-195 East to Route 138 East. (I-195 becomes 138). Take Route 138 to the exit for Route 18 North. Take Route 18 North to the exit for Route 66 West. Take Route 66 West to the Traffic light. Proceed through the traffic light. The Foodbank entrance is on the left just past Wayside Road.\r\n\r\nFrom Route 34: Take the Collingwood Circle to Route 33 East. Go past the Volkswagen Dealer on the left. After the Vw Dealer stay to your left and proceed East on Route 66. Go about 2 miles (Beacon St. Grille on the left). The Foodbank entrance will be on the right side just past Beacon St. Grill.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3edc","sn":352,"title":"Hot Springs International Corned Beef Eating Championship","createdAt":"2005-11-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eating professionals and talented Arkansas amateurs will chow down January 14 at the first-ever Hot Springs International Corned Beef Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nTop competitive eaters will gather at the Hot Springs Convention Center’s Horner Hall at 3:30 p.m. to eat Oaklawn Park’s world-famous corned beef in competition for a total of $5,000 in prize money.\r\n\r\nThe winner will receive $3,000 for first place. Second place will win $1,500 and third place will win $500.\r\n\r\nThe 10-minute contest will feature competitors wolfing down platters of Oaklawn’s famous corned beef, a Hot Springs culinary staple.\r\n\r\n“Hot Springs is already famous as Arkansas’s dining capital, with 226 local restaurants,” said Steve Arrison, executive director of the Hot Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Oaklawn’s corned beef is a huge hit and has been called among the best in the world. Oaklawn’s live racing season begins January 20, and is expected to bring in huge crowds for the Thoroughbred competition and, incidentally, for those great Oaklawn corned beef sandwiches.”\r\n\r\nArrison continued, “Hot Springs also is home to restaurants such as McClard’s Bar-B-Q, which has a world-wide following, including President Bill Clinton, and to dining spots that run the gamut from top-rated Continental cuisine, Italian food, German and Jewish food, and everything in between.\r\n\r\n“Although we are showcasing Oaklawn’s corned beef, we spent a lot of time considering all the other Hot Springs dining delicacies we could have highlighted in our city’s first-ever international competitive eating championship.\r\n\r\n“It finally came down to corned beef because of the way it also fits in with our upcoming First Ever Third Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17. What a match – a corned beef champ and another world’s shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade all in a three-month period.”\r\n\r\nArrison said a celebrity contest would precede the main event.\r\n\r\n“I expect nothing short of an epic battle for this coveted title,” said George Shea, chairman of the IFOCE, which is sanctioning the Hot Springs championship. “The victor of the much-anticipated Hot Springs International Corned Beef Eating Championship will have to combine hand speed, jaw strength, stomach capacity and athleticism.”\r\n \r\nThis is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle registration. There are still open spots available, and interested participants over the age of 18 should register online. Registration via the website does not guarantee a seat in the competition.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eda","sn":351,"title":"Can Kobayashi be Beaten by a Competitive Eating Rookie?","createdAt":"2005-11-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Never has an eating contest caused such speculation.\r\n\r\nThe competitive eating community has been talking about newcomer Joey Chestnut ever since the Krystal Square Off Championship on November 19. And fans of all variety have asked the same question: \"Can Chestnut actually beat Kobayashi?\"\r\n\r\nMany believe Chestnut hit the wall seven minutes into the Krystal match and that he had nothing left. This same contingency believes Kobayashi was dogging it, coasting with the confidence of someone who has never been challenged. Only when he realized Chestnut was close did he begin eating in earnest.\r\n\r\nBut what if Kobayashi was eating to the best of his ability throughout the contest? What if Chestnut really could have eaten more? What if he slowed in the final minute because he neglected to dunk his burger bun?\r\n\r\nWhat if the uninterupted five-year period of eating dominance by Kobayashi could be near an end?\r\n\r\nMost competitive eaters shake their heads after pursuing this line of thought, citing the record-breaking string of victories Kobayashi has achieved as he has rewritten eating contest history.\r\n\r\nNah, it could never happen ....\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ed8","sn":350,"title":"Tropicana Meatball Eating Championship at Carmine's","createdAt":"2005-11-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"With the Thanksgiving Invitational in the books, the eyes of America's top eaters are now turn to Atlantic City in New Jersey, where the Tropicana will hold the World Meatball Eating Championship at Carmine's restaurant.\r\n\r\nThe 12-minute, all-you-can-eat event, which will take place on December 3, 2005 at 1 PM, will feature arch rivals Sonya Thomas (reigning champion) and Joey Chestnut (fast-rising rookie).\r\n\r\nAlso on the scene will be Bob Shoudt, Kevin Lipsitz, Bubba Yarbrough, Tim Janus, Brian Seiken, among others.\r\n\r\nA total of $5,000 in prize money is on the line.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ed7","sn":348,"title":"GoldenPalace.net Thanksgiving Invitational at Hand","createdAt":"2005-11-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut, arguably the most promising rookie eater of all time, will join rising star Bob Shoudt and veterans including Cookie Jarvis and Sonya Thomas at tomorrow’s GoldenPalace.net Thanksgiving Invitational. The contest will feature entire roast turkeys and top finishers will share $5,000 in prize money.\r\n \r\nThe Thanksgiving Invitational comes at a time when people throughout America gather to express their gratitude along with family and friends. Most mark the celebration with a large meal befitting an abundant harvest, but it is important to note that many in our country struggle with hunger on a daily basis. This Thanksgiving, through Food P.A.T.C.H., the GoldenPalace.net and the IFOCE will provide complete holiday meals for 20 families of four who would otherwise go without a Thanksgiving dinner.\r\n \r\nA certified affiliate of Second Harvest, the mission of Food P.A.T.C.H. (People Allied to Combat Hunger) is to alleviate hunger and minimize food waste in Westchester County, New York. Food P.A.T.C.H.'s function is soliciting, storing, sorting and distributing a steady supply of good quality food to Westchester's emergency food programs, and to fight hunger by engaging, educating and empowering the community.\r\n \r\nIf you’d like to help fight hunger in your community visit www.secondharvest.org. As always, you can click on ifoceGIVES to learn more."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ed9","sn":349,"title":"Thomas vs. Chestnut at GoldenPalace.net Thanksgiving Invitational","createdAt":"2005-11-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"With his astonishing 62 Krystals during Saturday’s Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship, Joey Chestnut accomplished something besides finishing in 2nd place. He became the first American eater to pose a legitimate threat to Sonya Thomas’ longstanding reign as the top eater in the nation.\r\n\r\nThe two superstars will collide tomorrow in the GoldenPalace.net Thanksgiving Invitational.\r\n\r\nThe rivalry has competitive eating fans buzzing, with ‘Team Sonya’ and ‘Team Chestnut’ shirts routinely being spotted at New York’s trendiest nightclubs.\r\n\r\nDiehard competitive eating fans wonder, however, if the rivalry will develop the vitriol of some the sport’s most heated one-on-one rivalries. Both Thomas and Chestnut are diplomatic with their words and careful not to offend, not dissimilar from media savvy athletes like Tiger Woods and Tom Brady.\r\n\r\nWhile Thomas and Chestnut are unquestionably the two most talented American competitive eaters of all time, it is unclear if their rivalry will ever yield the animosity of Libnitz vs. Rudman, Seiken vs. Lipsitz, and, most recently, Janus vs. Boone.\r\n\r\n(In one of the most serious accusations in the history of the sport, Libnitz accused Rudman of elbowing him in the gut during the 1938 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. Rudman denied the charge).\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ed6","sn":347,"title":"Kobayashi Eats 67 Krystals To Win, Chestnut in Front Until Final Minute ","createdAt":"2005-11-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Japan's Takeru Kobayashi consumed 67 Krystal hamburgers in eight minutes to win the 2005 Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship in Chattanooga, TN. \r\n\r\nTo the amazement of the more than 2,000 fans gathered in Chattanooga for the event, San Jose's Joey Chestnut was in front of Kobayashi for the bulk of the contest. At one point Chestnut led by as many as 6 Krystals but finished 5 behind Kobayashi, losing ground in the final seconds of the Square Off. \r\n\r\nSonya Thomas finished third with 56 Krystals and Bob Shoudt took 4th with an impressive 51. \r\n\r\nThis year's square off offered a whopping $22,500 purse. Kobayashi took home the top prize of $10,000 cash, the Krystal World Champion's Belt, the champion?s crystal trophy and the title of Krystal Square Off World Hamburger-Eating Champion.\r\n\r\nFor American eating fans, however, the story was 21-year old Joey Chestnut. He is the first eater to ever lead Kobayashi through a contest and to be well within range to beat him. \r\n\r\nThe Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship was the culmination of 11 regional qualifying events throughout the country this fall. Other competitors included Eric “Badlands” Booker of Copiague, NY; Tim “Eater X” Janus of New York, NY; Crazy Legs Conti of New York, NY; Rich \"The Locust\" LeFevre of Henderson, NV; Ron Koch of Las Vegas, NV; Hall Hunt of Gainesville, FL; Sam Vise of Union City, TN; Chip Simpson of Harrisville, PA; Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago, IL; and \"Buffalo\" Jim Reeves of Boston, NY."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ed0","sn":345,"title":"Jarvis States He Is Not Woodward Leak Source","createdAt":"2005-11-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Competitive eater Ed “Cookie” Jarvis today stated that he is not the source who first told Bob Woodward about the CIA officer at the center of the Fitzgerald leak investigation.\r\n\r\nJarvis, a residential real estate broker who holds world records in dumplings, cannoli and ice cream, strongly denied any involvement in the leak case that has embroiled Washington, DC in recent months.\r\n\r\n“I have no access to classified information and I have never had any contact with Bob Woodward,” said the 6' 5”, 420-pound sweet-eating specialist, who is ranked No. four in the world by the International Federation of Competitive Eating.\r\n\r\nJarvis joined a growing list of those who have denied leaking the information. The IFOCE accepted his claim, which has been deemed credible by individuals close to the investigation.\r\n\r\nJarvis refused to speculate on who might have communicated the information to Woodward, stating that he has not had the time to follow this particular news story.\r\n\r\n2005 has been an unusually busy year for the veteran gurgitator, who has tried to balance a crowded eating schedule with the demands of the residential sales game in Long Island, New York, where he lives with his wife and two children.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ed5","sn":346,"title":"Kobayashi Weighs in at 172 Pounds","createdAt":"2005-11-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"An extraordinarily buff Takeru Kobayashi weighed in at exactly 172 pounds today in Chattanooga, Tenn., one day before the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nAfter the weigh-in ceremony, Kobayashi was seen working out with fellow Krystal Square Off competitor Hall Hunt in the luxury fitness center of Chattanooga's exclusive Read House hotel.\r\n\r\nA half dozen Read House guests peered at Kobayashi through floor-to-ceiling glass walls, and one woman called him \"an Asian Arnold Schwarzenegger.\"\r\n\r\nKobayashi defends his Krystal title tomorrow at 2:30 pm at the First Tennessee Pavilion, following a series of undercard events that include a parade of champions, a college contest and a celebrity contest.\r\n\r\nSonya Thomas and Joey Chestnut both have been singled out by handicappers as potential threats to Kobayashi and break-out performances are expected by Patrick Bertoletti and Chip Simpson.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, Loren “Bubba” Yarbrough and Hall Hunt, who both posted 30 in Square Off qualifiers, will settle a long-running battle for dominance.\r\n\r\nEric “Badlands” Booker, Tim Janus, Ron Koch, Rich LeFevre, Sam Vise and Crazy Legs Conti enter the finals with big numbers -- all topped 30 during the season (Booker reached 44). Bob Shoudt and Jim Reeves both hover just below the 30 mark as they enter the final while newcomer Claudine Ko (sponsor's exemption) hopes to earn her bona fides.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ed3","sn":344,"title":"Bertoletti Wins in Knoxville","createdAt":"2005-11-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The final qualifier of the 2005 Krystal Square Off circuit occured today in Knoxville, TN and was won by Patrick Bertoletti who ate 30 Krystals in eight minutes.\r\n\r\nChicago's top-ranked eater, Bertoletti flew into Knoxville from Boston where he competed in the the Verizon Voice Wing Battle. He faced serious competition in the Krystal event from Don “Moses” Lerman All American, one-time American burger champ. Lerman ate 26 for second place and Shaun Kessler downed 25 Krystals.\r\n\r\n\r\nWith the win Bertoletti advances to the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championships, scheduled to occur in Chattanooga on Saturday, November 19th. How can a thin and remarkably fit young man achieve success in this sport? An article in AskMen.com discusses the issue."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ed4","sn":343,"title":"Chestnut Takes Verizon VoiceWing Championship","createdAt":"2005-11-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut won the Verizon VoiceWing Battle Championship in Boston, MA, beating a field of America's top eaters. Placing second was Ed “Cookie” Jarvis and third was Bob Shoudt.\r\n\r\nIn a shocking turn of events, Sonya Thomas tied for fourth with Chip Simpson."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ed2","sn":342,"title":"GoldenPalace.net Thanksgiving Invitational","createdAt":"2005-11-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"IFOCE President Richard Shea today announced the GoldenPalace.net Thanksgiving Invitational to be held in New York City on Wednesday, November 23, the day before Thanksgiving. A total of $5,000 in prize money will be on the line.\r\n\r\nThe 12-minute contest, which will feature 10-pound roast turkeys for each eater, will be held at Artie's Delicatessen on Manhattan's Upper West Side. (Limited audience seating is available and requests to attend will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis via email at info@ifoce.com. Confirmation necessary for attendance.)\r\n\r\nThe field of eight eaters for this event was selected at random from a list of all those who have won IFOCE events in 2005. Eaters invited to compete include Eric “Badlands” Booker of Copaigue, NY; Joey Chestnut of San Jose, CA; Hall Hunt of Fort Lauderdale, FL; Ed “Cookie” Jarvis of Nesconsett, NY; Tim Janus of New York, NY; Bob Shoudt of Royersford, PA; Chip Simpson of Harrisville, PA, and Sonya Thomas of Alexandria, VA.\r\n\r\nThis is the fourth consecutive year the IFOCE has held this prestigious invitational. As part of the event, the IFOCE will donate dozens of turkeys to a local foodbank. This year's event will be dedicated to those in England, who do not have Thanksgiving."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ed1","sn":340,"title":"Ingestion Engine: Booker to Unveil Sophmore Album","createdAt":"2005-11-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Julien is on the boards; Badlands Booker on the vocal cords.\r\n\r\nThe corned beef hash-eating champion of the world is now putting the final touches on his second album, The Ingestion Engine, which will be sold at IFOCE.com.\r\n\r\nHungry & Focused, Booker's first effort, has been a major IFOCE seller, with sales spiking prior to the 2004 holiday season and prior to the 2005 Nathan's Famous contest. Booker plans to release The Ingestion Engine on Thanksgiving 2005.\r\n\r\nThe lead single on the new album is \"In The Flesh,\" which Booker premiered in Coney Island on July 4. As a special to eating fans, IFOCE.com will take pre-orders beginning Friday, November 18.\r\n\r\nIFOCE chairman George Shea said what all eating fans say: \"Hoo-Ahhh!\""}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ecd","sn":337,"title":"Conti to Chatty","createdAt":"2005-11-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Crazy Legs Conti, nearing the end of what one fan recently dubbed a “less than career year” on the IFOCE circuit, delivered a career performance in the penultimate Krystal qualifier, which occurred this weekend in Jacksonville, Florida. \r\n\r\nConti downed 31 Krystals in the eight minute contest, just edging out Hall Hunt who consumed 30. In third place was Brian Miller with 24 Krystals.\r\n\r\nWith the win, Conti locked up a spot to compete in November 19th’s Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship in Chattanooga.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ecf","sn":338,"title":"Wild Wild Card","createdAt":"2005-11-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Bubba Yarbrough and Hall Hunt, two high-performing newcomers with something to prove, have best defined the 2005 Krystal circuit and indeed this year's Krystal Wild Card chase.\r\n\r\nA 30 Krystal performance in Birmingham had Yarbrough going into this weekend with a tenuous grip on the second wild card slot for the November 19th Krystal Square Off in Chattanooga. Yarbrough, his three allotted qualifiers behind him, slept restlessly Saturday night knowing a talented Hunt was competing in Jacksonville the next day.\r\n\r\nHunt’s first two Krystal performances? A solid 26 in Savannah, a less-impressive 24 in Macon. His third and final qualifying attempt of 30 ¼ fell short as Crazy Legs won with 31. What's more, fractions don’t count on the Krystal circuit but averages do apply.\r\n\r\nYarbrough did 25 in Macon, 27 in Atlanta and 30 in Birmingham – an average of 27+. Hunt posted 24, 26 and 30 in his three qualifiers – an average of 26+. Winner? Bubba.\r\n\r\nStill in the lead, Yarbrough is keeping a close eye on the second place finisher at Krystal's final qualifier in Knoxville on November 13th.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ecc","sn":336,"title":"Smirnoff Twisted V Wild Grape Title to Jarvis","createdAt":"2005-11-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Cookie Jarvis ate 8.95 pounds of wild grapes in 10 minutes to win today's Smirnoff Twisted V Wild Grape World Grape Eating Championship, which was held at Grand Central Terminal in New York City.\r\n\r\nThe contest was the main event at the Smirnoff Twisted V Wild Grape Festival, which also featured dancers from AntiGravity!, an all-grape sculpture of the Empire State Building and participation by Steve Schirripa, known to many as TV's Bobby Bacala.\r\n\r\nBadlands Booker placed second with 8.9 pounds of grapes and Tim Janus finished third with 7.8 pounds and Bob Shoudt took fourth place. For his winning performance Jarvis took home $2,000. Another $2,000 was shared by the second through fourth place finishers.\r\n\r\n“To have this title and win the cash prize is great,” said Jarvis. “But I am also pleased with the wellness. Grapes are an excellent source of potassium and flavonoids -- those are the anti-oxidants that are so important in our diet.”"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eca","sn":335,"title":"Savannah Square Off","createdAt":"2005-10-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"It was a tie for second place as doggedly determined Hall Hunt downs 26 Krystals but is matched by a fellow Floridian in the last Georgia Square Off of the 2005 season.\r\n\r\nKudos go to Ron \"Hizzoner\" Koch who put down an impressive 36 Krystals to join the Las Vegas eating royalty. Ron will be in Chatty come November 19 and other eaters will feel his presence come gametime. Other eaters will sweat Ron. Other eaters know they're dealing with a force."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ecb","sn":334,"title":"Sonya Takes Flight","createdAt":"2005-10-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In a personal rebuke to the avian flu, Sonya Thomas shattered the Buffalo Wing Record at today's Verizon VoiceWing Battle at Union Jack's in Bethesda, MD. \r\n\r\nThomas downed 5.75 lbs of wing meat in the ten-minute event. She was followed by Eater X who put down an even 4lbs. In third place was the wily veteran Krazy Kevin Lipsitz (3.85lbs) of Staten Island, NY. \r\n\r\nOther well-known attendees, Brian Subich, Brian Seiken, Don Lerman, Allen Goldstein, Crazy Legs Conti and Chip Simpson all performed well.\r\n\r\nPat Philbin, also known as Pat from Moonachie, intended to compete, but his van reportedly broke down over the Potomac. (Thankfully, his satellite radio remains intact.)\r\n\r\nThe Verizon VoiceWing Battle chicken wing eating circuit features three qualifiers leading up to a final championship and offers a total $14,000 in prize money throughout the circuit. The top five finishers in each qualifier will be offered a seat at the championship event which takes place November 12 in Boston."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ec9","sn":333,"title":"Verizon VoiceWing Battle in D.C.","createdAt":"2005-10-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Our nation's capitol is gripped with intrigue and speculation today as gurgitators from within the Beltway and beyond ready for tomorrow's Verizon VoiceWing Battle at Union Jack's in Bethesda, MD (12:30pm).\r\n\r\nCircuit eaters including Sonya Thomas, Tim Janus, Pat Philbin, and Don Lerman will take on newcomers like Jon Kott and Chip Simpson in the ten minute face off.\r\n\r\nThis is the final of three qualifiers that lead to the big dance in Boston on November 12th. The current Verizon VoiceWing Battle record is 4.92lbs in regulation, set by Richard LeFevre. \r\n\r\nA game of fractions of ounces, each Verizon VoiceWing battle features IFOCE-approved judges from local academic strongholds. Tomorrow's judges are dean's list math majors from the exigent Georgetown University."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ec7","sn":332,"title":"Krystal Wildcard Spots Down to the Wire","createdAt":"2005-10-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Competitive eating fans will be keenly watching the last three qualifiers of the 2005 Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship to see who will secure the two wildcard spots for the World Championship, awarded to the two highest non-winning totals.\r\n\r\nWhile experts concede that Joey Chestnut’s mark of 56 all but guarantees him a spot in the finals, Bubba Yarbrough’s hold on the second wildcard spot with 30 Krystals in eight minutes is considerably more tenuous. Yarbrough, a talented young eater who has drawn comparisons to the Atlanta Braves' Chipper Jones, has put together a string of impressive performances.\r\n\r\nA number of talented gurgitators will look to better the 30 mark during the Square Off’s final three qualifiers, scheduled for Oct. 30 in Savannah, GA; Nov. 6 in Jacksonville, FL; and Nov. 13 in Knoxville, TN.\r\n\r\nThe 2005 Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship will be held Nov. 19, 2005 at 2:30pm in Chattanooga, TN. Takeru Kobayashi will defend his title and attempt to break his 2004 record of 69 Krystals in 8 minutes.\r\n\r\nFor additional information on the 2005 Krystal Square Off visit www.krystal.com \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ec8","sn":331,"title":"Donahue over LeFevre in 84 Lumber Baked Bean Match","createdAt":"2005-10-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Jed Donahue won the 84 Lumber Baked Bean Eating Contest in Chandler, Arizona, consuming 84 ounces (5.25 pounds) of baked beans in 1 minute, 45 seconds. \r\n\r\nRich LeFevre placed second with a time of 1 minute, 59 seconds and Justin Mih, a student at UC Irvine, placed third, finsihing in 3 minutes, 30 seconds. Donahue earned $1,250, LeFevre, $500 and Mih, $250 for their performances.\r\n\r\nDonahue continues to build on a very strong 2005 season and LeFevre ate remarkably well for someone who originally was known for the long game.\r\n\r\nNo one has yet approached the record of 1 minute, 22 seconds, held by Bangladeshi eater, Dale Boone. Boone, who is leading corporate outsourcing efforts in India, is not expected to travel to the United States until next spring."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ec6","sn":330,"title":"Top Eaters to Vie for Smirnoff Twisted V Grape Title","createdAt":"2005-10-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Cookie Jarvis, Badlands Booker, Tim Janus, Patrick Philbin, Don Lerman, Bob Shoudt and Crazy Legs Conti are among the eaters who have signed up for the Smirnoff Twisted V Wild Grape World Grape Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nThe 10-minute event, which will take place on November 1 at Grand Central Terminal in New York City will feature a total of $4,000 in prize money and the title of World Grape Eating Champion.\r\n\r\nFirst place will receive $2,000; second place: $1,000; third place: $750, and fourth place: $250.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ec5","sn":329,"title":"Alabama Slamma","createdAt":"2005-10-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Krystal Square Off brought talent to Birmingham. Bubba Yarbrough continued his impressive fall season by consuming 30 Krystals, but the win went to Chip Simpson who consumed 32 of the delectable burgers. In third place was Larry McNeil who finished with 26 and the better part of Krystal number 27 on his goatee.\r\n\r\nSimpson, a 210 pound 6 foot tall eating machine, will advance to Chattanooga in late November. IFOCE emcee Michael Castellano was so impressed with Simpson's performance that he allowed him to ride in his limousine on the way back to the airport."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ec4","sn":328,"title":"JAWS Shatters GoldenPalace.net Record","createdAt":"2005-10-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Competitive Eating phenom Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut continued his extraordinary 2005 by setting a new world record of 32.5 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes today at the GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship contest at the Arizona State Fair.\r\n\r\nChestnut's momentus feat betters the previous record of 31, held by Eater X. Chestnut joins an elite field of gurgitators who have earned births in the GoldenPalace.net World Championship, including Sonya Thomas, Eater X, Badlands Booker, and Cookie Jarvis. A date and location for the GoldenPalace.net World Championship could be announced as early as this week. $20,000 in prize money will be on the line.\r\n\r\n\"Jaws Chestnut might have the greatest potential of any eater ever to come out of the American circuit,\" said IFOCE commissioner Charles Hardy, who flew out to Phoenix to witness the performance. \"He has all the makings of a true athletic superstar.\"\r\n\r\nFinishing second was Andy Dickman, while in third was John Riddle. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ec2","sn":327,"title":"Smirnoff Twisted V Wild Grape World Grape Eating Championship","createdAt":"2005-10-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eight of the world’s top competitive eaters will gather at Grand Central Terminal in New York, NY, on Nov. 1, 2005 for the Smirnoff Twisted V Wild Grape World Grape Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nA total of $4,000 in prize money will be on the line, in addition to the ultra-prestigious title of World Grape Eating Champion.\r\n\r\nPrize money for the 10-minute contest will be broken down as follows:\r\n\r\nFirst Place: $2,000\r\n\r\nSecond Place: $1,000\r\n\r\nThird Place: $750\r\n\r\nFourth Place: $250\r\n\r\nThe field will be limited to eight competitors. This is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle registration. Interested participants over the age of 21 may sign up via the events page at IFOCE.com.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ec1","sn":326,"title":"Top Competitive Eaters to Phoenix, Birmingham","createdAt":"2005-10-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Number-three ranked eater Joey Chestnut is on his way to Phoenix to compete in the GoldenPalace.net grilled cheese-eating qualifier this Saturday, where $1,750 in prize money will be on the line.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, a slew of eaters are heading to Birmingham for the Sunday afternoon Krystal Square Off -- among them Larry McNeil, Loren Yarbrough, Cade Hardin and Bill Pendleton, who won Birmingham last year with 26 Krystals in eight minutes.\r\n\r\nJed Donahue, Rich LeFevre and Randy Harrison will be eating beans at 84 Lumber in Chandler, AZ, for a shot at $2,000 in prizes on Tuesday."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ec3","sn":325,"title":"Where is Dale Boone?","createdAt":"2005-10-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"When Dale Boone finally boarded the plane for India many Americans sighed in relief. Dale had offended so many so often that he had become, arguably, the most hated man in competitive eating.\r\n\r\nDale's most egregious offense -- putting aside for a moment his looks, mannerisms and accent -- is his disrespect for fellow competitors. When he referred to Carlene LeFevre as \"granny\" in an Atlanta Nathan's qualifier, he alienated women, seniors and all those IFOCE staff members with a refined sense of character.\r\n\r\nDale's performance at the table has rarely matched his pre-contest braggadocio. In fact, Dale is known for a hair-trigger epiglotis and he rarely wins a contest. It is only in the sprint that he excells.\r\n\r\nSadly, the 84 Lumber Baked Bean contest is tailor made for Dale's talents. It is a speed contest with a loose, easy-to-eat food and Dale has dominated, winning three contests in 2004. He beat both Badlands Booker and Sonya Thomas.\r\n\r\nNow, with an 84 Lumber event scheduled for Tuesday, October 25, in Phoenix, AZ, eaters have begun to fear that Dale will end his trip to India. They fear that Dale will walk into the arena cackling and waving his bell, looking for another win.\r\n\r\nTo some this is the worst case scenario. But to others it would be welcome. For them, the ifoce is just not the same without Dale Boone on American soil.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ec0","sn":324,"title":"Hunt Earns GoldenPalace.net Win in NC","createdAt":"2005-10-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rookie stalwart Hall Hunt of Florida squeaked out a win over Loren Yarbrough at the North Carolina State Fair, eating 20 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes to take the GoldenPalace.com qualifier and the $1,000 top prize.\r\n\r\nYarbrough placed second with an impressive 19 grilled cheese sandwiches and Frank Wach placed third with 17 1/2 sandwiches. Hunt now has a chance at the $20,000 GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese Sandwich Eating Championship purse.\r\n\r\nPrior to the contest a rumor spread through the crowd-filled tent that Yarbrough was lactose intolerant. However, when the eating began Yarbrough ate furiously, feeding his eager mouth with both hands and no visible signs of the painful gas and cramping endured by those unable to digest milk products.\r\n\r\nSome later speculated that Yarbrough himself may have started the rumor in a clever attempt to psych out fellow competitors."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ebe","sn":321,"title":"Road Report: Krystals in Jackson","createdAt":"2005-10-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Buffalo Jim Reeves took the Krystal Jackson qualifier with 27 in eight minutes. Close on his heels was Yazoo City native D. Ray who consumed 26. In third place with 20 was relative unknown John Anderson. \r\n\r\nVeteran IFOCE great Krazy Kev Lipsitz, who has been inactive of late, made a surprise appearance and posted a mid-teens performance."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ebf","sn":322,"title":"LeFevre Tops Jarvis in Verizon Double OT","createdAt":"2005-10-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rich LeFevre finally subdued Cookie Jarvis in hard-fought double overtime to win the San Francisco Verizon VoiceWing chicken wing qualifier.\r\n\r\nJarvis, who has been on a tear in 2005, was tied with LeFevre at the end of regulation with 4.92 lbs of chicken wing meat off the bone. The two tied again after the first one-minute overtime, creating an amazing double overtime.\r\n\r\nLeFevre takes home $1,500 and Jarvis takes home $750 for his second place effort."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ebd","sn":320,"title":"Booker Takes SC Grilled Cheese Eating Match","createdAt":"2005-10-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Badlands Booker put on a strong performance in Columbia, SC, eating 24 1/2 grilled cheese sandwiches to win $1,000 and a chance at the $20,000 GoldenPalace.net final purse.\r\n\r\nPlacing second in the contest was Hall Hunt, with 17 GC sandwiches to win $500, and placing third was Don Schaeffer to earn $250.\r\n\r\nA crowd of 1,000 gathered at the WLTX CBS Stage to witness the event.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ee6","sn":319,"title":"Weekend Eating Contests in SC, CA, MS and NC","createdAt":"2005-10-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"IFOCE eaters will span the nation this weekend at eating contests in Columbia, South Carolina; San Francisco, California; Jackson, Mississippi; and Raleigh, North Carolina.\r\n\r\nThe GoldenPalace.net Grilled Cheese Eating circuit will provide book-ends to the weekend with events on Friday, October 14 and Monday, October 17 in Columbia and Raleigh. On Saturday, Verizon will hold a VoiceWing battle in San Francisco and the Krystal Square Off will stop in Jackson on Sunday.\r\n\r\nGurgitators are gearing up for several major championships in the fall with a heavy schedule of events (with accompanying purse money) continuing through the turn of the year into 2006."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eba","sn":317,"title":"84 Lumber Baked Beans","createdAt":"2005-10-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"If anything could bring Dale Boone back from India it is this.\r\n\r\n84 Lumber has announced an 84 Lumber Baked bean Eating Contest on October, 25, to celebrate a store opening in Chandler, Arizona. The event, which will take place at 5 pm, will feature $2,000 in prize money.\r\n\r\nLast year, Boone dominated the baked bean circuit, beating both Badlands Booker and Sonya Thomas, accomplishments to which he will refer daily until his demise. The victories gave Boone a significant boost in confidence and prompted him to dye what remains of his hair peroxide orange. His new coiffeur has been described an affront to all those with a full head of hair and a bad example for those with male pattern baldness or mange.\r\n\r\nThis is an IFOCE event and sign-up will take place via the IFOCE events page. Registrants must be 18 years of age or older and signing up on the web does not guarantee a seat in the event."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ece","sn":318,"title":"Jalapeno Wins Grilled Cheese","createdAt":"2005-10-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"‘Jalapeno’ Jed Donahue added another impressive accomplishment to his competitive eating resume on Monday night in Lake Perris, CA, devouring 20 ½ grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes to win an official qualifier of the 2005 GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship. \r\n\r\nDonahue wins $1,000 and earns a spot in the GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship, where $20,000 in prize money will be on the line. Finishing second and winning $500 was Justin Mitt with 14 grilled cheese sandwiches, while finishing third and winning $250 was Anthony Caldera with 13.\r\n\r\n‘Jalapeno’ Jed skyrocketed to fame in the early 90s by eating 152 jalapeno peppers in 15 minutes. He has enjoyed a comeback during the past 18 months, posting high numbers in prestigious disciplines such as donut and popcorn.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ebc","sn":316,"title":"Shoudt Eats 29 Krystals, Wins Macon Qualifier","createdAt":"2005-10-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Humble Bob Shoudt, a stalwart on the IFOCE circuit, won an official qualifier of the 2005 Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship on Sunday at the Georgia National Fair. \r\n\r\nShoudt who devoured 29 Krystals, faced tough competition from Bubba Yarborough (25 Krystals) and Hall Hunt (24 Krystals). \r\n\r\nShoudt joins an elite field of gurgitors including Sonya Thomas, Badlands Booker, Eater X, Sam Vise, and Rich LeFevre, who have already earned a spot in the Krystal World Championship on November 19 in Chattanooga, TN, where $22,500 in prize money will be on the line. Many believe that Joey Chestnut’s total of 56 Krystals at the Chattannooga, TN qualifier virtually assures him of the wildcard spot.\r\n\r\nShoudt, currently the #11 ranked eater in the world, has posted two impressive victories during the past two months. The peaceful, social vegetarian from Pennsylvania has reportedly begun to attract a small cult-like following of ‘Shoudt-Heads,’ remnants of the counterculture who have been searching for a spiritual icon since Jerry Garcia passed away in 1995.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eb8","sn":315,"title":"Jarvis Takes GoldenPalace.net Eating Contest","createdAt":"2005-10-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Cookie Jarvis advanced a winning season by eating 19 grilled cheese sandwiches in Little Rock, Arkansas, to beat a field of 15 gurgitators and earn the title of GoldenPalace.net Grilled Cheese Eating Champion of Arkansas and Environs.\r\n\r\nJarvis edged out Pat Philban, who consumed 17 grilled cheese sandwiches in the 10-minute contest to place second. Philbin, whom many expected to win, may have been distracted by a political snub from the Little Rock Mayor's Office.\r\n\r\nPhilbin had hoped to use his visit to Arkansas to establish a \"sister city\" relationship between Little Rock and Moonachie, NJ, the city he calls home. Philbin believed the relationship would enable to two cities to leverage the popularity of competitive eating to generate economic and cultural activity.\r\n\r\nInquiries to the Little Rock mayor's office went unanswered, however. IFOCE chair George Shea, who represented Philbin in the initiative, said lack of political clout may have doomed the plan.\r\n\r\n\"I explained Philbin's goal in a lengthy voicemail to the director of sister city relationships, but no reply was forthcoming,\" shea said. \"I fear they felt Philbin was unauthorized to establish this kind of relationship.\"\r\n\r\nIndeed, Philbin had not mentioned his plan to Moonachie officials and he has been unable to fully articulate the way economic cross-polination would occur.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, third place at the contest went to local eater Mike Fanell, who ate 10 grilled cheese sandwiches. Fanell tied with Christopher Talton in regulation and consumed 1 1/2 gc sandwiches in overtime to place in the money.\r\n\r\nJarvis took home $1,000 and put himself in the hunt for a portion of the $20,000 GoldenPalace.net championship pot. Philbin earned $500 and Fanell $250."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ebb","sn":313,"title":"Pat from Moonachie in Arkansas","createdAt":"2005-10-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Arkansas residents who are also fans of Pat from Moonachie could not ask for a better gift.\r\n\r\nThe rakish Man from Moonachie, a pizza- and hot dog-eating specialist, is on his way to Little Rock this week to compete in the October 8 GoldenPalace.net grilled cheese eating contest at the Arkansas State Fair.\r\n\r\nIf Moonachie wins, he will earn a $1,000 first prize and the chance at a pool of $20,000 at the conclusion of GoldenPalace.net’s 15-contest circuit. \r\n\r\nThe current world record belongs to Tim “Eater X” Janus, the No. 7-ranked eater in the world. Janus recently annihilated Sonya Thomas’ record of 25 grilled cheese sandwiches by consuming 31 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes at the Nebraska State Fair.\r\n\r\n“The Little Rock region is an untapped resource of eating talent,” said George Shea, chairman of the IFOCE. “This event will not only serve as a platform to showcase Pat's talent and the heartfelt love the people of Little Rock feel for Pat, it may also reveal a new champion, the champion of tomorrow.”\r\n\r\nThe International Federation of Competitive Eating will handle registration. There are still open spots available, and interested participants over the age of 18 should call (212) 627-5766 or register at www.ifoce.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eb7","sn":309,"title":"LeFevre Takes Texas Square-Off","createdAt":"2005-10-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rich LeFevre, a Nevada resident who is considered an honorary Texan for his numerous victories in that state, won the Krystal Square-Off at the Texas State Fair by downing 35 Krystals in eight minutes.\r\n\r\nThe event took place on the main stage before an enormous audience who travelled miles to witness athletic greatness. The crowd knew of LeFevre's Texas exploits, notably his work at the Big Texan, the Corny Dog Eating Contest and the SPAM-eating festival.\r\n\r\nPlacing second was local Kurtis Wright, who ate 10 Krystals in the first two minutes, then ate 12 more in the remaining six minutes for a total of 22. Levi Oliver, who was received by fans yelling \"The Prophet!, The Prophet!,\" placed third with 21 Krystals.\r\n\r\nLevi, in his patented manner, looked off at the distant horizon throughout the event, as if staring at a revelation, or the swine hut.\r\n\r\nCarlene LeFevre, vital as always, was on hand to cheer for her husband. She will travel with her husband to Chattanooga for the finals."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eb9","sn":312,"title":"Wing and a Prayer: Chestnut Takes Seattle","createdAt":"2005-10-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Competitive eating phenom Joey Chestnut continued his meteoric rise to the upper echelons of the sport on Saturday, defeating a talented field of eaters in Seattle, WA to win an official qualifier of the Verizon VoiceWing Battle circuit. \r\n\r\nChestnut ate 4.51 lbs of Buffalo wings in 10 minutes, handily defeating Badlands Booker (3.63 lbs) and Humble Bob Shoudt (3.53 lbs), who finished second and third respectively. \r\n\r\nChestnut, perhaps the greatest debris food eater in the sport right now with recent victories in ribs and wings, will go into the Nov. 12 Verizon VoiceWing Battle World Championship in Boston, MA as one of the favorites.\r\n\r\nIt is in Boston on Nov. 12 that one IFOCE gurgitator will join the likes of Bird, Brady, and Ortiz as heroes of ‘Title Town.’\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eb6","sn":308,"title":"Weekend Warriors To Conquer Washington and Texas","createdAt":"2005-09-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Epic showdowns are on tap for this weekend's first Verizon VoiceWing Battle in Seattle on Saturday and the next round of the Krystal Square Off at the Texas State Fair in Dallas on Sunday.\r\n\r\nIt is expected that the newly crowned wing champ Eric Booker will make his way across country to Seattle to try for a piece of the $2,500 prize money and seat at the Verizon VoiceWing Battle Championship in November. Booker will have no easy shot at the qualifier with No. 3 ranked Joey Chestnut and other top ranked eaters rumored to compete.\r\n\r\nIn Dallas, Rich \"The Locust\" LeFevre will descend on his first shot at the Krystal Square Off Hamburger Eating Championship. Last year, LeFevre earned his seat at the finals by eating a masterful 38 Krystals in 8 minutes at the Perry, GA, qualifier. This year he will go up against a field of tough, hungry Texans looking to send him packing to the next state.\r\n\r\nCheck back for more details to follow ..."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eb4","sn":307,"title":"Vise Takes Memphis Krystal Qualifier","createdAt":"2005-09-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sam Vise lived up to his billing on Sunday as perhaps the greatest homegrown Krystal eater of all time, devouring 33 Krystal hamburgers in eight minutes to win an official Krystal qualifier at the Mid-South Fair in Memphis, TN.\r\n\r\nMany IFOCE veterans steered clear of the Memphis qualifier, with one comparing eating against Vise on his home turf to playing one-on-one against Shaquille O’Neal in his own driveway.\r\n\r\nWith his victory, Vise earns a spot in the Nov. 19th Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship in Chattanooga, TN, at which $22,500 in prize money will be on the line. He joins an elite field of eaters including Takeru Kobayashi and Sonya Thomas who will be competing for the ultra-prestigious Krystal belt. \r\n\r\nIn second was Super Dave Connolly with 23 Krystals, while Thomas Petrowski finished third with 20.\r\n\r\nFor additional information on the 2005 Krystal Square Off visit www.krystal.com "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eb2","sn":306,"title":"GoldenPalace.net Event Added","createdAt":"2005-09-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Another qualifying round has been added to the GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship circuit at the Arkansas State Fair on Oct. 8. Eaters will have another chance at the $1,750 in prize money per qualifier and the $20,000 in cash up for grabs at the completion of the circuit.\r\n\r\nSign up for this event and other qualifying rounds still to come at the New Mexico State Fair, Southern California Fair, South Carolina State Fair, North Carolina State Fair and Arizona State Fair."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eb1","sn":305,"title":"GoldenPalace.net Breaks New Ground","createdAt":"2005-09-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Pioneering grilled cheese eaters waged war this weekend on two new IFOCE battlefields: Oklahoma City and Salt Lake City. GoldenPalace.net brought professional eating directly to curious fans in these two important American markets for the first time.\r\n\r\nSaturday at the Oklahoma State Fair, Crazy Legs Conti and Levi Oliver took the stage and faced a surprisingly tough local contingent. In the end, however, Conti won out with 17.5 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes. Despite his traveling to Oklahoma, Conti was able to catch two of the three Tubes concerts that occured in the New York area over the weekend.\r\n\r\nFurther west on Sunday, the Beehive state beheld its first IFOCE sanctioned contest at the GoldenPalace.net stage when Ron Hizzoner Koch put down 18.5 grilled cheeses to easily beat the citizen eaters of Salt Lake City. Hizzoner wore swim goggles during the contest, as is his wont. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eb0","sn":304,"title":"Janus Wins Krystal Square Off at Gwinnett County Fair","createdAt":"2005-09-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Tim Janus won the 2005 Krystal Square Off hamburger-eating qualifier on Sunday, September 18 at the Gwinnett County Fair outside of Atlanta, GA.\r\n\r\nJanus, known as Eater X, consumed 39 Krystals in eight minutes to earn one of the coveted seats at the world championship table on November 19, 2005, in Chattanooga, Tenn., where he will compete for a share of the $22,500 cash purse.\r\n\r\nPlacing second at the Gwinnett County fair square off was Loren Bubba Yarbrough, who ate 27 krystals, and in third place was shaun Kessler with 26.\r\n\r\nFor additional information on the 2005 Krystal Square Off visit www.krystal.com "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eb3","sn":303,"title":"Jarvis Recaptures Cannoli Crown in Little Italy","createdAt":"2005-09-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Edward Cookie Jarvis delivered an emphatic performance at the International Cannoli Eating Championship that was held today at the 78th Annual Feast of San Gennaro in New York's Little Italy.\r\n\r\nNearly 1,000 festival goers watched and cheered as Tim Janus, Brian Subich, Tim Holden, Crazy Legs Conti and others battled the big man for the cannoli crown.\r\n\r\nBut Cookie held the lead throughout, confident and steadfast. After six minutes he had consumed 26 large cannoli -- the good kind, the kind made by the best Italian bakery in town, Ferrara's on Mulberry Street.\r\n\r\n\"What a way to kick off the feast,\" exclaimed Bob Liff, who calls himself the world's greatest eating fan. \"I am the world's greatest eating fan and this contest is the highlight of my year.\"\r\n\r\nThe 78th Annual Feast of San Gennaro will runs through Sunday, September 25, 2005. Presented annually since 1996 by Figli di San Gennaro, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, this year’s Feast will again bring more than 1 million people to the streets of Little Italy in the annual salute to the Patron Saint of Naples. The street festivities include parades, entertainment and food stands.\r\n\r\nThe 2005 Feast of San Gennaro will be bringing the world to Little Italy, and Little Italy to the world,\" said Frank Macchiarola, President of Figli di San Gennaro, Inc. \"It is a time for remembrance and reconciliation, and a time for celebration. The good food, the free musical entertainment and the excitement will all be there.\"\r\n\r\nIt seems clear now that sweet-eating specialist Cookie Jarvis (a man-mountain of Italian descent) is the greatest cannoli eater of all time. While some fans think Badlands Booker is the greatest, it would appear that they haven't looked at the numbers because Cookie holds the record with 26, the most ever eaten in six minutes.\r\n\r\nMuch to the pleasure of the crowd, Badlands was on hand for the event. He rapped a little and also passed the Championship belt to his pal Cookie."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eae","sn":302,"title":"Resurgent Booker Dominates in Nashville","createdAt":"2005-09-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Fresh off his victory over a talented field including Sonya Thomas at the National Buffalo Wing Festival, Eric ‘Badlands’ Booker continued his hot streak by eating 44 Krystals at the Tennessee State Fair on Sunday. Booker earns a spot in the Nov. 19 Krystal World Hamburger Eating Championship in Chattanooga, TN, where $22,500 will be on the line.\r\n\r\n“Booker devoured the Krystals with the tenacity of Ray Lewis and the grace of Baryshnikov,” said Richard Shea, president of the IFOCE. \r\n\r\nUpstart gurgitator Pat Bertoletti took second place with an impressive 28 Krystals, while Donkey Kong Zakerski finished third with 24.\r\n\r\nFor additional information on the 2005 Krystal Square Off visit www.krystal.com \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eac","sn":301,"title":"Verizon Chicken Wing Circuit Begins Next Month","createdAt":"2005-09-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Verizon has announced it will host the \"Verizon VoiceWing Battle\" chicken wing eating circuit next month. The battle will feature three qualifiers leading up to a final championship and offering a total $14,000 in prize money throughout the circuit. The top five finishers in each qualifier will be offered a seat at the championship event which takes place November 12 in Boston. \r\n\r\nQualifiers for the Verizon VoiceWing Battle are Oct. 1 in Seattle, WA, Oct. 15 in San Francisco, CA, and Oct. 29 in Washington D.C. There will be $2,500 in prize money going to the top three finishers at each qualifier ($1,500, $750, $250), and $6,500 up for grabs at the championship ($3,500, $1,500, $1,000, $500).\r\n\r\nThis is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will be handling registration. To enter you must be 18 or over and can visit the contest page."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ead","sn":300,"title":"Thomas Defeats Chestnut at Krystal Square Off, $5,000 Raised in Chattanooga","createdAt":"2005-09-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"After being handed back-to-back defeats in wings and waffles - at the hands of men - The Black Widow struck back in Chattanooga.\r\n\r\nThe first of the year's Krystal Square Offs took place today pitting Chestnut and Thomas against one another for the second time in as many days. The two went Krystal for Krystal throughout the eight-minute contest, but in the end it was Sonya Thomas who came away the victor. She also set a new American hamburger record by downing 57 Krystals. Chestnut consumed 56 Krystals.\r\n\r\nThe event, which took place in front of a sell out crowd at Bellsouth Stadium, generated $5,000 in donations for disaster relief directly from Krystal Company and also from generous eaters and fans. In all, the IFOCE helped raise $25,000 during the weekend to fight hunger and provide relief for all those suffering in America's Gulf Coast.\r\n\r\nFounded in 1932, Krystal restaurants have become more than sparkling-clean eateries where friendly employees serve up fresh, indulgently delicious food. Krystal has become a cultural icon and an experience that virtually every man, woman and child in the South has shared. Nearly everyone in the region has a Krystal memory. The Krystal brand and the great food, service, value and setting that it represents has taken a prominent place in the South’s cultural landscape. The Krystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the South and the second oldest in the United States. The Chattanooga, Tenn.-based company currently has more than 420 restaurants in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. For more information, visit www.krystal.com. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eab","sn":298,"title":"Chestnut Defeats Thomas at Waffle House, Dontates $2,500 to Gulf Coast","createdAt":"2005-09-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joey Chestnut beat the number-one-ranked American, Sonya Thomas, in Stone Mountain, GA, by eating 18 1/2 eight-ounce Waffle House waffles in 10 minutes. Thomas consumed 18 Waffle House waffles to place second and Patrick Bertoletti ate 11 to place third.\r\n\r\nAlong with the title of Waffle House World Waffle Eating Champion, Chestnut won $5,000. He promptly donated $2,500 to victims of Hurricane Katrina. Waffle House donated $10,000 to hurricane victims as part of the event, which was held in front of the enormous stone ediface at Stone Mountain Park."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ea9","sn":297,"title":"Booker, LeFevre, Jarvis","createdAt":"2005-09-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Road Report: Buffalo & Denver\r\n\r\nIn a stunning, career performance Eric Badlands Booker took the National Buffalo Wing Eating Championship at Drew Cerza's Buffalo Wing Festival. Badlands ate 137 wings to beat top-ranked Sonya Thomas as well as the legendary Edward Cookie Jarvis of Long Island.\r\n\r\nOut west, Richard LeFevre took the GoldenPalace.com regional in Denver by consuming 21 grilled cheese sandwiches. Ron Koch, America's eater, did 19 and Donavan Busta followed for third. \r\n\r\nOn Sunday, Ed Jarvis won the Buffalo Wing Festival's Buffet competition, edging out local favorite Jim Reeves.\r\n\r\nDo not forget to give! Visit ifoceGIVES at the homepage to aid our friends in the Gulf States. \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eaa","sn":296,"title":"IFOCE Events Raise $16,000 for Disaster Relief Efforts","createdAt":"2005-08-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The IFOCE has announced that it will use upcoming eating contest events as a platform to raise money for disaster relief efforts on the Gulf Coast. \r\n\r\nThe IFOCE and event sponsors will donate money to America's Second Harvest and the American Red Cross, and audience members and participants will be encouraged to donate as well.\r\n\r\nSo far the effort has raised more than $16,000 through donations by Waffle House Restaurants, Krystal Hamburgers, the National Buffalo Wing Festival, GoldenPalace.com and the IFOCE.\r\n\r\nWaffle House Restaurants donated $10,000 to kick off fundraising events at its upcoming weekend event in Atlanta.\r\n\r\nThe National Buffalo Wing Festival, which occurs in Buffalo on Labor Day Weekend, will run a large-scale fundraising effort. The festival and the IFOCE already have raised more than $3,000 for disaster relief and plan to raise significant additional funds.\r\n\r\nBig Brian Subich, who will compete in Buffalo over the weekend, has started a $1 per chicken wing pledge drive and leading an effort among other eaters to raise additional fudning during the weekend.\r\n\r\nKrystal Hamburgers is donating $1 for every Krystal hamburger eaten during 2:00 minute preliminary rounds this weekend and Monday's contest at Lookouts Stadium, and GoldenPalace.com is donating as well.\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE recently launched a $50,000 fundraising campaign, ifoceGIVES, to assist hunger-related charities in the United States and beyond. Proceeds from this fundraising campaign will be dedicated to relief organizations assisting in Hurricane Katrina disaster relief.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eaf","sn":295,"title":"Janus Sets New Record at GoldenPalace.net Event","createdAt":"2005-08-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Tim Janus set a new world record of 31 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes at the Nebraska State Fair, winning $1,000 and replacing Sonya Thomas as leader in the hunt for the GoldenPalace.net $20,000 world record bonus.\r\n\r\nJanus topped Thomas' previous records of 25 and 21.5 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes at events in Los Angeles and San Diego. Placing second in Nebraska was Mike Nafziger, who consumed 14 grilled cheese sandwiches to earn $750, and placing third was Jason Smith, who ate 13 1/2 for $250.\r\n\r\nThomas, who has dominated the circuit during 2004 and 2005, has had several tight matches recently against rookie Joey Chestnut. This latest performance by Janus shows that the competition at the top of the game is closer than many thought."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3eb5","sn":294,"title":"LeFevres Dominate at Bluffs Run","createdAt":"2005-08-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Bluffs Run World Smoked Pork Eating Championship was won by Richard LeFevre, who consumed 7 lbs and one ounce of smoked pork. In second place was Carlene LeFevre, Rich's beautiful wife, who downed 5 pounds and 9 ounces of the savory meat. Third place was taken by Larry McNeil, who ate well, but finished more than a pound behind Carlene.\r\n\r\nRich LeFevre earned $2,000 with the win, helping him to maintain his position as one of the IFOCE's top earners. Carlene takes $1,000 and McNeil earns $500."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ea3","sn":290,"title":"Road Report: Midway Slots","createdAt":"2005-08-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Michael Castellano reports from Midway Slots on August 21st, the crabcake results:\r\n\r\nIn third place with 32 three-ounce crab cakes in 12 minutes, Tim Janus. \r\n\r\nIn second place, with 38 crabcakes is San Jose's Joey Chestnut. \r\n\r\nAnd with 40 crabcakes for the win, Sonya Thomas.\r\n\r\n\"The last two minutes defined this event,\" says Castellano. \"Never walk away from the slots you've been feeding for ten minutes, throw a few more coins in and you may just hit the money.\"\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ea4","sn":292,"title":"Bertoletti Wins GoldenPalace.net Grilled Cheese-Eating Contest","createdAt":"2005-08-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"More than 4,000 fans watched in awe as newcomer Patrick Bertoletti, aka Big Shoulders, won his first IFOCE event by downing 21.5 grilled cheeses, the same number eaten several weeks ago by Sonya Thomas.\r\n\r\nThe youthful Bertoletti beat world sweet corn eating champion and Florida's top-ranked eater, Jammin' Joe LaRue, who consumed 18 snadwiches to place second. Another newcomer, T. Brown, ate 15 for third.\r\n\r\n\"Bertoletti,\" said a stunned Dave Baer. \"Bertoletti.\""}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ea6","sn":291,"title":"Jarvis Wins Pizza-Eating Title at NJ Tomato Fest","createdAt":"2005-08-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Ed Cookie Jarvis continues to impress in the second half of 2005 with a win in the Pizza Contest at the New Jersey Tomato Festival. Jarvis downed two full pies and two generous bites to win a modest prize of $500. \r\n\r\nJarvis was followed by Bob Shoudt, once known as the Peisastratus of Pie, who consumed one and two thirds pies. (The large NYPD Pizza pies were cut into six slices. Shoudt consumed one full pizza and just under four slices.)\r\n\r\nNJ fans flocked to be near Pat from Moonachie, who placed third with one and one half pies, or one pie and three slices. Pat was introduced amid a frenzied dance number featuring more than a dozen professional dancers.\r\n\r\nAlso performing well were BB Seiken and newcomer Lou Chimento. Thousands attended the 2005 New Jersey Tomato Festival at the Camden Waterfront overlooking the Battleship New Jersey and the Philadelphia skyline.\r\n\r\nIn the crowd was Philly/Southern Jersey champion El Wingador Simmons, who beat Sonya Thomas at the WIP Wingbowl last winter in a controversial and highly dramatic match. Simmons will soon open a restaurant only minutes from the Camden Waterfront.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ea1","sn":289,"title":"Saratoga Nathan's Contest Cancelled","createdAt":"2005-08-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Contest scheduled for Sunday, August 21, in Saratoga, NY, has been cancelled."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ea2","sn":288,"title":"Shoudt Takes GoldenPalace Illinois Qualifier","createdAt":"2005-08-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Bob Shoudt triumphed in Saturday’s qualifier of the GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship at the Illinois State Fair. \r\n\r\nShoudt, showing off his roots as a social but not competitive vegetarian, devoured 18 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes. Placing second was Patrick Bertoletti, and finishing third was Frank Wach. \r\n\r\n“Winning a dairy-based contest truly shows Shoudt’s versatility as a competitive eater,” said George Shea of the IFOCE.\r\n\r\nShoudt not only pockets $1,000 for his victory, but earns a spot in the GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship, where $20,000 will be on the line. \r\n\r\nThe GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship circuit now rolls on to Detroit. The next qualifier will be held on Sunday, August 21, 2005 at the Michigan State Fair. Spots are still available, and interested competitors over the age of 18 should sign up online or call 212-627-5766.\r\n\r\nIf you would like to learn more about GoldenPalace.net click here.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e9f","sn":286,"title":"Thomas Maine Lobster Eating Champion","createdAt":"2005-08-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas broke her own world lobster-eating record, consuming 11.3 pounds of Maine lobster meat, the equivalent of 44 lobsters, in 12 minutes to win the World Lobster Eating Contest in Kennebunkport, Maine.\r\n\r\nCrazy Legs Conti, who last year showed excellence in this discipline, placed second with 6.7 pounds, or 32 lobsters. Badlands Booker ate 5.1 pounds, or 25 lobsters, to place third.\r\n\r\nThe event was hosted by John Hathaway, founder of the world Lobster Eating Festival and proprietor of the Simply Maine Lobster Company."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e9e","sn":285,"title":"Road Report: Sturgis Rally","createdAt":"2005-08-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Walter Hamilton devoured 12 grilled cheese sandwiches in front of thousands of cheering bikers in Sturgis, SD to win a qualifer of the 2005 GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship. Hamilton wins $1,000, and earns a spot in the GoldenPalace.net Finals, where $20,000 will be on the line.\r\n\r\nSteve Nowak and Rob Rolls Boyce finished second and third, winning $500 and $250 respectively.\r\n\r\nThe GoldenPalace.com circuit now moves on to the Illinois State Fair on Saturday, August 13 and the Michigan State Fair on Sunday, August 21. If you are 18 and over and would like to register for other GoldenPalace.net grilled cheese click here."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ea0","sn":284,"title":"GoldenPalace.net Grilled Cheese Eating Championship Circuit Registration","createdAt":"2005-08-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Registration for GoldenPalace.cnet World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship Circuit events can now be found here "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ea8","sn":283,"title":"Krystal Square Off to Deliver $22,500","createdAt":"2005-08-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The top eaters of the famous hot, small, square Krystal Hamburger will walk away with some serious cold, hard cash at the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship, which begins its qualifying circuit this Labor Day and culminates with the main event on Nov. 19 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Announced today, fast food icon Krystal has boosted the total cash purse for this year’s event to a colossal $22,500, an increase from last year’s previously unrivaled $17,500. \r\n\r\nLike 2004’s inaugural championship, which was won by the world’s number one-ranked eater Takeru Kobayashi (69 Krystal hamburgers in eight minutes), the winner this year will receive a $10,000 cash prize along with the coveted Krystal Square Off World Champion’s Belt and the Champion’s Trophy made out of crystal. The runner-up and third place finishers will also once again take home sizeable paychecks of $5,000 and $2,500, respectively, but new this year will be a full-field payout, with all 15 contenders in this year’s main event receiving a cash prize. On the line for the remaining finalists are the following payouts: 4th - $1,250; 5th - $1,000; 6th - $750; 7th - $500; 8th - $400; 9th - $300; 10th and 11th - $200; and 12th thru 15th - $100.\r\n\r\n“In its inaugural year, the Krystal Square Off was instantly hailed as one of the majors in the sport and we matched the excitement by offering what was the largest cash purse in competitive eating. For 2005, we’re going even bigger, awarding every single one of our finalists a share of the $22,500 prize pool,” said Mike Williams, vice president of marketing, The Krystal Company. \r\n\r\nThe Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship is the first and only hamburger eating world championship sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), the governing body for all stomach-centric sports and the organization that has transformed gustatory battles into a worldwide craze. \r\n\r\nThe road to the final table starts this Labor Day in Chattanooga with the first of 11 regional qualifiers, and the competition will be fierce from the start as the number-two-ranked eater, Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas of Alexandria, Va., is expected to be among the competitors at the Chattanooga qualifier. From there, the circuit will criss-cross six states, from Texas to Florida, pitting all of the world’s best competitive eaters against the lifelong Krystal fans who took the sensational sport by storm last fall. Winners of the qualifiers will earn a seat at the final table of the world championship event on Nov. 19, and will be competing for their share of one of the largest cash purses ever offered on the U.S. competitive eating circuit. \r\n\r\n“Just as it is for the indomitable Lance Armstrong and the always-masterful Tiger Woods, the greats of competitive eating are driven by the thrill of the competition, the unrelenting quest to be the best, and a pure love for the sport. But it never hurts when there’s also some cold, hard cash on the line,” said Dave Baer, IFOCE. “With the payouts this year, especially for the top 5 places, we expect one of the fiercest contests in IFOCE history.”\r\n\r\nKrystal’s Mike Williams added, “Not everyone has a chance to ride alongside Armstrong at the Tour de France or tee off at the British Open with Tiger Woods, but at the Krystal Square Off, lifelong fans of the Krystal hamburger, who pride themselves on their ability to put them away by the sackful, can stand should-to-shoulder on the same stage with the best in the world and perhaps walk away with a share of the money, or maybe even a champion.”\r\n\r\nIndividuals interested in competing in the 2005 Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship can find the most up-to-date information at www.krystal.com. As an officially sanctioned IFOCE event, all registration for the qualifying contests will be handled by the IFOCE through the Krystal website. Participants must be 18 years or over.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ea5","sn":282,"title":"KRYSTAL TOUR DATES","createdAt":"2005-08-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Chattanooga, Tenn., August 8, 2005 – Fast food icon Krystal, along with the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), announced today the 11 host cities and dates for the official qualifying circuit of the 2005 Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship. The winner of each regional qualifier will earn one of the coveted seats at the world championship final table on Nov. 19, 2005 in Chattanooga, Tenn., where they will compete for a share of the $22,500 cash purse. As last year’s champion with 69 Krystal Hamburgers in eight minutes, Takeru Kobayashi, the world’s number-one-ranked eater, has received an automatic seat at the main event.\r\n\r\nOne of the majors in the sport of competitive eating and the only world hamburger-eating championship officially sanctioned by the IFOCE, the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship will kick off once again with its first regional qualifier on Labor Day, Sept. 5, in Chattanooga, and will then crisscross six states, from Texas to Florida, pitting the world’s best competitive eaters against the lifelong Krystal lovers who took the sensational sport by storm last fall. \r\n\r\nThe schedule for the 2005 Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship is as follows:\r\n\r\nSeptember 5\t\r\nChattanooga, TN \t\r\nBellSouth Park/Lookouts Baseball Game \r\n(Preliminary rounds: Sept. 2 @ Univ. of Tenn. at Chattanooga; Sept. 3 @ Tenn. Aquarium Plaza; and Sept. 4 at Lookouts Baseball Game)\r\n\r\nSeptember 11\t\r\nNashville, TN \t\r\nTennessee State Fair\r\n(Preliminary rounds: Sept. 9-10 @ Tenn. State Fair)\r\n\t \r\nSeptember 18 \t\r\nAtlanta, GA \t\r\nGwinnett County Fair\r\n(Preliminary rounds: Sept. 16-17 @ Gwinnett County Fair)\r\n\r\nSeptember 25\t\r\nMemphis, TN\t\r\nMid-South Fair\t\r\n(Preliminary rounds: Sept. 23-24 @ Mid-South Fair)\r\n\r\nOctober 2 \t\r\nDallas-Forth Worth, TX \t\r\nTexas State Fair \r\n(Preliminary rounds: Oct. 1 @ Carrolton Krystal Location)\r\n\r\nOctober 9\t\r\nMacon, GA\t\r\nGeorgia National Fair \r\n(Preliminary rounds: Oct. 7-8 @ Georgia National Fair)\r\n\r\nOctober 16\t\r\nJackson, MS\t\r\nMississippi State Fair\r\n(Preliminary rounds: Oct. 14-15 @ Mississippi Fair)\t \r\n\r\nOctober 23\t\r\nBirmingham, AL\t\r\nGreater Alabama Fall Fair\r\n(Preliminary rounds: Oct. 21-22 @ Greater Ala. Fall Fair)\r\n\r\nOctober 30\t\r\nSavannah, GA\t\r\nCoastal Empire Fair\r\n(Preliminary rounds: Oct. 28-29 @ Coastal Empire Fair)\r\n\r\nNovember 6\t\r\nJacksonville, FL\t\r\nGreater Jacksonville Fair\r\n(Preliminary rounds: Nov. 4-5 @ Greater Jacksonville Fair)\t \r\n\r\nNovember 13\t\r\nKnoxville, TN\r\nWest Town Mall\r\n(Preliminary rounds: Nov. 11-12 @ Cumberland Ave. Krystal location)\r\n\r\nNovember 19\t\r\nChattanooga, TN \r\nWorld Championship Finals at the First Tennessee Pavilion\r\n\r\n\t\r\nIndividuals interested in competing in the 2005 Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship can find the most up-to-date information at www.krystal.com. As an officially sanctioned IFOCE event, all registration for the qualifying contests will be handled by the IFOCE through the Krystal website. Participants must be 18 years or over.\r\n\r\nFounded in 1932, Krystal restaurants have become more than sparkling-clean eateries where friendly employees serve up fresh, indulgently delicious food. Krystal has become a cultural icon and an experience that virtually every man, woman and child in the South has shared. Nearly everyone in the region has a Krystal memory. The Krystal brand and the great food, service, value and setting that it represents has taken a prominent place in the South’s cultural landscape. The Krystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the South and the second oldest in the United States. The Chattanooga, Tenn.-based company currently has more than 420 restaurants in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. For more information, visit www.krystal.com. \r\n\r\nThe IFOCE, the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 70 events annually, including the Nathan's Famous International Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY. The competitive eating community, which numbers more than 3,000 veteran and rookie athletes, travels the nation in search of top titles such as the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger-Eating Champion\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e9d","sn":281,"title":"Johnsonville Brats -- Now That's a lot of Brats","createdAt":"2005-08-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"History was made in Wisconsin at the Johnsonville Brat eating contest when Sonya Thomas downed 35 of the favorites, obliterating the previous record of 19 brats set last year.\r\n\r\nWhile it was no surprise that the previous record would be nearly doubled, some were shocked to see how close Joey Chestnut of San Jose was to Sonya Thomas. Chestnut led the contest twice and followed close in the final minute, losing out to Thomas by only one half a brat and finishing with a remarkable 34 and 1/2.\r\n\r\nIFOCE host George Shea said the contest was the most emotional thing he'd experienced since the birth of his children.\r\n\r\nRichard LeFevre impressed with 30 while Tim Janus notched up 22 1/2. Bob Shoudt consumed 20 2/3 and Frank Wach ate 19 1/2. Carlene LeFevre and 19-year-old newcomer Patrick Bertoletti at 18 1/2 to tie for seventh place.\r\n\r\nA total of six eaters broke or tied the 2004 record with the rest of the eaters finishing just behind. While the IFOCE's top eaters were not all in attendance (Booker, Jarvis and others were unable to make the trip), the numbers obliterated previous efforts.\r\n\r\nThe contest was held on August 6 as part of the annual Johnsonville Brat Days at Kiwanis Park in Sheboygan, WI, hosted by the Sheboygan Jaycees and Johnsonville Sausage. The world championship featured a total of $11,000 in prize money (with $4,000 going to first place). There was also an amateur competition which showcased Wisconsin's best brat eaters."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e99","sn":278,"title":"Black Widow Sonya Thomas Wins GoldenPalace.net Grilled Cheese Eating Contest","createdAt":"2005-08-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas of Alexandria, VA, won the first in a series of 15 GoldenPalace.net grilled cheese eating contests in San Diego, CA, downing 21.5 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes. Thomas' personal best in the grilled cheese discipline is 25.\r\n\r\nPlacing second was Richard LeFevre with 20 grilled cheese sandwiches and third was Carlene LeFevre with 15. Ron Hizzoner Koch, one of the most beloved eaters on the circuit and an incredibly accomplished photographer, tied with Carlene for third place. \r\n\r\n\"I recall the incredible showdown between Carlene and Ron during the Alka Seltzer US Open of Competitive Eating,\" said Nancy Goldstein of the IFOCE. \"It would appear a rivalry is established as Ron has proven himself a force to be reckoned within a very short period of time on the circuit.\""}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e9a","sn":277,"title":"Reeves Tops LeFevre to Take Watermelon Eating Contest","createdAt":"2005-08-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Buffalo Jim Reeves achieved an impressive victory at the Brookville Community Picnic in Ohio, besting number-three-ranked Richard LeFevre by eating more than 13 pounds of watermelon in 15 minutes.\r\n\r\nPlacing third, in what has also been hailed as a major accomplishment, was Patrick Bertoletti, a rising eater who consumed just under 13 pounds of melon in the contest.\r\n\r\nReeves, fresh off of impressive performances in the Alka-Seltzer US Open of Competitive Eating and the Nathan's Famous hot dog circuit, continued at a steady pace throughout the grueling 15-minute match. Meanwhile, many of the other eaters slowed or stopped.\r\n\r\nAfter more than a year of near-dominance, Lefevre has experienced a few hiccups on the circuit lately, including losses to newcomers Joey Chestnut and Tim Janus. Nonetheless, LeFevre has accumulated a significant number of titles and the accompanying prize money."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e9b","sn":280,"title":"GoldenPalace.net Grilled Cheese Circuit Dates Announced","createdAt":"2005-08-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"GoldenPalace.net has announced dates for the GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship Circuit. Each event will feature a total of $1,750 in prize money with an additional $20,000 up for grabs for eaters competing in the 15-contest circuit.\r\n\r\nFull registration will be available at IFOCE.com. You must be 18 years or over to compete. Contestants can only register for three contests, and once you have won a contest you can not compete in any other contests in the circuit.\r\n\r\nAugust 3 - Tony Gwynn Stadium\r\nSan Diego, CA\r\n\r\nAugust 10 - Buffalo Chip Campground\r\nSturgis, SD\r\n\r\nAugust 13 - Illinois State Fair\r\nSpringfield, IL\r\n\r\nAugust 21 - Michigan State Fair\r\nDetroit, MI\r\n\r\nAugust 27 - Nebraska State Fair\r\nLincoln, NE\r\n\r\nAugust 27 - Colorado State Fair\r\nPueblo, CO\r\n\r\nSeptember 3 - Taste of Colorado Festival\r\nDenver, CO\r\n\r\nSeptember 17 - Utah State Fair\r\nSalt Lake City, UT\r\n\r\nSeptember 17 - Oklahoma State Fair\r\nOklahoma City, OK\r\n\r\nOctober 10 - Southern California Fair\r\nLake Perris, CA\r\n\r\nOctober 14 - South Carolina State Fair\r\nColumbus, SC\r\n\r\nOctober 17 - North Carolina State Fair\r\nRaleigh, NC\r\n\r\nOctober 22 - Arizona State Fair\r\nPhoenix, AZ\r\n\r\nTBD: Chicago, IL\r\n\r\nTBD: Mall of America\r\nMinneapolis, MN"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e9c","sn":279,"title":"World Maine Lobster Eating Championship","createdAt":"2005-08-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Kennebunkport, Maine, will host the second annual World Lobster-Eating Festival on Saturday, August 13, 2005, from noon to 5 p.m. The event-filled festival will feature a full day of Maine lobster competitions, live entertainment and affordable Maine Lobster concessions for families and individuals of all ages.\r\n\r\nA highlight of the festival will be the Fresh Main Lobster Co.’s World Lobster-Eating Championship, sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE). A field of both professional and local eaters will compete, assisted by expert lobster “crackers” who will support the eaters as caddies support golfers.\r\n\r\nWorld champion lobster-eater Sonya Thomas is expected to defend her championship title and possession of “The Claw,” the coveted championship belt of lobster-eating supremacy, against the world’s best competitive eaters. Last year, Thomas consumed 38 Maine lobsters in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\nAlso expected to attend are cannoli and cheesecake eating champion Badlands Booker, French fry and ice cream champion Ed ‘Cookie’ Jarvis and lumberjack breakfast champion Crazy Legs Conti. There are still spots available, and those over 18 who wish to enter can call (212) 627-5766 or register online on the contest page. \r\n\r\nThe World Lobster-Eating Festival will also feature the Maine State Amateur Championship which is open to anyone over the age of 18, registration available on site.\r\n\r\n“There is no question that the world’s best lobster comes from Maine,” said festival founder and Kennebunkport Lobster Company owner John Hathaway. “The World Lobster Eating Festival will celebrate Maine and its heritage as the home of the lobster. ” \r\n\r\nAvailable for purchase at the festival will be fresh, homemade Maine specialties offered for bargain prices: $10 Maine lobster dinners, lobster rolls, grilled lobster tails, award winning Maine lobster stew and clam chowder, wild blueberry pie, strawberry shortcake on cream cheese biscuits and whoopie pies. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages also will be sold.\r\n\r\nLive music will be provided by recording artist Don Campbell and his band, one of New England’s leading bands. \r\n\r\nWorld Lobster-Eating Festival:\r\nDate: \t\tSaturday, August 13, 2005\r\nTime: \t\tNoon to 5 p.m.\r\n\r\nLocation: \t4 Western Ave.\r\nPerformance Marina at the bridge in Kennebunkport, Maine\r\n\t\tNext to the world famous Clam Shack and Federal Jack’s\r\nAdmission: \t$5 (Free for those under 10)\r\n\r\nOn-site parking is available. \r\nFestival information is available at www.worldlobsterfest.com. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e98","sn":276,"title":"GoldenPalace.net Grilled Cheese Sandwich Tour Begins","createdAt":"2005-08-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The pursuit for America’s Grilled Cheese-Eating championship title begins today as the nation’s leading competitive eaters gather in San Diego, CA, for the first stop of the GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese-Eating Championship circuit.\r\n\r\nThe contest will be held at Tony Gwynn Stadium and followed by the Golden Baseball League game between the San Diego Surf Dawgs and the Japan Samurai Bears. \r\n\r\nEaters in San Diego will vie for $1,750 in prizes. An additional $20,000 is up for grabs for the eaters competing in GoldenPalace.com’s 15-contest circuit, which will make stops in Detroit, Denver, and Chicago, among other cities.\r\n\r\nThe current GoldenPalace.net Grilled Cheese world record holder is Sonya Thomas, the top ranked eater in America, who devoured 25 Grilled Cheese Sandwiches in 10 minutes on February 12, 2005 at the inaugural GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese-Eating Championship.\r\n\r\n“With the nation-wide demand that we’ve received regarding our celebrated sandwich,” explained Richard Rowe, CEO of GoldenPalace.com, “We figured that the San Diego event would be a great way to bring the Virgin Mary Grilled Cheese Sandwich to the people who enjoy Americana pop culture.”\r\n\r\nThe San Diego Surf Dawgs are led by future Hall-of-Famer Ricky Henderson, and the team is managed by four-time MLB all star Terry Kennedy. The Samurai Bears are the first all-Japanese team to play in an American league and are managed by former MLB great Warren Cormartie.\r\n\r\nThe International Federation of Competitive Eating will handle registration for all GoldenPalace.net events. Participants over the age of 18 should call (212) 627-5766 or register at www.ifoce.com.\r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ea7","sn":293,"title":"Eaters Book Passage for Buffalo Wing Festival","createdAt":"2005-08-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Joe LaRue, Jim Reeves, Sonya Thomas and Crazy Legs Conti are among the eaters headed to Buffalo on Labor Day Weekend for the U.S. Buffalo Wing-Eating Championship at the fourth annual National Buffalo Wing Festival in Dunn Tire Park in Buffalo, NY.\r\n\r\nThomas, the top-ranked American eater, returns to defend her title. She has issued a standing invite for Bill Simmons to attend the event for a wing re-match. (Simmons beat Thomas in what some have said was a controversial call in Philadelphia's WingBowl.)\r\n\r\nBuffalo’s own Jim Reeves, a multi-discipline eater and local favorite, will come to the event after a strong 2005 season.\r\n\r\nThe 12-minute, all-you-can-eat contest will be sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating. This is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle all registration through ifoce.com. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.\r\n\r\nThe 4th Annual National Buffalo Wing Festival, which will be held at on Labor Day weekend, is expected to draw more than 50,000 chicken wing aficionados to the City of Buffalo. This year, the three-year-old festival will proudly serve its one millionth chicken wing. \r\n\r\nThe festival will feature the America’s Best Wings competition as well as the Mega Car and Truck Show, Baby Wing Contest, Miss Buffalo Wing Pageant and the official Running of the Chickens. Attendees will also have the opportunity to try more than 100 different varieties of Buffalo wings from eateries across the nation.\r\n\r\nFor more info visit www.buffalowing.com\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e96","sn":275,"title":"Kobayashi Takes Alka-Seltzer US Open of Competitive Eating","createdAt":"2005-07-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Takeru Kobayashi of Japan won the Alka-Seltzer US Open of Competitive Eating, a three-day, three-hour elimination tournament on ESPN, to earn $10,000 and the coveted crystal Alka-Seltzer Cup.\r\n\r\nThe series, produced by the IFOCE, featured the world’s 32 top eaters. Placing second in the event and earning $5,000 was Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas of Alexandria, VA.\r\n\r\nSharing places three and four were Cookie Jarvis and Tim Janus, both of whom earned $2,500 for their effort. A total of $40,000 in prize money was on the line in the event, which will re-air on ESPN and ESPN2.\r\n\r\n\"This event represented the best eating talent in the world,\" said George Shea. \"It was a hard-fought battle that produced some notable upsets, but Kobayashi and Thomas proved once again why they lead the pack in this highly competitive discipline.\"\r\n\r\nHighlights of the 32-eater elimination tournament included Kobayashi devouring a stunning 13 lbs of spaghetti in 14 minutes; Eater X defeating Rich ‘The Locust’ LeFevre; Cookie Jarvis continuing his impressive run by defeating Eric ‘Badlands’ Booker in the quarterfinals; and Booker surprisingly being pushed to the brink of elimination in his first round match against tri-athlete Chris Coble, winning the 5:00 minute cheese fry eating contest by just one ounce.\r\n\r\nIn all, over $40,000 in prize money was awarded, broken down as follows:\r\n\r\n$10,000: Takeru Kobayashi\r\n$5,000: Sonya Thomas\r\n$2,500: Cookie Jarvis\r\n$2,500: Eater X\r\n$1,250: Rich LeFevre\r\n$1,250: Badlands Booker\r\n$1,250: Ron Koch\r\n$1,250: Sam Vise\r\n$750: Jed Donahue\r\n$750: Joe LaRue\r\n$750: Levi Oliver\r\n$750: Leon Feingold\r\n$750: Brian Subich\r\n$750: Dale Boone\r\n$750: Carlene LeFevre\r\n$750: Oleg Zhornitsky\r\n$500: Scott Sayer\r\n$500: Bob Shoudt\r\n$500: Joey Chestnut\r\n$500: Frank Wach\r\n$500: Ed Taboada\r\n$500: Shredder Goldstein\r\n$500: Jim Reeves\r\n$500: Chris Coble\r\n$500: Hall Hunt\r\n$500: Crazy Legs Conti\r\n$500: Carson Hughes\r\n$500: Donovan Busta\r\n$500: Pit Pendleton\r\n$500: Randy Harrison\r\n$500: Don Lerman\r\n$500: Kevin Carr\r\n$500: Brian Seiken\r\n$500: Lynn Curley\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE wishes to thank Alka-Seltzer and the ESPN Zone for their enormous support. The IFOCE wishes to thank the eaters, all of whom conducted themselves with the grace and fortitude of US Open champions. \r\n\r\n\r\nAbout Alka-Seltzer\r\nFor fast relief of heartburn, acid indigestion and pain turn to Alka-Seltzer, the fast acting relief that millions have relied on for over 70 years. Alka-Seltzer gently breaks up and dissolves away the full feeling of indigestion and pain fast. Its effervescent action extinguishes heartburn too. Alka-Seltzer provides more complete relief than Tums®, Mylanta® or Pepto-Bismol® and is faster than both Pepcid AC® and the leading prescription. When you experience acid indigestion, sour stomach, heartburn and pain trust Alka-Seltzer for relief of your symptoms. When you need fast relief, take Alka-Seltzer.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e93","sn":273,"title":"National Buffalo Wing Festival","createdAt":"2005-07-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Wing King Drew Cerza has announced that the U.S. Buffalo Wing-Eating Championship will be held at the fourth annual National Buffalo Wing Festival on Labor Day Weekend at Dunn Tire Park in Buffalo, NY, home of the chicken wing.\r\n\r\nThis year, the three-year-old festival will proudly serve its one millionth chicken wing. \r\n\r\nThe eating event is open to rookie and veteran eaters from throughout the nation and is likely to attract top gurgitators such as Badlands Booker, Jim Reeves, Sonya Thomas, Eater X Janus, Allen Goldstein and Oleg Zhornitskiy. \r\n\r\nThomas, the top-ranked American eater who is known as “The Black Widow,” has vowed to return to defend her title. She has issued a standing invite for Bill Simmons to attend the event for a wing re-match. Simmons beat Thomas in what some have said was a controversial call in Philadelphia's WingBowl.\r\n\r\nThomas, who holds titles in oysters, hard-boiled eggs and cheesecake, consumed 37 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes at Nathan's this year.\r\n\r\nOther likely top competitors is corn-on-the-cob eating veteran Joe LaRue of Florida and butter champion Don “Moses” Lerman. Buffalo’s own Jim Reeves, a multi-discipline eater and local favorite, will come to the event after a strong 2005 season.\r\n\r\nThe 12-minute, all-you-can-eat contest will be sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating. This is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle all registration through ifoce.com. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.\r\n\r\nThe 4th Annual National Buffalo Wing Festival, which will be held at on Labor Day weekend, is expected to draw more than 50,000 chicken wing aficionados to the City of Buffalo. The festival will feature the America’s Best Wings competition as well as the Mega Car and Truck Show, Baby Wing Contest, Miss Buffalo Wing Pageant and the official Running of the Chickens. Attendees will also have the opportunity to try more than 100 different varieties of Buffalo wings from eateries across the nation.\r\n\r\nFor more info visit www.buffalowing.com\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e94","sn":274,"title":"Johnsonville Brats Attract Top Talent to Sheboygan","createdAt":"2005-07-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Johnsonville Brat-Eating World Championship, an IFOCE-sanctioned competition sponsored by The Sheboygan Jaycees and Johnsonville Sausage, has attracted top eating talent to Sheboygan, Wisc.\r\n\r\nAmong the more than two dozen eaters signed for the event is Sonya Thomas, the Black Widow and the number-one ranked American.\r\n\r\nThe event, which takes place on August 6 as part of the annual Johnsonville Brat Days at the Kiwanis Park in Sheboygan, Wisc., will feature a total of $11,000 in prize money (with a $4,000 first prize).\r\n\r\nOther highlights of the festival, which runs August 4-6, 2005, include:\r\n\r\n· Rockers Night Ranger will be on-hand to headline the musical acts, performing on the main stage, Saturday, August 6 at XX p.m.\r\n\r\n· Author, television host and “grilling guru” Steven Raichlen will be on-hand sharing some of his best brat tips and tricks, along with other grilling knowledge\r\n\r\n· Festival favorites also return with the traditional and exotic brat creations, beer gardens, polka bands, stump fiddle contest and midway entertainment \r\n\r\n· Johnsonville’s massive Big Taste Grill, a converted semi truck sporting the world’s largest grill weighing in at 53,000 pounds and 65 feet long is able to cook 2,500 brats per hour\r\n\r\nThe first Brat Days festival was held in 1953 and has since provided brat lovers from all over the country with a one-of-a-kind brat experience. Brat Days is also the largest fundraiser for the Sheboygan Jaycees, having raised more than $150,000 over the last 10 years. Proceeds from the festival are returned to the community through organizations such as the Sheboygan Recreation Department, Above and Beyond Children’s Museum, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society.\r\n\r\nWisconsin-based Johnsonville Sausage is the number one national brand of brats, Italian sausage, smoked-cooked links and fresh breakfast sausage links. Johnsonville Sausage products are available in 39 countries including France, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Hong Kong, China and the United States. Johnsonville employs 1,000 members. Each of them takes ownership of product quality to ensure the excellence and \"Big Taste\" of Johnsonville Sausage. Founded in 1945 by Ralph F. & Alice Stayer, the company remains privately owned today.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e95","sn":269,"title":"Chestnut Delivers World Record Performance","createdAt":"2005-07-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"San Jose's Joey Chestnut broke the world rib eating record at Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City, OR by consuming 5 1/2 pounds of rib meat in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\nThe rib eating title previously had been held by Richard LeFevre of Nevada. LeFevre traveled to Lincoln City but failed to defend his title this year. He consumed 4.85 pounds for a second place finish. In third place was Scott \"The Pork Slayer\" Sayer of Oregon. The Slayer was followed by Carlene LeFevre and Isaac Parker, a local high school teacher who came in fifth.\r\n\r\n“This kid Chestnut looks to be real,” said Richard Shea of the IFOCE. \"He placed third at Nathan's on July 4th and now he unseats the veteran LeFevres in ribs. Chestnut is the one to watch as the fall circuits take shape.” \r\n\r\nThe Chinook Winds Casino is located at 1777 NW 44th Street in Lincoln City, OR. The eating extravaganza is part of the Chinook Winds’ “Smokin’ at the Ocean” food festival. There are spots available for the world championship and for an amateur contest on Saturday, July 16. This is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle all registration. Interested individuals (over 18 years of age) may sign up on the events page of the IFOCE website.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e92","sn":272,"title":"LeFevre With Harrah's Rib Win","createdAt":"2005-07-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The first annual Harrah’s Cherokee Rib Eating Contest title was accompanied by a hefty $5,000 in prize money broken down as follows: $2,000 for first place; $1,500 for second place; $1,000 for third place; $500 for fourth place.\r\n\r\nTensions ran high when two-minute runoffs were needed after the initial 12-minute contest to determine who would finish in the money.\r\n\r\nRich \"The Locust\" LeFevre took first place after a runoff off against Rookie of the Year Tim \"Eater X\" Janus. In the main event both tied with 3.75 lbs. of ribs. LeFevre took the title and $2,000 first place prize by eating a total of 4.81 lbs. of ribs in 14 minutes. Eater X downed 4.31 lbs. for second place.\r\n\r\nDale Boone took home third with 2.25 lbs. of ribs in 12 minutes, and newcomer Larry McNeill of Georgia edged out Crazy Legs Conti in a runoff for fourth.\r\n\r\nHarrah’s Cherokee is recognized as one of the premiere resorts in the Carolina area, and features an 80,000 square foot casino floor. It’s located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Cherokee, North Carolina. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel is an enterprise of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and is managed by Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. The casino opened in November 1997, and has opened two 15-story hotel towers since 2002. The casino also has a 1500 seat Pavilion featuring headliner entertainment, and four delicious restaurants. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e91","sn":270,"title":"Bacci Pizza Eating Contest Goes to LeFevre","createdAt":"2005-07-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The second installment of the Bacci World Pizza Eating Championship at Bacci Pizzeria in Schiller Park in Chicago drew big names. \r\n\r\nChicago's best turned up and put in good fight, but just couldn't take down The Locust in the end -- Rich LeFevre took first place and $1,500 by downing 7 1/2 Bacci jumbo slices of pizza in 15 minutes. LeFevre bested Sonya Thomas' world record by a full 1 1/2 slices.\r\n\r\nNewcomer Juan Carlos Nunez of Chicago came out of nowhere to win second and $750 by downing five jumbo Bacci slices. Patrick Bertoletti won third and $250 by eating 4 3/4 slices in 15 minutes, and Frank Wach came in fourth and took home a dvd player with 4 1/4 slices -also both from Chicago.\r\n\r\nBacci makes the finest pizza in Chicago, which many food lovers believe to be the finest pizza town in the world.\r\n\r\nEstablished in 1996, Bacci Pizzeria is family owned and operated by the DiDana Family. The original Bacci Pizzeria is located in the heart of Chicago's Little Italy on Taylor Street. Bacci Pizzeria offers homestyle cooking at reasonable prices. The pizza dough and pizza sauce are made fresh daily with only the best ingredients, and of course, Bacci’s very own recipes. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e8f","sn":268,"title":"Koby with 49, Thomas 37 -- Chestnut Surprises with 32","createdAt":"2005-07-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Takeru Kobayashi of Japan sucessfully defended his title at Nathan's Famous in Coney Island by consuming 49 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. Sonya Thomas, who ended with 37, was on Kobayashi's heels throughout the first half of the contest and clearly pushed him harder than any American ever has.\r\n\r\nThe big surprise of the day, however, was San Jose's Joey Chestnut, a rookie who shocked a field of veteran gurgitators by consuming 32 HDBs to earn third place. Chestnut started fast and maintained his pace throughout.\r\n\r\nCookie Jarvis of Long Island and Kenji Oguni of Japan tied for fourth with 29. The crowd at the corner of Surf and Stillwell was unbelievable -- an estimated 10,000 fans.\r\n\r\nThe Fuji Blimp hovered high over Nathan's as ESPN aired the event live with hosts Paul Page and Richard Shea. Page will team up with Richard Shea and his brother, George Shea, in late July for the Alka-Seltzer US Open of Competitive Eating.\r\n\r\nFull Results:\r\n1. Takeru Kobayashi - 49\r\n2. Sonya Thomas - 37\r\n3. Joey Chestnut - 32\r\n4. Kenji Oguni - 29\r\n4. Ed Jarvis - 29\r\n6. Rich LeFevre 25 1/2\r\n7. Carlene LeFevre - 25\r\n8. Ron Koch - 23\r\n9. Tim Janus - 22 1/2\r\n10. Eric Booker - 22\r\n10. Charles Hardy - 22\r\n12. Pat Philbin - 20\r\n13. Crazy Legs Conti - 19\r\n14. Joe LaRue - 18\r\n15. Don Lerman - 15\r\n16. Rob Burns - 10"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e90","sn":266,"title":"Krystal Championship Announced","createdAt":"2005-07-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Chattanooga, Tenn., July 1, 2005 – \r\n\r\nWhen Japan’s Takeru Kobayashi competed in the first ever Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship last November, the 26-year-old eating phenom arrived to the heart of the South as an interloper and left a world-record holder, stunning both the competitive eating world and a proud nation of Krystal hamburger-eating fanatics on their home turf by devouring 69 of the famous, fresh, hot, small, square hamburgers in just eight minutes. Now, lifelong lovers of the fast food icon’s signature hamburger are ready and hungry to settle the score, as The Krystal Company confirmed today initial details for the 2005 Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nAlready declared one of the “majors” in the sport of competitive eating and distinguished as the only world hamburger-eating championship officially sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), the Krystal Square Off will kick off once again on Labor Day, Sept. 5, in Chattanooga, with the first of 11 regional qualifying events. The qualifying circuit will criss-cross six states, from Texas to Florida, and will pit the world’s best competitive eaters against the lifelong Krystal fans who first took the sensational sport by storm last fall. \r\n\r\nWinners of the regional qualifiers will earn a seat at the final table of the world championship event, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 19 in Chattanooga, and will be competing for one of the largest cash purses offered on the U.S. competitive eating circuit. While the total money prize for this year’s main event will not be announced until later this summer, officials have confirmed that the purse will be larger than 2004’s unprecedented $17,500. \r\n\r\n“Last year, the Krystal Square Off was the new event on the competitive eating circuit, and it instantly captured the imagination and attention of Krystal lovers and competitive eaters everywhere with more than 1,700 people competing for the 14 coveted spots at the final table. In 2005, we expect an even bigger and more competitive field,” said Mike Williams, vice president of marketing, The Krystal Company. “The Krystal brand has always been about fun, friends and enjoying our one-of-a-kind big taste food in multiples, and the Krystal Square Off embodies all of this, plus the pride and loyalty people from all across the South have for the Krystal brand.” \r\n\r\nCommenting on the match-up between Krystal’s customers and the professional eaters who mostly reside outside Krystal country, Williams noted, “While the majority of our customers come out to the qualifiers simply to have fun, enjoy a few Krystals and watch and meet the pros, many of who have become household names, we do have a few talented customers with a special knack for putting away Krystals. Whereas last year they were fueled mainly by passion—and that alone got several to the finals, even upsetting a few of the pros—they’ve now had ample time to study and perfect the technical prowess necessary to compete, and perhaps, beat the world’s best.” \r\n\r\nAt last year’s debut Krystal Square Off, all of the IFOCE’s top eight ranked eaters, along with its #16 ranked eater, qualified for the main event, but the real story was how the amateurs took five of the 14 coveted spots. Local Krystal customers like Sam “Big Country” Vise of Union City, Tenn. earned seats by taking down top ranked eaters who boldly flew in to qualifying events with their pro stature in tow only to have it tossed aside like an empty Krystal box. Perhaps the most touted Krystal customer heading into the main event was Matt “The Psycho” Ward of Murfreesboro, Tenn., who gained an automatic entry into the final when he set the world sprint record in 2003 by putting away an astounding 21 Krystals in just two minutes.\r\n\r\nIn the end though, Takeru Kobayashi won convincingly, setting a new world hamburger-eating record by consuming 69 of the cult-craving, two and a half inch, square hamburgers in eight minutes. Kobayashi took home the top prize of $10,000 cash, the Krystal World Champion’s Belt and the champion’s crystal trophy. Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas, the 102-pound phenom from Alexandria, VA, took second place and $5,000 by eating 46 Krystal hamburgers.\r\n\r\n“The iconic stature of the Krystal burger, especially throughout the South, boosted participation to unparalleled heights and made last year’s debut one of the most highly competitive series we’ve seen anywhere in the world,” said Richard Shea, president of the IFOCE. “Now, with the worldwide attention the Krystal Square Off has achieved and the underdog, Rocky Balboa-like ambition of Krystal lovers—to overcome all odds on the path to gastro-greatness—we anticipate that the 2005 championship series will be a spectacular battle for burger eating eminence, the likes of which we’ve never seen.” \r\n\r\nAnyone interested in competing in the 2005 Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship can find the most up-to-date information at www.Krystal.com. As an officially sanctioned IFOCE event, all registration for the qualifying contests will be handled by the IFOCE through the Krystal website. Participants must be 18 years or over.\r\n\r\nFounded in 1932, Krystal restaurants have become more than sparkling-clean eateries where friendly employees serve up fresh, delicious food. Krystal has become a cultural icon and an experience that virtually every man, woman and child in the South has shared. Nearly everyone in the region has a Krystal memory. The Krystal brand—and the great food, service, value and setting that it represents—has taken a prominent place in the South's cultural landscape. The Krystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the South and the second oldest in the United States. The Chattanooga, Tenn.-based company currently has more than 450 restaurants in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. For more information, visit www.krystal.com. \r\n\t\r\nThe IFOCE, the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 70 events annually, including the Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY. The competitive eating community, which numbers more than 3,000 veteran and rookie athletes, travels the nation in search of top titles such as the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger-Eating Champion.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e8b","sn":264,"title":"$5,000 Up For Grabs at Harrah's","createdAt":"2005-06-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Some of the world�s finest eaters will converge at the Harrah�s Cherokee Casino & Hotel in Cherokee, NC on Friday, July 8, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. for the first annual Harrah�s Cherokee Rib Eating Championship. \r\n\r\nThere will be a hefty purse of $5,000.00 on the line, which will be broken down as follows:\r\n\r\n1st Place - $2,000.00\r\n2nd Place - $1,500.00\r\n3rd Place - $1,000.00\r\n4th Place - $500.00\r\n\r\nHarrah's Cherokee is recognized as one of the premiere resorts in the Carolina area. \r\n\r\nThe IFOCE will handle eater registration. There are still spots available, and interested eaters over the age of 21 should call (212) 627-5766 or sign up online."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e84","sn":254,"title":"JOHNSONVILLE BRAT-EATING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP","createdAt":"2005-06-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Sheboygan Jaycees and Johnsonville Sausage have announced The Johnsonville Brat-Eating World Championship, an IFOCE-sanctioned competition to take place on August 6 as part of the annual Johnsonville Brat Days at the Kiwanis Park in Sheboygan, Wisc. \r\n\r\nIn addition to the world championship, which will feature top-ranked eaters, an amateur competition will feature Sheboygan’s best brat eaters. A total of $11,000 in prize money (with a $4,000 first prize) is on the line for the event.\r\n\r\n“While our eaters have been competitively eating hot dogs for years, this will be their first speed-eating experience with bratwurst,” said David Baer, Director of Global Expansion for the International Federation of Competitive Eating. “Our eaters are excited to take part in the Johnsonville Brat-Eating World Championship and see how the brats stack up against the hot dog experience.”\r\n\r\nOther highlights of the festival, which runs August 4-6, 2005, include:\r\n\r\n· Rockers Night Ranger will be on-hand to headline the musical acts, performing on the main stage, Saturday, August 6 at XX p.m.\r\n· Author, television host and “grilling guru” Steven Raichlen will be on-hand sharing some of his best brat tips and tricks, along with other grilling knowledge\r\n· Festival favorites also return with the traditional and exotic brat creations, beer gardens, polka bands, stump fiddle contest and midway entertainment \r\n· Johnsonville’s massive Big Taste Grill, a converted semi truck sporting the world’s largest grill weighing in at 53,000 pounds and 65 feet long is able to cook 2,500 brats per hour\r\n\r\nThe first Brat Days festival was held in 1953 and has since provided brat lovers from all over the country with a one-of-a-kind brat experience. Brat Days is also the largest fundraiser for the Sheboygan Jaycees, having raised more than $150,000 over the last 10 years. Proceeds from the festival are returned to the community through organizations such as the Sheboygan Recreation Department, Above and Beyond Children’s Museum, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society.\r\n\r\nWisconsin-based Johnsonville Sausage is the number one national brand of brats, Italian sausage, smoked-cooked links and fresh breakfast sausage links. Johnsonville Sausage products are available in 39 countries including France, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Hong Kong, China and the United States. Johnsonville employs 1,000 members. Each of them takes ownership of product quality to ensure the excellence and \"Big Taste\" of Johnsonville Sausage. Founded in 1945 by Ralph F. & Alice Stayer, the company remains privately owned today.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e88","sn":259,"title":"Bacci World Pizza Championship July 9th","createdAt":"2005-06-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In Chicago on Saturday, July 9, 2005 the second installment of the Bacci World Pizza Eating Championship will take place. Due to the popularity of pizza and Bacci's generous prize package, the contest drew big names in 2004 including Sonya Thomas and Rich and Carlene LeFevre. \r\n\r\nBacci makes the finest pizza in Chicago, which many food lovers believe to be the finest pizza town in the world. Fans and eaters are expected to be watching Chicago closely this year as the Bacci Pizza Championship falls right between the Nathan's Famous event and the Alka Seltzer US Open.\r\n\r\nBacci will be presenting $2500 in total prize money for this event ($1,500 for first place, $750 for second and $250 for third.) In the meantime, there are spots available to compete, and those interested who are 18 years and over can email info@ifoce.com or call (212) 627-5766 to register.\r\n\r\nEstablished in 1996, Bacci Pizzeria is family owned and operated by the DiDana Family. The original Bacci Pizzeria is located in the heart of Chicago's Little Italy on Taylor Street. Bacci Pizzeria offers homestyle cooking at reasonable prices. The pizza dough and pizza sauce are made fresh daily with only the best ingredients, and of course, Bacci’s very own recipes.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e89","sn":261,"title":"Chinook Winds World Rib Eating Championship","createdAt":"2005-06-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City, OR, will hold the 2005 Chinook Winds World Rib Eating Championship on July 17, 2005 at the edge of the Pacific Ocean. A total of $2,750 in prize money and the title of World Rib Eating Champion will be on the line.\r\n\r\nThe rib eating title previously has been was won in 2004 by Richard LeFevre of Nevada and in 2003 by Cookie Jarvis of New York. LeFevre, who is looking ot up his personal best of 27 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes at the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY, will travel to Lincoln City to defend his title.\r\n\r\n“The rib, the most elegant of the debris foods, presents a distinct challenge to all eaters,” said George Shea, chairman of the IFOCE. “This event requires jaw strength, stomach capacity and sturdy orthodonture.” \r\n\r\nThe Chinook Winds Casino is located at 1777 NW 44th Street in Lincoln City, OR. The eating extravaganza is part of the Chinook Winds’ “Smokin’ at the Ocean” food festival. There are spots available for the world championship and for an amateur contest on Saturday, July 16. This is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle all registration. Interested individuals (over 18 years of age) may sign up on the events page of the IFOCE website.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e8c","sn":263,"title":"Road Report: 6/25/05","createdAt":"2005-06-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Carlene LeFevre took the June 25th Nathan's Famous Atlanta qualifier by consuming 23 Nathan's HDBs in 12 minutes. The outspoken and outeaten Dale Boone struggled during the competition, so much so that he forced George Shea to utter the words \"Elvis has left the building.\" Carlene's 23 is an Atlanta record. \r\n\r\nIn the sweltering heat of Lancaster, PA, Brian Subich, Brian Seiken and Tim Janus swarmed over the Rockvale Outlets Shoo Fly Pie Eating Championship. Janus came out the victor with six pounds of the regional treat followed by Subich and a crumb-laden Seiken.\r\n\r\nLater in the evening, Leon Feingold took the field at Citibank Park in Central Islip Long Island for the Nathan's LI Ducks qualifier. Oleg, the Great Z was also there as was Ed Cookie Jarvis as first alternate. Cookie led Oleg by just under a dog for the duration and then took the win with an impressive 24. Oleg took second and an eager, if travel weary, Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago place third with 17 1/2."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e8a","sn":262,"title":"The Godfather Takes Molly Pitcher","createdAt":"2005-06-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"\"Hungry\" Charles Hardy, aka the Godfather, downed 21 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes to take first at the Molly Pitcher Travel Plaza qualifier in NJ. This means Hardy will head to Coney Island for his eighth straight Nathan's Famous Fourth of July event.\r\n\r\nIt was a close contest with respectable numbers put up by Crazy Legs Conti with 19 and \"Humble\" Bob Shoudt with 18 1/2. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e8d","sn":265,"title":"Nathan's Dontes 10,000 Hot Dogs to City Harvest","createdAt":"2005-06-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"On July 4, 2005, Nathan’s Famous will donate 10,000 hot dogs to City Harvest, the world's oldest food rescue organization. Nathan’s Famous President Wayne Norbitz will make the donation during its annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY.\r\n\r\n“Donating to City Harvest is an important part of the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July celebration,” said Wayne Norbitz, president and COO of Nathan’s Famous. “It is essential we all understand that hunger is a significant issue faced by thousands of Americans each day. City Harvest has been serving the needs of New York’s hungry since 1981, helping more than 260,000 New Yorkers find a meal each week. We are thrilled to assist them in their ongoing efforts.”\r\n\r\nJennifer McLean, Director of Food Development for City Harvest said: \"We are very grateful to Nathan’s Famous for this generous donation. The donated hot dogs will be greatly appreciated by those who receive them. Working with socially conscious companies like Nathan’s Famous makes it easier for City Harvest to continue to work toward our goal of ending hunger in communities throughout New York City.\"\r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest grows in popularity each year. This year as in 2004, the “super bowl” of competitive eating will be broadcast live on ESPN from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET. \r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, believed to be in its 90th year, is a culmination of a seven-week hot dog-eating contest circuit. Qualifying events occur in Miami, FL; Philadelphia, PA; Las Vegas, NV; Atlanta, GA; Norfolk, VA; Phoenix, AZ; San Francisco, CA; Tokyo, Japan, and other cities. \r\n\r\nAt March 27,2005, the Nathan's Famous System consisted of 355 franchised or licensed units, six company-owned units (including one seasonal restaurant) and more than 5,900 Branded Product points of sale, located in 46 states, the District of Columbia and 13 foreign countries featuring the Nathan's, Miami Subs and Kenny Rogers Roasters brands. For additional information about Nathan's, Kenny Rogers Roasters or Miami Subs please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e97","sn":267,"title":"Nathan's Resource Center","createdAt":"2005-06-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Nathan’s Famous July Fourth International Hot dog Eating Contest\r\n\r\nFour-time world champion Takeru Kobayashi of Japan will return to the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, Brooklyn, on Monday, July 4, 2005 to defend his world championship title at the annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.\r\n\r\nAt stake was possession of the Coveted Mustard Yellow International Belt, the World Cup of competitive eating.\r\n\r\nKobayashi earned his status as one of history’s greatest athletes by consuming 50 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes in 2001. In 2004 he consumed 44 ½; in 2003 he consumed 50 ½ and in 2004 he downed 53 ½ hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\nKobayashi has significant competition this year. In particular, the petite Sonya Thomas, a 100-pound, 37-year-old Korean-born resident of Alexandria, Virginia. Last year, Thomas set a new American hot dog-eating record by consuming 32 hot dogs and buns on July 4. Rich LeFevre of Henderson, Nevada, Cookie Jarvis of Nesconsett, New York, and Badlands Booker of Copaigue, New York, all have eaten in the 30 hot dog range.\r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating contest iss sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE) and sponsored by Orbitz.com.\r\n\r\n\r\nMedia and Fan Details\r\n\r\nThe show that accompanies the event will begin at 11:30 pm, and the 12-minute eating competition will begin at 12:40 pm. ESPN has exclusive live broadcast rights to the event from 12 noon to 1 pm.\r\n\r\nThose seeking to attend or cover the event should take the F or N train to Stillwell Avenue, or take the Belt parkway to Cropsey Avenue, Exit 6, then follow Cropsey Avenue south to Surf Avenue and take a left. Nathan’s is located at 1310 Surf Avenue at Stillwell.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCompetitors\r\n\r\nEric “Badlands” Booker \r\nCopiague, NY\r\n6'5\", 401 lbs, 36 Years, 22½ Hot Dogs (Civil Service, NYC Qualifier)\r\n\r\n·\tEntenmann’s Pumpkin Pie Eating Champion, 5 pumpkins pies in 12 minutes\r\n·\tWorld Matzo Ball Eating Champion, 21 matzo balls 5 minutes, 25 seconds\r\n·\tDoughnut Eating Champion, 49 glazed doughnuts in 8 minutes\r\n·\tCannoli, cheesecake, corned beef hash and pea eating champion\r\n·\tNew York City transit conductor for 12 years\r\n·\tRapper with debut album “Hungry & Focused,” working on second album\r\n\r\n\r\nRob Burns\r\nWolverhampton, England\r\n5’8”, 154 lbs, 34 Years\r\n\r\n·\tComputer systems design consultant\r\n·\tMarried with two children\r\n·\tAte entire fast-food restaurant menu\r\n·\tHas won trophies for football and pool, and is a skilled poker player\r\n\r\n\r\nJoey Chestnut\r\nSan Jose, CA\r\n6’1”, 225 lbs, 21 Years, 20½ Hot Dogs (Daly City, CA Qualifier)\r\n\r\n·\tWorld Deep-Fried Asparagus-Eating Champion, 6.3 pounds 11.5 min.\r\n·\tStudying civil engineering at San Jose State University\r\n·\tLearned to eat fast growing up with five siblings \r\n\r\n\r\nHungry Charles Hardy\r\nBrooklyn, NY\r\n5’11\", 330 lbs, 41 Years, 21 Hot Dogs (Cranbury, NJ Qualifier)\r\n\r\n·\tWorld Shrimp Eating Champion, 4 pounds and 9 ounces 12 minutes\r\n·\tWorld Cabbage Eating Champion, 6 pounds in 9 minutes\r\n·\tCompeted in Nathan’s contest for eight consecutive years\r\n·\tTop American eater on July 4th, 2001 – ate 23 hot dogs\r\n·\tAte 12 feet of sushi at a contest in Japan\r\n\r\n\r\nTim “Eater X” Janus\r\nNew York, NY\r\n5’10”, 170 lbs, 28 Years, 22½ Hot Dogs (Hartford, CT Qualifier)\r\n\r\n·\t2004 IFOCE Rookie of the Year\r\n·\tWorld Shoo-Fly Pie-Eating Champion, 6 pounds shoo-fly pie in 8 minutes\r\n·\tGoal in life: eat every food at least once; Hobbies: make beef jerky\r\n·\tDay trader by trade, eater by disposition\r\n\r\n \r\nCookie Jarvis\r\nNesconset, NY \r\n6'6\", 411 lbs, 39 Years, 24 Hot Dogs (Long Island, NY Qualifier)\r\n\r\n·\t2001 IFOCE Rookie of the Year\r\n·\tChinatown Dumpling Eating Champion, 91 dumplings in 8 minutes\r\n·\tLas Vegas Battle of Buffets Champion\r\n·\tIce cream, French fry and pasta champion\r\n·\tNeighborhood realtor\r\n\r\n\r\nTakeru Kobayashi\r\nNagano, Japan\r\n5’6”, 144 lbs, 26 Years, 53½ Hot Dogs 2004\r\n\r\n·\tNo. 1 ranked eater in the world\r\n·\tWorld Champion Hot Dog Eater, 53½ hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes\r\n·\tKrystal Square Off World Hamburger-Eating Champion, 69 in 8 minutes\r\n·\tAte 17.7 lbs of pan-seared cow brains to earn $25,000\r\n·\tAte 20 lbs. of noodles, 20 lbs. of rice balls\r\n\r\n\r\nRon Koch\r\nLas Vegas, NV\r\n5’11”, 165 lbs, 57 Years, 21 Hot Dogs (Tempe, AZ Qualifier)\r\n\r\n·\tLived in Brooklyn for 45 years\r\n·\tConsumed two 5-pound hamburgers with trimmings in 15 minutes\r\n·\tLeague photographer for the NBA from 1979 to 1993\r\n\r\n\r\n“Jammin’” Joe LaRue\r\nHollywood, FL\r\n6’8”, 285 lbs, 45 Years, 20 Hot Dogs (Pembroke Pines, FL Qualifier)\r\n\r\n·\tWorld Sweet Corn-Eating Champion, 31 ears of sweet corn in 12 minutes\r\n·\tAte 43 Conch Fritters at the 2003 Conch Fritter Worlds in Key West\r\n·\tWorks as a chef \r\n\r\n\r\nRich “The Locust” LeFevre \r\nHendersen, NV\r\n5’6”, 130 lbs, 61 Years, 27 Hot Dogs (Las Vegas, NV Qualifier)\r\n\r\n·\t27¾ hot dogs in the 2004 Nathan’s Famous July 4 contest to place fourth\r\n·\tWorld Chili Eating Champion, 1½ gallons in 10 minutes\r\n·\tAlso watermelon, corny dog, SPAM and birthday cake eating champion\r\n·\tTwo 72-ounce steaks, with salad and potato in 58 minutes\r\n \r\nCarlene LeFevre\r\nHenderson, NV\r\n5’6”, 135 lbs, 60 Years, 23 Hot Dogs (Atlanta, GA Qualifier)\r\n\r\n·\tRepresented the USA in the 2001 Food Battle Club in Japan\r\n·\tWorld Posole Eating Champion, 110 ounces in 12 minutes\r\n·\tPlaced fourth in the Las Vegas Battle of the Buffets\r\n·\tAerobics instructor, former Mary Kay Cosmetics salesperson\r\n\r\n\r\nDon “Moses” Lerman\r\nLevittown, NY\r\n5’7”, 235 lbs, 56 Years, 20 ½ Hot Dogs (Saratoga, NY Qualifier)\r\n\r\n·\tRetired day-old bread store owner\r\n·\tAppeared on Sally Jesse Raphael, Daily Show, Gutbusters, Big Eats\r\n·\tLong-Course Baked Bean Eating Champion, 6 pounds in under 2 minutes\r\n·\t2000 Matzo Ball Eating Champion\r\n·\t2002 Jalapeno Eating Champion, 120 jalapenos in 15 minutes\r\n·\tPlaced 2nd in 2003 and placed 3rd in 2002 at the Philadelphia Wing Bowl\r\n\r\n\r\nKenji Oguni\r\nIsezaki-shi, Gunma-ken, Japan\r\n5’5”, 110 lbs, 27 Years, 19 Hot Dogs (Tokyo, Japan Qualifier)\r\n\r\n·\tWon two Food Fight Association Formula Battles in 2003\r\n·\tWon Togakushi-soba Eating Contest and Motegi Festival Eating Contest\r\n·\tFavorite hobby is watching movies\r\n\r\n\r\nPatrick Philbin\r\nMoonachie, NJ\r\n6’2”, 325 lbs, 41 Years, 20 ½ Hot Dogs (Philadelphia Qualifier)\r\n\r\n·\tThree cats, “Stinky,” “Smelly” and “Precious,” and a dog named “Joey”\r\n·\tHobbies include weight lifting and bike riding\r\n·\tCourier, calls himself “Pat from Moonachie”\r\n\r\n\r\nSonya Thomas\r\nAlexandria, VA\r\n5’5”, 100 lbs, 37 Years, 32 Hot Dogs (Norfolk, VA Qualifier)\r\n\r\n·\tAmerican Nathan’s Famous hot dog record holder, 32 in 12 min.\r\n·\tHas eaten 65 hard boiled eggs in 6 minutes, 40 seconds\r\n·\tAcme World Oyster Eating Champion, 46 dozen Louisiana in 10 minutes\r\n·\tCheesecake Eating Champion, 10 lbs. in 9 minutes\r\n·\tAlso grilled cheese, meatball and taco champion\r\n·\tHobbies include bowling\r\n\r\n\r\nSponsors\r\n\r\n\r\nOrbitz makes it easy to find your summer vacation at popular destinations including Las Vegas, Florida, Hawaii, and Mexico. Orbitz' exclusive Matrix^(TM) display shows you more options than any other site, letting you build a package and find a great deal. That's more flights, more hotels, and more cars. The fastest way to the best trip. Just Orbitz and GO!\r\n\r\n\r\nDonations\r\n\r\nNathan’s Famous donated 10,000 hot dogs today to City Harvest, the world's oldest food rescue organization. \r\n\r\n“Donating to City Harvest is an important part of the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July celebration,” said Wayne Norbitz, president and COO of Nathan’s Famous. “It is essential we all understand that hunger is a significant issue faced by thousands of Americans each day. City Harvest has been serving the needs of New York’s hungry since 1981, helping more than 260,000 New Yorkers find a meal each week. We are thrilled to assist them in their ongoing efforts.”\r\n\r\nJennifer McLean, Director of Food Development for City Harvest said: \"We are very grateful to Nathan’s Famous for this generous donation. The donated hot dogs will be greatly appreciated by those who receive them. Working with socially conscious companies like Nathan’s Famous makes it easier for City Harvest to continue to work toward our goal of ending hunger in communities throughout New York City.\"\r\n\r\n\r\nPerformers\r\n\r\nNathan’s Famous is pleased to welcome Natasha Alexandra, a promising young talent, to the July 4th stage to perform the National Anthem on America’s most patriotic day. Natasha is a self-taught songstress who writes songs from the heart and is quickly earning respect & rave reviews on both sides of the 49th parallel. By combining her provocative hyper-ballads with cheerful banter, Natasha has built up a devoted audience in New York City with her intensely endearing performances.\r\n\r\nAlexandra is featured on 3 major industry compilation CDs this summer. The Songwriters Hall of Fame has given her the coveted spot of being track 1 on their CD compilation for 2005, Jane Magazine has chosen to introduce this exciting new talent in their August/05 issue’s ‘annual CD compilation’ & Rckrgrl Magazine has included her among other great artists on their 2005 discoveries CD. You can catch Natasha playing around NYC & LA this summer. Natasha is proud to be making her Coney Island Debut this 4th of July! \r\nwww.natashaalexandra.com, www.myspace.com/natashaalexandra\r\n\r\nAmos Wengler, known throughout New York City as the “Bard of Brooklyn,” has written dozens of songs about Coney Island, which he performs at the boroughs major gatherings, including The Mermaid Parade. Wengler will likely sing his hit, “Hot Dog, Hot Dog.”\r\n\r\nBadlands Booker is a competitive eater and aspiring rapper. Booker’s first effort, “Hungry & Focused,” is the first competitive-eating themed rap album. Hungry & Focused has sold with extraordinary speed and Booker is now in the studio working on a follow-up.\r\n\r\nBooker will join leading choir members from the metropolitan area to perform a rap based on “Amazing Grace.” In the choir will be Chuck Morris, Denille Colbourn, Derek Griffin, Letitia Griffin, Cassandra Garcy and Alexsandra Jean-Baptiste. Julien Maile, who produced Hungry & Focused, will perform with the choir and will play the keyboard.\r\n\r\nDaniel Sprague, bagpipes, a specialist with experience at hundreds of events.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e85","sn":258,"title":"Lottery Winners: Alka-Seltzer US Open of Competitive Eating","createdAt":"2005-06-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eating veteran Hungry Charles Hardy, who will act as head official judge at the Alka-Seltzer US Open of Competitive Eating in Las Vegas, today picked 12 additional names from a hat (not a straw hat, but a Don Moses Lerman hat) to round out the field of those who will participate. The chosen names, in order of selection, follow. These eaters will be notified by phone and email today.\r\n\r\nLOTTERY PICKS\r\n\r\n1) Tim Holden\r\n2) Levi Oliver\r\n3) Cade Hardin\r\n4) Ken Tittle\r\n5) Stevie Amador\r\n6) Scott Sayer\r\n7) Pit Pendleton\r\n8) Frank Wach\r\n9) Robert Brooks\r\n10) Sam Vise\r\n11) Wm. Hall Hunt \r\n12) Ed Taboada"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e86","sn":257,"title":"LaRue Maintains Grip on Florida","createdAt":"2005-06-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Jammin' Joe LaRue proved again why he's the top-ranked eater in the sunshine state when he won the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at Pembroke Lakes Mall on Saturday, June 18th. \r\n\r\nFacing tough competition from Kim Kosol, Michael 'Per Diem' Parish and the fast rising Hall Hill, LaRue entered the arena with a confident and relaxed swagger. With flash bulbs popping and tape rolling, the big man jammed 20 Nathan's HDBs down in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\nAlong with the trip to NYC, LaRue received a year supply of Nathan's dogs and 52 meal coupons from the local franchisee.\r\n\r\nIn the audience was former fried clam eating champion of Cape Ann Massachusetts known as Maury the Mollusk. Now retired, the 70 year old clam champ said: \"The game has changed. In my day 13 or 14 hot dogs would have been impressive.\"\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e8e","sn":256,"title":"Sonya, Janus, Lerman in Salty Potato Balls","createdAt":"2005-06-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas ate six pounds of Maui's special salty potato balls in eight minutes, 40 seconds to win $2,500. In the same time, Tim Janus consumed just under five pounds to place second for $1,500 and Don Lerman edged out Oleg Zhornitskiy for third place and $1,000 by eating just.05 ounces more of potatoes. Zhornitskiy, who seems repeatedly to have endured very close calls, received $400.\r\n\r\nThe event, held on the beach in North Wildwood, NJ, attracted nearly 1,000 fans and was overseen by North wildwood Mayor Palambo. Maui's Dog House, which features bratwurst with 18 different toppings, is known for the salty potato ball, which is boiled in brine and then sauteed in butter.\r\n\r\nAlso on hand was Eric Badlands Booker, Humble Bob Shoudt, Crazy Legs Conti and a number of top eaters."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e87","sn":255,"title":"Swellin' with Melon","createdAt":"2005-06-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The world watermelon eating record stands at 11.22 pounds in 15 minutes. Rich LeFevre, America’s top-ranked male eater, set the record in Brookville, OH in 2004. Like all records, it will someday be broken. That day may indeed come on Saturday, July 30, 2005, when the second annual “Swellin’ With Melon” event occurs at the Brookville Community Picnic.\r\n\r\n“Mr. LeFevre is certainly welcome to defend his title,” said Margo Cantrell of the Brookville Chamber of Commerce. “If he returns, he’ll be the odds-on favorite for sure, but I am confident a local hero will step up in 2005 and bring the watermelon title back to Ohio!”\r\n\r\nAlong with the coveted title of World Watermelon Eating Champion, a prize package worth $1,500 will be up for grabs at the July 30th contest. The event is sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), which sanctions world titles in hot dogs, hamburgers, corn, pizza, oysters and tamales, among other things.\r\n\r\n“The Brookville Picnic is a classic event and we’re thrilled to be working with the Chamber to deliver the second Swellin’ with Melon contest,” said Richard Shea, president of the IFOCE. “Watermelon is an item that many competitive eaters enjoy voluntarily at home so the eaters are quite pleased to see this food item presented in a competitive format.”\r\n\r\nThe 15-minute eating contest is just one highlight of the annual Brookville Community Picnic, which runs from Thursday, July 28 to Saturday, July 30 and features a free raffle for a Pontiac Grand Am GT, fireworks, live musical entertainment, karaoke contests, baking contests, rodeo, kids games and a 5k run, among other events. \r\n\r\n“This is the picnic’s 55th year and we are happy to bring back the Watermelon Eating Contest,” said Cantrell.\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE will handle all registration. Those interested in competing, who are 18 years of age and over, can sign up on the contests page or call (212) 627-5766 to register for the contest. A prize of $1,000 will go to the winner. Assuming the champion is not a local resident, the top local amateur eater will receive $500 in prize money. \r\n\r\nThe contest is sponsored by DG Equipment, Brookhaven Brookhaven Retirement Community, McMaken IGA Market, Subway at Arlington Road, Village NAPA Auto Parts and other local businesses. The Brookville Chamber of Commerce is organizing the Community Picnic. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e82","sn":253,"title":"Oguni Takes Nathan's Tokyo Qualifier","createdAt":"2005-06-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Keiji Oguni topped a field of a dozen eaters at the Nathan's Famous qualifier in Tokyo, Japan, by down 19 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. Oguni will travel to the United States to compete in the July Fourth international event alongside countryman Takeru Kobayashi.\r\n\r\nOguni achieved respectable numbers at the event, but would appear ill-equipped to compete against Kobayashi or America's top eaters."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e80","sn":252,"title":"Sonya Takes Norfolk","createdAt":"2005-06-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas won the Nathan's Famous qualifier in Norfolk with an impressive 32 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. While the numbers have been up accross the circuit this year, The Black Widow's 32 is five hot dogs and buns higher than any other qualifying performance.\r\n\r\nA number of opportunities still remain to gain entry into the Nathan's Famous International July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest with events slated for Miami, New Jersey, Long Island, and Zoo Atlanta."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e7f","sn":251,"title":"And The Envelope Please: Black Widow Wins MTV Movie Awards World Popcorn Eating Championship","createdAt":"2005-06-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya 'The Black Widow' Thomas added yet another world title to her collection today, winning the MTV Movie Awards World Popcorn Eating Championship with an astounding 9.5 large boxes of popcorn in 10 minutes. Thomas was challenged by Rich 'The Locust' LeFevre, who pused the contest to 2 one-box overtimes. \r\n\r\nCrazy Legs Conti, the former World Popcorn Eating Champion, finished in third place with 7.5 boxes. Eric Badlands Booker, Jed Donahue and Carlene LeFevre finished just behind the leaders while MTV's Road Rules competitors lagged badly. \r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e81","sn":250,"title":"Rockvale Outlets Shoo Fly Pie Contest in PA","createdAt":"2005-06-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Lancaster, PA's Rockvale Outlets will host the World’s Greatest Shoo-Fly Pie-Eating Championship on June 25, at 3:00 p.m. The Shoo-Fly Pie-Eating title, respected for its elusiveness as much as the fame certain to greet its possessor, will be accompanied by a $500 shopping spree as first-place prize.\r\n\r\n“We are excited to bring this fun and unique brand of sports entertainment to the local community,” said David Ober of Rockvale Outlets. “Shoo-Fly Pie, a Pennsylvania Dutch dessert, is a sponge cake baked in a crust that contains a heavy molasses filling. It must be made with molasses to be a true ‘Shoo-Fly Pie’.\"\r\n\r\nThis is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle all registration. There are spots available, and interested competitors over the age of 18 should call 212-627-5766 or register online on the contests page. \r\n\r\nRockvale Outlets is hosting the event in partnership with Good Food, Inc. and Dutch Haven. Rockvale Outlets is an award-winning, 560,000-square-foot outlet shopping center constructed on 64 acres in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Among the largest and most successful factory outlet centers in the country, Rockvale Outlets includes a total of eighteen single-level, brick front buildings that offer 120 factory outlets."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e7c","sn":248,"title":"Road Report: San Fran, Tempe","createdAt":"2005-06-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Two more regional champions have been crowned as Nathan's Famous continues its hotly contested qualifying circuit. Joey Chestnut edged out Hungry Charles and Jed Donahue to win the San Francisco qualifier with 20.5 Nathan's Famous dogs and buns in 12 minutes. Fans that gathered at Century Theatres in Daly City erupted when they learned that Chestnut, their hometown hero, will advance to Coney. In Tempe, Ron Koch knocked down 21.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, in Texas, Levi Oliver went into overtime against Donavan Busta in the Tamale Eating Championships. Oliver came out the victor. \r\n\r\nDetails to follow at IFOCE.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e7e","sn":249,"title":"Koch v. LeFevre","createdAt":"2005-06-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Carlene LeFevre squared off against arch rival Ron Koch in Tempe, AZ, for a seat in the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog eating Contest. Creating even more tension, rising rookie Mark Lyle flew in from Ohio for the event.\r\n\r\nAnxiety overcame the crowd of 1,000 as these eating titans began the 12-minute contest. However, Ron Koch quickly established a one hot dog lead, which he held for the duration of the event, capturing the Arizona title and a new state record of 21 HDBs in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\nCarlene finished second with 18 and Mark Lyle finished third with 13.5. Some in the audience speculated that cooler-than-usual hot dogs kept the numbers low. The Nathan's and Aramark staff performed admirably to accommodate the field of 20 eaters, and organizers actually had to turn away another dozen who had come with last-minute hopes of competing.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e7b","sn":247,"title":"MTV Posts Special Eating Contest Site","createdAt":"2005-06-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In advance of the upcoming World Popcorn Eating Contest hosted by MTV in honor of the MYV Movie Awards, MTV has posted a special site for eating fans: www.mtveatmovies.com.\r\n\r\nThe site features a daily blog by Crazy Legs Conti as well as up close and personal interviews with Legs and Badlands Booker, both of whom will compete in the popcorn match with Rich and Carlene LeFevre, Sonya Thomas and Jed Donahue."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e7d","sn":246,"title":"Salty Ball Potatoes at Maui's Dog House in Wildwood, NJ","createdAt":"2005-06-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The summer beach season will kick into high gear on June 18 as Maui’s Dog House holds the World Salty Ball Potato-Eating Championship on the beach in Wildwood, NJ, in honor of Father’s Day.\r\n\r\nPotatoes, whether French-fried, baked or boiled, are considered among the most difficult foods to eat in competition. They are dense and heavy and require significant focus by eaters.\r\n\r\nThe Salty Ball potato was created to give customers a change from the usual French fry. Maui’s Dog House located two farms in upstate New York near Lake Ontario that grow a small, yellowish spud. The potatoes are harvested, then boiled in a special brine, salted and served dripping with butter. As with all Maui’s Dog House meals, the salty ball potatoes are served in dog bowls.\r\n\r\nIn preliminary events, eaters have eaten only three pounds of the famous Salty Ball potatoes in 12 min. However, handicapping experts in the competitive eating world expect that top American eaters will consume more than six pounds during the championship event.\r\n\r\n\"Eating salty ball potatoes is an acquired skill that demands both jaw strength and stomach capacity,\" said George Shea, chairman of the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE). \"These potatoes are different from traditional French fries and the event will be a particularly challenging for the eaters.\"\r\n\r\nThe contest will begin at 12:30 p.m. on the beach at 21st Street and the Boardwalk. Other attractions that are part of the event include the Sudenvolk Porsche Club of New Jersey Car Show and an exhibition by Wildwood Harley Davidson.\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE will handle eater registration. There are still spots available, and interested eaters over the age of 18 should call (212) 627-5766 or sign up online at www.ifoce.com.\r\n\r\nMAUI'S DOG HOUSE, Inc ®, located at 806 New Jersey Ave, North Wildwood, New Jersey, is a family owned business. A true throw-back to the sock hop era, minus the car hops, Maui's has it all. Specialties include traditional homemade wurst sausages featuring blends of beef, pork and veal, and veal and pork served with any of 30 toppings.\r\n\r\nThe International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 70 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y. The competitive eating community, which numbers more than 3,000 veteran and rookie athletes, travels the nation in search of top titles and the glory that they provide.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e79","sn":245,"title":"Rob Burns Takes UK Championship","createdAt":"2005-05-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rob Burns, a diminutive first-time eater from Birmingham, England, won the UK Eating Championship by downing 18 pork pies in 12 minutes, just edging out Andrew Koceen of London, who consumed 17, and Irish oyster eating champion Jimmy Glackin, who placed third with 11.\r\n\r\nBurns will move on to represent great Britain in the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. The event took place at the Newark Showgrounds, 30 minutes from Nottingham. A crowd of nearly 500 cheered on the British gurgitators in the event, which will be featured in a Channel 4 documentary. An article in a UK-based publication explores the possibilities for eating to become an Olymipc sport."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e77","sn":244,"title":"Road Report: Philly & Charlotte","createdAt":"2005-05-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In a Philadelphia nailbiter, new eater Pat from Moonachie ate 20 1/2 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and Buns to edge out a powerful Jim Reeves and qualify for the July 4th Classic.\r\n\r\nTrackside in Charlotte, Sonya Thomas took first in the Armour Vienna Sausage Eating World Championship. Rich LeFevre and Badlands followed. Thomas wore a Biffle hat and is fixin to root on the 16 car this evening.\r\n\r\nDetails to follow."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e7a","sn":243,"title":"MTV To Set New Popcorn-Eating World Record To Honor MTV Movie Awards","createdAt":"2005-05-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"MTV Gathers Nation’s Best Eaters in IFOCE-Sanctioned Event\r\n\r\nHollywood, CA, Friday, May 27, 2005 -- MTV’s Quddus Phillippe will host the First Annual MTV Movie Awards Popcorn-Eating Competition featuring top eating athletes from the International Federation of Competitive Eating.\r\n\r\nThe Grand Prize Winner of the contest -- to be held at Hollywood & Highland, located at 6801 Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles at 12:30 PM on June 8, 2005 -- will receive the MTV Movie Awards talent gift basket worth an estimated $10,000. The MTV Movie Awards air on June 9 at 8:30 PM (ET/PT).\r\n\r\nCompeting in the event will be world popcorn-eating champion Crazy Legs Conti (seven bags of popcorn in 12 minutes), world chili-eating champion Rich LeFevre (1 ½ gallons of chili in 10 minutes), 100-pound world oyster-eating champion Sonya Thomas (46 dozen oysters in 10 minutes), and world posole-eating champion Carlene LeFevre (6.8 pounds of posole in 12 minutes), among others.\r\n\r\nMTV: Music Television has announced that Mariah Carey and Eminem are set performer at the 2005 MTV MOVIE AWARDS. In addition, Tom Cruise, The Rock, Iaon Gruffard, Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Chiklis, Rob Schneider, and Julian McMahon have joined the star studded list of presenters. Previously announced presenters include Hilary Swank, Vin Diesel, Jessica Simpson, Johnny Knoxville, Jessica Alba, Hilary Duff, Zach Braff, Sean William Scott, Rob Schneider, Lindsay Lohan, Ziyi Zhang, Paul Walker, Jessica Biel, Billy Bob Thornton, Salma Hayek, and Katie Holmes. Hosted by Jimmy Fallon, the fourteenth annual awards show will air on June 9th at 8:30PM (ET/PT). The ceremony will tape on June 4th at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA. More presenters, special guest appearances and award tributes will be announced shortly.\r\n\r\nThis is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle all registration via www.IFOCE.com. Only those over the age of 18 may apply for registration.\r\n\r\nMTV Networks owns and operates the cable television programming services MTV: Music Television, MTV2, mtvU, Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite, TV Land, VH1, CMT: Country Music Television, Comedy Central, and Spike TV, as well as The Digital Suite from MTV Networks, a package of thirteen digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also operates and offers joint ventures, licensing agreements and syndication deals whereby its programming can be seen worldwide.\r\n\r\nThe International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 70 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y. The competitive eating community, which numbers more than 3,000 veteran and rookie athletes, travels the nation in search of top titles and the glory that they provide.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e75","sn":241,"title":"Nathan's Hot Dogs in Kansas","createdAt":"2005-05-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The finest eaters in Kansas will converge at a Dillon’s Food Store in Wichita in an effort to win the title of Kansas Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog-Eating Champion. The event will feature local competitive eating talent as well as a police department and sheriff’s office round.\r\n\r\nThe contest, which will occur at 1 pm on June 4, is sponsored by Specialty Foods Group, which produces the world famous Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, among other items.\r\n\r\n“We are excited to host this unique brand of entertainment,” said Su-Ella McKinzie of Dillon’s. “Kansas residents will finally have the chance to prove their competitive eating talent, and the Wichita contest will be an event at which we identify future eating greatness.”\r\n\r\nSpots are still available and those 18 years or over who are interested in competing can call (212) 627-5766 or visit the contest page at www.ifoce.com.\r\n\r\nNOTE: This is not a qualifier event - the winner of the event will not secure a seat on July 4th in Coney Island.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e76","sn":242,"title":"Nathan's Qualifier Added","createdAt":"2005-05-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"An official qualifier for the 2005 Nathan's Famous International Fourth of July will occur on at 12 noon on June 4th at Century Theatres in San Francisco CA. Registration strictly through IFOCE.com. Additional details to follow.\r\n\r\nA recent article on an interesting web page explores how this whole world works."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e74","sn":239,"title":"LeFevre Takes Las Vegas Nathan's Bout","createdAt":"2005-05-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rich LeFevre extended his winning streak last week at the New York New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas by downing 27 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes to win the Nevada championship and a seat in the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July contest in Coney Island.\r\n\r\nLeFevre beat arch-rival Ron Koch, a fellow Nevadan who had vowed to come out on top. Koch ate 22 HDBs to place second and Carlene LeFevre at 18. Both Koch and Carlene LeFevre will move on to Tempe, AZ, on June 4 in hopes of securing a spot in Coney.\r\n\r\nFor his part, LeFevre has his sites set on 30 HDBs in 12 minutes. He has issued no formal proclamation, but fans know he wants to hit this milestone on July 4."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e73","sn":240,"title":"Janus Takes East Hartford Nathan's Match","createdAt":"2005-05-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Tim Janus earned top honors at the second qualifier of the 2005 Nathan's Famous circuit by eating 22 1/2 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes, tying the personal best of former world hot dog eating great Ed Krachie.\r\n\r\nPlacing second was Allen Goldstein, with 18 1/2 HDBs in 12 minutes, and in third place was newcomer Pat with 15. The event, which last year featured renowned Connecticut eating champion, William Stobierski, drew the largest crowd ever assembled in the strip mall, which includes a free-standing Nathan's among 20 other retailers.\r\n\r\nThe next qualifier takes place at the Independence Visitors Center in Philadelphia, PA, on Memorial Day Weekend."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e83","sn":237,"title":"Tamales in Texas","createdAt":"2005-05-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Some of the world’s finest eaters will converge in Lewisville, TX, on June 4, at 1:00pm for the World Tamale-Eating Championship. This title, respected for its elusiveness as much as the impending fame due its possessor, will be accompanied by a $1,000 first place prize.\r\n\r\n\"The ability to eat tamales in mass quantity fell out of favor in the late 20th Century, and those with skill in this area found that they were not celebrated by the public,\" said George Shea, chairman of the International Federation of Competitive Eating. \"However, in the first five years of the new century, tamale-eating has experienced a resurgence in popularity. This rebirth will culminate in Lewisville, TX, on June 4.\"\r\n\r\nThe contest will be part of the Bassmaster Elite 50 Fishing Tournament taking place on Lake Lewisville outside of Dallas, TX. Dallas Tortilla and Tamale Factory in Lewisville will be donating the delicious tamales to the contest. The IFOCE will handle eater registration. There are still spots available, and interested eaters over the age of 18 should sign up on ifoce.com or call (212) 627-5766.\r\n\r\nInterested parties are also encouraged to visit www.oldtownba.org and www.visitlewisville.com for more information on the event.\r\n\r\nThe contest will be preceded by a neat-eating contest for children, which will begin at 12:30 p.m. Registration for the neat eating contest will be done onsite on a first come- first served basis.\r\n\r\nLewisville Lake is located 15 min. north of downtown Dallas along Interstate 35E. Created in 1954 on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, the lake covers nearly 30,000 acres of surface area and reaches depths of up to 67 feet. Lewisville Lake is rated as “excellent” by Texas Parks & Wildlife for catfish, crappie and white bass, and “good” for largemouth bass and striped/hybrid bass."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e71","sn":236,"title":"Labor Day Wing Fest Announced","createdAt":"2005-05-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Fourth Annual National Buffalo Wing Festival has announced that it will host the U.S. Buffalo Wing-Eating Championship on September 4, 5 and 6, 2005, at Dunn Tire Park in Buffalo, NY, home of the Buffalo chicken wing.\r\n\r\nSonya Thomas, known as the “Black Widow” for her ability to destroy male competitors, will return to defend her championship title against the strongest field of chicken wing-eating specialists to date. Her toughest challenge may be from top-ranked American eaters Badlands Booker, Cookie Jarvis and Charles Hardy.\r\n\r\nThomas, who holds titles in oysters, hard-boiled eggs and hot dogs, has called for Bill Simmons to attend the event after Simmons’ controversial win at Philadelphia’s local wing championship. Many believed purposely subjective judging had a role in Simmons’ victory; Thomas and other eaters hope he will participate in the Buffalo championship, which uses a fully objective judging method.\r\n\r\nAlso likely to compete are corn on the cob champion Joe LaRue; butter champion Don “Moses” Lerman; and Buffalo’s own Jim Reeves, a multi-discipline eater and local favorite.\r\n\r\n“Buffalo welcomes top eaters from around the world to the home of the chicken wing,” said festival founder Drew Cerza. “The National Buffalo Wing Festival eating contest will make this celebration of the Buffalo wing the best yet.”\r\n\r\nThe 12-minute, all-you-can-eat contest will be sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE). The Fourth Annual National Buffalo Wing Festival, which will be held at on September 4, 5 and 6, Labor Day weekend, is expected to draw upward of 70,000 chicken wing aficionados to the City of Buffalo.\r\n\r\nThe festival will feature the America’s Best Wings competition as well as the Mega Car and Truck Show, Baby Wing Contest, Miss Buffalo Wing Pageant and the official Running of the Chickens. Attendees will also have the opportunity to try more than 100 different varieties of Buffalo wings from eateries across the nation. \r\n\r\nThis is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle all registration. Those over the age of 18 may register for the event. Registration will begin on July 15."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e78","sn":235,"title":"LeFevre Takes Trip Rewards Cake Contest","createdAt":"2005-05-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rich LeFevre today won the world cake-eating contest celebrating the first birthday of TripRewards, the world’s largest hotel loyalty program, by eating a five-pound cake in 11 minutes and 27 seconds.\r\n\r\nLegendary Chicago Bears defensive tackle, William “The Refrigerator” Perry, who weighs in at more than 300 pounds and who once tried his hand at hot dogs at Nathan’s, placed 10th in the 10-person event at Grand Central Terminal.\r\n\r\nBadlands Booker placed second, Tim Janus placed third, Don Lerman Fourth and Crazy Legs Conti Fifth. Lefevre win one million TripRewards points and the title of “World Birthday Cake-Eating Champion.”\r\n\r\nOne million TripRewards points can be redeemed for either 166 free hotel night stays, five months worth of car rentals, 181 $25 gift cards from top retailers, 30 mountain bikes, 68 blenders, or 18 plane tickets or other great rewards.\r\n\r\nCendant Hotel Group, the world’s largest hotel franchisor, launched TripRewards last year as its single largest marketing initiative to provide a unified loyalty program for its eight hotel brands. Since its launch, the program’s membership base has grown to more than 4 million.\r\n\r\nTripRewards enrollment is free and available online at www.triprewards.com or by visiting any Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Travelodge®, Howard Johnson®, Knights Inn®, Wingate Inn® or AmeriHost Inn® hotel or by calling toll-free, (800) FOR-TRIP – (800) 367-8747.\r\n\r\nFeaturing points-earning opportunities with more than 6,000 hotels and 50 partners, as well as more than 150 point-redemption options, TripRewards is the world’s largest loyalty program, based on the number of participating hotels."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e72","sn":234,"title":"Armour Vienna Sausage-Eating Contest","createdAt":"2005-05-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The two fastest growing sports in America will converge on May 28, 2005, when the Armour® Vienna Sausage Eating World Championship is held at NASCAR’s Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC.\r\n\r\nThere will be $8,500.00 in prize money on the line, divided up as follows: $3,500.00 for first place; $2,000.00 for second place; $1,500.00 for third place; $1,000.00 for fourth place; and $500.00 for fifth place.\r\n\r\nHeadlining the field of gurgitators will be the #1 ranked eater in America, 105 lb. Sonya \"The Black Widow\" Thomas.\r\n\r\n“Armour Vienna Sausage is extremely popular in the Southeast, which is the heart of NASCAR country,” said Dode Simonson, Director of Marketing for the Armour brand. “Armour is thrilled to bring this unique and exciting brand of entertainment to local residents and NASCAR enthusiasts.” \r\n\r\n“Given the rise in popularity of both NASCAR and the sport of competitive eating, it was only a matter of time before the two came together,” said David Baer, Director of Global Expansion for the International Federation of Competitive Eating. “The speed of Sonya Thomas during the Armour Vienna Sausage Eating World Championship will perhaps only be matched by the speed of the drivers on the Lowe’s Motor Speedway track.”\r\n\r\nArmour Vienna Sausage is a favorite in the American marketplace, and is produced and manufactured by The Dial Corporation, a subsidiary of the Henkel Group. Henkel is also a sponsor of NASCAR, Greg Biffle and the Brewco Motorsports team.\r\n\r\nThe Dial Corporation, a subsidiary of the Henkel Group/Germany, is headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., and is one of America's leading manufacturers of consumer products, including Dial® soaps, Purex® laundry detergents, Renuzit® air fresheners and Armour® Star canned meats. Dial products have been in the American marketplace for more than 100 years. For more information about The Dial Corporation, visit the Company's Web site at www.dialcorp.com.\r\n\r\n“Henkel – A Brand like a Friend”. Henkel is a leader with brands and technologies that make people's lives easier, better, and more beautiful. The Henkel Group operates in three strategic business areas--Home Care, Personal Care, and Adhesives, Sealants, and Surface Treatments. More than 50,000 employees work for the Henkel Group worldwide. People in around 125 countries around the world trust in brands and technologies from Henkel. For more information on Henkel, visit the Company's Web site at www.henkel.us."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e6f","sn":233,"title":"TripRewards® to Celebrate First Birthday with Cake-Eating Contest","createdAt":"2005-05-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Top American eaters, including William “The Refrigerator” Perry, will compete in a cake-eating contest at Grand Central Station to celebrate the first birthday of TripRewards, the world’s largest hotel loyalty program.\r\n\r\nOne dozen eaters will test their stomachs against five-pound cakes in a battle for dessert supremacy. Legendary Chicago Bears defensive tackle William “The Refrigerator” Perry, who weighs in at more than 300 pounds and who once tried his hand at hot dogs at Nathan’s, also will participate in the eating competition.\r\n\r\nThe eater who consumes the cake the fastest will win one million TripRewards points and the title of “World Birthday Cake-Eating Champion.”\r\n\r\nOne million TripRewards points can be redeemed for either 166 free hotel night stays, five months worth of car rentals, 181 $25 gift cards from top retailers, 30 mountain bikes, 68 blenders, or 18 plane tickets or other great rewards.\r\n \r\nThe event will begin at approximately 9:30 AM EST on Tuesday, May 10, and can be viewed on the Web by visiting www.triprewards.com/cake. Commuters, spectators and fans are welcome to watch the competition, cheer on their favorite eaters and enjoy free cake from a 10-foot tall, 8-foot wide TripRewards birthday cake.\r\n\r\nCendant Hotel Group, the world’s largest hotel franchisor, launched TripRewards last year as its single largest marketing initiative to provide a unified loyalty program for its eight hotel brands. Since its launch, the program’s membership base has grown to more than 4 million.\r\n\r\nTripRewards enrollment is free and available online at www.triprewards.com or by visiting any Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Travelodge®, Howard Johnson®, Knights Inn®, Wingate Inn® or AmeriHost Inn® hotel or by calling toll-free, (800) FOR-TRIP – (800) 367-8747.\r\n\r\nFeaturing points-earning opportunities with more than 6,000 hotels and 50 partners, as well as more than 150 point-redemption options, TripRewards is the world’s largest loyalty program, based on the number of participating hotels.\r\n\r\nWith approximately 80,000 employees, New York City-based Cendant Corporation (NYSE:CD) is primarily a provider of travel and residential real estate services to businesses and consumers in more than 100 countries. Cendant’s Hotel Group, based in Parsippany, N.J., is the world’s largest lodging franchisor with 6,395 hotels representing 519,031 rooms on five continents under the Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Travelodge®, Howard Johnson®, Knights Inn®, Wingate Inn® and AmeriHost Inn® brands. Cendant’s franchised hotels sell nearly one out of every five economy and midpriced room-nights in the United States, and Cendant franchises 10.3 percent of the entire U.S. hotel room supply, according to Smith Travel Research and Cendant financial data. All hotels are individually owned and operated under franchise agreements with Cendant subsidiaries."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e6e","sn":232,"title":"Boone Repeats, Chestnut and LaRue Surprise ","createdAt":"2005-04-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Dale Boone won the Broadway at the Beach Ultimate Eating Competition for the second year in a row, shaking off local muscle-mouth Don Schaefer in the four round elimination event in Myrtle Beach this past Saturday, April 23rd.\r\n\r\nFurther west on the same day a shocking (and controversial) upset occurred in the World Deep Fried Asparagus Eating Championship at the Asparagus Festival in Stockton, CA.\r\n\r\nRich LeFevre, the top-ranked male gurgitator in America fell to impressive newcomer Joey Chestnut in a one-on-one \"tie-breaker.\" A surprised crowd questioned the judge's call that forced the event into overtime (some said one of LeFevre's plates went uncounted), but LeFevre refused to speculate on the judge's call. He gracefully congratulated Chestnut on his win and kissed his wife, Carlene, who also competed in the difficult event.\r\n\r\n\"It was a bad call,\" said Bob Gilman an eating fan from Sacramento. \"Reminiscent of the Villanova / UNC game this past March. Tough break for Nova, tough break for LeFevre. Chestnut is great, but human error sometimes shows itself in the officiating of big league sports.\"\r\n\r\nOn Sunday in West Palm another major upset occurred -- albeit without controversy. Jammin' Joe LaRue ate 31 ears of sweet corn in 12 minutes to beat Ed Jarvis, who had consumed 29 ½ ears. Jarvis, world record holder with 33 1/2 ears in 12 minutes, had taken the red eye from the Stockton asparagus event to defend his corn crown, but fell to a surging LaRue.\r\n\r\nThe battle was neck and neck throughout, with LaRue and Jarvis trading the lead. But Cookie slowed slightly in the final 90 seconds, enabling LaRue to achieve a 1 1/2 ear margin of victory.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e6c","sn":231,"title":"Weekend Gurgitators Buoy Airline Industry","createdAt":"2005-04-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Ed Cookie Jarvis, Jed Donahue, Rich and Carlene LeFevre, Jammin Joe LaRue and Dale 'Mouth of the South' Boone are among the big name eaters criss-crossing the country this weekend to compete in three IFOCE springtime classics. \r\n\r\nJarvis, Donahue and the LeFevres will be vying for the Fried Asparagus title in Stockton California on Saturday, April 23. On the very same day, Dale Boone will battle South Carolinians at the Broadway at the Beach Ultimate Eating Competition, four elimination rounds culminating with ice cream. \r\n\r\nFlorida’s Jammin' Joe LaRue and Michael 'Per Diem' Parish dream of sweet victory in sweet corn on Sunday in West Palm Beach. To accomplish that dream they'll have to beat a red-eyed Cookie who is flying overnight from California to defend the record he set last year: 33 1/2 ears in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\nBooker, Hardy, Thomas, Goldstein, Lerman, Shoudt, Subich, Seiken and others rest. Some time to strategize for the Nathan's Circuit perhaps? That beauty kicks off in under a month.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e6d","sn":230,"title":"Sweet Science of Matzo Ball Eating","createdAt":"2005-04-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In a hotly contested match, Eric Badlands Booker again took the matzo ball title by consuming 30 matzo balls in five minutes, 25 seconds, at the Ruthie & Gussie’s/Empire Kosher Matzo Ball-Eating Championship, which took place at the Friar’s Club in New York City on April 20, 2005. \r\n\r\nFinishing second with 24 1/2 matzo balls was Hungry Charles Hardy and Eater X placed third with a notable 24. The results were the subject of controversy after Booker was handed a new bowl of matzo balls before completely finishing his first bowl. While no formal complaints were registered, many believe Hardy could have requested an official administrative review. \r\n\r\nThe event featured matzo balls from the official “kvetch-proof” Ruthie & Gussie’s recipe cooked in chicken soup made with great tasting Empire Kosher chickens. Initially it was planned to be a 10-minute competition, but officials reduced it to 5 minutes, 25 seconds minutes upon sampling the product.\r\n\r\n\"Those babies were fast,\" said a proud Badlands who competed while wearing his iPod headphones. \"I was listening to a mix. One Nerfherder tune then into The Show by Slick Rick and Doug E Fresh. With under six minutes you got to pick your contest music very carefully.\"\r\n\r\n\"The matzo balls were of a terrific quality and flavor,\" said Dave Baer, director of global expansion for the IFOCE. \"They looked to be very fast and that was proven during the contest. Great numbers posted for just under six minutes.\" \r\n\r\nThe eaters were coached by authentic Jewish grandmothers from New York's critically acclaimed Folksbiene Yiddish Theatre, the world's oldest and best-known professional Yiddish theatre. The Folksbiene is now celebrating its 90th consecutive season, and will feature Mandy Patinkin at a benefit at Carnegie Hall on June 16. One of the grandmothers, who was assigned to coach the eye-patch wearing Crazy Legs Conti, left as the contest began reportedly to catch a matinee."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e6b","sn":229,"title":"Eaters Prep for Matzo Ball Eating Contest","createdAt":"2005-04-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The eating world is focused on The Ruthie & Gussie’s/Empire Kosher Matzo Ball-Eating Championship at the Friar’s Club in New York City, 57 E. 55th St., at 1 p.m. on April 20, 2005. (The media event is not open to the public.)\r\n\r\nThe Ruthie & Gussie's/ Empire Kosher Matzo Ball-Eating Championship, which is sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating, will showcase the greatest competitive eaters in America in a 10-minute, all-you-can-eat contest.\r\n\r\nEric “Badlands” Booker, Don Moses Lerman, Tim Eater X Janus, and Hungry Charles Hardy are expected to compete.\r\n\r\nThe event will feature matzo balls from the official “kvetch-proof” Ruthie & Gussie’s recipe cooked in chicken soup made with great tasting Empire Kosher chickens. While filling, the delicious matzo balls are considered light, delicate and fast by competitive eaters.\r\n\r\nThe eaters will be coached by real Jewish grandmothers from New York's critically acclaimed Folksbiene Yiddish Theatre, the world's oldest and best-known professional Yiddish theatre. The Folksbiene is now celebrating its 90th consecutive season, and will feature Mandy Patinkin at a benefit at Carnegie Hall on June 16.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e6a","sn":228,"title":"Broadway at the Beach ","createdAt":"2005-04-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The 3rd Annual Broadway at the Beach Ultimate Eating Tournament will take place during the Taste of Broadway Spring Festival in Myrtle Beach, SC on Saturday, April 23, 2005. \r\n\r\nAtlanta's Dale Boone is expected to compete in the tournament, his first appearance since the Thanksgiving Invitational. While Boone failed to win the Invitational, he did have an impressive run last fall, posting a string of baked bean wins and cementing his place in history as one of the best baked bean eaters of 2004. \r\n\r\nThe Myrtle Beach event will consist of three elimination rounds and a final head-to-head contest. All rounds will feature food from top area restaurants.\r\n\r\nThe contest will occur in a steeplechase format, featuring two-minute rounds with a range of items from shrimp to chicken wings from sponsors including: Key West Grill, Johnny Rockets, Amici's, and Goodberry's Frozen Custard. The IFOCE will host and officiate the Broadway at the Beach Ultimate Eating Tournament, which will start at 2 p.m. in Celebrity Square with the final round to commence at 3:00 p.m. \r\n\r\nThere are still spots available, and those over the age of 18 interested in competing can email info@ifoce.com. For additional information on the Broadway at the Beach Eating Tournament, visit www.BroadwayAtTheBeach.com, or call (843) 444-3200.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e68","sn":227,"title":"Strawberries to Badlands","createdAt":"2005-04-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eric ‘Badlands’ Booker consumed 7 pounds of strawberries in four minutes to beat a field of college eaters at Southeastern Louisiana University and win the World Strawberry Jubilee Eating Championship, which occurred in Hammond, LA on April 13, 2005.\r\n\r\n“Strawberries are one of the more important fruits harvested in the Western Hemisphere,” said Badlands after the contest. “Every state in America grows strawberries, but in my estimation Lousiana’s are the finest.”\r\n\r\nFor more information on this fascinating plant, read \"Systematics and Geographic Distribution of the American Strawberry\" by Gunter Staudt.\r\n\r\nBooker maintains a website on which you can hear some of his singles.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e69","sn":226,"title":"LeFevre Wins Boomtown Lobster Eating Match","createdAt":"2005-04-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rich LeFevre continued his impressive winning streak at the Boomtown Casino & Hotel in Reno, NV, by downing 5.75 pounds of Maine lobster meat from the shell in 12 minutes to beat out a field of 14 eaters.\r\n\r\nIn a strong second was Bob Shoudt of Pennsylvania, who arrived from the airport only minutes before the event to compete. Third place was a tie between Joe Chestnut of California and Jason Erb of Washington State.\r\n\r\nDesigned to highlight Boomtown’s famous all-you-can-eat Whole Maine Lobster, Steak and Seafood Buffet, the challenge attracted eating greats from around the nation. Richard LeFevre’s wife, Carlene, the posole-eating champion and the world’s #7-ranked eater, performed remarkably well as did Reno’s own Spencer Thomas, a chili eating veteran.\r\n\r\nRich LeFevre, a distance eater, holds records in chili, Spam, veggie dogs, watermelon and more. In addition to $2,000 cash, LeFevre won a trip to Old Orchard Beach, Maine to compete in the August 13 Lobster! Lobster! World Lobster-Eating Championship.\r\n\r\n“Boomtown is known for our all-you-can-eat Whole Maine Lobster, Steak and Seafood Buffet, which features whole Maine lobster, shrimp, tender carved-to-order meats and more every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening,” said Boomtown Senior Director of Marketing Patrick Bassney. \r\n\r\nThe nearly 400-seat Silver Screen Buffet, where the event was held, also offers a full salad bar and a dessert station overflowing with decadent cakes, ice cream and bananas Foster, as well as a Saturday and Sunday champagne brunch and weekday buffet lunches and dinners, all with special child and senior pricing.\r\n\r\nBoomtown Casino and Hotel is located just seven miles west of Reno on Interstate 80 at Boomtown exit #4. Boomtown offers nearly 42,000 square feet of gaming excitement with the latest in slots and video poker, #1-rated Blackjack, as well as Craps, Pai Gow, 3-5-7 Poker, keno, poker, a complete sports book, a Family Fun CenterSM and five delectable dining choices - Cassidy’sSM, the Silver Screen Buffet, Sundance CantinaSM, Drovers Inn RestaurantSM and Starbucks. For traveler convenience, Boomtown also offers 318 deluxe rooms and suites, indoor swimming pool, room service, bell service, free valet parking, 10,500 square feet of convention space, 203-space RV Park, 24-hour mini-mart gas station and a 20-acre trucker’s complex. For more information, call 1-800-648-3790 or log onto www.boomtownreno.com.\r\n\r\nAbout Pinnacle Entertainment Pinnacle Entertainment owns and operates casinos in Nevada, Mississippi, Louisiana, Indiana and Argentina, and receives lease income from two card club casinos, both in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The company is also building a major casino resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and has been selected for two casino and related development projects in St. Louis, Missouri, pending approval of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and the Missouri Gaming Commission, respectively. For further information on Pinnacle Entertainment, please visit www.pnkinc.com.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e67","sn":225,"title":"Nathan’s Famous 2005 Schedule Announced!","createdAt":"2005-04-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The official contest schedule has been announced for the 2005 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest:\r\n\r\nMay 19 - New York, New York Hotel, Las Vegas, NV\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\nMay 21 - East Hartford, CT\r\n\r\nMay 28 - Independence Visitor Center, Philadelphia, PA\t\t\t\r\n\r\nJune 4 - Arizona Mills Mall, Tempe, AZ\t\t\t\r\n\r\nJune 11 - MacArthur Center Mall, Norfolk, VA\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\nJune 18 - Pembroke Lakes Mall, Pembroke Pines, FL\r\n\t\t\r\nJune 24 - Molly Pitcher Travel Plaza, Cranbury, NJ\r\n\t\t\t\r\nJune 25 - Long Island Ducks Stadium, Central Islip, NY\r\n\r\nJune 25 - Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta, GA\t\t\t\t\r\n\r\nJune 29 - Civil Service Contestants, South Street Seaport, NYC\r\n\r\nJuly 2 - Shea Stadium, Queens, NY\r\n\r\nJuly 4 – Coney Island Finals\r\n\r\nIn order to win a seat at the big show on July 4th in Coney Island, Brooklyn, competitors must win one of these qualifying events.\r\n\r\nRegistration for the qualifiers will begin in approximately two weeks on www.nathansfamous.com. Contestants are allowed to participate in up to three qualifying contests. Once a contestant has won a qualifier, they will not compete in any further qualifiers. This is an IFOCE event and IFOCE will handle registration with Nathan’s Famous. Participants must be 18 years or over.\r\n\r\nAn article on ESPN.com provides perspective on the Nathan's contest and the growing sport of competitive eating."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e66","sn":224,"title":"Stockton Hosts World Deep-Fried Asparagus Contest","createdAt":"2005-04-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The world’s most celebrated competitive eaters will converge at the Stockton Asparagus Festival in Stockton, CA on April 23, for the World Deep-Fried Asparagus-Eating Championship. The competition will commence at 11 a.m. on the Main Stage at the Weber Point Event Center.\r\n\r\nThe field of gurgitators will be highlighted by Ed “Cookie” Jarvis of New York, the No. 6-ranked eater in the world. Jarvis, a former dessert specialist who has dramatically improved his ability in the beef and vegetable disciplines, looks to add the title of World Deep-Fried Asparagus-Eating Champion to his already impressive stable of gurgitory feats.\r\n\r\nA host of talented local competitors will also be trying their hand including Stockton’s own Ron Davis, James “Big Ox” Martin of Fresno and Isaiah Johnson of Sacramento.\r\n\r\nThe 10-minute, all-you-can-eat contest will feature deep-fried spears of Stockton asparagus. The winner will take home a cash prize of $1,000 and the beautiful champion’s trophy.\r\n\r\n“The Stockton Asparagus Festival is thrilled to welcome back the IFOCE to our city,” said Kate Lewis, executive director of the Stockton Asparagus Festival. “This unique brand of sporting entertainment has proven to be just as exciting for fans as the competitors participating.”\r\n\r\nLast year, Sonya Thomas set a new world record by eating 5.75-lbs. of asparagus in 10 min.\r\n\r\nThe Stockton Asparagus Festival is a three-day, multi-event, food and entertainment festival, which celebrates asparagus. The festival, held April 22-24, features three performance stages, an Asparagus Alley with the best deep-fried asparagus found anywhere, one of the finest celebrity chef cooking demonstration kitchens, a classic car show, a fabulous Spear-Its of the Valley wine and beer pavilion, a craft show, and exhibits by more than 70 food purveyors and 100 specialty merchandise vendors. www.asparagusfest.com "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e64","sn":223,"title":"Jarvis Takes Nathan's Fries Eating Contest","createdAt":"2005-03-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Cookie Jarvis came back big today in Oceanside, NY, winning the Nathan's Famous World French Fry Eating Championship by downing a total of 4.46 pounds of the famous krinkle cut fries in six minutes.\r\n\r\nThe three-round elimination series included Badlands Booker, Charles Hardy, Tim Janus, Brian Seiken, Leon Feingold, Don Lerman, Bob Shoudt, Jason Kokoska, Allen Goldstein, Corrie Monson and Crazy Legs Conti.\r\n\r\nIn a surprise upset, the final four included Tim Janus, Leon Fengold, Bob Shoudt and Cookie Jarvis. Once in the final round, Jarvis showed supreme confidence, getting into a zone and staying there until the whistle blew.\r\n\r\nTim Janus placed second in the event and Leon Feingold placed third. The high definition network, IN HD, will feature the contest as part of its \"Tour de Gorge\" series."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e62","sn":221,"title":"Nathan's Fries Event SRO","createdAt":"2005-03-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Cookie Jarvis, Don Lerman and Eric Booker are among the eaters who will compete at Nathan’s Famous in Oceanside, NY, on March 31, 2005 for the first-ever Nathan’s Famous World French Fry-Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nThe 12-person, all-you-can-eat contest, will honor Nathan’s Famous Krinkle Cut French Fries, which have created generations of devotees around the world since Nathan’s Famous was founded in 1916. The fresh-cut French fries are thicker and considered the most delicious available by many long-time French fry connoisseurs.\r\n\r\nThe contest, which will occur at 2:00 pm, is now full -- a complete list of participants will be posted. The event will be sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating, the organization that sanctions the world-renowned Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.\r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Famous French fry is cooked in corn oil, which is cholesterol free and has no trans fatty acids. The IFOCE will handle all registration.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e63","sn":222,"title":"Poe Wins Life on a Stick Contest","createdAt":"2005-03-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Newcomers showed promise in the Veggie on a Stick Amateur Eating Challenge, but the professionals showed them how it's done.\r\n\r\nThe contest was held at Hollywood & Highland Wednesday to celebrate the series premiere of the new FOX comedy LIFE ON A STICK. Los Angeles resident Mike Poe took home the grand prize $2,500 Home Entertainment Center by eating 8-1/4 veggie sticks in six minutes.\r\n\r\nThe results were a close call for second and third with Toshio Suzuki eating 7-7/8 veggie sticks and Bashar with 7-3/4 in six minutes.\r\n\r\nTop-ranked husband and wife team Rich and Carlene LeFevre set the bar with an exhibition round. Rich downed 14 and Carlene managed 12-1/2.\r\n\r\nLIFE ON A STICK airs on FOX on Thursday, March 24 @ 9:30 p.m. following American Idol."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e70","sn":220,"title":"FOX's Life on a Stick Contest","createdAt":"2005-03-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Amateur Eaters, this is your opportunity to compEAT against the best when IFOCE and FOX cook up an eating contest celebrating the series premiere of the new FOX comedy LIFE ON A STICK Thursday, March 24 @ 9:30pm. \r\n\r\nGrand Prize: $2500 Home Entertainment Center: Panasonic 32\" Flat Screen HDTV, 5 Speakers and a 5-Disc DVD Player.\r\n\r\nYou will also get a chance to see two professional eaters go head to head to see how it's done. Come on out to Hollywood & Highland and be one of the first 10 contestants to sign-up! (This is not for eaters who have competed before.)\r\n\r\nLocation: Hollywood & Highland\r\n 6801 Hollywood Blvd. \r\n Hollywood, CA 90028\r\n Central Courtyard \r\n\r\nWhen: March 23rd, 2005\r\n 1pm Registration of contestants \r\n 4:15pm Veggie on a Stick Eating Contest \r\n ***First ten eligible in line will compete **** \r\n\r\n*Must be 18 or over\r\n*Restrictions May Apply\r\n*IFOCE will handle registration \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e60","sn":219,"title":"Thomas Eats 46 Dozen Oysters at Acme","createdAt":"2005-03-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas shocked the world by smashing her own record of 36 dozen oysters in 10 minutes at the Acme World Oyster Eating Championship in Metairie, LA. Thomas consumed 46 dozen oysters in 10 minutes, then downed six dozen more to take Acme's world endurance record from Boyd Bullot.\r\n\r\nThe crowd of 2,000, which had assembled to witness Thomas' skill, was overwhelmed when she passed the previous world record with ease. The cheering nearly drowned out the final countdown as she approached the 46 dozen mark.\r\n\r\nBadlands Booker placed second with 28 dozen oysters, followed by former world record holder, Crazy Legs Conti, who consumed 20 dozen. Newcomer Patrick Bertoletti ate 19 dozen and Randy Harrison ate 17 dozen."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e65","sn":218,"title":"Boomtown Casino and Hotel in Reno to Hold Lobster Buffet Contest","createdAt":"2005-03-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Some of America’s top competitive eaters will square off at Boomtown Casino and Hotel Reno’s Lobster-Eating Challenge on April 9, 2005.\r\n\r\nDesigned to highlight Boomtown’s famous all-you-can-eat Whole Maine Lobster, Steak and Seafood Buffet, the challenge is expected to attract eating greats including Rich ‘The Locust’ LeFevre, a Nevada resident who is the watermelon eating champion and the #3-ranked eater in the world, and his wife, Carlene, posole-eating champion and the world’s #7-ranked eater.\r\n\r\nRich, known as a distance eater, holds records including ten pounds of chili consumed in ten minutes. Experts believe his years on the buffet circuit will come in handy as he battles some of America’s top gastronomes. However, the lobster is expected to create difficulties for some eaters who may become distracted by the delicious flavor.\r\n\r\n“This is an historic event that will be a watershed for the crustacean-eating discipline,” explains International Federation of Competitive Eating Chair George Shea.\r\n\r\nThe celebrity contest, held at 1:30 p.m., will include local dignitaries. Free public entry into the celebrity contest is available at the event, based on availability. Following the celebrity event, a “professional” contest will offer $3,500 in prize money, with $2,000 going to first place, $1,000 to second place, and $500 to third place. Both events take place in the Silver Screen BuffetSM on Boomtown’s west casino floor. The professional contest winner also receives a trip to Old Orchard Beach, Maine to compete in the August 13 Lobster! Lobster! World Lobster-Eating Championship.\r\n \r\n“Boomtown is known for our all-you-can-eat Whole Maine Lobster, Steak and Seafood Buffet, which features whole Maine lobster, shrimp, tender carved-to-order meats and more every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening,” said Boomtown Senior Director of Marketing Patrick Bassney. \r\n\r\nThe nearly 400-seat Silver Screen Buffet also offers a full salad bar and a dessert station overflowing with decadent cakes, ice cream and bananas Foster, as well as a Saturday and Sunday champagne brunch and weekday buffet lunches and dinners, all with special child and senior pricing. \r\n\r\nBoomtown Casino and Hotel is located just seven miles west of Reno on Interstate 80 at Boomtown exit #4. Boomtown offers nearly 42,000 square feet of gaming excitement with the latest in slots and video poker, #1-rated Blackjack, as well as Craps, Pai Gow, 3-5-7 Poker, keno, poker, a complete sports book, a Family Fun CenterSM and five delectable dining choices - Cassidy’sSM, the Silver Screen Buffet, Sundance CantinaSM, Drovers Inn RestaurantSM and Starbucks. For traveler convenience, Boomtown also offers 318 deluxe rooms and suites, indoor swimming pool, room service, bell service, free valet parking, 10,500 square feet of convention space, 203-space RV Park, 24-hour mini-mart gas station and a 20-acre trucker’s complex. For more information, call 1-800-648-3790 or log onto www.boomtownreno.com.\r\n\r\nAbout Pinnacle Entertainment Pinnacle Entertainment owns and operates casinos in Nevada, Mississippi, Louisiana, Indiana and Argentina, and receives lease income from two card club casinos, both in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The company is also building a major casino resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and has been selected for two casino and related development projects in St. Louis, Missouri, pending approval of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and the Missouri Gaming Commission, respectively. For further information on Pinnacle Entertainment, please visit www.pnkinc.com.\r\n\r\nThis is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle all registration. All those over the age of 21 are allowed to compete.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e5f","sn":217,"title":"Sonya to Defend at Acme","createdAt":"2005-03-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Competitive Eating fans throughout the southeast are gearing up to watch Sonya Thomas defend her title at the 2005 Acme World Oyster Eating Championship. The event will occur on Sunday, March 20th, and serve as the anchor of the Grand Opening Celebration of Acme’s newest location at 3000 Veteran’s Blvd. in Metairie, Louisiana. \r\n\r\nLast year Sonya consumed 36 dozen Louisiana Oysters in the ten minute event, doubling the existing record.\r\n\r\n\"She's absolutely incredible,\" said Ewell Smith of the Louisiana Seafood Promotions and Marketing Board. \"She is gracefully slender and that catches some of the other competitors off guard. But when The Widow gets down to business, watch out!\"\r\n\r\nFormer Acme title holder Crazy Legs Conti is scheduled to compete as is Badlands Booker. When ask if his recent loss to 10th ranked Eater X in Michigan concerned him, the 4th ranked Booker said simply: \"It's all good.\"\r\n\r\nThe contest is presented by Acme Oyster House, the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, Tabasco Brands, Barq’s Root Beer, Miller Lite and Lea & Perrins. \r\n\r\n\"I'm fixin to get to Acme early, grab a spot down front and not move until Sonya makes history again,\" said Wet Levi, a drummer for the Eddie Simons, a popular local band .\r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e61","sn":216,"title":"LeFevre Takes Tex Mex Roll Eating Contest","createdAt":"2005-03-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rich LeFevre took first prize -- a trip for two to Hawaii valued at $4,000 -- at the ‘GameWorks World Tex Mex Roll-Eating Championship presented by Great Lakes Crossing'at the Great Lakes Crossing Mall in Michigan. LeFevre consumed 30 rolls in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\nIn a surprise upset, Eater X (Tim Janus) beat Badlands Booker and took second place by consuming 24.5 rolls -- 1.5 more than Booker. Second place carried a $1,000 cash prize and third place, $500.\r\n\r\nGreg Needham Regional Marketing Director for GameWorks said: “GameWorks is not only a great place to play games, but also a great place for food. We view this title sponsorship of the IFOCE event as an opportunity to showcase our diverse GameWorks Grill menu and unique facility.”\r\n\r\nGreat Lakes Crossing, Michigan's number 1 shopping and entertainment destination, blends the hottest concepts in theme entertainment and dining with an unparalleled offering of more than 200 exciting, value-oriented and regular-priced stores. Opened in November of 1998, Great Lakes Crossing boasts six themed and architecturally distinctive areas in a 1.7 million square foot structure. Great Lakes Crossing brings numerous \"firsts\" to Michigan, including Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World (five football fields worth of outdoor gear and shopping fun), GameWorks (hi-tech indoor playland developed with Steven Spielberg's guidance), Rainforest Cafe, and Neiman-Marcus Last Call Clearance Center.\r\n\r\nGameWorks is the ultimate destination for a total entertainment experience where guest can eat, drink, party, and play. GameWorks provides all the best elements of a great night out in one location, including a full-service restaurant with a fantastic menu featuring; a cool, high-energy bar serving signature martinis and specialty cocktails; private meeting and group banquet rooms and the most entertaining interactive games and attractions in the world. It’s state-of-the-art-fun!"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e5d","sn":213,"title":"UK Eating Championship","createdAt":"2005-03-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The International Federation of Competitive Eating will hold a UK Eating Championship in England, on Sunday May 1, 2005.\r\n\r\nThe 12-minute, all-you-can-eat contest, is open to all aspiring eating athletes 18 years of age or older. The winner will receive the title of UK Champion and will win a place at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City.\r\n\r\nThe UK Eating Championship, which will be featured in a Channel 4 documentary on the fast-growing sport of eating, will include six top eaters chosen from a UK-wide audition/time trial to be held in Birmingham in April.\r\n\r\nEntrants may apply by emailing eatingchamp@twofour.co.uk or by calling 0870 062 2803. Rookie athletes are welcome, but those with an eating pedigree will receive special consideration.\r\n\r\nCompeting in the Fourth of July event will be Takeru Kobayashi, the 9 ½ stone number-one ranked eater in the world, who has consumed 53.5 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes, and Sonya Thomas, the 7 stone, number-two ranked eater, who has consumed 432 oysters in 10 minutes.\r\n\r\n“While the European Union has grown in political strength and stature during the past five years, it has fallen woefully behind in the competitive eating arena,” said IFOCE Chair George Shea. “This is an opportunity for the UK to showcase its top athletic talent and get the UK back on the sporting map.” \r\n\r\nThe IFOCE hopes that the UK championship will help bridge recent differences between Europe and the US. Associating the UK and American championships promises to strengthen both while creating greater understanding between the cultures on opposite sides of the Atlantic.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e5e","sn":211,"title":"Six New Records at Title Rally","createdAt":"2005-03-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Verducci's Market in Ringoes, NJ, hosted a remarkably dramatic IFOCE Title Rally yesterday, which will appear on the high-definition network, INHD, as part of the Tour de Gorge series.\r\n\r\nVerducci's owner Mel Cottone and Raritan County Deputy Mayor Jerry Zemlachenko were on hand to oversee events; veteran eaters Hungry Charles Hardy and Eric Badlands Booker served as judges.\r\n\r\nDuring the title rally, which featured five one-on-one contests between IFOCE eaters, a team structure took shape. Hungry Charles Hardy began coaching the eaters on his side of the table, where host Richard Shea provided commentary. Meanwhile, Eric Booker took the eaters on the other side of the table, where George Shea hosted, under his wing.\r\n\r\nIn the first round, Tomato and Mozzarella, Tim Holden easily beat newcomer Jason Read, popping the cherry tomatoes into his mouth like ibuprophen. Read, an Olympic rower who won gold in Athens, simply could not keep up with Holden at the table.\r\n\r\nThe bad blood between Kevin Lipsitz and Beautiful Brian Seiken was evident in the second, escarole, round. In an inflammatory pre-event interview, Seiken had suggested that if the rivalry ever came to blows he would strike Lipsitz in the throat to embarrass him in front of his family. Lipsitz refused to take the bait, however, and when the two enemies met at the table, Lipsitz soundly defeated Seiken, eating four pounds of escarole in eight minutes. Seiken, who had beaten Lipsitz in pickles in last year's title rally, was nearly two pounds behind Lipsitz.\r\n\r\nAllen Goldstein and Bob Shoudt finished in a tie after both consumed two pounds of penne in marinara sauce in one minute and 20 seconds. Shoudt barely edged out Goldstein in the tie-breaker round, consuming one pound of the pasta in 27 seconds.\r\n\r\nA resurgent Sonny Manzi, who had performed so brilliantly in the tongue discipline in the Glutton Bowl, was back for sausage and peppers. Manzi raced through the dish, achieving a decisive win against newcomer Ross Siegel. Manzi is known for his sharp incisors and he used them in this event to rip the sausage apart.\r\n\r\nThe tiramisu was daunting. The final round, between Tim Janus and Yellowcake Subich, featured four-pound tiramisu cakes. Subich smashed his fist into the cake at the starting whistle and proceeded to consume the guts of the cake quickly, placing the bread-like fingers that surrounded the cake into water to soften them for later consumption.\r\n\r\nThis strategy, which appeared wise at first, may have proven his downfall. As the contest ended, Subich was forced to retrieve the sodden fingers and add them to his plate -- heavier than when the event began – for the weighing process. While it is not clear that this misstep was the sole cause of his defeat, it likely contributed to the loss -- Tim Janus beat Subich by a pound of tiramisu.\r\n\r\nAt the end of the contest, Hardy and Richard Shea boasted that their side of the table had gone five-for-five in the rally. The crowd, exhausted by the emotional roller-coaster of the day, was about to leave, when Eric Badlands Booker called out Hardy himself for a final winner-take-all team event.\r\n\r\nHardy accepted and two three-pound plates of escarole, penne and sausage and peppers were created for the veterans. The two greats went at the plates with incredible speed, and unlike some of the less experienced eaters, they did not allow the slippery food to distract them. In fact, after two minutes, they both poured the remaining contents of the plates onto the table to simplify the eating.\r\n\r\nIn the final seconds it was neck and neck, with Hardy scooping up three recalcitrant white beans and Booker going after a slippery penne noodle. The judges called it for Hardy. A six-for-six sweep.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e58","sn":208,"title":"Sweet Corn in Palm Beach","createdAt":"2005-03-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Competitive eaters will make their annual pilgrimage to West Palm Beach, FL, on Sunday, April 24, for the National Sweet Corn-Eating Championship. The competition will take place as part of the Fifth Annual Sweet Corn Fiesta held at Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds.\r\n\r\nThe field of gurgitators will likely include America’s top-ranked eater, Ed “Cookie” Jarvis and IFOCE circuit stars including: “Jammin’” Joe LaRue of Hollywood, FL, and Michael Parish of Tamarel, FL. Jarvis set the world record of 33½ ears of corn in 12 minutes in 2004.\r\n\r\nThe 12-minute all-you-can-eat contest will feature ears of South Florida sweet corn-on-the-cob. The winner will receive a cash prize, along with the prestigious title of World Sweet Corn Eating Champion.\r\n\r\nThe event is sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating, which will handle all registration. Those over the age of 18 may apply via the IFOCE.com website."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e59","sn":210,"title":"Nathan's World French Fry-Eating Championship","createdAt":"2005-03-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"America’s finest competitive eaters will assemble at Nathan’s Famous in Oceanside, NY, on March 31, 2005 for the first-ever Nathan’s Famous World French Fry-Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nThe 12-person, all-you-can-eat contest, is an homage to Nathan’s Famous Krinkle Cut French Fries, which have created generations of devotees around the world since Nathan’s Famous was founded in 1916. The fresh-cut French fries are thicker and considered the most delicious available by many long-time French fry connoisseurs.\r\n\r\nThe contest, which will occur at 2:00 pm, is open to all those over the age of 18. The event will be sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating, the organization that sanctions the world-renowned Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.\r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Famous French fry is cooked in corn oil, which is cholesterol free and has no trans fatty acids. The IFOCE will handle all registration."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e5b","sn":209,"title":"Ruthie & Gussie/Empire Kosher Matzo Ball Contest","createdAt":"2005-03-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Ruthie & Gussie’s, the world’s premier Kvetch-Proof ready-to-cook kosher food line, and Empire Kosher, the world's largest producer of kosher poultry has announced that it will hold The Ruthie & Gussie’s/Empire Kosher Matzo Ball-Eating Championship at the Friar’s Club in New York City, 57 E. 55th St., at 1 p.m. on April 20, 2005. \r\n\r\nThe Ruthie & Gussie's/ Empire Kosher Matzo Ball-Eating Championship, which is sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating, will showcase the greatest competitive eaters in America in a 10-minute, all-you-can-eat contest.\r\n\r\nEric “Badlands” Booker, Cookie Jarvis, Don Moses Lerman, Allen Goldstein, and Hungry Charles Hardy are expected to compete.\r\n\r\nThe event will feature matzo balls from the official “kvetch-proof” Ruthie & Gussie’s recipe cooked in chicken soup made with great tasting Empire Kosher chickens. While filling, the delicious matzo balls are considered light, delicate and fast by competitive eaters.\r\n\r\n“This event will finally solve the one question that has plagued matzo ball connoisseurs for years. “Is it easier to eat a floater or a sinker?” said Steve Gold of Ruthie & Gussie’s.\r\n\r\nAbout Ruthie & Gussie’s\r\n\r\nIt all began when Steve, son of Ruthie and nephew of Gussie Rados, won top honors at the 1997 James Beard Foundation Latke Lovers Cook-Off and was bombarded with requests for the recipe so he decided to package it as a batter for the convenience of all. In December 2003, Ruthie and Gussie gave the world the gift of their cherished family recipes with the introduction of the Ruthie & Gussie’s line. The “kvetch proof” line makes traditional homemade-style kosher delicacies that are quick and simple to prepare including Traditional Potato Pancake Batter, Traditional Sweet Potato Pancake Batter and Traditional Kugel Batter. Ruthie & Gussie’s products come frozen and ready-to-cook, and are kosher for Passover. The Ruthie & Gussie’s product line is sold in specialty gourmet food stores, kosher shops and supermarkets and is available nationwide throughout the year on the company’s website at www.ruthieandgussies.com. For more information please contact Steve Gold, President Manager at 845-639-1121 or Sgold@ruthieandgussies.com\r\n\r\nAbout Empire Kosher Poultry, Inc.\r\n\r\nEmpire Kosher Poultry, Inc. is the largest kosher poultry producer in the world, and has its facilities in central Pennsylvania. Empire® produces kosher chickens and kosher turkeys through a fully integrated process starting with breeder farms, egg hatchery, feed mill, grow out houses and processing facilities. Through this fully vertically integrated approach Empire® continues to deliver the highest quality poultry products available anywhere. For more information please contact Ms. Neenah Lauver, Product Manager at 717-436-5921, Ext. 327 or lauvern@empirekosher.com \r\n\r\nThe IFOCE is handling registration."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e5c","sn":207,"title":"Title Rally ","createdAt":"2005-02-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The 2005 IFOCE Title Rally will occur at Verducci's Specialty Market in Ringoes, New Jersey on March 5th. This event will feature a variety of Italian specialties, including tomato & mozzarella, pasta with red sauce, escarole, sausage & peppers and tiramisu. Match-ups and food pairings will be announced on the spot. Rising gurgitators Brian Yellowcake Subich and Tim Janus will compete as will veterans like Krazy Kevin and Sonny Manzi."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e56","sn":205,"title":"Acme Date Set","createdAt":"2005-02-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The 2005 Acme World Oyster Eating Championship will occur on Sunday, March 20th, and serve as the anchor event of the Grand Opening Celebration of Acme’s newest location at 3000 Veteran’s Blvd. in Metairie, Louisiana. \r\n\r\nKnown for elevating the celebrity of such eating stars as Crazy Legs Conti and Boyd Bulot, the Acme World Oyster Eating Championship attracts top gurgitators to New Orleans each year. In 2004, Sonya Thomas downed 36 dozen Louisiana Oysters in the ten minute event, doubling the existing record and beginning a year of dominance on the IFOCE circuit.\r\n\r\nPerhaps because of its location, the oyster eating championship attracts many fans that travel to New Orleans each year to witness the event and take in some local flavor.\r\n\r\n“My life would not be complete without this annual pilgrimage to the Crescent City,” said Dinshaw Goby, a New York City-based musician who attends the Acme event every year. “The galleries of the French Quarter, the historic tree-lined streets of the Garden District and the high-spirited oyster contest all combine for a memorable family experience.”\r\n\r\nThe event is expected to draw even bigger crowds this year due to the success of “Crazy Legs Conti, Zen and the Art of Competitive Eating,” a documentary film airing on A&E that uses the 2002 Acme World Oyster Eating Championship as a focus. \r\n\r\nThe contest is presented by Acme Oyster House, the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, Tabasco Brands, Barq’s Root Beer, and Lea & Perrins. The IFOCE is handling registration and anyone interested in competing in the Acme World Oyster Eating Championship can email info@ifoce.com. An interesting article appeared recently.\r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e5a","sn":206,"title":"Chow-Down In Motown","createdAt":"2005-02-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Auburn Hills, MI – Only eight months after the Detroit Pistons secured the NBA Championship title, Michigan looks forward to the crowning of another national champion on March 12, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. when competitive eating’s finest athletes converge at the Great Lakes Crossing Mall for the ‘GameWorks World Tex Mex Roll-Eating Championship presented by Great Lakes Crossing'.\r\n\r\nThe winner of the 12-minute event, which is sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating, will receive a luxurious trip for two to Hawaii valued at $4,000. Second and third place will also receive certificates redeemable for cash in the amounts of $1,000 and $500 respectively.\r\n\r\nAmong the gurgitators who have expressed interest in competing is none other than Ed ‘Cookie’ Jarvis, the former American Hot Dog Eating Champion and one of the most recognized competitive eaters in the world. Jarvis has amassed no fewer than 25 wins in International Federation of Competitive Eating contests. His records include 21 cannoli in 6 minutes; 91 Chinese dumplings in 8 minutes; 1 gallon, 9 ounces of vanilla ice cream in 12 minutes; Six and 2/3 pounds linguini (no. 115) in 10 minutes; and 33 1/2 ears sweet corn in 12 minutes. However, a strong field of gastronomes from the Midwest and beyond will undoubtedly make victory #26 a difficult feat for Jarvis.\r\n\r\n“This is the International Federation of Competitive Eating’s first official eating contest in Michigan,” said Kimberly Shadwick, General Manager of Great Lakes Crossing. “We are thrilled to bring this unique and exciting brand of entertainment to local residents.” Greg Needham Regional Marketing Director for GameWorks states “GameWorks is not only a great place to play games, but also a great place for food. We view this title sponsorship of the IFOCE event as an opportunity to showcase our diverse GameWorks Grill menu and unique facility. We want to be known as your total entertainment destination for both great food and great games.”\r\n\r\n“The GameWorks World Tex Mex Roll-Eating Championship is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious titles on the competitive eating circuit,” said George Shea, chairman of the IFOCE. “Dexterity, capacity, jaw strength, and stomach capacity will all play pivotal roles in determining who emerges as champion.”\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE will handle registration, and interested competitors should call 212-627-5766 to register. There will also be a neat-eating contest at 1:00pm and a Tropical Chicken Salad contest for local amateur eaters at 1:30pm.\r\n\r\nGameWorks is the ultimate destination for a total entertainment experience where guest can eat, drink, party, and play. GameWorks provides all the best elements of a great night out in one location, including a full-service restaurant with a fantastic menu featuring; a cool, high-energy bar serving signature martinis and specialty cocktails; private meeting and group banquet rooms and the most entertaining interactive games and attractions in the world. It’s state-of-the-art-fun!\r\n\r\nGreat Lakes Crossing, Michigan's number 1 shopping and entertainment destination, blends the hottest concepts in theme entertainment and dining with an unparalleled offering of more than 200 exciting, value-oriented and regular-priced stores. Opened in November of 1998, Great Lakes Crossing boasts six themed and architecturally distinctive areas in a 1.7 million square foot structure. Great Lakes Crossing brings numerous \"firsts\" to Michigan, including Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World (five football fields worth of outdoor gear and shopping fun), GameWorks (hi-tech indoor playland developed with Steven Spielberg's guidance), Rainforest Cafe, and Neiman-Marcus Last Call Clearance Center.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e54","sn":204,"title":"GRILLED CHEESE TO THOMAS","createdAt":"2005-02-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas took the GoldenPalace.com World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship by consuming 25 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes. \r\n\r\nOrange County's Jalapeno Jed Donahue proved once again that he is a very capable gurgitator by matching Rich LeFevre's 23 grilled cheeses for the second place tie. The event took place on Saturday, February 12th in Venice Beach, CA. GoldenPalace.com, the #1 online casino, sponsored the event and put up $10,000 in prize money.\r\n\r\nThe Virgin Mary grilled cheese was on hand for all to see. \r\n\r\n\"I have never been a religious man,\" said an eating fan from Santa Monica known as Bobby Cee. \"But seeing the image of the Blessed Virgin in that sandwich is pretty darned spine-tingling.\""}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e55","sn":203,"title":"El Wingador Wins Wing Bowl","createdAt":"2005-02-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Bill 'El Wingador' Simmons achieved one of the greatest comebacks in sports history today by defeating Sonya 'The Black Widow' Thomas, Cookie Jarvis and Eric 'Badlands' Booker to reclaim the title of 610 WIP Wing Bowl Champion. \r\n\r\nSimmons (IFOCE Ranked #20) and the Widow (IFOCE Ranked #2), who each ate 147 wings during the 30-minute regulation period, went to overtime, where Simmons, the three-time champion, managed to eat just one more wing than Thomas, the top-ranked eater in the United States.\r\n\r\nCookie Jarvis put on a strong performance and finished third. Another notable showing was that of Eric 'Badlands' Booker, who led through much of the contest before being DQ-ed for over-stuffing his mouth. This was a tough call, but Booker was gracious.\r\n\r\nIFOCE Chairman George Shea, who was so overcome with emotion that he initially had trouble typing the results into a handheld wireless device, said it was one of most intense competitions he'd ever witnessed. \r\n\r\n\"I have not felt this much emotion since the birth of my children,\" Shea said. \"I witnessed a critical moment in the history of organized athletics.\"\r\n\r\nThe brainchild of Al Morganti and Angelo Cataldi of SportsRadio 610 WIP in Philadelphia, Wing Bowl 13 attracted more than 30,000 fans to the Wachovia Center (seating 22,000) for an event accommpanied by Mardi Gras-esque pageantry. The great Don Moses Lerman competed, as did Hungry Charles Hardy, Kevin \"Krazy Kevin\" Lipsitz, Eater X, Crazy Legs Conti and Bob Shoudt.\r\n\r\nRumors are swirling that Sonya Thomas is requesting a rematch with El Wingador on Labor Day in Buffalo at the National Buffalo Wing Festival. She has also said she will return next year to Wingador's home turf."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e52","sn":202,"title":"WingBowl arrives","createdAt":"2005-02-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"February 4, 2005, Philadelphia, PA, 3:30 AM -- They have drained every spigot in Philadelphia. They have emptied every beer barrell from Wilmington to Cherry Hill. And now they descend upon the Wachovia Center for WingBowl 13 -- a sporting spectacle that has ranked above the SuperBowl itself for Philly sports fans for more than a decade, and which now serves as a launch to the greatest weekend since 1960.\r\n\r\nThe fans have arrived, the eaters are arriving and history will soon be made. Can Sonya Thomas beat Cookie Jarvis and El Wingador again? Or will The Godfather take top honors, or Eric Booker. What about longshots Don Lerman, Cookie Jarvis, Kevin Lipsitz and Eater X? Is Soultrain as good as they say?\r\n\r\nMore dispatches from the road as the morning progresses."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e51","sn":201,"title":"Prize Money Breakdown For Goldenpalace.com Championship","createdAt":"2005-02-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The $10,000.00 in prize money for the Goldenpalace.com World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship will be broken down as follows: \r\n\r\n$3,500.00 (first place) \r\n$1,750.00 (second place) \r\n$1,300.00 (third place) \r\n$1,150.00 (fourth place) \r\n$1,000.00 (fifth place) \r\n$800.00 (sixth place) \r\n$500.00 (seventh place)\r\n\r\nThe event will take place at 1pm, Feb 12, Muscle Beach at Venice Beach, CA."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e57","sn":200,"title":"Sonya Thomas Brady-Like in Barrick Burger Event ","createdAt":"2005-01-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Plaza Hotel's famed nine-pound Barrick Burger was put away by America’s top-ranked eater Sonya Thomas in 48 minutes and 10 seconds. Rich LeFevre took second, Badlands Booker took third and Ron \"Hizzoner\" Koch secured an impressive fourth. The fair Carlene LeFevre placed fifth, and in sixth place was Philly’s Bob Shoudt. The final cash winner, in seventh place, was Frank Wach. The total prize money for the contest was an impressive $9,000. \r\n\r\nRay “the Bison” Meduna acted expertly as head official judge, and was instrumental in the weighing process. Upon completion of the event, the Bison said: “Sonya showed the poise of Tom Brady and the horse sense of Bill Belichick. The burger was gargantuan, but she showed it a lot of different looks and got it down.” \r\n\r\nAn amateur contest was held beforehand, featuring the 'miniature' three pound Barrick Burger, and was won by David Stringfield."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e53","sn":199,"title":"Plenty of Bread on the Line at World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship","createdAt":"2005-01-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"It will be a cross between a major sporting event and a religious pilgrimage when the nation’s top competitive eaters gather in Venice Beach, CA, for the Goldenpalace.com® World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship in honor of the Virgin Mary Grilled Cheese Sandwich, a 10-year-old sandwich with the image of woman many think is the Blessed Virgin burned into the bread. \r\n\r\nThe World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship will take place on February 12, 2005 at 1 p.m. with the Virgin Mary Grilled Cheese Sandwich on display during the contest. The former owner of the Sandwich, Diana Duyser, will also be there to share the story of the Virgin Mary Grilled Cheese. The event, which will showcase competitive eating’s finest athletes, will feature $10,000 in prize money, making it one of the most lucrative events on the competitive eating circuit.\r\n\r\nGoldenPalace.com, the #1 online casino, recently purchased the Virgin Mary Grilled Cheese Sandwich for $28,000 from Florida resident Diana Duyser. The 10-year-old sandwich is believed by the faithful to bear the unmistakable likeness of the Virgin Mary. In fact, the image appears in such vivid detail that viewers often faint upon seeing it for the first time. The sandwich is ten years old and was stored with no preservation yet She remains remarkably free of mold, adding an inexplicable paranormal element to Her. \r\n\r\n“We are thrilled to highlight the tour of the Virgin Mary Grilled Cheese with the World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship,” said Richard Rowe, CEO of GoldenPalace.com. “Diana Duyser, the former owner of the Sandwich, truly believes that it is special and has brought her tremendous luck over the last ten years. She auctioned it off on eBay hoping that the buyer would share it with the world and we intend to do just that.” \r\n\r\n“This is more than just an eating contest,” said George Shea, chairman of the International Federation of Competitive Eating. “It’s a pilgrimage.”\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e4f","sn":198,"title":"All Eyes Turn to Philly","createdAt":"2005-01-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The first weekend in February is a time when months of preparation, training and hard work culminate in one of the greatest and most highly anticipated sporting events of the year. It is the WIP Wing Bowl -- a Philadelphia tradition for 13 years -- and this year promises even greater drama than in the past.\r\n\r\nAs fans recall from 2004, Sonya Thomas just edged out Cookie Jarvis and El Wingador to capture first place prize with a value of nearly $20,000. The legendary Jarvis/Thomas rivalry was pushed to the limit during the event with an an precedented two-minute overtime.\r\n\r\nJarvis and Wingador were close enough to taste victory, but the diminutive Thomas won the day, and the big men were left with nothing more than the sour taste of cold hot sauce. Jarvis and Wingador, though both gentlemen through and through, have made it clear that they want victory on February 4, 2005.\r\n\r\nThe brainchild of Al Morganti and Angelo Cataldi of WIP 610 in Philly, Wing Bowl attracts more than 20,000 fans to the Wachovia Center to experience athletic greatness, extreme pageantry and the type of revelation usually reserved for Mardi Gras.\r\n\r\nThe great Don Moses Lerman will return in 2005, as will Hungry Charles Hardy, Kevin \"Krazy Kevin\" Lipsitz, Eater X, Sloth, Crazy Legs Conti and Hank the Tank, among others. Eric Badlands Booker and Beautiful Brian Seiken failed to qualify in their initial stunts and it is expected that Booker will compete in the wing Off for a wild card slot.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e50","sn":196,"title":"Gurgitators to Tackle Nine-Pound Burger For $9,000 in Las Vegas","createdAt":"2004-12-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"History will be made on January 22nd, 2005 when competitive eating’s finest gurgitators converge at the Plaza Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV for one of sports' greatest challenges: devouring the monstrous nine-pound Barrick Burger.\r\n\r\nFittingly, there will be $9,000 in prize money on the line, broken down as follows:\r\n\r\n$3,250 (first place) \r\n$1,500 (second place) \r\n$1,250 (third place) \r\n$1,000 (fourth place) \r\n$800 (fifth place) \r\n$700 (sixth place) \r\n$500 (seventh place) \r\n \r\nThere will also be a preliminary contest featuring amateurs with no competitive eating experience. This contest will include $1,000 in prize money, making the entire event one of the most lucrative stops on the IFOCE calendar.\r\n\r\nInterest in this event was extraordinary and the line-up is already set -- there are no more seats open.\r\n\r\nThe pride of Las Vegas will rest on the shoulders of Rich ‘The Locust’ LeFevre, a local resident and the #3 ranked eater in the entire world. Experts believe that LeFevre’s years on the buffet circuit and pedigree as a distance specialist will come in handy as he battles some of the nation’s top gastronomes. \r\n\r\nLeFevre’s most ominous opponent, however, will likely be the Barrick Burger itself. “The Barrick Burger is perhaps the most challenging food in the history of competitive eating,” said Richard Shea, President of the International Federation of Competitive Eating. “This is our Mount Everest.”\r\n\r\nAdmired in earlier times, the eating of food in nine-pound increments was seen as a socially barbaric practice from the first two World Wars until the turn of the century. Realizing that these sentiments were misguided, society now celebrates such a feat- a rebirth that will culminate on Jan. 22nd. \r\n\r\nThe Plaza Hotel and Casino, a spectacular Las Vegas destination, will provide lodging for all eaters.\r\n\r\nThe Plaza Hotel & Casino (www.plazahotelcasino.com) was purchased, along with the Vegas Club, Western and Gold Spike Hotel & Casinos, by Barrick Gaming (www.barrickgamingcorp.com) in March 2004 as the first step in the company’s vision to redevelop much of downtown Las Vegas. The Plaza, Barrick’s flagship property, offers an array of classic and innovative table games and slot machines, downtown’s premiere gourmet restaurant; the glass-domed Center Stage, dynamic entertainment and sporting events and an array of amenities. Guests may call (702) 386-2110 or (800) 634-6575 for more information and/or hotel reservations.\r\n\r\nThe International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 70 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY. The competitive eating community, which numbers more than 3,000 veteran and rookie athletes, travels the nation in search of top titles and the glory that they provide.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e4e","sn":197,"title":"Happy Holidays","createdAt":"2004-12-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The IFOCE wishes its members, sponsors, fans and friends a very Happy New Year 2005. Without a doubt, 2004 was the greatest year ever in the history of competitive eating. The IFOCE sanctioned a record amount of contests, visited a number of new cities and facilitated tens of thousands of dollars in prizes, appearance fees and travel stipends for its eaters.\r\n\r\nNone of this would be possible without the tireless dedication that each and every IFOCE member displays on a day-to-day basis. We are thrilled to have formed relationships with a variety of new sponsors and venues, and look forward to continuing these associations in the future.\r\n\r\nIt seems that 2005 will be another momentous year for the sport of competitive eating and we look forward to it with great eagerness.\r\n\r\nStay happy! Stay healthy! Stay Hungry ®!"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e4d","sn":195,"title":"Tears of Joy, Tears of Pain","createdAt":"2004-12-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Hungry Charles Hardy, Ed Cookie Jarvis and Crazy Legs Conti qualified for Wing Bowl today at WIP in Philadelphia. They ate burritos, spinach and Twinkies respectively, if not respectfully.\r\n\r\nSurprisingly, Badlands Booker failed to win entry despite a noble performance in onions. It is reported that the World Onion Champ had ordered a shipment of Maui Onions from Mr. Pineapple in Hawaii, but due to the holiday shipping crush the onions didn’t arrive in time for the qualifying round. Badlands bought a sack of one-pound yellow onions at the Bryn Mawr Acme just before arriving at WIP. He managed 4 ½ in five minutes, but five in five minutes was the goal. \r\n\r\nBadlands had arrived in Philly confident, having put in a very impressive year on the IFOCE circuit. “Looked like the Eagles in a NFC Championship game,” said Hardy. “Come in tough as nails and leave broken.”\r\n\r\nBadlands, true to form, said: “It’s all good, I’ll come back hungry and focused for the wing off.”\r\n\r\nIn fairness, yellow onions are far less mellow than those from Maui."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e4c","sn":194,"title":"Hungry & Focused Flies Off Shelves","createdAt":"2004-12-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Hungry & Focused, the debut rap album by top-ranked eater Badlands Booker, has proven extraordinarily popular on the IFOCE website, selling rapidly in the weeks leading to the holidays. H&F, which includes hit tracks including as \"Ballad of Badlands\" and \"Sweet Science,\" has received rave reviews from eaters and critics alike.\r\n\r\nIFOCE sales staff has speculated that the CD is being purchased as a holiday gift. Said web sales director Hilary Kover: \"It's fittin' like coffee in the morning with toast.\"\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e4b","sn":193,"title":"Nick Stipelcovich, Jr.","createdAt":"2004-12-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Noted Southern Eating Champ, Nick Stipelcovich Jr., died last week. Stipelcovich, 54, a bar and restaurant owner, competed successfully in Louisiana crawfish and oyster contests and once tried his hand at hot dogs.\r\n\r\nA member of the National Bartenders Hall of Fame, Stipelcovich won awards for his charitable fund raising efforts. He grew up in Louisiana and was a crowd favorite at the annual Acme World Oyster Eating Competition. \r\n\r\nStipelcovich is well known for setting the world crawfish eating record of 55 ¾ pounds in 45 minutes in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana in 1994. This feat earned him the moniker “Crawfish Nick.” He will be remembered for his charming and courteous manner. \r\n\r\nHe is survived by his wife, his daughter and two sisters.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e47","sn":192,"title":"Janus in for WIP Wing Bowl","createdAt":"2004-12-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eater X has qualified for WIP Wing Bowl XIII by consuming 5 pounds of cottage cheese in 2 minutes 30 seconds. Jarvis, Booker and Hardy are expected to seek qualification next week."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e48","sn":191,"title":"Fruitcake Postponed","createdAt":"2004-12-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The citizens of Buffalo and the world will have to wait to see a new fruitcake champion crowned. The World Fruitcake Eating Championship is postponed to a date not yet determined.\r\n\r\nThe Fruitcake Amnesty Program, founded by leading Buffalo resident Drew Cerza, is a movement to gather all of the season's uneaten fruitcakes in Buffalo, NY."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e49","sn":190,"title":"Thomas, LeFevre, Booker at Tropicana Meatball Eating Contest","createdAt":"2004-12-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eric Badlands Booker, Hungry Charles Hardy and Rich LeFevre battled back and forth for first place in the early minutes of the Tropicana World Meatball-Eating Championship in Atlantic City, NJ.\r\n\r\nBut by minute eight, Sonya Thomas began establishing a lead, which she extended, meatball by meatball, until winning with a total of 5 9/10 pounds of Carmine's meatballs in 12 minutes. Thomas took home $2,500 for her efforts.\r\n\r\nLeFevre placed second with 5 pounds 2 ounces even to win $1,250; Eric Booker took third with 5 pounds even to earn $750, and Hardy took fourth with 4 pounds, 10 ounces to win $500.\r\n\r\nThe event, which will be featured as part of the Tour de Gorge series on INHD, was held in front of Carmine's in The Quarter at the Tropicana, a spectacular new casino and resort."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e44","sn":189,"title":"Lerman, Krazy Kev to Wing Bowl","createdAt":"2004-11-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Don Moses Lerman and Krazy Kevin Lipsitz are the first two eaters to qualify for WIP's Wingbowl XIV. Lerman consumed three pounds of baked beans in 67 seconds for his spot, while Lipsitz consumed three pounds of turkey in six-plus minutes."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e46","sn":188,"title":"Meatballs at the Tropicana in Atlantic City","createdAt":"2004-11-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Tropicana Casino and Resort will host the Tropicana World Meatball-Eating Championship in Atlantic City, NJ, on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004. A total of $5,000 in prize money will be awarded: $2,500 for first place; $1,250 for second place; $750 for third place; and $500 for fourth place.\r\n\r\nThe contest, which will be held in The Quarter, just outside of Carmine's Restaurant at 1:00 PM, will feature a slew of top eaters, including Hungry Charles Hardy, Badlands Booker, Cookie Jarvis, Carlene LeFevre, Sonya Thomas, Rich LeFevre, Allen Goldstein, Don Lerman, Tim Janus, Brian Seiken, Brian Subich and Bob Shoudt among others.\r\n\r\nEaters will have 12 minutes to consume as many of the ping pong ball-sized meatballs as possible. Carmine’s restaurant will cook the Italian style meatballs. The event will be featured as part of the INHD Tour de Gorge series.\r\n \r\nThis Fall, Tropicana Casino and Resort will debut The Quarter at Tropicana. A $285 million non-gaming expansion, The Quarter will be home to a stunning array of world-class restaurants, red-hot entertainment and nightlife venues, chic and cultured retail and the most lavish and luxuriant spa facility in Atlantic City. The Quarter at Tropicana is the largest non-gaming expansion in the history of Atlantic City. In addition to offering guests first-rate dining, shopping, entertainment and spa options, the Havana Tower will add 502 new hotel rooms, 45,000 square feet of meeting space, and 2,400 new parking spaces.\r\n\r\nFor more information on this event, The Quarter and Tropicana Casino and Resort, visit www.tropicana.net/press."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e43","sn":187,"title":"Grant Hill with 29, Sonya Thomas with 52","createdAt":"2004-11-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas delivered an exciting performance during halftime of the Orlando Magic/Philadelphia 76ers game in Orlando on Saturday, November 27. In just five minutes she downed 52 hard-boiled eggs, stunning the crowd of 18,000 fans.\r\n\r\nSonya watched the second half while enjoying a large tub of popcorn and a diet coke. The Magic went on to edge out the Sixers in what was one of the most exciting finishes of this young NBA season.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e42","sn":186,"title":"Al Jazeera Covers Thanksgiving Invitational","createdAt":"2004-11-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Competitive eating has received amazing media coverage during the past five years, but perhaps nothing tops a recent news feature on the Thanksgiving Invitational by Al Jazeera. The CIA is reportedly reviewing the tape to determine if Eric Booker did indeed win the contest."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e41","sn":185,"title":"INHD Tour de Gorge","createdAt":"2004-11-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The IFOCE's Tour de Gorge series kicks off on Thanksgiving night, November 25, at 7 pm, with the Zocalo Taco Eating Contest at Grand Central Terminal in New York City. The second installment is scheduled to run close to Christmas. Check out INHD.com for local listings."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e3f","sn":183,"title":"Booker Takes Entenmann's Pies Thanksgiving Invitational","createdAt":"2004-11-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eric Badlands Booker came on strong at Chelsea Market to win the Entenmann's Pies Thanksgiving Invitational, consuming 4 3/8 pumpkin pies in six minutes to beat an all-star team of gurgitators.\r\n\r\nHungry Charles Hardy, building on a string on strong performances, placed second with 3 7/8 pies, while Cookie Jarvis placed third with 3 5/8 pies. Jammin Jor LaRue, Tim Janus, Don Lerman -- all in the three-pie range -- finished right outside the money.\r\n\r\nTrailing the pack were Dale Boone, who was unable to continue his dominance in the short game, and Brian Seiken, whose method of eating (squeezing the pies into a mound was disquieting even for the experienced fan.\r\n\r\nThe pies were light, delicious and fast, but as suspected, the crust made for difficult sledding in a short contest. Entenmann's Pies donated 1,000 pumpkin pies to City Harvest as part of the event."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e40","sn":184,"title":"Carlene Conquers Sky City Posole Title","createdAt":"2004-11-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Carlene LeFevre of Henderson, NV, consumed a whopping 109.75-ounces of posole in 12 minutes to conquer the Sky City Casino World Posole Eating Championship in Acoma, NM. \r\n\r\nWith the win, Carlene has added a world title to her belt and took home $777 in cash and $1,300 famous Acoma pottery.\r\n\r\nRich \"The Locust\" LeFevre, Carlene's husband and training partner, captured second place by eating 96.25-ounces of posole ($500 cash, $750 pottery). Local, regional champ Aurelio Gonzalez ($350 cash, $500 pottery) rounded out third with 71.5-ounces of posole, and in a close 4th was Randy Harrison of Texas with 71.25-ounces ($250 cash, $350 pottery).\r\n\r\nPosole is a stew made from water-soaked corn kernels with pork, chili and seasonings."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e3e","sn":182,"title":"Thomas Edges Booker at Harrah's","createdAt":"2004-11-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Badlands Booker and Sonya Thomas engaged in hard-fought battle in St. Louis, trading ravioli for ravioli at the Harrah's World Toasted Ravioli Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nBooker was in a zone and remained tied with Thomas until the eight minute mark, when The Black Widow began to eke out a lead, one ravioli at a time. The crowd appeared evenly split, alternately calling out Booker's name and chanting: \"Sonya, Sonya.\"\r\n\r\nWhen the whistle blew at 12 minutes, Booker was a quarter pound shy of Thomas, who continues to amaze in a variety of events. Thomas consumed a total of 4 pounds of the Charlie Gitto's toasted ravioli to win $2,500, while Booker ended with 3.75 pounds for $1,250.\r\n\r\nIn third place was Eater X, Tim Janus, who consumed 3.25 pounds of ravioli and took home $750. Crazy Legs Conti placed fourth, earning $500 on the first leg of a two-leg journey that concludes tomorrow in New Mexico.\r\n\r\nAlso on hand were Cade Hardin and Frank Wach, who plowed through incredible amounts of the ravioli, a delicacy that was both delicious and very difficult to eat quickly in competition.\r\n\r\nHarrah's St. Louis recently achieved the title of leading casino in the state and boasts a remarkable new renovation. The hotel offers 500 rooms, a 110,000 square foot casino and an array of dining that includes the St. Louis favorite, Charlie Gitto's."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e3d","sn":180,"title":"Conti Battles for his Mother","createdAt":"2004-11-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Crazy Legs Conti of New York City will make his way to Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico, this weekend in a moving effort to win his mother the perfect Christmas gift – traditional Acoma pottery.\r\n\r\nConti, 33, accomplished competitive eater and window washer by trade, will pay his own way to fly to the famed city to compete in Sky City Casino’s World Posole-Eating Championship on Nov. 21, where prizes of cash and authentic Acoma Pueblo pottery totaling more than $5,000 will be on the line.\r\n\r\nConti’s mother loves Acoma more than anything in the world, except her son.\r\n\r\n“While some competitor’s eyes will be on the green this Sunday, I will be thinking of my mom’s face on Christmas morning when she opens the box and sees those clay pots,” said Conti. “In my heart of hearts, I know I can’t lose.”\r\n\r\nHowever, the competition will be fierce. On hand will be a field of professional and local competitors including Rich and Carlene LeFevre of Henderson, NV, the first couple of competitive eating and Conti’s biggest threat in his quest for clay. Rich, known by fans as ‘The Locust,’ is the #3 ranked eater in the world and eaten 1-½ gallons of chili in 10 minutes.\r\n\r\nConti’s mom Rona Conti, a pottery collector and ceramics aficionado, has been moved by her son’s dedication and sacrifice of body, mind and wallet.\r\n\r\n“Jason [Crazy Legs] has always been a dutiful son,” said Mrs. Conti. “I am confident in his gastric abilities, but win or lose I love him just the same.”\r\n\r\nThe prizes will be as follows: First Place: $2,077.00 ($777 cash, $1,300 pottery); Second Place: $1,250.00 ($500 cash, $750 pottery); Third Place: $850.00 ($350 cash, $500 pottery); Fourth Place: $600.00 ($250 cash, $350 pottery); and Fifth Place: $400.00 ($150 cash, $250 pottery).\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE is handling registration and those 18 and over who are interested in competing can call (212) 627-5766 or email posole@ifoce.com.\r\n\r\nThe Sky City Casino is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the nation’s premiere gaming destinations. Acoma received the name \"Sky City\" by being perched atop a 70-acre sandstone mesa rising 367 feet above the valley floor. Descendants of the \"ancient ones\", also referred to as the Anasazi, the Acoma people settled into this desert landscape soon after their departure from sites such as Chaco Canyon as early as 800 A.D."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e45","sn":179,"title":"Harrahs Toasted Ravioli Eating Championship","createdAt":"2004-11-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eater X (Tim Janus), Crazy Legs Conti and Sonya Thomas are expected to travel to St. Louis, MO, attend the Harrah’s World Toasted Ravioli-Eating Championship Co-Presented by Charlie Gitto’s. At stake is a total of $5,000.\r\n\r\nThe food on the competitive eating table will be the trademark-toasted ravioli of the new Charlie Gitto’s location at Harrah’s St. Louis. This food is difficult to eat in competition and might provide a challenge for those unfamiliar with the dish.\r\n\r\n“From what I understand Sonya Thomas is going to eat more toasted ravioli during a 12 minute period than our best customers at Charlie Gitto’s at Harrah’s eat in an entire month -- and that’s saying something,” said Charlie Gitto, the restaurant’s founder.\r\n\r\n“Harrah’s St. Louis Casino & Hotel and Charlie Gitto’s are thrilled to bring this exciting form of athletic entertainment to St. Louis,” said Jennifer Weissman, VP Marketing of Harrah’s. “It will be very interesting to see how the nation’s top eaters deal with tackling a Harrah’s St. Louis favorite like Charlie Gitto’s toasted ravioli.”\r\n\r\nIn conjunction with the event, Harrah’s will host a food drive to benefit the Ethiopian Society. For one week prior to the Harrah’s World Toasted Ravioli-Eating Championship, guests who bring in a canned good will receive Mardi Gras beads.\r\n\r\nVarious subsidiaries of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. own or manage 28 casinos in the United States, primarily under the Harrah’s brand name. Founded 66 years ago, Harrah’s Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its valued customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. \r\n\r\nThe IFOCE is handling registration and those 18 and over who are interested in competing can call (212) 627-5766 or email ravioli@ifoce.com.\r\n\r\nCharlie Gitto’s, a St. Louis dining tradition, opened in 1981 to national acclaim. Harrah's St. Louis Casino & Hotel features seven restaurants, and Charlie Gitto's from the Hill has been on property since March 2004."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e4a","sn":181,"title":"Tropicana World Meatball-Eating Championship","createdAt":"2004-11-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - All eyes will be on Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, NJ, on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, when a handful of the nation's finest gurgitators clash at the Tropicana World Meatball Eating Championship. The contest will be held in The Quarter, just outside of Carmine's Restaurant at 1:00pm.\r\n\r\nThere will be $5,000 in prize money on the line, broken down as follows: $2,500 for first place; $1,250 for second place; $750 for third place; and $500 for fourth place.\r\n\r\nThose slated to compete include Sonya \"The Black Widow\" Thomas, the top-ranked competitive eater in the United States. Thomas' records include 36 dozen oysters in 10 minutes, 11 lbs of cheesecake in nine minutes, and 48 chicken tacos in 11 minutes. Thomas, a 105-lb. resident of Alexandria, VA, has often been compared to a combination of Anna Kournikova and a ravenous jackal loose on the Serengeti.\r\n\r\n\"The Tropicana is excited to host this unique event,\" said Dennis C. Gomes, president, resort operations, Aztar Corporation, Tropicana's parent company. \"It looks like these eaters will devour more Carmine's meatballs in 10 minutes than our most devoted customers will eat in an entire month.\"\r\n\r\nSaid George Shea, Chairman of the International Federation of Competitive Eating: \"With Atlantic City having hosted so many great heavyweight title fights, it's only appropriate that an epic battle of this magnitude be waged on these hallowed grounds.\"\r\n\r\nThis Fall, Tropicana Casino and Resort will debut The Quarter at Tropicana. A $285 million non-gaming expansion, The Quarter will be home to a stunning array of world-class restaurants, red-hot entertainment and nightlife venues, chic and cultured retail and the most lavish and luxuriant spa facility in Atlantic City. \r\n\r\nUndoubtedly what's to become the city's most sensational, sultry and sizzling hot new destination, The Quarter at Tropicana is the largest non-gaming expansion in the history of Atlantic City. In addition to offering guests first-rate dining, shopping, entertainment and spa options, the Havana Tower will add 502 new hotel rooms, 45,000 square feet of meeting space, and 2,400 new parking spaces.\r\n \r\nFor more information on this event, The Quarter and Tropicana Casino and Resort, visit www.tropicana.net/press."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e3c","sn":178,"title":"High Drama, High Def","createdAt":"2004-11-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"INHD, cable’s most widely distributed all high-definition networks, have teamed up with the IFOCE to introduce a new, larger-than-life high-definition series, “Tour de Gorge.” The new series features some of the biggest names in competitive eating as they challenge each other at the World Taco Eating Championship, the 2004 Thanksgiving Invitational, and the inaugural World Meatball Eating Championship. \r\n\r\nThe series premieres on Thanksgiving Eve, November 25 at 7pm on INHD. It features the World Taco Eating Championship held at NYC’s Grand Central Terminal. The “Tour de Gorge” will consist of top IFOCE contenders including Sonya ‘The Black Widow’ Thomas, Badlands Booker, Hungry Charles Hardy, Ed Jarvis and others. Each episode is hosted by George and Richard Shea. \r\n\r\nINHD and INHD2 comprise a suite of 24/7 high definition networks featuring an extensive multitude of HD content including commercial-free movies, professional and college sports, live concerts, specials and original programming which maximize the HD television experience. INHD and INHD2 are available on Adelphia, Bright House, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox, and Time Warner cable systems. Further information about INHD can be found on the Internet at www.inhd.com.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e3a","sn":177,"title":"Kobayashi, Thomas, Lefevre at Krystal Square Off","createdAt":"2004-11-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Takeru Kobayashi of Japan showed his dominance yet again at the Krystal Square Off in Chattanooga, TN, by eating 69 Krystals in eight minutes to win $10,000, possession of the Krystal Belt and a hand-blown crystal trophy featuring the favorite Krystal burgers.\r\n\r\nSonya Thomas of Virginia consumed an impressive 46 burgers to place second and win $5,000, while Rich LeFevre of nevada beat out a field of top eaters to place third and take home $2,500.\r\n\r\nThe event was broadcast live as a half-hour show on Fox that was hosted by Richard Shea and syndicated to nearly a dozen afilliates in the United States. The Krystal production and marketing team, led by Michael Williams and Brad Wahl, provided a spectacular arena for the event, which was attended by between 500 and 1,000 fans."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e37","sn":176,"title":"Give 'Em Hell Harry","createdAt":"2004-11-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Florida’s Harry Richter has long been a fan of competitive eating. In recent years his wife has maintained a focus on family and profession while Harry has, at times, put both aside in favor of watching repeats of Gutbusters on Discovery and Nathan’s on ESPN.\r\n \r\nSo when Harry learned that the IFOCE’s Harvest Series had two scheduled stops in arm’s reach of Florida’s infamous I-4 corridor, he quickly signed up. \r\n\r\nApproaching the 84 Lumber World Baked Bean Eating Championships in DeLand, Harry was seemingly unconcerned at the fact he’d be competing against big name eaters like LaRue, Janus and Reeves. He showed similar poise at the outset of the final Krystal qualifier where he stood aside such giants as Kobayashi and Booker. \r\n\r\nPerhaps Harry was unworried because he knew something the eating community did not know: Harry’s got game.\r\n\r\nSo much game in fact that he place third in the 84 Lumber contest, edging out ranked competitors Reeves and Eater X. Two weeks later in Jacksonville, Harry delivered another third place performance – this time against the greatest eater in world history and a rap impresario who is ranked a very solid fourth.\r\n\r\nAt the conclusion of the Jacksonville event the cameras swarmed as Booker hugged Kobayashi. Harry exited stage right with a subtle grin exposing 32 white teeth that seemed to spell ‘I’ll be back fellas, I’ll be back.’\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e38","sn":175,"title":"Kobayashi Downs 50 Krystals, Sets Stage for Finals","createdAt":"2004-11-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"After 11 regional qualifiers, 273 preliminary bouts, 1743 total contestants, and 17,688 of the mouthwatering, cult-craving, two and a half inch, square Famous Krystal hamburger consumed, the final table of the inaugural World Hamburger Eating Championship is now set, and it has shaped up to be a burger battle of epic proportions between top-ranked competitive eaters like Japan's Takeru \"The Tsunami\" Kobayashi and the lifelong Krystal lovers who took the sensational sport by storm this fall. \r\n\r\nHosted by fast food icon The Krystal Co. and billed as the Krystal Square Off, the 14-competitor 8-minute championship event will take place in Chattanooga, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 13. \r\n\r\nThe Krystal Square Off final has developed into an unprecedented event with amateurs taking five of the 14 coveted spots. Fueled by a lifelong passion for the Famous Krystal, local Krystal customers like Sam \"Big Country\" Vise of Union City, Tenn. (34 Krystals in 8-minute Memphis qualifier) earned their seats by taking down top ranked eaters from outside Krystal country.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the most touted Krystal customer heading into the main event is Matt \"The Psycho\" Ward of Murfreesboro, Tenn., who gained an automatic entry into the Nov. 13 final when he set the world sprint record in 2003 by putting away an astounding 21 Krystals in just two minutes. \r\n\r\nA strong field of the IFOCE’s finest gurgitators is also set to compete in Chattanooga on Nov. 13. \r\n\r\nTakeru Kobayashi posted the top number of all qualifiers by taking the Jacksonville final on Nov. 7 with a world record 50 Krystals in eight minutes. The Tsunami's feat bested the previous benchmark established by America's 105 lbs. devouring diva, Sonya \"The Black Widow\" Thomas, who had held the pole position from the start after downing 42 Krystals in the opening qualifier on Labor Day in Chattanooga. \r\n\r\nStrong regional performances were also put up by Rich LeFevre, who ate 38 in the Mobile qualifier, and his wife Carlene, who took the Montgomery qualifier with 28 Krystals. Ed \"Cookie\" Jarvis won his seat in the championship final in dramatic fashion, tying with local Lynn Curley in Nashville with 33 Krystals. Curley declined a 1-minute eat off. \r\n\r\nOn the line at the Krystal Square Off finals is the world champion's belt, a champion's crystal trophy and the largest cash purse on the. competitive eating circuit: $17,500-with a $10,000 cash prize going to first place, $5000 to second and $2500 to third. The Krystal Square Off championship will be held at the Hamilton Place Complex (2100 Hamilton Place Blvd.) in Chattanooga. \r\n\r\nPre-championship ceremonies begin at 11:00 a.m., and the 8-minute world championship final will take place during a special half hour live telecast \r\non Fox and UPN networks throughout the Southeast. Showtime starts at 12:30 p.m., with a pre-contest segment highlighting Krystal's history and outlining the rules of the competition, all leading up to the 8-minute, main event contest. \r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e36","sn":174,"title":"Sky City Casino Posole Eating Contest","createdAt":"2004-11-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The World Posole Eating Championship, sponsored by the Sky City Casino, will be held in Acoma, NM, on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004, at 3 PM. Posole is a stew made from water-soaked corn kernels with pork, chili and seasonings.\r\n\r\nPurses for the 12-minute contest will include cash prizes and an assortment of world famous Acoma pottery, making it likely that some of the circuit’s most refined gurgitators will compete.\r\n\r\nThe value of cash and fine art will be broken down as follows: \r\n\r\nFirst Place: $2,077.00 ($777 cash, $1,300 pottery)\r\nSecond Place: $1,250.00 ($500 cash, $750 pottery)\r\nThird Place: $850.00 ($350 cash, $500 pottery)\r\nFourth Place: $600.00 ($250 cash, $350 pottery)\r\nFifth Place: $400.00 ($150 cash, $250 pottery)\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE will handle registration. Those over the age of 18 who are interested in competing should call 212.627.5766 or email posole@ifoce.com.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e33","sn":172,"title":"Krystal To Issue Final Wild Card For Championship","createdAt":"2004-11-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Krystal Company announced plans today to allow a final wild card birth in the Nov. 13th Krystal World Hamburger Championship in Chattanooga, TN, at which $17,500.00 in prize money will be on the line.\r\n\r\nThe wild card winner will be the eater who, at the preliminary circuit’s end, has eaten the most Krystals in any preliminary contest without winning. Currently this distinction goes to Cade Hardin, with 30 Krystals.\r\n\r\nLynn Curley already holds a wild card for his regulation time-period tie with Cookie Jarvis, in which both gurgitators devoured 33 Krystals. Curly then declined an overtime tie-breaker, fearing his performance would result an incident that falls outside the boundaries of both athletic and social good taste. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e34","sn":173,"title":"Change of Date for Harrah","createdAt":"2004-11-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"St Louis, already known as one of the nation’s most renowned sports towns, will enhance that reputation on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2004, when the nation’s top competitive eaters converge for the Harrah's Toasted Ravioli Eating Championship Co-Presented By Charlie Gitto's.\r\n\r\nThe contest will feature $5,000.00 in prize money, to be split up as follows:\r\n\r\nFirst Place: $2,500.00\r\nSecond Place: $1,250.00\r\nThird Place: $750.00\r\nFourth Place: $500.00\r\n\r\nEaters expected to compete include Sonya ‘The Black Widow’ Thomas, the top ranked eater in America.\r\n\r\n“Competitive ravioli eating has enjoyed a strong resurgence in both athletic and social circles,” said George Shea, chairman of the IFOCE. “The top finishers in this contest will be revered wherever they go, be it ballpark or buffet line.”\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE will handle registration. Those interested in competing should email ravioli@ifoce.com or call 212.627.5766."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e32","sn":170,"title":"Bottomless Pit Mauls Birmingham","createdAt":"2004-11-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"With his devoted cult of fans known as ‘The Pit Crew’ cheering wildly, Bill ‘The Bottomless Pit’ Pendleton cruised to a Halloween victory last night at the Sloss Fright Furnace in Birmingham, AL by devouring 26 Krystals in eight minutes.\r\n\r\nPendleton, of Destin, FL, earns a birth in the Nov. 13 World Championship, where $17,500.00 in prize money will be on the line.\r\n\r\nIn second place, from Chattanooga, TN- the home of the Krystal hamburger- was Moose Abercrombie with 25 Krystals, while Eric ‘Baked’ Bean took third with 23.\r\n\r\nThe combative eater dressed up as ‘The Wolf’ ate a disappointing 14 Krystals, though thankfully did not carry thru on a threat to mark the contest staging area as his territory.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e35","sn":171,"title":"Boone Doggle?","createdAt":"2004-11-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Dale Boone continued his string of baked bean eating victories, winning his third 84 Lumber contest in a row over top American eater Sonya Thomas. This win, however, has spawned controversy.\r\n\r\nWhile Thomas was gracious in defeat, she and other competitors lodged complaints about the unusually hot beans and what was considered an unfair advantage for Boone, who utilized a jug of water – one of just two on the competition table – to cool his beans. Thomas placed third behind local eater, Randy Harrison, who had no water, but who seemed to have a heat-resistant esophagus.\r\n\r\nSonya Thomas remains the top-ranked eating champion in the United States and is the only individual to consume 8.4 pounds of baked beans (nearly half again as much as in the recent contest) in 2 minutes and 47 seconds at the 84 Lumber in Centerville, Indiana, earlier this year. \r\n\r\nFans are calling out for a three-way baked bean eat-off featuring Don Moses Lerman, Dale Boone and Sonya Thomas, all of whom have shown extraordinary prowess in this discipline. As for now, Boone seems pleased with three consecutive wins."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e3b","sn":169,"title":"84 Lumber Attracts State’s Best","createdAt":"2004-10-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"”Everything is big in Texas, and that includes my appetite,” said Randy Harrison of Seguin, TX. Harrison is registered to compete in this Saturday’s 84 Lumber World Baked Bean Eating Championship at the Grand Opening of the 84 Lumber Company in Stafford, Texas, itself a big facility that features a 24,000 square foot showroom. \r\n\r\nAustin’s Levi Oliver and Houston’s Chris Huang are joining forces with Harrison to represent their beloved state of Texas at Saturday’s competition. \r\n\r\n”I feel a special pride in representing the Lone Star State,” said Oliver. “I can’t let that pretty little lady from D.C. beat me in a baked bean eating contest now can I?” \r\n\r\nFor Huang the goal is a somewhat more clear-cut: “I want that 84 Lumber World Baked Bean Eating title and I want that prize money.”\r\n\r\nSonya Thomas will be flying into Texas to compete at this weekend’s Stafford event. In Dawsonville, Georgia last weekend, Boone consumed 84 ounces of beans in one minute 22 seconds- the fastest performance to date. \r\n\r\nThis is the fourth stop on the 84 Lumber World Baked Bean Eating Championship tour. Like all stops there is $2,000 of prize money on the line. \r\n\r\nFounded by Joe Hardy in 1956 in the town of Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, where the original store continues to operate, 84 Lumber Company is the largest privately held building materials supplier in the country. Today 84 Lumber Company operates in more than 500 locations from coast to coast. With more than 7,500 associates nationwide 84 Lumber Company provides professional contractors, remodelers and serious do-it-yourselfers with quality building materials, supplies and expertise. For more information on 84 Lumber Company please visit www.84lumber.com. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e39","sn":168,"title":"He Be Jammin","createdAt":"2004-10-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Embarking on what he called “a personal quest,” Joe LaRue left Hollywood in the October Saturday pre-dawn and traveled north. Hours later he arrived at a shining new 84 Lumber in DeLand, Florida totally focused on the matter at hand: winning the 84 Lumber Bean Eating Contest.\r\n\r\nWith Janus and Reeves in from New York, and a slate of local eaters talking with alarming familiarity about the contest, the win was no gimme.\r\n\r\nWhen the moment arrived, however, LaRue rose to it and took 1st place by downing 84 ounces of baked beans in one minute and 28 seconds. Smiling, he grabbed his oversized 84 Lumber check and climbed into his car for the trip north to the Krystal qualifier in Mobile.\r\n\r\nAgain, no gimme event. After eight minutes LaRue was one part of a three-way tie, having downed 28 Krystals. Overtime ensued and LaRue came away the victor with five additional Krystals in one minute.\r\n\r\n“Any doubts on LaRue’s position as a top-ten eater were put to rest this weekend,” said the IFOCE’s David Baer. “In two days he proved his skills in speed and capacity. Convincingly.\"\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e31","sn":167,"title":"Boone, LaRue Take Bean-Eating Contests","createdAt":"2004-10-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Jammin' Joe LaRue won the 84 Lumber Baked Bean-Eating Contest in Deland, FL, beating Eater X and Buffalo Jim Reeves by downing 84 ounces of baked beans in 1 minute 28 seconds. Local eaters Justin Hoff placed second and Harry Richter third, revealing increasing competition in the fast-growing sport.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, Dale Boone of Atlanta, GA, set a new baked bean-eating record at the 84 Lumber contest in Dawsonville, GA, consuming his 84 ounces in 1 minute 22 seconds. Boone topped Badlands Booker, who consumed his beans in 1 minute 45 seconds. In a tie for third: John Paul and James Ramsey with 3 minutes 5 seconds.\r\n\r\nMarching bands, petting zoos and other attractions marked the openings of these two new lumber outlets. 84 Lumber, which was founded in 84, PA, in 1956 by Joe Hardy, has 474 locations in 35 states.\r\n\r\nCade Hardin, who competed in the Georgia event, and Joe LaRue will both compete in the Krystal qualifier in Mobile, AL, on Sunday."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e2f","sn":166,"title":"Eating Contest Crusaders","createdAt":"2004-10-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"IFOCE eaters hit the road this weekend for a number of different contests in the Southeast. Rookie Tim Janus and Buffalo Jim Reeves fly to Florida from New York City and Buffalo for the 84 Lumber baked bean eating match in Deland, FL, where they will face off against Florida champion Joe LaRue in a hotly contested bout.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, Eric Badlands Booker flies to Atlanta, GA, for the 84 Lumber baked bean eating contest in Dawsonville, GA. Cade Hardin of Huntsville, AL, will travel to Dawsonville on Saturday and return home to defend the hometown honor at the Krystal Square Off contest in Mobile, Al, on Sunday.\r\n\r\nNot to be outdone, LaRue will also be in Mobile for the Krystal event, hoping to secure a seat in the November 17 championship in Chattanooga, TN. LaRue is known as a fiercely independent and self-reliant eater, and he is making a bid to improve his already impressive ranking as the world's number 8 ranked competitive eater. Reeves is also showing his competitive nature and his quickly improving skills in the sport."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e30","sn":165,"title":"Black Widow Wins World Sweet Potato Casserole Eating Championship","createdAt":"2004-10-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya 'The Black Widow' Thomas added yet another prestigious title to her ever expanding collection by devouring 8.62 pounds of sweet potato casserole today at the North Carolina State Fair.\r\n\r\nThe casserole, which included ‘obstacle’ ingredients such as hardened brown sugar and lightly toasted pecans, was designed, cooked and seasoned to challenge the gurgitators as much as possible during the 11:00 minute competition. \r\n\r\nAs a result of her dominating performance, Thomas wins $1,500.00 and the inaugural World Sweet Potato Casserole Eating Championship title.\r\n\r\nIn second place was Big Louis Bryant with a strong 4.99 Lbs, and in third was Court Wheeler with 3.72 lbs. The pair of talented North Carolina eaters wins $1,000.00 and $500.00, respectively, for their performances.\r\n\r\n\"The ability to eat starch-based casseroles in mass quantity fell out of favor in the late 20th Century, and those with skill in this area found that they were not celebrated by the public,\" said George Shea, Chairman of the International Federation of Competitive Eating. \"However, in the first four years of the new century, casserole-eating has experienced a resurgence in popularity. This rebirth culminated with Sonya Thomas’ impressive victory at the North Carolina State Fair.\"\r\n\r\nThe Atkins Liberation Front, a militant anti-carb unit, did not protest the event as expected.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e2d","sn":162,"title":"IFOCE in NC, FL, GA and AL","createdAt":"2004-10-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The IFOCE makes a string of stops in the next five days, with $7,000 on the line at three different events in North Carolina, Florida and Georgia, and in Alabama, the chance to move on to a championship with a total purse of $17,500. Spots remain open in two of the events and those over the age of 18 can find information and sign up through ifoce.com. The IFOCE will handle all registration."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e2b","sn":160,"title":"Boone Tops Jarvis in 84 Lumber Bean Event","createdAt":"2004-10-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Dale Boone delivered a masterful come-from-behind victory to beat Cookie Jarvis in Summerville, SC, at the kick-off of the 84 Lumber baked bean eating contest circuit.\r\n\r\nBoone consumed 84 ounces, just more than 5 pounds, of baked beans in 1 minute 52 seconds, with Jarvis only one second behind. Jarvis had an early lead but was distracted as he tried to clean up the beans scattered across his tin. Boone finished with incredible speed, just edging out the big man.\r\n\r\nIn third place was a promising local Tim Bertch, a huge mountain of a man, who completed his beans in 2 minutes 40 seconds. Ronald Floyd came in fourth, eating his beans in just more than 3 minutes."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e2e","sn":161,"title":"$5,000.00 In Prize Money On The Line at Harrah’s St. Louis","createdAt":"2004-10-18T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"St Louis, already known as one of the nation’s most renowned sports towns, will enhance that reputation on Nov. 21, 2004, when the nation’s top competitive eaters converge for the Harrah's Toasted Ravioli Eating Championship Co-Presented By Charlie Gitto's.\r\n\r\nThe contest will feature $5,000.00 in prize money, to be split up as follows:\r\n\r\nFirst Place: $2,500.00\r\nSecond Place: $1,250.00\r\nThird Place: $750.00\r\nFourth Place: $500.00\r\n\r\nEaters expected to compete include Sonya ‘The Black Widow’ Thomas, the top ranked eater in America.\r\n\r\n“Competitive ravioli eating has enjoyed a strong resurgence in both athletic and social circles,” said George Shea, chairman of the IFOCE. “The top finishers in this contest will be revered wherever they go, be it ballpark or buffet line.”\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e29","sn":159,"title":"Reeves Takes Jackson With 32 Krystals","createdAt":"2004-10-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Jim Reeves devoured 32 Krystals in eight minutes at the Mississippi State Fair to win an official qualifier of the 2004 Krystal World Hamburger Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nIn second place, clad in his trademark warpaint, was 2004 IFOCE Rookie of the Year candidate Tim Janus with 29 Krystals.\r\n\r\nReeves earns a birth in the Nov. 13th finals in Chattanooga, TN, which will feature $17,500.00 in prize money.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e2c","sn":158,"title":"84 Lumber Bean-Eating Contest","createdAt":"2004-10-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The honor of the Carolinas will rest on the shoulders of local resident Charles Bullard at the 84 Lumber Company World Baked Bean-Eating Championship in Summerville, SC, at the opening of a new 84 Lumber outlet at 2520 W. Fifth Street on Saturday, October 16, 2004 at 1 pm.\r\n\r\nBullard, a resident of North Charleston, will face off against champion eater Ed ‘Cookie’ Jarvis of New York, Dale Boone of Atlanta, GA, and Don Schaeffer of Little River, NC. Bullard’s work will be cut out for him.\r\n\r\nCookie brings an impressive pedigree to the table, currently holding no fewer than 12 world titles. His records include 1 gallon, nine ounces of ice cream in 12 minutes, 33 ½ ears of sweet corn in 12 minutes, and 4.65 lbs of rib meat in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\nThe Summerville event is the first of six 84 Lumber baked bean-eating contests that will stop in six states throughout the United States. The contests will determine who can eat 84 ounces of baked beans in the shortest period of time. A total of $2,000.00 in prize money will be on the line at each contest: $1,000.00 for first place; $750.00 for second place; $250.00 for third place.\r\n\r\nThe gurgitator with the fastest time at the circuit's conclusion will receive the ultra prestigious crown of World Baked Bean-Eating Champion, as well as possession of the coveted Baked Bean Crock, the world cup of competitive baked bean eating.\r\n \r\nFounded by Joe Hardy in 1956 in the town of Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, where the original store continues to operate, 84 Lumber Company is the largest privately held building materials supplier in the country. Today 84 Lumber Company operates more than 470 stores and 14 component manufacturing plants from coast to coast. With more than 7,500 associates nationwide 84 Lumber Company provides professional contractors, remodelers and serious do-it-yourselfers with quality building materials, supplies and expertise. For more information on 84 Lumber Company please visit www.84lumber.com.\r\n\r\nThis is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle all registration. Those interested in competing who are 18 years of age and older can email beans@ifoce.com or call (212) 627-5766 to register."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e28","sn":157,"title":"'Your Eatin' Heart'","createdAt":"2004-10-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In the shadow of the Hank Williams museum, and surrounded by an \r\nestimated 1,000 eating fans, the beautiful Carlene LeFevre consumed 27 \r\nKrystals to take the Krystal Crown at the Alabama National Fair in \r\nMontgomery on Wednesday, October 13. Throughout the contest Carlene's husband \r\nRich LeFevre, who ate 38 Krystals in Georgia just a few days earlier, \r\nshouted words of encouragement to his bride from the front row.\r\n\r\nIn second place with 25 Krystals was self-described swing voter Daniel \r\nAnzulovic. A tie went to third place finishers Bill \"the Weaver\" \r\nPendleton and Jason \"the Kernel\" Kokoska. Pendleton and Kokoska both \r\nate 23 Krystals in the eight-minute competition.\r\n\r\nCarlene will compete alongside her husband at the Krystal World \r\nHamburger Eating Championship in Chattanooga."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e27","sn":156,"title":"Krystal Square Off in Montgomery","createdAt":"2004-10-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Top eaters assemble in Montgomery, Alabama, for the next event in the ongoing Krystal Square Off circuit, which has moved like a juggernaut through the southeast durign the past several weeks. The lovely Carlene LeFevre of Henderson, Nevada, seeks to qualify for the November 13 championship event after finishing second to her husband, Richard, in Macon, Georgia.\r\n\r\nCarlene consumed 30 Krystals in eight minutes in Macon and is expected to top this number in Montgomery. The championship event in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is the focus of enormous attention in the competitive eating community. A total of $17,500 in prizes is on the line, as is the Krystal title."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e25","sn":154,"title":"Dinner For Two: LeFevres Devour 68 Krystal Hamburgers in Macon Qualifier","createdAt":"2004-10-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rich 'The Locust' LeFevre kept his string of strong gustatory performances intact yesterday by polishing off 38 Krstal Hamburgers in eight minutes to win an official qualifying contest of the 2004 Krsytal World Hamburger Eating Championship. \r\n\r\nComing in second place with an impressive 30 Krystals in eight minutes was Carlene LeFevre, the #7 ranked eater in the world and arguably the most demure gurgitator on the IFOCE circuit. \r\n\r\nThe total of 68 Krystals eaten by the LeFevres is believed to be the most hamburgers ever consumed by man and wife during an eight minute period. \r\n\r\nThe Locust's mark represents the second highest total from the Krystal circuit thus far, falling short only of Sonya Thomas' 42 Krystals in eight minutes on Sept. 6, 2004. \r\n\r\nCade Hardin, a relative unknown in competitive eating circles when the circuit began, continued to raise eyebrows by placing third with 26 Krystals. \r\n\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e26","sn":153,"title":"Krystal Qualifier in Macon","createdAt":"2004-10-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Krystal Square Off, the Krystal Company’s 10-event hamburger-eating circuit, moves on to Macon, GA, as it winds its way through the Southeast to the championship event in Chattanooga, TN, on November 13.\r\n\r\nThe championship series, which will crown the hamburger-eating champion of the world, will feature “The Krystal,” the small square Krystal hamburger usually eaten as part of multiple servings.\r\n\r\nThe championship offers a $10,000 first prize and is expected to draw the nation’s top eaters. The winners of each of nine qualifying events will earn a seat at the final championship table. In addition to the $10,000 first prize, Krystal will offer $5,000 to the second place finisher and $2,500 to the third place eater.\r\n\r\nThe LeFevres, competitive eating’s foremost married couple, will compete in Macon. Richard LeFevre is ranked number three in the world and his wife, Carlene, is ranked number seven.\r\n\r\nFounded in 1932, The Krystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the Southeast and the second oldest chain in the United States. Enjoyed by three generations of Americans, Krystal is a cultural icon. By delivering great food, quality service and fair value for over 70 years, the Krystal brand has assumed a prominent place in the Southeast’s cultural landscape.\r\n\r\nThe Krystal Square Off is an IFOCE-sanctioned series and the IFOCE will handle all registration. Those over the age of 18 may sign up at www.IFOCE.com "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e24","sn":152,"title":"A&E to Air Crazy Legs Doc","createdAt":"2004-10-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Oyster Productions' documentary, \"Zen and the Art of Competitive Eating\" will air Wednesday, October 13th at 9PM on A&E. The documentary, which follows Crazy Legs Conti as he rises in the fast-growing sport of competitive eating, features many veteran IFOCE gurgitators, including the great Cookie Jarvis.\r\n\r\nChristopher Keneally and Danielle Franco of Oyster Productions are the talent behind this in-depth character study, a journey around the nation to various IFOCE events. The film was a featured screening at BAM this past July and received rave reviews from the entertainment industry trade magazine, Variety.\r\n\r\nIn one notable scene, Conti consumes three sticks of unsalted butter in a training session that also served as an homage to Don Lerman, who consumed seven sticks of butter in five minutes for a world record that has stood for three years."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e22","sn":151,"title":"Hardy Devours 32 Krystals To Take Atlanta Qualifier","createdAt":"2004-10-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"‘Hungry’ Charles Hardy, the Godfather of eating and the #6 ranked eater in the world, won the Atlanta qualifier of the 2004 Krystal Square Off on Sunday by eating 32 Krystals in eight minutes.\r\n\r\nTalented local eaters including Moose Abercrombie (28 Krystals) and Jason Kokoszka (26 Krystals) kept the contest close until the very end. \r\n\r\nHardy kept a strong pace though, exhibiting the grace of a thoroughbred during the final minute of the contest. For his victory, Hardy earns a spot in the November 13 Krystal World Hamburger Eating Championship, at which there will be $17,500 in prize money on the line. \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e21","sn":148,"title":"Bison Lays Down the Spoon","createdAt":"2004-10-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The competitive eating community paused today as Ray ‘The Bison’ Meduna, the top ranked eater in the Northwest and the World Sweet Kolache Eating Champion, unexpectedly announced his retirement.\r\n\r\nMeduna struggled at the Winchell’s World Donut Eating Championship in Los Angeles, placing sixth. However, he leaves a powerful legacy that includes strong performances in sweet corn, thickburgers, potato chips, traditional Easter fare, and other disciplines. \r\n\r\nDavid Bear referenced the proverbs of Sophagus, the Norse God of Consumption, by comparing Meduna’s enormous stomach capacity to his enormous heart and sense of camaraderie. IFOCE president Richard Shea said simply: “Ray is a man of great stature in our sport. He will be missed, and we hope to see him on the circuit again soon.” "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e23","sn":149,"title":"IFOCE Announces 84 Lumber World Baked Bean Eating Championship Circuit","createdAt":"2004-10-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The 84 Lumber Company and the IFOCE have announced the kickoff of the 84 Lumber World Baked Bean Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nThe six-contest circuit is expected to draw the top names in competitive eating, in a bid to establish who can eat 84 ounces of baked beans the fastest. There will be $2,000.00 in prize money on the line at each contest, broken down as follows: $1,000.00 for first place; $750.00 for second place; $250.00 for third place. The gurgitator with the fastest time at the circuit’s conclusion will receive the ultra prestigious crown of World Baked Bean Eating Champion.\r\n\r\nSonya Thomas shocked the competitive eating community on August 7, 2004 when she devoured an even greater amount of baked beans- 8.4 lbs- in a staggering two minutes and 47 seconds at the 84 Lumber reopening in Centerville, IN. \r\n\r\nDates and locations for four of the six events are as follows:\r\n\r\nOctober 16, 2004\r\nSummerville, SC (Outside Charleston, SC)\r\n\r\nOctober 23, 2004\r\nDawsonville, GA (Outside Atlanta, GA)\r\n\r\nOctober 23, 2004\r\nDeland, FL (Outside Orlando, FL)\r\n\r\nOctober 30, 2004\r\nStafford, TX (Outside Houston, TX)\r\n\r\nThe dates and locations of two more events are TBD.\r\n\r\nThese contests are official Harvest Series events, and the winner of each one will earn a spot in the world famous Thanksgiving Invitational. \r\n\r\nThe IFOCE is handling registration. There are spots available for each contest, and interested competitors 18 years of age or older should call 212.627.5766 or email beans@ifoce.com to sign up.\r\n\r\nFounded by Joe Hardy in 1956 in the town of Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, where the original store continues to operate, 84 Lumber Company is the largest privately held building materials supplier in the country. Today 84 Lumber Company operates more than 470 stores and 14 component manufacturing plants from coast to coast. With more than 7,500 associates nationwide 84 Lumber Company provides professional contractors, remodelers and serious do-it-yourselfers with quality building materials, supplies and expertise. For more information on 84 Lumber Company please visit: www.84lumber.com.\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE, the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 70 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY and Krystal Square Off in Chattanooga, TN. The competitive eating community, which numbers more than 3,000 veteran and rookie athletes, travels the nation in search of top titles and the glamour that they provide.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e1f","sn":146,"title":"Sonya Retains Taco Title","createdAt":"2004-09-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas consumed 48 soft tacos in 11 minutes to win the Zocalo Taco-Eating championship at the Inside Out Festival at Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. Thomas, who won $1,000 for her effort, established a lead early and did not falter.\r\n\r\nPlacing second was Hungry Charles Hardy, who ate 38 tacos in 11 minutes to win $500, and Bladlands Booker came in third with 37 to earn $250. Tim Janus placed fourth with 33 tacos.\r\n\r\nAlso competing were No Limit Holden, Ed Taboada, Jr., BB Seiken, Crazy Legs Conti, Adam Leffler and Daniel Maurer.\r\n\r\nZocalo Restaurant is located on the Lower Level Dining Concourse of Grand Central Terminal and on 82nd Street between 3rd and Lexington avenues."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e20","sn":147,"title":"Vise Takes Memphis Qualifier With 34 Krystals","createdAt":"2004-09-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Another highly regarded gurgitator fell at the hands of an unheralded southern eater on Tuesday, September 28, as Sam Vise destroyed the Krystal dreams of competitive eating veteran Don 'Moses' Lerman.\r\n\r\nVise ate 34 Krystal hamburgers to Lerman's 21, sending the World Butter Eating Champion back to New York with his hopes of a spot in the Krystal World Hamburger Eating Championship all but erased.\r\n\r\nThe pride of the United States' northeastern gurgitators now rests squarely upon the broad shoulders of 'Hungry' Charles Hardy, who heads to Macon, GA on Sunday for a showdown with a host of southern eaters including Dale 'Mouth of the South' Boone and Ken Tittle.\r\n\r\n "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e1e","sn":145,"title":"Booker, Janus, Goldstein in Cheesecakes","createdAt":"2004-09-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eric Badlands Booker won the World Cheesecake-Eating Championship at the Downtown Atlantic Restaurant during Brooklyn's 30th annual Atlantic Antic Festival. \r\n\r\nBooker -- matzo ball, pea and cannoli champion -- consumed 1 4/5 nine-inch cheesecakes (approximately 7 pounds) in six minutes. Placing second was the mysterious Eater X (some say his real name is Timothy Janus), who consumed 1 1/3 cheesecakes (5.5 pounds) during the contest. In third place was Allen Goldstein with 1 ¼ cheesecakes (5 pounds).\r\n\r\nAttending the event were eating stalwarts Double B Seiken, Hungry Charles Hardy and Mike Devito. Goldstein and Eater X fought back and forth until the final minute, when Goldstein slowed slightly, giving up the edge.\r\n\r\nThe winning eater received a trophy, a romance weekend at the Marriott Hotel at the Brooklyn Bridge, the title of World Cheesecake Eating Champion and a coveted place on the Wall of Fame of the Downtown Atlantic.\r\n\r\nThe Downtown Atlantic is a 60-seat restaurant, bar and bakery that serves “haute comfort cuisine” to the neighborhoods of Downtown Brooklyn. The restaurant’s baking facility serves the entire city. In addition to individual cheesecakes, the Downtown Atlantic offers six- and nine-inch cheesecakes and cakes made to order wholesale for all occasions.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e1d","sn":144,"title":"Zocalo Taco-Eating Contest","createdAt":"2004-09-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Taco, egg and oyster champion Sonya Thomas, cannoli champion Eric Badlands Booker and surging rookie Tim Janus are among those who will face off at the Zócalo Taco-Eating Championship as part of Inside Out, the Fall Street Festival at Vanderbilt Avenue, Grand Central Terminal, at 12:30 PM on Wednesday, September 29, 2004.\r\n\r\nThe contest will be part of a day-long series of events on Vanderbilt Avenue from 11 am to 6 pm to celebrate the food and retail offerings in Grand Central Terminal. Zócalo Restaurant, which is located on the lower-level Dining Concourse at Grand Central Terminal and at 174 East 82nd Street on the Upper East Side, is considered among the city’s most authentic Mexican restaurants.\r\n\r\nThe event, which balances the protein and carbohydrate disciplines, promises significant drama. At stake is the title of World Taco-Eating Champion and $1,000 in purse money. \r\n\r\n“Zócalo is pleased to hold the world taco-eating championship in New York City, home to an enormous Latin community and to those who appreciate its food and culture,” said Laura Shapiro of Zócalo. “This will be a celebration for both Grand Central Terminal and Zócalo.”\r\n\r\nInside Out, the Fall Street Festival at Vanderbilt Avenue, between 42nd and 44th streets, provides an opportunity for many of Grand Central Terminal’s restaurants and retail shops literally to turn INSIDE OUT, bringing their specialties out of the historic building to Vanderbilt Avenue. Features include free musical entertainment provided by MTA Music Under New York and a wide variety of foods.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e1c","sn":143,"title":"LeFevre Wins Winchell's World Donut Eating Championship","createdAt":"2004-09-23T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rich ‘The Locust’ LeFevre, long classified in competitive eating circles as a distance specialist, put this label to rest Wednesday evening in Los Angeles, CA by devouring 42 Winchell’s donuts in 8:00 minutes to win the Winchell’s World Donut Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nLeFevre, who punished each donut with the tenacity of someone who has held a very inner, long-term grudge, received $1,500.00 and the coveted title of World Donut Eating Champion.\r\n\r\nFinishing in second was former World Donut Eating Champion Eric ‘Badlands’ Booker, who ate an impressive 36 donuts. In third place was ‘Jalapeno’ Jed Donahue with 31.\r\n\r\nA monumental challenge facing the talented field of gurgitators was eating a noted breakfast food during an evening contest. However, similar to Pete Sampras’ epic battle against dehydration and nausea during the 1996 US Open, LeFevre was able to overcome this challenge and attain victory. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e1a","sn":139,"title":"Winchell's Donut Final at LA Fair","createdAt":"2004-09-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"At stake is $1,500 in prize money and the prestigious title of World Donut-Eating Champion as America's top eaters travel to the Los Angeles County Fair for the Winchell's World Donut-Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nCompeting are Badlands Booker of New York, Joe LaRue of Florida, Richard and Carlene LeFevre of Nevada, Don Lerman of New York, Ray Meduna of Washington State, Chris Coble of California, Jed Donahue of Texas and Steve Amador, who will represent all college students in this endeavor.\r\n\r\nThe current Winchell's donut-eating record holder is Jalapeno Jed Donahue, who consumed 31 Winchell's donuts in eight minutes during the first Winchell's qualifier. Fans expect a heated match between Booker and Donahue for first place in the championship, and many handicappers believe Richard LeFevre may also take this title.\r\n\r\nHeadquartered in Santa Ana, Winchell's Donut House, \"Home of the Warm 'n Fresh Donut™,\" is the West Coast's largest donut chain with roughly 200 units in 12 states, plus locations in Guam, Saipan, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia. With more than 70 varieties of Warm 'n Fresh™ donuts and bakery products, Winchell's offers customers a diverse menu that includes: donuts, cinnamon rolls, muffins, bagels, croissants, brownies and cookies. Winchell’s also offers delicious frozen Chillas in four refreshing flavors: mocha cappucino, caramel cappuccino, pina colada and orange."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e1b","sn":142,"title":"$3,000.00 and Title on the Line at N.C. State Fair","createdAt":"2004-09-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"$3,000.00 in prize money and the prestigious title of World Sweet Potato Casserole Eating Champion will be on the line Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 20, 2004 in Raleigh, NC at the North Carolina State Fair.\r\n\r\nThe contest is expected to draw a handful of the nation’s top ranked competitive eaters.\r\n\r\n\"The ability to eat starch-based casseroles in mass quantity fell out of favor in the late 20th Century, and those with skill in this area found that they were not celebrated by the public,\" said George Shea, Chairman of the International Federation of Competitive Eating. \"However, in the first four years of the new century, casserole-eating has experienced a resurgence in popularity. This rebirth will culminate at the North Carolina State Fair.\" \r\n\r\nThis is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle all registration. Those over 18 may register via info@ifoce.com.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e18","sn":138,"title":"Hicks Tops Wing in Krystal Match","createdAt":"2004-09-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Knoxville resident Jeff Hicks beat chicken wing eating specialist El Wingador, Bill Simmons, at the Tennessee Valley Fair in Knoxville, eating 22 Krystals in eight minutes to Wingador's 21.\r\n\r\nWingador, four time WIP Wing Bowl champion, had driven 12 hours to the event and seemed focused on eating only enough burgers to mark a win. However, in the final moments, it became clear that Hicks not only had the confidence of a winner, but the jaw strength of a true champion. Placing third with 19 Krystals in eight minutes was John Turner.\r\n\r\nThe road to Chattanooga and the Krystal Square Off continues on Tuesday, September 28, in Memphis at the Mid South Fair. The winner of each of the 11 qualifying matches receives a seat in the final championship."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e19","sn":137,"title":"Booker Squeaks Cannoli Win Over Janus","createdAt":"2004-09-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In what is easily the most hard-fought battle in competitive eating history, Badlands Booker took the Cannoli Belt at the Feast of the San Gennaro with a total of 16.5 six-inch La Bella Ferrara cannoli in six minutes.\r\n\r\nPlacing second was rising newcomer Tim Janus, the face painter, who ate 16 cannoli to build on his performance in chicken wings on Labor Day in Buffalo, where he tied the great Cookie Jarvis for fourth place in a field of 15 top American eaters.\r\n\r\nHowever, the fight for third place was where the drama was at the corner of Grand and Baxter in Manhattan's Little Italy. Tied with 15 cannoli in regulation, Allen Goldstein and Crazy Legs Conti agreed to a two-cannoli eat-off. However, at the conclusion of the eat-off it was another tie.\r\n\r\nGoldstein and Legs, shaking with intensity, agreed to another two-cannoli eat-off. But after the dunking and the chewing, they both opened their mouths at the exact same time to demonstrate that they had finished the cannoli. Another tie.\r\n\r\nThe crowd screamed for them to accept a draw, but they would not. Officials brought out another two cannoli each to the battered warriors and the whislte blew. Finishing only one second before his opponent was Allen Goldstein, who celebrated the victory by pouring his coffee over his head and transforming the stage, if only for a moment, into the Dunkin' Donuts Box of Joe Victory Circle.\r\n\r\nCookie Jarvis, former world cannoli eating champion, was on hand to present the belt to Booker in a moving ceremony. Jarvis reportedly is on the Atkins diet and cannot indulge in the ricotta and sugar confection kown as cannoli. However, Jarvis' record of 21 cannoli in six minutes stands.\r\n\r\nLa Bella Ferrara is located at 108 Mulberry Street in the heart of Little Italy. It is estimated that the pastry shop, which has been at its current location for 93 years, has created and sold more than one million cannolis since 1969, when they began keeping records."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e17","sn":135,"title":"W Is For Cookie: Jarvis Takes Nashville Krystal Qualifier","createdAt":"2004-09-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In a scene reminiscent of the Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed fight in the movie 'Rocky', Cookie Jarvis fended off an unheralded newcomer named Lynn Curley in a battle of wills tonight to win the Nashville qualifier of the 2004 Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nAt the conclusion of the 8:00 minute contest, both gurgitators had devoured an impressive 33 Krystal Hamburgers. A one minute tie-breaker, as outlined in contest guidelines, was instituted to determine the victor. However, having pushed his body to the limit during the 8:00 event, Curley stoically and graciously forfeited the victory to Jarvis, saying he could take no more.\r\n\r\nCurly retained an upbeat attitude after the contest, saying \"I held my own against the #3 ranked eater in the entire world. To me, that makes me feel like a winner tonight.\"\r\n\r\nAn emotionally drained and visibly moved David Baer of the IFOCE deemed it one of the closest contests he'd ever seen before.\r\n\r\nCade Hardin took 3rd place with 30 Krystals, greatly improving on his previous mark of 19 at the Chattanooga qualifer. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e16","sn":134,"title":"Downtown Atlantic Cheesecake","createdAt":"2004-09-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eaters are preparing for the Downtown Atlantic Cheesecake Eating Contest to be held as part of the 30th annual Atlantic Antic festival on Sunday, September 26, 2004 on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn.\r\n\r\nBadlands Booker is scheduled to return to defend his title in the six-minute contest, featuring the extraordinarily light Downtown Atlantic cheesecake. Booker consumed nearly 12 pounds last year.\r\n\r\nThe six-minute, all-you-can-eat contest, sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating, featured individual, quarter-pound Downtown Atlantic cheesecakes.\r\n\r\n“The demand for our cheesecakes has been significant since we opened last year,” said Chris Sippel, general manager of the Downtown Atlantic. “But our baking ovens face the ultimate challenge when the world’s greatest eaters show up.”\r\n\r\nIn addition to the individual cheesecakes, the Downtown Atlantic offers six- and nine-inch cheesecakes and cakes made to order wholesale for all occasions.\r\n\r\n“Downtown Atlantic cheesecakes are among the lightest and most delectable cheesecakes in the world and they have achieved a reputation as a fast cheesecake,” said IFOCE chair George Shea.\r\n\r\nThe winner of the contest will receive a trophy, a romance weekend at the Marriott Hotel at the Brooklyn Bridge and the title of World Cheesecake Eating Champion. \r\nThe winning eater will also receive a coveted place on the Wall of Fame of the Downtown Atlantic, a 60-seat restaurant, bar and bakery that serves “haute comfort cuisine” to the neighborhoods of Downtown Brooklyn. The restaurant’s baking facility serves the entire city.\r\n\r\nThis is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle all registration. Those over 18 may register via info@ifoce.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e2a","sn":133,"title":"Winchell's Donuts Draw Eaters","createdAt":"2004-09-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Santa Ana, CA, September 9, 2004 – A star-studded lineup of competitive eating champions will converge in Los Angeles, CA on Wednesday, September 22, for the Winchell’s World Donut Eating Championship. The winner will receive $1,500 and the ultra-prestigious title of Winchell’s World Donut Eating Champion. The winner-take-all contest will be held at the Los Angeles County Fair on the Shopping Plaza Stage at 7:30pm. \r\n\r\nThe contest marks the culmination of the Winchell’s World Donut Eating Championship circuit, which included qualifying contests at the San Diego County Fair and Orange County Fair. The top competitors from those events, which were won by ‘Jalapeno’ Jed Donahue (30 ½ Donuts in eight minutes) and Don ‘Moses’ Lerman (28 Donuts in eight minutes), earned spots in the World Championship.\r\n\r\nIncluded in the heralded field will be a number of America’s top-ranked eaters, including reigning World Donut Eating Champion Eric ‘Badlands’ Booker, World Chili Eating Champion Rich ‘The Locust’ LeFevre, World Kolache Eating Champion Ray ‘The Bison’ Meduna, and ‘Jammin’ Joe LaRue, the #7 ranked eater in the entire world.\r\n\r\n“The Winchell’s World Donut Eating Championship is one of the most important events on the competitive eating circuit,” said Rich Shea, president of the IFOCE. “With the roster resembling a veritable ‘Who’s Who’ of competitive eating champions, this title is really up for grabs.”\r\n\r\nThe contest will be held on ‘College Night’ of the LA County Fair, drawing on the sport’s popularity amongst this demographic. There are still spots available specifically for college students to compete, and those interested who are 18 years and over can email donuts@ifoce.com or call (212) 627-5766 to register.\r\n\r\n“Winchell’s is thrilled to sponsor the 2004 World Donut Eating Championship,” said Ira James, Vice President of Marketing for Winchell’s Donuts. “We share the L.A. County Fair’s enthusiasm in bringing this exciting brand of athletic entertainment to Southern California.”\r\n\r\nHeadquartered in Santa Ana, Winchell's Donut House, \"Home of the Warm 'n Fresh Donut™,\" is the West Coast's largest donut chain with roughly 200 units in 12 states, plus locations in Guam, Saipan, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia. With more than 70 varieties of Warm 'n Fresh™ donuts and bakery products, Winchell's offers customers a diverse menu that includes: donuts, cinnamon rolls, muffins, bagels, croissants, brownies and cookies. To locate the Winchell’s nearest you, visit www.winchells.com or call 1-866-MY-DONUT.\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE, the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 70 events annually, including the Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY. The competitive eating community, which numbers more than 3,000 veteran and rookie athletes, travels the nation in search of top titles such as the Winchell’s World Donut Eating Champion. \r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e11","sn":131,"title":"Cannoli's at San Gennaro Fest","createdAt":"2004-09-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"On September 17, Little Italy’s 77th Annual Feast of San Gennaro will hold the World Cannoli-Eating Contest in Manhattan's Little Italy.\r\n\r\nEd Cookie Jarvis, a top-ranked member of the IFOCE, is expected to return to defend his title as Cannoli Eating Champion. Upstart Tim Janus and veteran Don Moses Lerman also are expected to attend the annual event.\r\n\r\nContestants will go head to head devouring as many six inch cannolis as possible in this six-minute contest. In addition to the title of World Cannoli Eating Champion, the winner will receive possession of the bejeweled Championship Cannoli Eating Belt.\r\n\r\nThis is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle all registration. Those over the age of 18 may register by emailing info@ifoce.com. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e13","sn":132,"title":"Krystal Square Off to TN, ","createdAt":"2004-09-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Krystal Square Off hamburger eating championship circuit moves on to Tennessee, with events at the Tennessee State Fair in Nashville on September 15 at 6;30 pm and at the Tennessee Valley Fair in Knoxville on September 19 at 12:30 pm.\r\n\r\nThe number to beat at this point is 42, a record set in the Chattanooga kick-off event by Sonya Thomas. Atlanta champion Dale Boone continues his effort to secure a spot in the finals against top eaters from around the nation, who are on their way to all upcoming events.\r\n\r\nThese are all IFOCE events and the IFOCE will handle all registration. Those wishing to sign up may visit the application page on the IFOCE site. At this juncture, only alternate spots remain open."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e15","sn":130,"title":"Widow Takes Wings, Krystal Kick Off","createdAt":"2004-09-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas topped a field of 16 eaters in Buffalo, NY, on Sunday, September 5, to win the U.S. Chicken Wing-Eating Championship before a crowd of 10,000 at the National Buffalo Wing Festival.\r\n\r\nThomas consumed 161 wings (5.09 pounds of chicken wing meat) in 12 minutes to set a new world record. In second was former wing champion Oleg Zhornitskiy, and in third Badlands Booker, who wowed the crowd with his eating and rapping.\r\n\r\nIn a tie for fourth, Cookie Jarvis and rookie Tim Janus, whose break-out performance shocked the competitive eating community.\r\n\r\nThomas then made her way to Chattanooga, TN, on Labor Day proper for the first in a series of 11 Krystal hamburger eating contests. Thomas consumed 42 Krystals in eight minutes to beat Atlanta native Dale Boone and win the Krystal Square Off. Boone ate 25 Krystals, topping Chatty resident Matthew S.L. Cate, who ate 22 to place third. Tony Schrum consumed 21 for fourth place.\r\n\r\nThe event, which featured 16 eaters from throughout the southeast, took place under a beautiful blue sky prior to a Lookouts baseball game. The crowd of 7,000 was evenly split in their allegiance between the local hero, Boone, and the national eating phenom, Thomas.\r\n\r\nThe event was co-sponsored by Flowers Foods and the Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e14","sn":129,"title":"Krystal Kick-Off","createdAt":"2004-09-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The quest begins on Labor Day Weekend, September 3 - 6, in Chattanooga, when fast food icon Krystal holds the inaugural Krystal Square Off® World Hamburger Eating contest series leading to the November championship event.\r\n\r\nThe winner will earn major bragging rights in the skyrocketing sport of competitive eating, donning the coveted championship belt and taking home the crystal champion’s trophy. In addition, the winner will receive the largest cash prize offered on the U.S. competitive eating circuit.\r\n\r\nThe Krystal Company, home to the famous, small, square Krystal hamburger, has boosted the total cash purse for the first Krystal Square Off® World Hamburger Eating Championship to an unrivaled $17,500, with a $10,000 cash prize to be awarded to the winner. Second place will receive $5,000, and $2,500 will go to third place.\r\n\r\nThose vying for the grand prize package of $10,000, the champion’s belt and crystal trophy will first be put to the challenge at one of the 11 qualifying events to be held throughout the Southeast beginning September 3, 2004 in Chattanooga, Tenn., where The Krystal Company is headquartered (see below for all locations and dates). The winner of each qualifier will earn a seat at the final world championship table on Nov. 13, 2004 in Chattanooga.\r\n\r\nThe Krystal Square Off® is the first hamburger eating world championship sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), the governing body for all stomach-centric sports and the organization that has transformed gustatory battles into a worldwide craze. \r\n\r\nInformation on how to participate in the Krystal Square Off® World Hamburger Eating Championship can be found at http://www.krystal.com. This is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle all registration.\r\n\r\nKrystal Square Off® World Hamburger Eating Championship Series\r\n\r\n\r\nChattanooga, TN\tChattanooga Lookouts Baseball\tSeptember 3-6\r\n\r\nNashville, TN\tTennessee State Fair\tSeptember 10-15\r\n\r\nKnoxville, TN\tTennessee Valley Fair\tSeptember 17-19\r\n\r\nMemphis, TN\tMid-South Fair\tSeptember 24-28\r\n\r\nAtlanta, GA\tNorth Georgia State Fair September 30 – October 3\r\n\r\nMacon, GA\tGeorgia National Fair\tOctober 8-10\r\n\r\nMontgomery, AL\tAlabama National Fair\tOctober 12-13\r\n\r\nJackson, MS\tMississippi State Fair\tOctober 15-17\r\n\r\nMobile, AL\tGreater Gulf State Fair\t October 22-24\r\n\r\nBirmingham, AL\tSloss Fright Furnace\tOctober 29-31\r\n\r\nJacksonville, FL Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair November 3-7\r\n\r\nChattanooga, TN\tWorld Hamburger Eating Championship November 13\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Krystal Company\r\nFounded in 1932, The Krystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the Southeast and the second oldest in the United States. Famous for its small, square burgers, which have become synonymous with Southern fast food, Krystal has emerged as one of the most successful quick service restaurants in the industry. With 24-hour operations, Krystal restaurants offer their customers one-of-a-kind menu items for breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night or snack options. The Chattanooga-based Krystal chain currently has more than 425 restaurants in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and \r\nVirginia. \r\n\r\n###\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e12","sn":128,"title":"Eaters Head to Buffalo","createdAt":"2004-08-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Top IFOCE eaters are preparing to compete at the U.S. Buffalo Wing-Eating Championship at the third annual National Buffalo Wing Festival on Labor Day Weekend on September 5, 2004, at Dunn Tire Park in Buffalo, NY, home of the chicken wing.\r\n\r\nEd ‘Cookie’ Jarvis of New York, the number two-ranked eater in America, will defend his championship title against the strongest field of chicken wing-eating specialists to date. Jarvis’ toughest challenge may be from top-ranked American eater and archrival, 100 lb. Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas of Virginia. \r\n\r\nThomas, who holds titles in oysters, hard-boiled eggs and cheesecake, placed high in an early round last year only to place second to Jarvis in the final event. Jarvis, who also holds titles in cannoli and ribs, has been beaten by Thomas in several recent events.\r\n\r\nAlso competing will be corned beef hash and onion champion Badlands Booker, who has been on a tear lately, and cabbage and shrimp champion Charles Hardy, who has posted a string of impressive placements during the past few months.\r\n\r\nIn the list of top competitors is corn on the cob eating veteran Joe LaRue of Florida; butter champion Don “Moses” Lerman; and Buffalo’s own Jim Reeves, a multi-discipline eater and local favorite.\r\n\r\nThe 12-minute, all-you-can-eat contest will be sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), the governing body of all stomach-centric sport. This is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle all registration through info@ifoce.com. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.\r\n\r\nThe 3rd Annual National Buffalo Wing Festival, which will be held at on September 3, 4 and 5, Labor Day weekend, is expected to draw upward of 50,000 chicken wing aficionados to the City of Buffalo. The festival will feature the America’s Best Wings competition as well as the Mega Car and Truck Show, Baby Wing Contest, Miss Buffalo Wing Pageant and the official Running of the Chickens. Attendees will also have the opportunity to try more than 100 different varieties of Buffalo wings from eateries across the nation."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e10","sn":127,"title":"Thomas Maine Lobster Champ","createdAt":"2004-08-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Maine lobster-eating champion Kevin Cross faced an extraordinary challenge when Sonya Thomas, Cookie Jarvis, Badlands Booker, Hungry Charles Hardy, Crazy Legs Conti and Allan Goldstein showed up in Kennebunkport, Maine, for the World Lobster-Eating Contest.\r\n\r\nCross, a talented eater who has consumed north of six pounds of lobster in 12 minutes, held the lead early in the event, but Conti, Hardy and Jarvis were eating faster than expected, knocking back Maine lobsters at an incredible pace.\r\n\r\nThe event took place at the World Lobster-Eating Festival next to the historic Tainttown Bridge overlooking a sailboat-filled harbor. Each eater was teamed with a picker or cracker -- competitive eating's version of a caddie.\r\n\r\nAs the contest moved into the final minutes, Sonya Thomas picked up the pace, her slender fingers ripping strips of lobster meat in perfect synchronicity with her picker. Meanwhile, Jarvis's picker seemed to become distracted and the Cooker's fingers proved too large to poke lobster meat from the knuckles of the smaller chicken lobsters.\r\n\r\nAs thunder and lighting crashed overhead, pouring rain onto the white circus tent erected for the event, Hardy and Conti advanced their bid for victory. When the final whistle had blown, and when the lobsters were finally tallied (the weighing process is laborious to say the least), Thomas had placed first, eating 9.76 pounds of lobster meat in 12 minutes. Crazy Legs Conti placed second with 7.03 pounds and Hardy placed third with 6.86 pounds of meat.\r\n\r\nBadlands Booker, who captured the hearts of the crowd, rocking the overflowing tent with two raps (perhaps the finest moments of the afternoon), was unable to receive an accurate count on his lobsters. However, Booker was clearly in the running. Allan Goldstein and Kevin Cross also ate extremely well, consuming more than six pounds of lobster, a number that would have won first place last year.\r\n\r\nThe journey to this scenic corner of the nation required significant commitment by the eaters, who faced stormy weather and east coast traffic at its worst. Sonya Thomas was grounded in Boston by weather and quickly rented a car for the final 100 miles of the trip, arriving 5 minutes before start time. Hardy drove to Maine overnight with Booker and neither had slept for 24 hours when the contest began."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e0d","sn":126,"title":"84 Lumber Bean Record","createdAt":"2004-08-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"A decisive victory by Sonya Thomas in the 84 Lumber baked bean-eating contest in Centerville, Indiana, has set off a frenzy among eating afficionados, who are calling for a title match between Thomas and and bean-eating specialist Don Moses Lerman.\r\n\r\nThomas consumed 8.4 pounds of baked beans (just under one gallon) with pork in 2 minutes 47 seconds in Indiana, obliterating the competition. Other top eaters in attendance -- including Cookie Jarvis, Yellowcake Subich, Kevin Carr and Peter Nichols -- struggled with the heavy bean mixture. After Jarvis stepped back from the table (a hiccup kocked him out of the game as he was trailing Thomas with a strong hold on second) Subich and Nichols began a battle for runner-up.\r\n\r\nThe grueling bean match turned brutal when Subich and Nichols ended in a dead heat and were forced to endure an overtime run-off. Nichols just squeaked into second, consuming two more ounces of beans than Subich.\r\n\r\nNo fan can hear about this match without imagining the competition of Don Moses Lerman were at the table. lerman, known for the fastest hands in competitive eating, has consumed 6 pounds of baked beans in one minute 47 seconds. Even if the beans in this event were slightly less difficult to consume than the Indiana beans, one still wonders what would have happened -- hence the need for a title match."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e0e","sn":125,"title":"KRYSTAL SQUARE OFF: $17,500","createdAt":"2004-08-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"When fast food icon Krystal holds the inaugural Krystal Square Off® World Hamburger Eating Championship from this September to November and crowns the hamburger eating champion of the world, the winner will earn major bragging rights in the sport of competitive eating and the largest cash prize offered on the U.S. competitive eating circuit today.\r\n\r\nThe Krystal Company, home to the famous, small, square and indulgently delicious Krystal hamburger, has boosted the total cash purse for the first Krystal Square Off® World Hamburger Eating Championship to an unrivaled $17,500, with a $10,000 cash prize to be awarded to the winner. Second place will receive $5,000, and $2,500 will go to third place. \r\n\r\n\"We're certainly not tiptoeing into this,\" explained Brad Wahl, Manager of Marketing and Promotions at The Krystal Company. \"The interest in the Krystal Square Off® has been tremendous from the moment we announced the event, and we want to match the excitement with an unprecedented cash prize. We already expected the competition to be fierce, and now, with so much at stake, we expect it to be ferocious.\"\r\n\r\nThose vying for the grand prize package of $10,000, the champion's belt and crystal trophy will first be put to the challenge at one of the 11 qualifying events to be held throughout the Southeast beginning September 3, 2004 in Chattanooga, Tenn., where The Krystal Company is headquartered. The winner of each qualifier will earn a seat at the final world championship table on Nov. 13, 2004 in Chattanooga.\r\n\r\nDavid Baer, Director of Global Expansion, IFOCE, noted, \"The prizes offered by Krystal for the Krystal Square Off® mark a major milestone for the sport of competitive eating. By offering a cash purse of this magnitude to IFOCE athletes, we have joined the ranks of professional tennis and golf.\"\r\n\r\nWahl predicts, \"You're going to see the top competitive eaters in the world gunning for the prize. But don't discount our customers, who some may foolishly be tempted to write off as amateurs. They will be out to prove that their longtime fanaticism for the Krystal burger gives them a distinct edge. From French Jenkins, the very first Krystal customer back in 1932 who ordered 6 Krystals with his coffee, to Matt Ward, who ate an amazing 21 Krystal burgers in 2 minutes at a contest last summer, Krystal lovers have long shown skill at consuming Krystals in multiples. I'm predicting a true, loyal Krystal lover will take home the title and the $10,000 prize.\"\r\n\r\nInformation on how to participate in the Krystal Square Off® World Hamburger Eating Championship can be found at http://www.krystal.com and by clicking the Krystal button at www.ifoce.com.\r\n\r\nThe Krystal Company\r\nFounded in 1932, The Krystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the Southeast and the second oldest in the United States. Famous for its small, square burgers, which have become synonymous with Southern fast food, Krystal has emerged as one of the most successful quick service restaurants in the industry. With 24-hour operations, Krystal restaurants offer their customers one-of-a-kind menu items for breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night or snack options. The Chattanooga-based Krystal chain currently has more than 425 restaurants in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and \r\nVirginia.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e0b","sn":124,"title":"Mo's Money","createdAt":"2004-08-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Mo's Irish Pub in Milwaukee has announced the following prize money for this Saturday's Corned Beef Challenge. Grand Prize is $1,000; Second place is $500 and a year's supply of beer; Third place is $500 beer credit at Mo's Irish Pub; and Honorable Mention is a $100 beer tab at Mo's Irish Pub.\r\n\r\nAccommodations will be made should a top finisher be under the age of 21.\r\n\r\nTo register for this event, e-mail info@ifoce.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e09","sn":123,"title":"Milwaukee Braces for Jarvis","createdAt":"2004-08-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Beef-eating powerhouse Ed Cookie Jarvis is scheduled to challenge Milwaukee's most daring eaters when Mo's Irish Pub hosts its Anniversary Corned Beef Eating Classic at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14. Jarvis and other competitors will be vying for the Mo's Irish Pub Shillelagh of Eating Greatness.\r\n\r\nThe competition is part of Mo's Irish Pub's weekend-long first anniversary celebration. In addition to Saturday's contest, Mo's will feature live Irish bands, a traditional Irish breakfast from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both Saturday, Aug. 14 and Sunday, Aug. 15, and a special Mass on Sunday, Aug. 15.\r\n\r\nA beef-eating specialist, Jarvis is well-known for having eaten a 76-ounce steak in less than eight minutes, and six 11-ounce chicken fried steaks with white gravy in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE is handling registration for the 10-minute contest, email info@ifoce.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e08","sn":121,"title":"SONYA LOVES INDY","createdAt":"2004-08-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas returned to Indiana, the same state where she set the hard-boiled egg eating record as a rookie in 2003, and downed 8.4 pounds of baked beans in two minutes 47 seconds to secure first place and $1,000 in the first-ever 84 Lumber Baked Bean Bout.\r\n\r\nLocal gurgitator Peter Nichols place second and up-and-comer Big Brian Subich finished an impressive third."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e0f","sn":122,"title":"Aloha Maui, Hoo Ahh","createdAt":"2004-08-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eric Badlands Booker won the Maui Onion Challenge and the beautiful Maui Onion Lei by consuming 9 ounces of raw Maui Onion in just one minute. Former champ and Hawaii eating legend, Eric the 'Onion King,'Seigmund, finishes 2nd with 8 ounces in one minute.\r\n\r\nStephen Malkmus, an eating fan, apparently informed Badlands that Aloha has different meanings depending on the inflection. Like Booker's trademark aphorism \"hoo ahh,\" aloha means goodbye and also hello. Upon completion of the contest, Badlands signed autographs that read 'Aloha, Eric Booker, Hoo Ahh' and 'Hoo Ahh, Eric Booker, Aloha.'"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e0c","sn":120,"title":"84 Lumber Baked Bean Bout","createdAt":"2004-08-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"America’s #1 and #2 Ranked Eaters Set To Collide in Indiana\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Brickyard 500 won’t be the only world class sporting event held in Indiana this weekend, as America’s top-ranked eaters meet in Centerville, IN, for the 84 Lumber World Baked Bean-Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nThis contest, which will help commemorate the re-opening of the 84 Lumber location in Centerville that burned down in March, will feature a talented group of competitive eaters devouring 8.4 pounds of baked beans in the shortest period of time. Among those vying for the ultra-prestigious crown will be Sonya Thomas, the #1 ranked eater in the nation, and Ed ‘Cookie’ Jarvis, the #2 ranked eater in America.\r\n\r\n“The 84 Lumber World Baked Bean-Eating Championship pits two eaters of mythical proportions against one another,” said George Shea, chairman of the International Federation of Competitive Eating. “The state of Indiana is renowned for sports icons such as the Indianapolis Speedway, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and others. We expect this contest to join events of that stature.”\r\n\r\nAt the forefront of the field will be Sonya Thomas, the 100 lb phenom from Alexandra, VA. Thomas’ gurgitory feats include eating 36 dozen oysters in 10 minutes; 43 tacos in 11 minutes; 65 hardboiled eggs in six minutes; and 11 pounds of cheesecake in nine minutes- all world records. Jarvis brings an equally impressive pedigree to the table, currently holding no less than 12 world titles. His records include 1 gallon, nine ounces of ice cream in 12 minutes, 33½ ears of sweet corn in 12 minutes, and 4.65 lbs of rib meat in 12 minutes. \r\n\r\nIn additional to the prestigious title, there is $1,750.00 in prize money on the line ($1,000.00 for first place; $500.00 for second place; and $250.00 for third place). There are still spots available to compete; this is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle all registration. Those interested in competing who are 18 years of age and older can email beans@ifoce.com or call (212) 627-5766 to register.\r\n\r\nFounded by Joe Hardy in 1956 in the town of Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, where the original store continues to operate, 84 Lumber Company is the largest privately held building materials supplier in the country. Today 84 Lumber Company operates more than 470 stores and 14 component manufacturing plants from coast to coast. With more than 7,500 associates nationwide 84 Lumber Company provides professional contractors, remodelers and serious do-it-yourselfers with quality building materials, supplies and expertise. For more information on 84 Lumber Company please visit our web site: www.84lumber.com.\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE, the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 70 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY. The competitive eating community, which numbers more than 3,000 veteran and rookie athletes, travels the nation in search of top titles and the glamour that they provide.\r\n\r\n###\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e0a","sn":119,"title":"Maui Onions in Hawaii","createdAt":"2004-07-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Maui, HI, will be more than an island paradise on Sunday, August 8, 2004 as the Whalers Village Maui Onion Festival holds the 2004 World Maui Onion Eating Championship.\r\n\r\nThe epic battle will pit competitive eating superstar Eric ‘Badlands’ Booker, currently ranked #4 in the world by the International Federation of Competitive Eating, against reigning world champion Eric ‘The Onion King’ Seigmund. (Seigmund is known as Seigmund the Seamonster by some.)\r\n\r\nBooker, who will travel all the way from New York to compete, holds numerous gurgitory records including 48 donuts in eight minutes, 15 beef burritos in eight minutes, 4 pounds of corned beef hash in eight minutes, 21 baseball-sized matzo balls in six minutes, and 9.5 pounds of peas in 12 minutes. Booker also ate 30½ hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes on July 4, 2002 to finish second to world champion Takeru Kobayashi in the Nathan’s Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY. \r\n\r\n“While Eric Booker is truly one of the sport’s greatest competitors, this will be no easy test,” said David Baer, Director of Global Expansion for the IFOCE. “He will have to overcome a strong field of eaters, jet lag and the mighty onion itself in order to return to the mainland victorious.”\r\n\r\nThe 15th Annual Whalers Village Maui Onion Festival presented by Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club is sponsored by Aloha Airlines, This Week Magazines, Hawaiian Cablevision, KAOI Radio and Akina Aloha Tours, with support from the Fairway Shops at Kaanapali. There are still spots available to compete, and those interested who are 18 years and over can email onions@ifoce.com or call (212) 627-5766 to register. The IFOCE is sanctioning the event and will handle all registration.\r\n\r\nMaui’s premier oceanfront shopping center, Whalers Village is home to a vibrant variety of 70 fine shops and restaurants. It is located on beautiful Kaanapali Beach and distinguished by a free whaling museum, free entertainment, beachfront dining, quality apparel boutiques, Hawaiian gift shops and unique jewelry stores. Whalers Village is open from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Call 808-661-4567 or visit www.whalersvillage.com.\r\n\r\n###\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e07","sn":118,"title":"Lobster A Team Event","createdAt":"2004-07-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The World Lobster-Eating Championship, which will be held as part of the World Lobster-Eating Festival on Saturday, August 21, 2004 next to the Taint Town Bridge in Kennebunkport, Maine, will feature a unique team component.\r\n\r\nEach eater will be paired with a cracker, competitive eating's version of a golf caddie. Both eater and cracker will be free to crack the shell and extricate the lobster meat, but only the eater may consume the meat.\r\n\r\nMaine resident Kevin Cross will attempt to defend his championship title and possession of \"The Claw,\" the coveted championship belt of lobster-eating supremacy, against the world's best competitive eaters. Cookie Jarvis is expected to attend with Allan Goldstein, a rising star on the eating circuit.\r\n\r\nWhile Cross is a veteran with enormous capacity, Jarvis and Goldstein are considered to have a slight leg up -- both are know for jaw strength, which is critical in lobster.\r\n\r\nThe eating contest is sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating and the IFOCE will handle all registration. Those over the age of 18 may register by emailing Info@IFOCE.com.\r\n\r\nFresh Maine lobster, lobster rolls, clam chowder bread bowls, grilled chicken and burgers will be available for the lowest prices in Maine, as will cold beer and Margaritas. Admission is $3.00 (Free for those under 10) On-site parking is available."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e05","sn":116,"title":"LeFevre in Melon Match","createdAt":"2004-07-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rich LeFevre continued his eating dominance in Ohio, winning the \"Swellin' with Melon\" watermelon eating contest at the Brookville Community Picnic by downing 11.22 pounds of melon in 15 minutes. His wife, the lovely Carlene LeFevre, took second place with 9.7 pounds. At stake was $1,000.\r\n\r\nBeautiful Brian Seiken, whose eating circuit stature has risen significantly in the past several months with performances in pickles and chicken nuggets, consumed a total of 8 pounds to place third.\r\n\r\nWhile easy to eat, melon is considered a difficult category, especially in a 15 minute contest. Many of the competitors were forced to push back from the table prior to the conculsion of the event.\r\n\r\nRich and Carlene LeFevre, ranked fifth and ninth in the world, have wowed crowds with their slender physiques and voracious hunger. The couple have competed side-by-side in chili, SPAM and Nathan's Famous hot dogs."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e06","sn":117,"title":"Shredder to Maine for Lobster?","createdAt":"2004-07-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"IFOCE Rookie of the Year Nominee Allan \"The Shredder\" Goldstein is rumored to be checking out MapQuest for the most direct route to Kennebunkport, Maine, for the World Lobster-Eating Contest.\r\n\r\nShredder, the bolgna-eating champion of the world, is known for a curiously strong jaw and for unnaturally sharp incisors. He is expected to perform very well in lobster. Lobster tails are very difficult to eat in competition and require a practiced ripping motion."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e04","sn":115,"title":"Ruling OKs Salt for Melon Contest","createdAt":"2004-07-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"A ruling from the desk of IFOCE President Richard Shea has approved the use of salt in the upcoming Swellin' with Melon watermelon-eating contest at the Brookville Community Picnic in Brookville, Ohio."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e01","sn":114,"title":"LeFevre Takes Ribs in Bumpy Contest","createdAt":"2004-07-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"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.\r\n\r\nReports 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.\r\n\r\nThe 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.\r\n\r\n\"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."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e00","sn":113,"title":"Molar Extraction Aids Jarvis Rib Effort","createdAt":"2004-07-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"When Cookie Jarvis boards the plane from New York to Oregon, he will face a nine-hour trip – 2,000 miles in the air and 200 miles on the ground – to the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the Northwestern corner of United States. It is a long trip in coach, but the prize – $1,500 and the title of Chinook Winds World Rib-Eating Champion – is worth it.\r\n\r\nThe Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City, OR, will hold the World Rib Eating Championship this year on Saturday, July 17th, 2004, with a total of $2,500 in prize money on the table.\r\n\r\nThe 2003 Chinook Winds World Rib Eating Championship was won by Jarvis, who devoured 4.65 lbs of rib meat in 12 minutes. Jarvis loves the rib, the most prestigious of the debris foods next to the chicken wing. And with his recent double-molar extraction, he is poised for a great performance.\r\n\r\nThis is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle all registration -- spots are still open. Interested parties should email ribs@ifoce.com or call 212.627.5766 for more information.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3df8","sn":112,"title":"Lerman Hangs on for Donut Win","createdAt":"2004-07-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"At the conclusion of the eight minute Winchell's World Donut Eating qualifier in Orange County on Saturday, July 10, Ray Meduna had consumed 24 ¼ Winchell's Glazed Donuts to secure third place behind Jammin' Joe LaRue and Don Moses Lerman, each of whom consumed 28 donuts to tie for first. A one-minute eat-off ensued and 6,700 cheering fans watched Don Moses Lerman edge out Jammin Joe LaRue in a tightly contested overtime.\r\n\r\n\"The minute was up and Joe was barely a second behind with his last bite,\" said Winchell's record holder Jalapeno Jed Donahue who was on hand as a judge for Saturday's event. \"It was a close call, but Don got his 32nd donut in clean and within the minute OT.\"\r\n\r\nOfficially, Lerman won Saturday's Winchell's event with 32. LaRue placed second with 31 and ¾ and Meduna delivered a solid third with 24 ¼. For the effort, Lerman secured $500 in prize money, a full travel and lodging package for the championship event, and the prestigious title of Orange County Fair Winchell's World Donut Eating Champion.\r\n\r\nThe top three finishers were also guaranteed a spot in the Winchell's World Donut Eating Championship, which occurs at the Los Angeles County Fair in September, where $1,500 will go to the winner.\r\n\r\nHeadquartered in Santa Ana, Winchell's Donut House, \"Home of the Warm 'n Fresh Donut\",\" is the West Coast's largest donut chain with roughly 200 units in 12 states, plus locations in Guam, Saipan, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia. With more than 70 varieties of Warm 'n Fresh\" donuts and bakery products, Winchell's offers customers a diverse menu that includes: donuts, cinnamon rolls, muffins, bagels, croissants, brownies and cookies. Winchell's also offers delicious frozen Chillas in four refreshing flavors: mocha cappucino, caramel cappuccino, pina colada and orange."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e02","sn":111,"title":"Winchell's Donuts at OC Fair","createdAt":"2004-07-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Santa Ana, CA, July 9, 2004 – Jammin' Joe LaRue, Don Moses Lerman, and Ray Meduna will compete at the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, July 10, 2004, the second stop of the Winchell’s World Donut Eating Championship circuit.\r\n\r\nAt stake is $500 in prize money, a full travel and lodging package for the championship event, and the prestigious title of Orange County Fair Donut Eating Champion. The top three finishers will be guaranteed a spot in the Winchell's World Donut Eating Championship at the Los Angeles County Fair in September, where $1,500 will go to the winner.\r\n\r\nThe current world donut-eating record is Jalapeno Jed Donahue, who consumed 31 donuts in eight minutes. That record, however, will be challenged by a top field of gurgitators at the Orange County contest.\r\n\r\nThis is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle all registration. Those interested who are 18 years and over can email donuts@ifoce.com or call (212) 627-5766 to register.\r\n\r\nHeadquartered in Santa Ana, Winchell's Donut House, \"Home of the Warm 'n Fresh Donut™,\" is the West Coast's largest donut chain with roughly 200 units in 12 states, plus locations in Guam, Saipan, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia. With more than 70 varieties of Warm 'n Fresh™ donuts and bakery products, Winchell's offers customers a diverse menu that includes: donuts, cinnamon rolls, muffins, bagels, croissants, brownies and cookies. Winchell’s also offers delicious frozen Chillas in four refreshing flavors: mocha cappucino, caramel cappuccino, pina colada and orange."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dfe","sn":109,"title":"Chinook Winds Rib Championship","createdAt":"2004-07-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Will Cookie Jarvis return to defend his title?\r\n\r\nThis is the question on the lips of competitive eaters throughout the United States as the Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City, OR, prepares for the World Rib Eating Championshiop on Saturday, July 17th, 2004. A total of $2,500 in prize money is on the table.\r\n \r\nThe rib, considered perhaps the most prestigious of the debris foods next to the chicken wing, is expected to challenge even the most seasoned IFOCE gurgitators.\r\n \r\nThe 2003 Chinook Winds World Rib Eating Championship was won by IFOCE superstar Ed ‘Cookie’ Jarvis, who devoured 4.65 lbs of rib meat in 12 minutes. Jarvis, fresh off his solid performance at the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY, has not yet decided if he will travel to Lincoln City to defend his title.\r\n \r\nThis is an IFOCE event and the IFOCE will handle all registration -- spots are still open. Interested parties should email ribs@ifoce.com or call 212.627.5766 for more information. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dff","sn":110,"title":"Mellon Melee Approaches","createdAt":"2004-07-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eaters are eagerly anticipating “Swellin’ with Mellon” at the annual Brookville Community Picnic in Brookville, Ohio, on Saturday, July 24, 2004. This 15-minute picnic-style classic is the first-ever officially sanctioned watermelon-eating contest.\r\n\r\nThe 54th annual Brookville Community Picnic, which runs from Thursday, July 22 to Saturday, July 24.\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE will handle all registration -- there are still spots open. Those interested in competing, who are 18 years and over, can email melon@ifoce.com or call (212) 627-5766 to register for the contest.\r\n\r\nThe contest is sponsored by DG Equipment Company, Inc., Brookville Roadster, New Lebanon Body, Frame & Tech, Red Baron Towing, and Brookhaven Lifecare Community. The Brookville Chamber of Commerce is organizing the Community Picnic.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dfc","sn":108,"title":"Koby with 53.5","createdAt":"2004-07-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Takeru Kobayashi of Japan achieved an unprecedented four-peat on July 4, winning the annual Nathan's Famous dogfest with a new world record of 53.5 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\nThe event, which was broadcast live as part of an hour-long show on ESPN, attracted more than 5,000 fans to the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, Brooklyn.\r\n\r\nNobuyuki Shirota of Japan placed second with 38 hot dogs and buns and American Sonya Thomas placed third with 32, a new American record. Rich LeFevre of Nevada put in an enormous performance, placing fourth with 27 3/4. Eric Booker and Cookie Jarvis tied for fifth with 27.\r\n\r\nPersonal bests were notched by Carlene LeFevre with 22, Jim Reeves of Buffalo, NY, with 21, Joe LaRue of Florida with 20 and Allan Goldstein of Plainview, NY, with 19."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dfd","sn":107,"title":"Kobe Tops in BetUS.com Odds ","createdAt":"2004-07-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"BetUS.com, the world’s leading offshore gaming company, today released official odds for the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest to be held on Sunday, July 4, 2004 in Coney Island, NY.\r\n\r\nReigning champion Takeru Kobayashi enters the contest as an overwhelming favorite, coming in at 1 to 4½ odds. Other competitive eating stars who may challenge for the coveted Mustard Yellow Belt include Japanese eater Nobuyuki Shirota (3 to 1); Sonya Thomas, the 105 pound phenom from Alexandria, VA (5 to 1); reigning American Hot Dog Eating Champion Ed ‘Cookie’ Jarvis (12½ to 1); Former American Hot Dog Eating Champion Eric ‘Badlands’ Booker (15 to 1); distance specialist Rich ‘The Locust’ LeFevre (18 to 1); the remaining Field of gurgitators (4 to 1) and long shot Dale ‘The Mouth of the South’ Boone (50 to 1). \r\n\r\n“Kobayashi has clearly established himself as one of the greatest athletes of all time,” said Eddie King of BetUS.com. “Our odds reflect that.”\r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Championship is held each year on July 4th at the original Nathan’s Famous location at Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, NY. Held every year since 1916, the contest draws the finest competitive eaters from around the world to battle for the coveted Mustard Yellow Championship Belt, the World Cup of competitive eating. For the past three years, Takeru Kobayashi of Japan has won the Fourth of July contest. In 2002, Kobayashi set a new world record by downing 50 and ½ Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. \r\n\r\nBetUS.com is one of the oldest and most respected legal online sports betting websites in the World, and is the only offshore sports book to be licensed and bonded in TWO recognized gaming jurisdictions - Costa Rica and the Mohawk Indian Reservation in Montreal, Canada. For these and many other reasons, BetUS.com is the dominant option for sports wagering."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3e03","sn":106,"title":"Nathan's Eating Roster","createdAt":"2004-07-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The following eaters will compete in the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.\r\n\r\n\r\nGodfrey Bertelsen\r\nManchester, England\r\n6’6”, 280lbs, 42 Years\r\n\r\no Pickled Egg Eating Champion\r\no Competes in charity contests to raise money for disabled children\r\n\r\n\r\nEric “Badlands” Booker \r\nCopiague, NY\r\n6'5\", 395 lbs, 35 Years, 27 Hot Dogs (Belmont Park, NY Qualifier)\r\n\r\no World Burrito Eating Champion, 15 burritos in 8 minutes\r\no World Matzo Ball Eating Champion, 21 matzo balls in 5 minutes and 25 seconds;\r\no Doughnut Eating Champion, 49 glazed doughnuts in 8 minutes\r\no New York City transit conductor for 11 years\r\no Rapper with new album, “Hungry & Focused”\r\n\r\n\r\nDale Boone\r\nAtlanta, GA\r\n6’0”, 302lbs, 38 Years, 15 ½ Hot Dogs (Atlanta Qualifier)\r\n\r\no Former Pelemeni Eating Champion of the World, 274 pelemeni dumplings, 6 minutes\r\no World Reindeer Sausage Eating Champion, 28 sausage in 10 minutes\r\no 2002 Rookie of the Year\r\no Descendent of Daniel Boone\r\n\r\n\r\nCrazy Legs Conti\r\nNew York, NY\r\n6’3”, 213 lbs, 33 Years, 17 Hot Dogs (Saratoga Qualifier)\r\n\r\no World Lumberjack Breakfast Eating Champion\r\no World Beef Brisket Buffet Eating Champion\r\no French-cut Green Bean Eating Champion, former World Oyster Eating Champion\r\no Subject of a feature documentary – “Crazy Legs Conti: Zen and the Art of Competitive Eating,” currently on the festival circuit\r\no Ate his way free after being buried alive under 100 cubic feet of popcorn at the film’s premiere\r\n\r\n\r\nAllen “Shredder” Goldstein\r\nPlainview, NY\r\n5’8”, 185 lbs, 40 Years, 16 Hot Dogs (Wild Card)\r\n\r\no World Bologna Eating Champion, 2.41 lbs pork & chicken bologna in 6 minutes\r\no Placed 3rd in the 2003 pasta eating championship – his first-ever contest\r\no He grew up in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn and walked to Nathan’s Famous hot dog contest every year as a child\r\no Nominated for IFOCE Rookie of the Year\r\n\r\n\r\n“Hungry” Charles Hardy\r\nBrooklyn, NY\r\n5’11\", 340 lbs, 40 Years, 18 ½ Hot Dogs (Civil Service Qualifier)\r\n\r\no Shrimp eating champion of Alaska, 4 pounds and 9 ounces of spot shrimp in 12 minutes\r\no Nathan's NYC Civil Service contest champions seven consecutive years, from ‘98 to ‘04\r\no Top American eater on July 4th, 2001 – ate 23 hot dogs\r\no Ate 12 feet of sushi at a contest in Japan\r\n\r\n\r\nSimon Hopewell\r\nChristchurch, New Zealand\r\n6’2”, 208 lbs, 24 Years, 18 Hot Dogs\r\n\r\no Gets his inspiration and determination from his mother\r\no Works at Pack 'N' Save\r\no Passionate about computer games and is developing an eating simulation game\r\no Still hungry after the New Zealand qualifying contest and had a coke and bag of chips \r\n\r\n\r\nEdward “Cookie” Jarvis\r\nNesconset, NY \r\n6'6\", 419 lbs, 38 Years, 24 Hot Dogs (Boston Qualifier)\r\n\r\no IFOCE rookie of the year in 2001\r\no Chinatown Dumpling Eating Champion, 91 dumplings in 8 minutes\r\no Las Vegas Battle of the Buffets Champion\r\no Ice cream, cannoli, steak and sweet corn champion\r\no Realtor\r\n\r\n\r\nTakeru Kobayashi\r\nNagano, Japan\r\n5’6”, 132 lbs, 25 Years, 50 1/2 Hot Dogs 2002\r\n\r\no Number one ranked eater in the world\r\no World Champion Hot Dog Eater, setting a world record of 50 1/2 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes on July 4, 2002\r\no Ate 17.7 lbs of pan-seared cow brains to win the Glutton Bowl and earn $25,000\r\no Known as the “Tsunami” because he blows everyone over with his eating ability\r\n\r\n\r\nRon Koch\r\nLas Vegas, NV\r\n5’11”, 165lbs, 56 Years, 23 Hot Dogs (Las Vegas Qualifier)\r\n\r\no Lived in Brooklyn for 45 years; Eating Nathan’s Famous hot dogs were a tradition every Saturday and Sunday\r\no Once broke the Laughlin hamburger record by consuming two 5-pound hamburgers with trimmings in 15 minutes, including a banana split\r\no MGM-Mirage special event photographer\r\no Was the league photographer for the NBA from 1979 to 1993\r\n\r\n\r\n“Jammin’” Joe LaRue\r\nHollywood, FL\r\n6’8”, 275lbs, 44 Years, 18 Hot Dogs (Pembroke Pines, FL Qualifier)\r\n\r\no Florida Nathan’s contest champion with 18 Hot Dogs.\r\no Ate 43 Conch Fritters at the 2003 Conch Fritter Worlds\r\no Studying advanced culinary arts and works as an apprentice chef\r\n\r\n\r\nRich “The Locust” LeFevre \r\nHendersen, NV\r\n5’6”, 130 lbs, 60 Years, 25 Hot Dogs (Los Angeles Qualifier)\r\n\r\no Ate 26 hot dogs in the 2003 Nathan’s Famous July 4 contest\r\no World Chili Eating Champion, 1 ½ gallons in 10 minutes\r\no Considers himself a steak-eating specialist, and on two separate occasions he has eaten two 72-ounce steaks, with salad and potato in under an hour (58 minutes both times).\r\n\r\n\r\nCarlene LeFevre\r\nHenderson, NV\r\n5’6”, 135 lbs, 59 Years, 16 Hot Dogs (Tempe, AZ Qualifier)\r\n\r\no Represented the USA in the 2001 Food Battle Club in Japan finishing 10th overall\r\no Placed fourth in the Las Vegas Battle of the Buffets\r\no An aerobics instructor for the past 25 years\r\no Personal best of 20 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs in 12 minutes\r\n\r\n\r\nDon “Moses” Lerman\r\nLevittown, NY\r\n5’8”, 200 lbs, 55 Years, 20 Hot Dogs (Hartford, CT Qualifier)\r\n\r\no Retired day old bread store owner\r\no Appeared on Sally Jesse Raphael, Daily Show, Gutbusters, Big Eats\r\no Baked bean eating champion with 6 pounds in under 2 minutes; 2000 matzo ball eating champion; 2002 jalapeno eating champion with 120 jalapenos in 15 minutes\r\no Placed 2nd in 2003 and 3rd place in 2002 at the Philadelphia Wing Bowl\r\n\r\n\r\nJim “Buffalo” Reeves\r\nBoston, NY\r\n5’10”, 240lbs, 35 Years, 18 ¾ Hot Dogs (Norfolk, VA Qualifier)\r\n\r\no Chicken wing specialist\r\no Ate a personal best of 88 chicken wings in 12 minutes at the 2003 National Buffalo Wing Festival regional qualifier\r\no Placed 3rd at the 2003 fruitcake eating championship\r\no 2nd place in the 2003 apple dumpling eating championship and 2nd place at the 2004 shanghai noodle eating championship\r\n\r\n\r\nNobuyuki Shirota\r\nTokyo, Japan\r\n6’4”, 221lbs, 25 Years, 31 Hot Dogs (Japan Qualifier)\r\n\r\no Won Japan’s “Food Battle Club” I, II and III in 2001 and 2002\r\no Favorite food is meat and beans\r\no Sales rep for a web advertising firm\r\n\r\n\r\nBill “El Wingador” Simmons\r\nWoodbury Heights, NJ\r\n6’5”, 317 lbs, 42 Years, 16 Hot Dogs (Molly Pitcher Qualifier)\r\n\r\no Won the Philadelphia Wing Bowl 4 times – his best is 154 chicken wings in 30 minutes\r\no Played Quarterback for Semi-Pro Touch Football and enjoys boxing and playing softball\r\no Regularly participates in charity events to help children in need\r\no Loves to cook\r\n\r\n\r\nMarcus Steinhoff\r\nUreinsen, Germany\r\n6’3”, 229 lbs, 30 Years\r\n\r\no 2002 Pig Leg Eating Champion of Germany, 7 pig legs in 15 minutes\r\no Manager of a trucking company\r\no He enjoys playing goalie in a soccer league\r\no Bratwurst eating champion\r\n\r\n\r\nSonya Thomas\r\nAlexandria, VA\r\n5’5”, 100lbs, 36 Years, 26 ½ Hot Dogs (Philadelphia Qualifier)\r\n\r\no Female Nathan’s Famous hot dog record holder\r\no Hard boiled eggs are her favorite food\r\no She has eater 65 hard boiled eggs in under 7 minutes\r\no Cheesecake champion with 10 pounds of cheesecake in 9 minutes\r\no Hobbies include bowling and watching football\r\n\r\n\r\nOleg Zhornitskiy\r\nBrooklyn, NY \r\n6'0\", 165 lbs, 35 years, 18 ¾ Hot Dogs (Long Island Ducks Qualifier)\r\n\r\no Born and raised in the city of Odessa in the Ukraine; he and his extended family moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1998 \r\no In his homeland, he ran a business selling men's clothes, importing the latest fashions from throughout Europe\r\no He has held Matzo Ball and Pelemeni titles \r\no He ate 19 hot dogs at the Long Island Ducks ballpark, to qualify for the 2004 Nathan’s contest.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3df6","sn":103,"title":"Oleg in LI, Boone in Atlanta","createdAt":"2004-06-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"As the Nathan's Famous qualifying season winds down, two more eaters have secured seats for the Fourth of July International Hot Dog eating Contest in Coney Island. \r\n\r\nOleg Zhornitskiy of Brigthon Beach Brooklyn consumed 18 3/4 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes at the Long Island Ducks qualifier at Citbank Park in Long Island.\r\n\r\nOn the same day, Dale Boone posted an anemic 15.5 hot dogs and buns at Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, GA. Boone's lackluster performance caused enormous regret among many aspiring eaters who could have beaten that number, but who chose other contests to qualify.\r\n\r\nOnly one seat remains open -- the NYC Civil Service seat to be determined on Wednesday, June 30 at the South Street Seaport.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3df9","sn":104,"title":"Swellin' With Melon","createdAt":"2004-06-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The annual Brookville Community Picnic in Brookville, Ohio on Saturday, July 24, 2004, will feature tractor pulling, bingo, a 5k run and the first-ever officially sanctioned watermelon-eating contest known as “Swellin’ With Melon.” \r\n\r\n“This is an exciting addition to our annual competitive eating circuit,” said David Baer of the IFOCE. “Watermelon is a discipline requested by many competitive eaters, and with a significant purse on the line I expect to see some big talent heading to Ohio to challenge Brookville’s greatest.” \r\n\r\nThe 15-minute eating contest will be a highlight of the annual Brookville Community Picnic, which runs from Thursday, July 22 to Saturday, July 24.\r\n\r\n“Our annual picnic is in its 54th year and we are happy to be hosting such an exciting contest,” said Margo Cantrell of the Brookville Chamber of Commerce. “Swellin’ with Melon is a natural summertime event and it is sure to draw our area’s most competitive individuals. I am confident that Brookville can hold its own in the international competitive eating arena.”\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE will handle all registration -- there are still spots open. Those interested in competing, who are 18 years and over, can email melon@ifoce.com or call (212) 627-5766 to register for the contest.\r\n\r\nThe contest is sponsored by DG Equipment Company, Inc., Brookville Roadster, New Lebanon Body, Frame & Tech, Red Baron Towing, and Brookhaven Lifecare Community. The Brookville Chamber of Commerce is organizing the Community Picnic."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dfb","sn":105,"title":"ESPN Preps for Nathan's Event","createdAt":"2004-06-28T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"No utensils will be necessary and no condiments allowed during ESPN’s inaugural telecast of the 2004 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest live from Coney Island, N.Y., Sunday at 12 p.m. ET.\r\n\r\nThe one-hour special will be hosted by ESPN’s Gary Miller, who will be joined by George Shea and Richard Shea of the International Federation of Competitive Eating and ESPN.com sports business reporter Darren Rovell, who has covered the event for ESPN’s SportsCenter and ESPN.com for the past two years.\r\n \r\nESPN’s telecast will feature a 40-minute pre-game segment highlighting the history of the event and outlining the rules of the competition, leading in to the 12-minute, all-you-can-eat contest. The event will showcase 20 eating competitors (13 from the United States, two from Japan, and one each from England, New Zealand, Germany, and Canada), including Japan’s Takeru Kobayashi, who holds the current world hot dog-eating record, consuming 50 ½ hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes in 2001. \r\n\r\n“From the Stanley Cup Finals to the National Spelling Bee, every ESPN-televised event shares a common link – a competitive core,” said Julie Sobieski, ESPN Director of Programming. “The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest will add a little mustard to our wide programming variety by showcasing a fun, historical competition featuring amazing individual performances.”\r\n\r\n“We view this as a significant step forward for competitive eating and we hope it will help build momentum for our effort to secure a place in the Olympics,” said David Baer, director of global expansion for the IFOCE.\r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is held each year on July 4 at the original Nathan’s Famous location at Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, N.Y. ESPN’s live coverage will also be shown on the ABC SuperSign in Times Square from 12-1 p.m.\r\n\r\nLog on to http://media.espn.com/MediaZone/HotDogEatingphotos.htm for photos from last year’s competition.\r\n\r\nESPN televises a wide variety of sporting events and competitions including poker, scrabble, chess and table tennis, among others. ESPN also televises the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Mathcounts National Competition, Firefighters' Combat Challenge, National SWAT Challenge, Best Ranger Challenge, School Bus Demolition Derby and Lawn Mower Racing competitions.\r\n\r\nMedia Contacts: \t\r\nNate Smeltz, ESPN (860) 766-4550 \r\nnate.smeltz@espn.com"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3df7","sn":102,"title":"Simmons Trades Wings for Dogs","createdAt":"2004-06-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"El Wingador triumphed in his second-ever attempt in the hot dog discipline, winning the Nathan's Famous qualifier at the Molly Pitcher Travel Plaza in New Jersey by a full hot dog and bun plus. El Wingador, whose given name is Bill Simmons, ate 16 hot dogs and buns and an addition two hot dogs without buns.\r\n\r\nTying for second with 15 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes were Big Brian Subich and Bob Shoudt. A three-way tie for third included Brian Davenport, Brian Seiken and Boss Man Kondik, all of whom ate 13.5.\r\n\r\nWingador's victory provides him the opportunity to square off against his arch rival, Sonya Thomas, who has already earned a spot at the table in Coney.\r\n\r\nThe final three qualifying events for the 2004 July 4 championship take place during the next week: Long Island Ducks on Saturday, June 26; Atlanta Zoo, Saturday, June 26; South Street Seaport Civil Service, Wednesday, June 30."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3df5","sn":100,"title":"LaRue Takes Lauderdale","createdAt":"2004-06-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"There was little if any competition for the great Joe LaRue at the Nathan's Famous qualifier at the Pembroke Lakes Mall in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During the opening minutes, newcomer John Koehler kept pace with LaRue, followed by another rookie, Kosol Kim.\r\n\r\nHowever, LaRue remained focused and soon established a lead over the other 14 eaters at the table. While the Florida champion was disapointed with his final tally -- 18 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes -- he said he felt good, ready for a better mark on July 4."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3df4","sn":99,"title":"Reeves Buffalos Competition in Norfolk","createdAt":"2004-06-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Collard Green had the crowd behind him on Saturday at the MacArthur Center Mall in Norfolk. Men nodded encouragement, children waved, women wept. Their hero, a man who had singlehandedly brought honor to a forgotten region and a neglected bitter green, was about to make history.\r\n\r\nBut he did not. In an unexpectedly fierce battle, Green, whose given name is Carson Hughes, placed fourth to a trio of interlopers from New York, of all places.\r\n\r\nJim Reeves, a Buffalo chicken wing eating sepcialist from Buffalo, NY, won the day, consuming 18 3/4 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns, a new Virginia record. Crazy Legs Conti of Manhattan placed second with 18 hot dogs even and Big Brian Subich of the Pennsylvania/New York border placed third with 15 hot dogs.\r\n\r\nReeves was in a zone throughout the competition, eating with a rhythm\r\nand movement that approached dance, his shoulders dipping and twitching as he squeezed out excess air from his stomach.\r\n\r\nGreen, however, was undeterred by his loss, vowing to compete in other qualifiers to make it to Coney Island for the Fourth of July. The sentiment of the crowd was unanimous: \"Godspeed, Collard, our hearts are with you.\""}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3df2","sn":98,"title":"Donahue Returns With Winchell’s Win ","createdAt":"2004-06-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Shockwaves rippled through the competitive eating community on Saturday, June 12, as ‘Jalapeno’ Jed Donahue pulled off an unexpected upset by winning the Winchell’s Donut Eating Contest at the San Diego County Fair, an official stop on the Winchell’s World Donut Eating Championship Circuit.\r\n\r\nDonahue devoured 30 ½ Winchell’s Honey-Glazed Doughnuts in eight minutes to beat a talented field of gurgitators that included Eric ‘Badlands’ Booker and Rich ‘The Locust’ LeFevre.\r\n\r\nBooker, the #4 ranked eater in the world, and LeFevre, the #5 ranked eater in the world, each ate 30 doughnuts. Others in the field included Carlene LeFevre and upstart Tim Janus, both of whom perfromed well in the difficult donut event.\r\n\r\nDonahue, known as perhaps the greatest jalapeno pepper eater of all time, has been inactive during the past year or so. However, his victory in the Winchell’s contest has fueled talk of a major comeback.\r\n\r\nFor his efforts Donahue earned $500 and travel/lodging for the Winchell’s World Donut Eating Championship finals in Los Angeles, CA in September."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dfa","sn":97,"title":"Nathan's Unveils Wall of Fame","createdAt":"2004-06-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"To memorialize the world’s greatest eating athletes, Nathan’s Famous has established an enormous three story high Hot Dog Eating Wall of Fame featuring images of past hot dog eating greats, a list of past records and a digital clock to count down the minutes to the July 4, the day on which the historic international annual hot dog eating contest is held.\r\n\r\nThe Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has been held in Coney Island, NY for decades and attracts top eating talent from around the world. The current world hot dog eating record is held by Takeru Kobabyashi of Japan, who consumed 50 ½ hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes in 2002.\r\n\r\nThe gigantic Wall of Fame decorates the side of a three story structure that is part of Nathan’s Famous’ flagship restaurant on Stillwell Avenue at 1310 Surf Avenue. The Wall of Fame will join the parachute jump, the Wonder Wheel and the Cyclone as an instant Coney Island attraction. \r\n\r\nThe images of featured eaters span nearly 20 feet, a metaphor for their position in the world of sport. Pictured eaters will include Takeru Kobayashi of Japan, Hungry Charles Hardy of Brooklyn and Sonya Thomas of Virginia.\r\n\r\n“The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has become a highlight of America’s greatest patriotic holiday,” said Wayne Norbitz, president and COO of Nathan’s Famous. “It epitomizes the spirit associated with summer and now the Wall of Fame will pay tribute to the greatest eaters in history.”\r\n\r\n“This is a 2D Mount Rushmore of Eating,” said George Shea, chair of the International Federation of Competitive Eating. “It further establishes the original Nathan’s Famous as the ultimate destination for competitive eating fans worldwide.”\r\n\r\nThe 2004 Nathan’s Famous July Fourth Hot Dog Eating contest is sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating; the IFOCE will handle all registration. The Nathan’s Famous International Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Championship is held each year on July 4 at the original Nathan’s Famous location at Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, NY. An official weigh-in and certification ceremony will be hosted by Mayor Bloomberg at New York City Hall on July 2. The 2004 Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating circuit is making stops in Hollywood, Boston, Tokyo, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Norfolk and other cities."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3def","sn":96,"title":"Carlene LeFevre Owns Phoenix","createdAt":"2004-06-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In a field of 17 men and one woman there was no contest. Henderson Nevada resident Carlene LeFevre won going away at the sixth annual Arizona Mills Mall Nathan's Famous qualifier, downing 16 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\nThe closest competition in Tempe was Curly Young, who consumed 10 hot dogs and buns to come in second. Local eater Jim Rose placed third with nine hot dogs and buns.\r\n\r\nThe win secures a spot at the table in Coney Island for Carlene, where she will compete with her husband, Rich. The dining duo have rewritten the rules of competitive eating during the past year, placing in major matches around the nation."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3df1","sn":95,"title":"Krystal Square Off","createdAt":"2004-06-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Fast food icon Krystal has announced that it will host the first ever World Hamburger Eating Championship. Billed as the Krystal Square Off® and expected to draw the world’s top competitive eaters, the 11-event hamburger-eating circuit will run throughout the Southeast this Fall, culminating with a final world championship event in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Nov. 13, 2004. \r\n\r\nSanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), the Krystal Square Off® World Hamburger Eating Championship will be the first time the IFOCE has crowned a hamburger-eating champion of the world.\r\n\r\nThe championship series will feature “The Krystal,” the famous 2.5 inch square Krystal hamburger that has been the restaurant chain’s signature offering since its founding in 1932. While people generally eat Krystal burgers in multiples of three and four, Krystal Square Off® organizers anticipate top gustatory athletes to consume upwards of around 40 to 50 Krystal burgers within the allotted 8-minute eating period.\r\n\r\nThe Krystal Square Off® World Hamburger Eating Championship will award a $5,000 first prize and is poised to instantly become a major event on the international competitive eating circuit. The winners of each of eleven qualifying events will earn a seat at the final championship table in Chattanooga, where The Krystal Company is headquartered. In addition to the $5,000 first prize, Krystal will offer $1,000 to the second place finisher and $500 to the third place eater. \r\n\r\n“It’s about time for a World Hamburger Eating Championship, and Krystal is thrilled to partner with the IFOCE to present it,” said Brad Wahl, Manager of Marketing and Promotions at The Krystal Company. “For the past 70 plus years, friends and families have been devouring Krystals by the sackful, and now we will officially put the challenge out there for all Krystal lovers, hamburger connoisseurs and the sport of competitive eating. While many people expect the big guns of the sport to dominate this competition, we believe local residents with lifelong training regimens of eating multiples of Krystals will be right in the thick of it.”\r\n\r\n“The appeal and iconic stature of the Krystal burger, especially throughout the South, is likely to boost participation significantly, and we expect this to be a highly competitive series,” said Richard Shea, President of the IFOCE. “Because of the Krystal’s big taste and alluring aroma, it is possible that some eaters may be distracted from the task at hand, slowing to enjoy the burgers at the expense of their position in the contest.”\r\n\r\nThis is an IFOCE-sanctioned championship series and the IFOCE will handle registration. Information on how to participate in the Krystal Square Off® World Hamburger Eating Championship, including qualifying locations, dates and rules, can be found at www.krystal.com.\r\n\r\nFounded in 1932, The Krystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the Southeast and the second oldest in the United States. Famous for its small, square burgers, which have become synonymous with Southern fast food, Krystal has emerged as one of the most successful quick service restaurants in the industry. With 24-hour operations, Krystal restaurants offer their customers one-of-a-kind menu items for breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night or snack options. The Chattanooga-based Krystal chain currently has more than 425 restaurants in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and \r\nVirginia."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dee","sn":94,"title":"Bacci World Pizza Eating Championship","createdAt":"2004-06-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The world’s finest competitive eaters will converge in Chicago, IL, on Saturday, June 19, 2004 for the Bacci World Pizza Eating Championship. On the line will be the $2,500 in prize money, and the ultra-prestigious title of World Pizza Eating Champion.\r\n\r\nEstablished in 1996, Bacci Pizzeria is family owned and operated by the DiDana Family. The original Bacci Pizzeria is located in the heart of Chicago's Little Italy on Taylor Street. Bacci Pizzeria offers homestyle cooking at reasonable prices. The pizza dough and pizza sauce are made fresh daily with only the best ingredients, and of course, Bacci’s very own recipes.\r\n\r\nThe field of gurgitators, representing the finest in IFOCE talent, will be headlined by Ed ‘Cookie’ Jarvis. Jarvis set an American record of 30½ hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes at the 2003 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in Coney, Island, NY. Other top American eaters are expected to participate in this highly anticipated match.\r\n\r\nThe Bacci World Pizza Eating Championship is an IFOCE-sanctioned event and the IFOCE will handle all registration. Only those over the age of 18 who are pre-registered with the IFOCE will be allowed to participate (email pizza@ifoce.com or call (212) 627-5766 to register). Additional prizes include a television, a five-disk DVD player, two SONY Walkmans and two skateboards."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3df0","sn":92,"title":"Winchell's Donuts San Diego Fair","createdAt":"2004-06-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Santa Ana, CA, May 28, 2004 – The world’s finest competitive eaters will converge at the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar, CA on Saturday, June 12, 2004, for the first stop of the Winchell’s World Donut Eating Championship. \r\n\r\nAt stake is $500 in prize money and a full travel and lodging package for the final championship event, as is the prestigious title of San Diego County Fair Donut Eating Champion. The top five finishers will also be guaranteed a spot in the September finals, where $1,500 will go to the winner. \r\n\r\nThe current world donut-eating record is held by Eric ‘Badlands’ Booker, who consumed 48 donuts in eight minutes. That record, however, will be challenged by a top field of gurgitators at the Winchell’s events. \r\n\r\nAlready slated to compete are Rich ‘The Locust’ LeFevre, the fifth-ranked eater in the world, and his wife Carlene LeFevre, the ninth-ranked eater in the world. Rich LeFevre’s records include 25 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes and an astounding 10 pounds of chili in 10 minutes, while Carlene’s gurgitory feats include a fourth place finish in the Travel Channel’s hit program “Battle of the Buffets.”\r\n\r\nThis is an IFOCE event an d the IFOCE will handle all registration. Those interested who are 18 years and over can email donuts@ifoce.com or call (212) 627-5766 to register.\r\n\r\nHeadquartered in Santa Ana, Winchell's Donut House, \"Home of the Warm 'n Fresh Donut™,\" is the West Coast's largest donut chain with roughly 200 units in 12 states, plus locations in Guam, Saipan, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia. With more than 70 varieties of Warm 'n Fresh™ donuts and bakery products, Winchell's offers customers a diverse menu that includes: donuts, cinnamon rolls, muffins, bagels, croissants, brownies and cookies. Winchell’s also offers delicious frozen Chillas in four refreshing flavors: mocha cappucino, caramel cappuccino, pina colada and orange."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3df3","sn":93,"title":"Hot Dog Results","createdAt":"2004-06-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"A slew of new eaters qualified for the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest over the long weekend. Rich LeFevre set a new Nevada record on Thursday, May 27, by consuming a personal best 26 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes at the New York, New York Hotel & Casino. LeFevre, who qualified in Los Angeles, will represent California on July 4. The second place finisher in Las Vegas, newcomer Ron Koch, consumed 23 hot dogs and buns in his first outing and will represent Nevada on the Fourth.\r\n\r\nOn Saturday, Sonya Thomas won the Philly qualifier, consuming 26.5 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes to top Bill Simmons, former world wing champion, who downed 18-plus hot dogs and buns in his first hot dog effort. Bob Shoudt placed third in this event, followed by Brian Subich. On Sunday, Eric Booker earned his spot in the big dance by eating 27 hot dogs and buns, winning the qualifier at Belmont Racetrack.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dec","sn":90,"title":"Winchell's World Donut Championship","createdAt":"2004-05-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The world’s finest competitive eaters will converge in Southern California this summer and fall for the Winchell’s World Donut Eating Championship. When the powered sugar settles, one individual will have earned the prestigious title of World Donut Eating Champion. A total of $2,500 in prize money will be awarded to winners.\r\n\r\nThe three-event series will be held at the San Diego County Fair on June 12, the Orange County Fair on July 10, and will culminate at the Los Angeles County Fair on September 15. The winners of the first two events will receive free travel and lodging to Los Angeles for the final contest. \r\n\r\nThe current world record is held by Eric “Badlands” Booker, who has consumed 48 donuts in eight minutes. This record, however, may well fall under an onslaught top national gurgitators. \r\n\r\nHeadquartered in Santa Ana, Winchell's Donut House, \"Home of the Warm 'n Fresh Donut™,\" is the West Coast's largest donut chain with over 200 units in 12 states, plus locations in Guam, Saipan, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia.\r\n\r\nWith more than 70 varieties of Warm 'n Fresh™ donuts and bakery products, Winchell's offers customers a diverse menu that includes: donuts, cinnamon rolls, muffins, bagels, croissants, brownies and cookies. Winchell's donuts feature top-grade fruit fillings, aromatic spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, bittersweet chocolate frosting and pure vegetable oil. \r\n\r\nThe Winchell’s World Donut Eating Championship is sanctioned by the IFOCE and the IFOCE will handle all registration. Those interested in more information and applications may email donuts@ifoce.com.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ded","sn":91,"title":"Lerman Tops Black Tie","createdAt":"2004-05-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"It is rare to find a man with greater sense of style than William, \"Black Tie\" Stobierski, the Connecticut eating champion who frequently wears a tuxedo t-shirt to events. It is rarer still to find an eater who can consume more hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\nBut, in the parking lot of East Hartford's Putnam Bridge Plaza this past Saturday, even Black Tie had to acknowledge that he was bested -- if only slightly -- by Don Moses Lerman, a veteran gurgitator known as much for his eating records (seven quarter-pound sticks of butter in five minutes, 115 jalepeno peppers in 20 minutes) as for his sartorial splendor (embroidered red sport jacket, hot dog hat).\r\n\r\nThe day's events began with remarks from East Hartford Mayor Tim Larson and a Neat Eating Contest overseen by East Hartfrod Nathan's owner John Andreo. Then the big dogs entered the arena: Crazy Legs Conti, Tim Janus, Black Tie, Don Lerman and a dozen other hopefuls.\r\n\r\nConti struggled from the beginning, his trademark nonchalance disappearing as it became clear that Black Tie and Lerman were locked in what can only be described as a soon-to-be historic rivalry. Conti could not keep pace with the two titans, who consumed hot dogs and buns with singular focus and enormous speed. They traded the lead throughout the match, neck and neck, cheek and jowl.\r\n\r\nThen, in the final minute, Lerman suddenly paused and stared into the distance, as if hearing a call from the beyond, or from the Home Depot at the far edge of the strip mall. Black Tie immediately pressed his advantage, picking up the pace and pulling ahead by a hot dog. The crowd cheered wildly -- the Connecticut champion was poised to earn a seat at the Big Dance in Coney Island!\r\n\r\nOr was he? With unparalleled delicacy, Lerman squeaked out a burp and patted his mouth dry with the soft side of an open hot dog bun. Refocused, he attacked his plate, eating with such speed that the hot dogs became indistinguishable from his fingers. The final whistle blew and the crowd drew a collective breath -- Lerman had beaten Black Tie by a single dog.\r\n\r\n\"The Deuce\" is what they call 20 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. Lerman hit the deuce in Connecticut for a new state record, with Black Tie close behind and Conti in third."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3deb","sn":89,"title":"Upset at Noodle Match","createdAt":"2004-05-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"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.\r\n\r\nAn 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.\r\n\r\nIFOCE 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.\r\n\r\nZyng 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.\r\n\r\nZyng 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.\r\n\r\nThis was an IFOCE-sanctioned event. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dea","sn":88,"title":"Jarvis Sails to Third Boston Title","createdAt":"2004-05-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Ed \"Cookie\" Jarvis took his third straight Boston Hot Dog Eating Title by downing 24 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and Buns to qualify for a spot in the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island on July 4, 2004. Rookie Allan Goldstein ripped through an impressive 16 to secure second place and establish himself as a contender in the race for spots in the July 4 event.\r\n\r\nThe Nathan's qualifier took place, as it has for four years, during Eddie Andelman's Hot Dog Safari at Suffolk Downs. The Safari raises money to fight Cystic Fibrosis and aired live on the WB.\r\n\r\nJarvis' pal LeFevre, who ate 25 in Los Angeles, is also in the big contest on July 4. The next stop on the circuit is Hartford, Connecticut on May 22, then Las Vegas on May 27 followed by Philadelphia and Belmont over Memorial Day Weekend. More info at www.nathansfamous.com.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3de8","sn":87,"title":"The Locust Swarms Hollywood ","createdAt":"2004-05-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rich LeFevre downed 25 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns at the Kenny Rogers Roasters/Nathan's Famous Restaurant in Hollywood on Saturday, May 8th to take the 2004 California hot dog title and secure himself a place at the table in Coney Island this July 4th. LeFevre's wife Carlene came in a strong second with 20 hot dogs and buns and IFOCE rookie Chris Coble secured third place with 15 hot dogs and buns.\r\n\r\nThe next official Nathan's qualifier will take place at Eddie Andelman's Hot Dog Safari in Boston on Sunday, May 16th. For additional contest information visit www.nathansfamous.com.\r\n\r\nTo read a recent story on competitive hot dog eating by honorary IFOCE member and ESPN reporter Darren Rovell visit Page Two at http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=rovell/040507"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3de9","sn":86,"title":"Noodle-Eating Championship","createdAt":"2004-05-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Top competitive eaters will gather in Columbus, Ohio, for the Zyng Asian Grill World Noodle-Eating Championship. The 10-minute contest will begin at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 21, 2004 at Zyng Asian Grill in Columbus, Ohio, marking the apex of a weeklong celebration for the grand opening of Zyng Asian Grill’s Columbus branch.\r\n\r\nThe field of gurgitators may include Brooklyn, NY, native Beautiful Brian Seiken. Ranked 15th in the world by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), Beautiful Brian holds the world pickle-eating record with 2.55 pounds of pickles in five minutes. His closest opponent is expected to be up-and-comer Jim “Buffalo” Reeves, a 275-pound buffalo wing-eating regional champion from Boston, NY. Local challengers will include Timmi Jaimison, a Sam Kinison impersonator and amateur eater, as well as several Ohio State University students.\r\n\r\nThe competitive foodstuff will be Shanghai noodles, a thick, chewy, wheat-based noodle is rumored to be somewhat difficult to consume competitively. Zyng Asian Grill serves a wide variety of noodles, as well as dishes representing the most popular cuisines from China, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Singapore. The Columbus Zyng also has a full bar for guest to relax while watching the contest. \r\n\r\nZyng 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.\r\n\r\nThis is an IFOCE-sanctioned event and the IFOCE will handle all registration. For further information or to register, email info@ifoce.com. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3de7","sn":85,"title":"Conti Survives 'Popcorn Sarcophagus'","createdAt":"2004-05-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In a never-before-attempted stunt, renowned competitive eater Crazy Legs Conti was buried alive under more than 60 cubic feet of popcorn inside a life-sized popcorn box known as “The Popcorn Sarcophagus.\"\r\n\r\nConti sought to eat his way out of the box in time for the premiere of the documentary, “Crazy Legs Conti -- Zen and the Art of Competitive Eating” at the Tribeca Film Festival.\r\n\r\nAn emergency medical technician was on hand for this death-defying stunt, which was overseen and moderated by the International Federation of Competitive Eating.\r\n\r\nConti breathed through a custom-fitted snorkel as he ate, and was equipped with an emergency communications system in the case he became overwhelmed by the popcorn. The color-coded system – green for “all systems go,” red for “danger,” yellow for “alert/need more butter” – enabled IFOCE officials to smash through the plexi-glass viewing panels if Conti’s life was in jeopardy.\r\n\r\nRichard Shea, who introduced Conti as the \"Houdini of Cuisini,\" held a sledgehammer throughout the event in case an emergency occurred. After eating what appeared to be eight cubic feet of popcorn -- a number considered impossible by most -- Conti eventually conceded that he could go no further.\r\n\r\n\"Evil Knievel had Snake Canon, I have the Popcorn Sarcophagus,\" Conti said. \"I will try this again and again until I overcome the challenge.\"\r\n\r\n“Crazy Legs Conti and the Zen of Competitive Eating,” an Oyster Productions film, follows Conti in his attempt to climb the ranks of the nation’s top competitive eaters. Conti has competed against the world’s top gurgitators, including Takeru Kobayashi, Cookie Jarvis and Sonya Thomas, in a range of disciplines such as oysters, hot dogs, pancakes and string beans."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3de6","sn":84,"title":"Can Jarvis, Thomas Test Kobay?","createdAt":"2004-04-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The release of the 2004 Nathan's Famous qualifying circuit has prompted a wave of handicapping, with eating experts suggesting that several Americans may actually be able to beat three-time winner Takeru Kobayashi of Japan. \r\n\r\nAmerican hot dog champion Cookie Jarvis consumed 30 1/2 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes in 2003 while surging Sonya Thomas consumed 25. Since then, the rivals have both notched amazing victories, advancing their games in all variety of foods. It is considered possible that both Jarvis and Thomas will top 40 hot dogs and buns this year, hitting the double deuce. \r\n\r\nKobayashi is not competing as regularly as Jarvis and Thomas, and many expect that the combined pressure of the two top American gurgitators may force Kobayashi to eat too quickly, or to falter during the contest. \r\n\r\n\"No one has ever won four consecutive victories,\" said former world champion Mike \"The Scholar\" DeVito, who earned three world championship titles in five years. \"The odds are still in favor of Kobayashi, but Jarvis and Thomas are right there behind him.\""}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3de3","sn":82,"title":"Boone over Lerman, Sankov","createdAt":"2004-04-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Dale Boone won the second annual Broadway at the Beach Ultimate Eating Tournament on Sunday, April 25, besting Don Moses Lerman, Collard Green, Pavel Sankov, Don Schaefer, Jeff Mayshe and other top regional eaters.\r\n\r\nBoone won all but one of the five two-minute rounds, throwing strategy to the wind in a dramatic display of both speed and capacity. The elimination tournament slowly reduced the field of eaters, leaving just Lerman and Boone at the table.\r\n\r\nBoone's legendary distemper, considered a competitive advantage and distinct social liability, seemed somewhat subdued, perhaps because the ninth generation descendant of Daniel Boone was competiting in his home region, the southeast.\r\n\r\nThe Atlanta resident and Hindo-language television producer strutted throughout the arena in his coonskin cap, slamming the table after each victory. His shreiks incited the crowd and seemed to propell him to victory.\r\n\r\nIn an emotional moment, Boone dedicated his win to Christine Lane, the sister-in-law of fellow Competitor Collard Green. Lane is fighting an illness, but cheered on Green and Boone with enegertic fervor.\r\n\r\nBroadway at the Beach, the venue for the event, is considered the most dynamic shopping and entertainment center in Myrtle Beach and South Carolina."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3de4","sn":81,"title":"Corn Record Obliterated","createdAt":"2004-04-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The big men came to the table Sunday, April 25, for the Sweet Corn Eating Championship in Palm Beach, Flordia, shocking the crowd with a display of eating never before seen in South Florida.\r\n\r\nWhen Ed \"The Animal\" Krachie, Ray Meduna, Joe LaRue, Michael Parish and Cookie Jarvis arrived at the Sweet Corn Fiesta, fans and onlookers alike knew that history would be made.\r\n\r\nKrachie, testing the waters for a possible return from retirement, seemed loose and focused in the early minutes of the 12-minute sweet corn eating contest. The second annual contest, overseen by Ann Holt and Florida corn growers Brad and Buddy, was the ideal environment for Krachie. However, at the six-minute mark it became clear that Ray Meduna and Joe LaRue were setting a world record pace.\r\n\r\nWhile most of the eaters slowed, succumbing to jaw fatigue produced by the grueling corn-on-the-cob discipline, Meduna, LaRue and Jarvis actually picked up the pace.\r\n\r\nAt the end of the event, a full seven eaters -- three of whom were rookies off the street -- beat the previous world record of 21 ears of corn in 12 minutes. Meduna placed third with an impressive 28 1/4 ears, while LaRue put in his second big performance in two weeks, eating 28 1/2 ears.\r\n\r\nCookie Jarvis, who had flown in on the red eye from California, where he placed second to Sonya Thomas in Saturday's asparagus eating championship, fought off fatigue to consume a new world record on 33 1/2 ears of sweet corn in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\nThe event was sponsored by First Community Bank of Palm Beach County, the oldest bank in the county."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3de5","sn":83,"title":"Nathan's Schedule","createdAt":"2004-04-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Nathan’s Famous has announced the schedule for the 2004 Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest qualifying circuit. Registration for the circuit, will begin on May 8 and conclude on July 4, is administered by the IFOCE. Winners of individual qualifying events receive a seat at the table at the championship.\r\n\r\nTo sign up, visit nathansfamous.com (any questions, email hotdogs@ifoce.com). Limit three events per eater.\r\n\r\nMay 8, Los Angeles, CA\r\nMay 16, Boston, MA\r\nMay 22, Hartford, CT\r\nMay 27, Las Vegas, NV\r\nMay 29, Philadelphia, PA\r\nMay 30, Belmont Racetrack, NY\r\nJune 5, Tempe, AZ\r\nJune 12, Norfolk, VA\r\nJune 19, Miami, FL\r\nJune 25, Molly Pitcher Travel Plaza, NJ\r\nJune 26, Long Island Ducks, NY\r\nJune 26, Atlanta, GA\r\nJune 28, Civil Service (South Street Seaport), NY\r\nJuly 4, “The Big Dance” – Coney Island, Brooklyn\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dde","sn":77,"title":"36 Dozen Oysters/10 Mins","createdAt":"2004-04-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The world record for oyster eating fell hard at the 2004 Acme Oyster Eating Contest at New Orleans' French Quarter Festival. Sonya Thomas doubled the previous world record by downing 432 molusks in 10 minutes.\r\n\r\nThomas, who will compete next in deep fried asparagus in Stockton, CA, beat Eric Badlands Booker, who consumed 25 dozen during the event. Atlanta's Ken Tittle came in third.\r\n\r\nBooker's amazing performance paled agaisnt the numbers notched by Thomas, who has been on a tear during the past six months. Her only loss, a squeaker, came to Cookie Jarvis at the Hooter's Chicken Wing Eating Title Match in January. Thomas and Jarvis will face off at the asparagus event and fans expect nothing less than drama.\r\n\r\nThe crowd of 1,500 at the Acme contest went wild when it became aparent that they were witnessing history. Former champion Boyd Bulot was not able to attend to defend his victory. Can he come back next year and eat 433?"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3de0","sn":78,"title":"Chicken Wing-Eating Contest: LaRue","createdAt":"2004-04-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Jammin' Joe LaRue sent a loud message to the world of competitive eating at the Footy's Y-100 Wing Ding in Miami by eating 124 buffalo chicken wings in 12 minutes. LaRue, the darling of South Florida, came just 10 chicken wings shy of the chicken wing eating world record, set by Cookie Jarvis.\r\n\r\nLaRue, an eater of enormous physical stature, upped his position among gurgitators with this performance. He will immediately test his new-found dominance against Cookie Jarvis, Ed Krachie and Michael Parish at the Swert Corn Fiesta in palm Beach.\r\n\r\nLaRue is considered a real challenge to the number-two-ranked Jarvis, who will be jet-lagged at the corn event. LaRue is also thought to be better able to compete in the heat.\r\n\r\nThe Footy's Y-100 Wing Ding chicken wing eating contest, which qualifies LaRue for the world championship event at the National Buffalo Wing Festival on Labor Day, was overseen by Footy, Dan Marino and IFOCE play-by-play man Ryan Nerz, who moves on to handicap asparagus in California."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3de1","sn":79,"title":"Lerman, Boone in Myrtle Beach","createdAt":"2004-04-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Don Moses Lerman and Dale Boone, arguably the world's greatest sprinters, will test their respective skills at the Broadway at the Beach Ultimate Eating Tournament on April 24, 2004.\r\n\r\nLerman, coming off a shocking baked bean win (six pounds in one minute 48 seconds), is expected to edge out the struggling Boone. Boone has been plagued by a string of questionable outings of late and is not known for capacity. The Myrtle Beach steeplechase tests eaters on both speed and capacity in a series of five two-minute rounds.\r\n\r\nThe only wild card may come in the form of local hero, Pavel Sankov, the young Russian native who will defend his title."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3de2","sn":80,"title":"Sweet Corn Record Expected to Fall","createdAt":"2004-04-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The competitive eating community is buzzing over the caliber of eaters attending the 2004 Sweet Corn Fiesta -- and most expect a dramatic new record. One source speculated that both Joe LaRue and Cookie Jarvis could eat 50 percent more than last year's 21 ears in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\nAnd former world champion Ed \"The Animal\" Krachie is making noises about getting back into the eating game. This man, a pioneer who was eating 22 1/2 hot dogs and buns a decade ago, is expected at the corn bout. Krachie can never be counted out, even when rusty.\r\n\r\nThe exciting roster will also include Ray \"The Bison\" Meduna, sweet- and meat-eating specialist from Seattle. Meduna is traveling all the way from northern Washington for this event. Michael Parish, Allen Knight and Masha Fernandez will also attend. Knight and Fernandez are veterans of Footy's Y-100 Wing Ding and their chicken wing eating prowess is considerable.\r\n\r\n\"It is unfair to characterize the current record of 21 ears in 12 minutes as 'weak' or 'anemic,'\" said one attendee of the 2003 event. \"But this year's event boasts a collection of true talent -- Florida fans are excited to see top eaters.\""}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ddf","sn":75,"title":"Brash Newcomers Face Big Names in New Orleans","createdAt":"2004-04-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"When he takes the stage at the French Quarter Festival for Acme’s World Oyster Eating Championship, Robert Passman will be competing in his first IFOCE event. He is nothing if not confident.\r\n\r\n“I will down north of 400 in the first five minutes,” says the 46-year-old Mississippi native. “I’ll crush the record out of the gate and then kick back and enjoy whatever oysters remain.”\r\n\r\nAnother newcomer, Atlanta’s Ken Tittle, is more deferential. The six foot, 175-pound Georgia Tech grad says he loves Louisiana Oysters and knows he can hold his own. He admits to being excited if a bit uneasy to be competing in the first major of the year. “I bring game for sure, but as a rookie I must be careful. I can't lose focus on the big names.”\r\n\r\nTittle will indeed face some big names. While Boyd Bulot (record holder at 18 dozen in 10 minutes) and Moe Ribs Molesky are not competing in the annual oyster battle, Crazy Legs Conti and Crawfish Nick will return for their third straight year. But even more exciting to eating fans in the southeast is the addition of Eric Badlands Booker and Sonya Thomas.\r\n\r\n“Sonya and Badlands are pushing the Acme event to new heights,” said Kevin Pearce who plans to drive seven plus hours from his ranch home in Tom Ball, TX to witness the contest in New Orleans. “With Bulot out of the picture I figured Conti might regain his title, but with these two eaters present Conti will need to down well over 20 dozen to be in contention.”\r\n\r\nIf Passman’s boasts are bona fide, 20 dozen may be just a start. Numbers aside, the Acme World Oyster Eating Championship has certainly matured attracting top-ranked eaters to New Orleans with the hopes of securing the title and its associated cash prize. And as always, the event is a stepping off point for promising newcomers.\r\n\r\nThe 2004 Acme Oyster Eating Contest will occur at the Acme Stage between the river and the Aquarium of the Americas from 2 to 4:30 on April 17th. It is sponsored by Acme Oyster House, Barq’s Root Beer, the Louisiana Seafood Promotions and Marketing Board, Tabasco Brands, Land Rover, The French Quarter Festival and the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ddc","sn":74,"title":"B'way at the Beach","createdAt":"2004-03-19T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Taste of Broadway Festival will hold the Broadway at the Beach Eating Tournament in Myrtle Beach, SC, on April 24, 2004. Competitive eaters will test their skills in an elimination-round tournament featuring multiple different foods.\r\n\r\nThe final head-to-head contest, which last year proved intensely dramatic, will determine the Broadway at the Beach champion. Twenty-four-year-old Russian national Pavel Sankov, the 2003 Champion, is expected to defend his title.\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE will host and officiate the Broadway at the Beach Eating Tournament, handling all registration. For further information or applications, email info@ifoce.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ddd","sn":73,"title":"Jarvis, Justice, Hardy in Corned Beef","createdAt":"2004-03-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Ed Cookie Jarvis added another title to his trench coat by eating a total of six pounds of Corned Beef and Cabbage to beat a field of 12 gurgitators at the 2004 J. Freirich Company St. Patrick.s Day Competition at Moran.s Restaurant in New York City.\r\n\r\nLeon Justice Feingold placed second with an impressive four pounds three ounces of corned beef and cabbage in the 10-minute event, while Hungry Charles Hardy took third with four pounds two ounces.\r\n\r\nBeautiful Brian Sieken consumed a nibble over four pounds as Krazy Kevin Lipsitz, who prepared for the event by sniffing corned beef with his dogs in the morning for two weeks, notched approximately three pounds. Badlands Booker, Don Lerman, Crazy Legs Conti and Allan Goldstein also performed remarkably well.\r\n\r\nRookie eaters included Timothy Holden, Justin Salkind and Timothy Janus. The 10-minute all-you-can-eat contest, held at Moran.s Restaurant at 146 10th Avenue at 19th Street in Manhattan, favored the volume eater.\r\n\r\nThe J. Freirich Company, known as the Taste of New York, is an 80-year young family owned and managed meat processing company headquartered in Long Island City, New York. The company has extraordinary loyalty among its corned beef customers and enjoys more than 40 percent market share in the New York City metro market and other areas of distribution.\r\n\r\nAfter fielding media interviews, top finishers raised a pint of stout and saluted Jarvis with song. .He.s been a Gurgitator for many a year, he beat us bad fair and square so let.s have a beer. He holds many titles including corned beef, to look at his trophy room you.d think he.s a thief.. This was the actual song they sang or we would not have reported it."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3ddb","sn":72,"title":"A Quarter in the Quarter?","createdAt":"2004-03-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The 2004 Acme World Oyster Eating Championship is fixing to be incredibly exciting with top-ranked gurgitators vying for $1750 in prize money. Oyster Shucking and Tabasco Drinking titles will also be up for grabs when the event takes place in New Orleans, LA on April 17th.\r\n\r\nOccurring each year during the French Quarter Festival, the Acme World Oyster Eating Championship is the first of four annual IFOCE major titles. As a result, it is always a hotly contested event drawing top eaters and large crowds. \r\n\r\n.This is a place where stars are born,. said Ben Hennington of Acme Oyster House. .We are welcoming some new eaters this year and we expect amazing numbers.. \r\n\r\nIndeed, the contest is known for introducing new talent to the IFOCE circuit. In 2002 Crazy Legs Conti won his first belt on the Acme stage when he downed 14 dozen Louisiana Oysters in ten minutes. Last year, Boyd Bulot put the hammer down along with 18 dozen Louisiana Oysters to establish a new world record. At last year.s contest fans offered up a goal of 25 dozen with shouts of .A quarter in the quarter.. \r\n\r\n.This is the year we.ll see north of 20 dozen,. said Ewell Smith of the Louisiana Seafood Promotions and Marketing Board. .The oysters we are harvesting lately are fast oysters -- flavorful and fast -- and I think the numbers are going to increase..\r\n\r\nCrazy Legs Conti has confirmed that he will be on hand this year to try and brake the 20 dozen mark. Other registrants include Eric Badlands Booker, Crawfish Nick Stipelcovich and Ken Tittle, a promising newcomer from Georgia that fans are calling .Tender Vittle Tittle..\r\n\r\nAlso occurring this year will be the first-ever Tabasco Drinking Challenge and the Land Rover Oyster Shucking Competition where the local shucking favorite will be Hollywood, an Acme Oyster House veteran. \r\n\r\nThe event is presented by Acme Oyster House, the Louisiana Seafood Promotions and Marketing Board, Tabasco Brands, Land Rover, Barq.s Root Beer The French Quarter Festival and the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. The IFOCE is handling registration and anyone interested in competing in the Acme World Oyster Eating Championship, the Tabasco Drinking Challenge or the Land Rover Oyster Shucking Competition can email oysters@IFOCE.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dda","sn":71,"title":"SPAM® Run Unites Nation","createdAt":"2004-03-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The IFOCE SPAM®-eating contest on Saturday, April 3, 2004, will be the culmination of an emotional journey for eating enthusiasts everywhere.\r\n\r\nThe contest is one of the many highlights at SPAMARAMA., a culinary cultural festival in Austin, TX. The quantity of SPAM® consumed in 12 minutes is expected to be enormous.\r\n\r\nHowever, it is the SPAM® run, which will kick off in New York City on April 1 and conclude in Austin on April 3, that has captured the hearts of a nation. Runners will cover some 3,000 miles of American terrain holding aloft a can of SPAM® on a stick.\r\n\r\nEaters, runners and SPAM®-lovers in Akron, OH, in particular, have embraced the event. In fact, more than 50 Akron area residents have volunteered to run the .torch.. One volunteer is a second-place marathon finisher.\r\n\r\n.Participating in a meat-based torch run of this caliber is a great moment of pride for all involved,. said IFOCE chair George Shea. .This torch run comes at a time of deep division in our nation -- the bi-partisan outpouring of support for this effort gives one chills..\r\n\r\nShea speculated that an equal number of Republicans and Democrats had volunteered to run the torch.\r\n\r\nSPAMARAMA., to be held at Waterloo Park at 403 East 15 Street in Austin, will include SPAM® JAM, SPAM® COOK-OFF and official SPAMALYMPIC. events such as SPAM® Toss, SPAM® CRAM and SPAM® Call \r\n\r\nSPAM® is a registered trademark of the Hormel Foods Corp. for luncheon meat. SPAMARAMA. is a trademark of the Hormel Foods Corp. for the annual festival in Austin, TX. Hormel Foods Corp. has no financial or legal association with the SPAMARAMA. Website."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dd9","sn":70,"title":"Corned Beef and Cabbage Lineup","createdAt":"2004-03-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The J. Freirich Company Corned Beef & Cabbage Eating Contest, to be held at Moran.s Restaurant on March 16, will include a diverse field.\r\n\r\nEaters will include newcomers Timothy Holden, Johnny Hon, Justin Salkind, Chris Bryson and Timothy Janus, as well as eating vets Leon Feingold, Ed Cookie Jarvis, Krazy Kevin Lipsitz, Beautiful Brian Seiken, Allan \"my bologna has a first name\" Goldstein, Don Moses Lerman and Charles Hardy. Alternates for the 12-person event include Eric Booker and Crazy Legs Conti.\r\n\r\nThe 10-minute all-you-can-eat contest, which will be held at Moran.s Restaurant at 146 10th Avenue at 19th Street in Manhattan, is expected to favor volume eaters. The corned beef and cabbage will be heavy, but succulent and relatively easy to eat compared to other beef events. \r\n\r\nThe J. Freirich Company, known as the Taste of New York, is an 80-year young family owned and managed meat processing company headquartered in Long Island City, New York. The company has extraordinary loyalty among its corned beef customers and enjoys more than 40 percent market share in the New York City metro market and other areas of distribution."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dd7","sn":68,"title":"LuLu's One, Two & Three ","createdAt":"2004-02-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas has secured another title, Crawfish Jambalaya. The hottest eater on the circuit downed nine pounds of the Cajun dish in 10 minutes to win a trip to New Orleans. The match was held as part of the Mardi Gras Celebration at Lulu's Club Mardi Gras in Washington, DC. IFOCE newcomer Frank Lizbinski took second place with five and one half pounds, and Dale Boone secured third place with four and one half pounds.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dd8","sn":69,"title":"Sweet Corn Fiesta Title","createdAt":"2004-02-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The National Sweet Corn-Eating Championship will take place on Sunday, April 25, 2004, at the Sweet Corn Fiesta at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach, Florida.\r\n\r\nThe event, which has already attracted the attention of top eaters nationwide, will feature a $1,000 first prize. \r\n\r\nIt has been rumored that Florida resident Jammin' Joe LaRue will attend. LaRue, who has extraordinary orthodonture, is among those expected to lead the pack. Strong teeth are critical in the corn discipline and excluding one cap Joe has all his own teeth.\r\n\r\n\"This competition is known as one of the most grueling tests of eating style and strategy,. said IFOCE chairman George Shea. \"It will be exciting to watch real professional eaters go after the sweet corn title.\"\r\n\r\nAmateur contests will serve as under cards to the main event. The IFOCE will handle all registration. Further details on time and location to follow -- for information and applications email Sweetcorn@IFOCE.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dd5","sn":67,"title":"Asparagus Time","createdAt":"2004-02-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Not surprisingly, the IFOCE has received a slew of requests (up to eight a day, and that is from only one eater) for the time of the deep-fried asparagus-eating contest on April 24. With the event only two months away it is important to pinpoint the exact time of the contest.\r\n\r\nThe 19th annual Stockton Asparagus Festival, held in Stockton, CA, will host the deep-fried asparagus-eating contest on April 24, 2004 at 11 AM. For those eaters already planning their meals around this event, please note that it will occur on Pacific Time.\r\n\r\nRegistration for the 12-minute, all-you-can-eat contest, which will determine the world asparagus-eating champion, will be managed by the IFOCE. For applications or further information, please email asparagus@ifoce.com. The festival itself is not managing the event and will not have further information."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dd4","sn":66,"title":"Records for bologna, beans, pickles","createdAt":"2004-02-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Amazing victories today at the IFOCE title rally at the Downtown Atlantic in Brooklyn. The rally, overseen by Hungry Charles Hardy and Cookie Jarvis, featured five one-on-one title matches.\r\n\r\nAllan Goldstein achieved an impressive win over Gus Shaffer by eating 2.41 pounds of bologna in six minutes. Gus consumed 1.82 pounds of the sliced chicken and pork lunch meat.\r\n\r\nA bragging rights battle between Krazy Kevin Lipsitz and Beautiful Brian Seiken then ensued. The two pickle eating experts sought to determine the uncontested title holder and Seiken won the day by eating 2.70 pounds of kosher dills in six minutes as Lipsitz ate 2.47 pounds.\r\n\r\nGreat Scott! Soifer and Crazy Legs Conti faced off in a french-cut green bean eating match. Legs showed signifcant vigor and intensity as he consumed 2.71 pounds of beans in six minutes, topping Soifer's 1.93 pounds. Both eaters looked good throughout the match.\r\n\r\nDon Lerman then KO'd professional baseball player Leon Justice Feingold with an amazing six pounds of baked beans in one minute 46 seconds. The victory shocked the entire crowd, which was expecting the gurgitators to eat about six pounds of beans in six mintues. Feingold is currently in try-outs for some professional ball clubs and his mind may not have been in the match. But nonetheless, Lerman's speed was dazzling.\r\n\r\nThe main event, a nine-minute title match between Sonya Thomas and Eric Booker, was a dramatic and grueling affair. Results will be aired on Animal Planet's Most Extreme -- we will alert fans to the date when it is set."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dd2","sn":65,"title":"Title Rally","createdAt":"2004-02-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The IFOCE will hold a three-event title rally leading up to title match between Eric Booker and Sonya Thomas. The eye-opener of an event will take place at 9 am on Saturday, February 21, at the Downtown Atlantic Restaurant at 364 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn.\r\n\r\nScheduled one-on-one title matches include Great Scott! Soifer versus Crazy Legs Conti, Don Moses Lerman versus Leon Justice Feingold, and Beautiful Brian Seiken versus Krazy Kevin Lipsitz.\r\n\r\nThis amazing undercard leads up to a highly anticipated match-up between Eric Booker and surging Sonya Thomas, who recently wowed the world with her prowess in wings. It is likely that Booker will take Thomas on in cheesecake -- but in a 12-minute match rather than a traditional six-minute match.\r\n\r\nFood for the other events may include steam cauliflower, baked beans and steamed spinach. To attend, please email request to info@ifoce.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dd3","sn":64,"title":"Freirich Corned Beef & Cabbage","createdAt":"2004-02-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The J. Freirich Company, which has been a leading provider of corned beef brisket for the better part of a century, will sponsor a Corned Beef & Cabbage Eating Contest at Moran.s Restaurant on March 16 to celebrate St. Patrick.s Day.\r\n\r\nThe contest, which will be held at Moran.s Restaurant at 146 10th Avenue at 19th Street in Manhattan, will include well-known and rookie eaters alike. In addition to Leon Justice Feingold and Krazy Kevin Lipsitz, some new names who will try their hand at corned beef will include Timothy Holden and Johnny Hon.\r\n\r\nThe 10-minute corned beef and cabbage event is expected to favor volume eaters. The beef and cabbage will be soft, but heavy, and capacity will likely be the determining factor. Registration via info@ifoce.com.\r\n\r\nThe J. Freirich Company, known as the Taste of New York, is an 80-year young family owned and managed meat processing company headquartered in Long Island City, New York. The company has two production facilities on the East Coast where it produces cooked and cured meats, including prime rib, corned beef, pastrami, smoked pork butts, pot roast, and many other specialty items. \r\n\r\nThe J. Freirich Company has extraordinary loyalty among its corned beef customers and enjoys more than 40 percent market share in the New York City metro market and other areas of distribution.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dcf","sn":62,"title":"Finally, SPAM®!","createdAt":"2004-02-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The IFOCE will hold a SPAM®-eating contest on Saturday, April 3, 2004, as part of SPAMARAMA., a culinary cultural festival in Austin, TX, featuring a host of SPAM®-centric events.\r\n\r\nSPAMARAMA., to be held at Waterloo Park at 403 East 15 Street in Austin, will include SPAM® JAM, SPAM® COOK-OFF and official SPAMALYMPIC. events such as SPAM® Toss, SPAM® CRAM and SPAM® Call\r\n\r\n.SPAM enthusiasts travel from around the world to this amazing festival,. said John Booher, better known as the Wizard of Austin. .The addition of the world.s top eaters brings an even greater degree of sophistication to already celebrated event..\r\n\r\nAdditional details on the eating contest will follow.\r\n\r\nSPAM® is a registered trademark of the Hormel Foods Corp. for luncheon meat. SPAMARAMA. is a trademark of the Hormel Foods Corp. for the annual festival in Austin, TX. Hormel Foods Corp. has no financial or legal association with the SPAMARAMA. Website."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dd1","sn":63,"title":"Lulu's Mardis Gras Crawfish","createdAt":"2004-02-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The IFOCE will run a Mardis Gras Crawfish Jambalaya Eating Chmapionship at Lulu's Club Mardi Gras in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2004. The winner of the multi-round elimination event will receive a trip to New Orleans, including lodging and airfare.\r\n\r\nRising star Sonya Thomas, who lives in nearby Alexandria, VA, is expected to attend this contest. But eating vets do not necessarily predict a victory -- Thomas is known for enormous quantity while crawfish require a highly skilled eating technique.\r\n\r\nIFOCE circuit eaters such as New Orleans' own Boyd Bulot and Crawfish Nick Stipelkovich might have a better shot at such a title. Debris food specialists Crazy Legs Conti, Don Moses Lerman and Kevin Lipsitz also may excel in this event.\r\n\r\nThe event will serve as the highlight of Lulu's Mardi Gras celebration, which will run the afternoon and evening of February 24 at Lulu's, 1217 22nd Street NW in Washington, DC.\r\n\r\nThose interested in further detail may email the IFOCE. Additional information will be sent to those on the IFOCE eaters list."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dd0","sn":61,"title":"SONYA THOMAS TAKES WING BOWL XII","createdAt":"2004-01-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"In a dramatic one-on-one overtime victory against top-ranked American gurgitator Ed Cookie Jarvis, Sonya Thomas won 610 WIP.s Wing Bowl XII this morning in front of 20,000-plus fans at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. \r\n\r\nSonya set a new Wing Bowl record of 167 buffalo chicken wings in 30 minutes of regulation and two minutes of overtime. Cookie Jarvis lost by just two wings, consuming 165 in the same time period to come in second. Former champion El Wingador, Bill Simmons, consumed 151 wings in the 30 minutes of regulation to place third.\r\n\r\nThe event -- the brainchild of Al and Angelo -- is an elimination match with two 14-minute rounds followed by a final two-minute round. \r\n\r\nThomas, the stomach-stuffing starlet, was among an impressive group of four IFOCE gurgitators in the top-five final round and she will take home a new car for her efforts. IFOCE superstars Hungry Charles Hardy, known as \"The Godfather\" by Philly fans, placed fourth and Eric Badlands Booker placed fifth in the hotly contested battle of 25 eaters.\r\n\r\nHardy shocked the entire arena by consuming 80 wings in the first 14 minutes of eating to place first. However, when Hardy's pedigree became known the crowd realized the depth of the talent that was on the stage.\r\n\r\nDon Lerman and Tefkac O'Karma put in powerful performances to make it to the second round and place in the top ten. Krazy Kevin Lipsitz showed considerable skill in the first round, barely missing the opportunity to advance.\r\n\r\nO'Karma's entry into the arena will live in infamy. The contentious Cayahuga Falls eater raised shields embalzoned with the lopsided score of the Eagles recent loss, prompting a massive barrage of beer cans that immediately overwhelmed any protection offered by the shields.\r\n\r\nJarvis, who lost the event by only ounces, was clearly following a strategy, pacing himself with incredible precision during the first 20 minutes. He came on strong at the right time, but endured a squeaker of a loss in overtime. A world-class rivalry is shaping up."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dcc","sn":59,"title":"Booker Takes Matzo Ball","createdAt":"2004-01-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eric Badlands Booker rapped his way to a repeat victory at Ben's Annual Charity Matzo Ball Eating Contest, consuming 20 1/4 matzo balls in 5 minutes 25 seconds.\r\n\r\nHowever, Booker was pushed throughout the contest by Don Moses Lerman, a former champion who ate 16 1/2 matzo balls this year to place second. The nattily dressed Lerman ate English style, quartering his matzo balls before downing them.\r\n\r\nAn amazing performance was turned in by Scott Soifer, who ate 12 3/4 while Allan Goldstein proved his protege status by downing 10 1/4. Crazy Legs Conti bulled his way through 10 balls even, edging out Beautiful Brian, who finished the day with 9 3/4.\r\n\r\nThe contest served as a platform for Booker's incredible skill and capacity. The linguistic warrior knocked out a few lines to wow the crowd and loosen his throat before diving into four-plus bowls of matzo balls.\r\n\r\nFormer champ Bruce Stock hosted the event, providing eating insight, while Krazy Kevin Lipsitz acted as judge. Cookie Jarvis even made an appearance to cheer on friends and slurp down a practice round for some media. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dce","sn":60,"title":"Hardy Leads USC to Win","createdAt":"2004-01-27T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":".Hungry. Charles Hardy led a squad of five USC eaters to victory in the first-ever Carl.s Jr. Low-Carb Six Dollar Burger-Eating Contest, topping the Sonya Thomas-led UCLA team in overtime.\r\n\r\nMany believe that the event, held on the eve of the highly anticipated UCLA-USC Men.s Basketball Game at Pauley Pavilion, forecasts the victor in the heated basketball rivalry.\r\n\r\nHardy and Thomas both consumed a total of seven of the new Carl.s Jr. low-carb burgers. However, at the end of the 10-minute regulation it was a tie between the two eating teams. A two-minute overtime was all USC needed to squeak out a win.\r\n\r\nSonya Thomas, winner of the Hardee's® Thickburger. Eating Contest at last year's \"Burger Fest\" in Seymour, WI, was chosen as captain of the UCLA eating team based on her phenomenal rise in the rankings this past year. However, eating veteran \"Hungry. Charles, who holds the world shrimp cocktail and cabbage eating titles, was apparently able to leverage his leadership skills, guiding his team to victory.\r\n\r\nThe Carl.s Jr. Low-Carb Six Dollar Burger is a freshly prepared hamburger wrapped in lettuce. The eating contest was held as part of a pep rally in Los Angeles at the UCLA Campus.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dcb","sn":58,"title":"Ben's Battle Looms","createdAt":"2004-01-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"With the roster for the Ben's Annual Charity Matzo Ball Eating Contest in place, handicappers are struggling to get a handle on the win, place, show order. Returning champion Eric Badlands Booker seems nearly beyond reach, but second and third place have experts confounded.\r\n\r\nThe 2004 championship event will be held on Tuesday, January 27, at 10 am at Ben's Kosher Deli, located at 209 West 38 Street in Manhattan.\r\n\r\nBooker, the number-three ranked American eater with titles in corned beef hash and peas, practiced at the 2004 qualifiers, knocking down as many as 20 matzo balls in two minutes and 50 seconds.\r\n\r\nEqually impressive, however, were performances by IFOCE circuit vets Don Moses Lerman, Alan Goldstein, Scott Soifer, Crazy Legs Conti and Beautiful Brian Seiken. Lerman, who burst onto the eating scene in 2000 by winning the Ben's championship bout, consumed 13.5 Matzo Balls in two minutes and 50 seconds while Beautiful Brian consumed a full 14. Seiken has consistently upped his game in recent months.\r\n\r\nMost gurgitators and fans have found it difficult to speculate with any accuracy whether Lerman or Seiken will come out on top given the anxiety and tension inherent in the championship event, which is traditionally a media frenzy.\r\n\r\nFurther complicating matters are the qualifying performmances of Alan Goldstein, Crazy Legs Conti and Scott Soifer. Goldstein, an up-and-comer in the eating world, ate 10.75 matzo balls while Conti consumed 11. Soifer, who made his bones at Ben's last year, ate 12.\r\n\r\nBooker may well be the belle of this matzo ball, but he will not take the crown without a battle."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dcd","sn":57,"title":"Jarvis Takes Hooters Chick Wing Match","createdAt":"2004-01-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Cookie Jarvis fought off the greatest challenge of his eating career at Hooters in Manhattan today, beating rookie Sonya Thomas by consuming 134 chicken wings in 12 minutes. In the process Jarvis secured $1,000 and an uncontested number one ranking in the United States.\r\n\r\nThomas, the surging 100-pound eating sensation, who is ranked No. 2 in America, faced off against 409-pound No. 1-ranked Cookie Jarvis in the first-ever IFOCE title match to determine the nation.s best eater.\r\n\r\nJarvis won the event by just four chicken wings, consuming 134 wings, or 67 ounces of meat, in 12 minutes. Thomas ate 130 wings, or 65 ounces of meat. This sets up an incredible battle at next weeks' WIP Wing Bowl XII, where Jarvis and Thomas will eat against veteran champion El Wingador.\r\n\r\nWing Bowl XII, to be held in the Wachovia Center, is expected to draw approximately 20,000 fans. Many believe Jarvis will enter as odds-on favorite, but the Philadelphia event is a 30 minute marathon -- a very different animal than a 12-minute bout.\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE . which counts thousands of eaters in its league and maintains official rankings worldwide . held the Hooters title match to settle a too-close-to-call rankings battle between arch-rivals Thomas and Jarvis.\r\n\r\n.This title match was the only way to be sure the number one ranked eater in America is the number one ranked eater in America,. said Richard Shea, president of the IFOCE. .We have seen first hand the problematic rankings of the B.C.S. and feel it an injustice that the athletes and fans pay when rankings are inaccurate..\r\n\r\nThe Hooters chicken wing-eating contest, considered the most hotly contested battle of the sexes since Billie Jean King took on Bobby Riggs in tennis, determined the top eating athlete in the nation.\r\n\r\nThe black-tie title bout was a 12-minute all-you-can-eat contest. Thomas, from Alexandria, VA, holds world champion titles in hardboiled eggs, pulled pork on a bun, tacos and Turducken. Jarvis, who resides in Long Island, holds titles in Chinese and Russian dumplings, barbecued pork on the rib, chicken fried steak and pasta."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dca","sn":56,"title":"Stockton Asparagus Festival","createdAt":"2004-01-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Stockton Asparagus Festival will host a deep-fried asparagus-eating contest on April 24, 2004 as a highlight of its 19th annual event in Stockton, CA.\r\n\r\nThe 12-minute, all-you-can-eat contest, which will determine the world asparagus-eating champion, is expected to test eaters in jaw strength and hand speed. This contest joins the pea-eating contest in growing the IFOCE vegetable category.\r\n\r\nThe Stockton Asparagus Festival is a three-day, multi-event food and entertainment festival, celebrating asparagus, San Joaquin County's most distinguished agricultural product.\r\n\r\nThe festival features three performing stages, an Asparagus Alley with world-renowned deep fried asparagus, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, a classic car show, a wine and beer pavilion, a craft show and exhibits by more than 70 food purveyors and 100 specialty merchandise vendors.\r\n\r\nThe time and exact location of the asparagus-eating contest will be posted soon. For registration and further details email the IFOCE."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dc9","sn":55,"title":"Eaters Assemble for WIP WB XII","createdAt":"2004-01-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"During the past several weeks the competitive eating community has eagerly followed the qualifying process for the upcoming 610 WIP Wing Bowl XII to be held in at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia on January 30.\r\n\r\nAs the field begins to take shape it has become increasingly clear that the event is too close to handicap. Reigning champion Bill Simmons is a veteran of the contest and is known for capacity in long-distance events. He is a remarkably clean eater who strips the wings down to bone -- and he will have the crowd on his home turf.\r\n\r\nHowever, participation by Cookie Jarvis, Charles Hardy, Badlands Booker and Sonya Thomas has complicated efforts to predict a winner. These four IFOCE eaters, plus respected IFOCE circuit vets Tefkac O'Karma and Kevin Lipsitz, all have the chance to place in the money.\r\n\r\nEven more top eaters may qualify for this event. It is possible that Don Lerman, Arnie Chapman, Beautiful Brian or Gaseous Maximus could be selected to compete in a wild card round for the final seat.\r\n\r\nMost eating fans know that Lerman, a veteran with enormous focus, is especially skilled at wings. Likewise, Chapman and Seiken have the experience and capacity to excel in this discipline. And the malodorous Maximus himself is poised for a major comeback -- Maximus is an eater's eater who has been sorely missed during his recent absence from the circuit. Any one of these gurgitators could challenge Simmons.\r\n\r\nSo it is anyone's guess what will happen when top-ranked eaters like Booker mount the stage. Hoo-ah!"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dc7","sn":54,"title":"Carl's Jr. Low-Carb Six-Dollar Burger","createdAt":"2004-01-09T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Carl.s Jr. will present the first-ever Six-Dollar Burger eating contest in Los Angeles on January 27, 2004. The event will consist of two competitive eating teams, one representing USC and one representing UCLA.\r\n\r\nHungry Charles Hardy reportedly will captain an amateur USC eating squad and Sonya Thomas will captain a team of first-time eaters from UCLA.\r\n\r\nThe contest, which will feature the new low-carb, half-pound Carl.s Jr. Six-Dollar Burger, will take place at the famed Pauley Pavilion at UCLA. The captain of the winning team will go home with $1,000 and the glory associated with the Carl's Jr. low-carb title.\r\n\r\nHungry Charles Hardy, considered the Godfather of competitive eating, is the world shrimp and cabbage-eating champion. Sonya Thomas secured multiple titles in 2003 . her rookie year on the IFOCE circuit . including fruitcake, tacos and hardboiled eggs."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dc5","sn":53,"title":"Louisiana Oyster Bowl Predicts Sugar Bowl Victor","createdAt":"2004-01-05T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Louisiana native Boyd Bulot led an LSU eating squad against Crazy Legs Conti and an OU eating squad in the first-ever Louisiana Oyster Bowl that aired on Sunday, January 4th during the Sugar Bowl pre-game show on ABC 26 in Louisiana.\r\n\r\nSponsored by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, the Louisiana Oyster Bowl occurred in the fabled Acme Oyster House on Iberville Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Oklahoma fans rooted on Conti.s squad with all their might, but the hometown crowd, combined with Bulot.s speed and capacity, delivered the Louisiana team a resounding victory. \r\n\r\nBulot led all eaters with 17 dozen Louisiana Oysters during four one-minute quarters. Crawfish Nick and IFOCE newcomer Fireman Mike helped Bulot.s team to victory. Conti consumed a solid 14 dozen in four minutes of play, but his team of amateurs was unable to lend enough support to fend off the Tiger attack.\r\n\r\nIn the Sugar Bowl, Louisiana beat Oklahoma 21 to 14. The win gave the Tiger.s their first national title since 1958 and proved that the Louisiana Oyster Bowl is an accurate predictor of the outcome of the Sugar Bowl."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dc2","sn":52,"title":"Thomas Wins by a Bite","createdAt":"2003-12-30T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Sonya Thomas won the first-ever fruitcake-eating contest by a bite -- 1/8th of an ounce to be specific.\r\n\r\nThomas beat Eric Badlands Booker, Jim Reeves and other top-ranked competitive eaters at Buffalo.s Ellicott Square Building for the first-ever IFOCE-sanctioned fruitcake-eating contest.\r\n\r\nThomas consumed four pounds 14 1/4 ounces in 10 minutes while Booker consumed four pounds 14 1/8 ounces. Buffalo resident Jim reeves placed third with two pounds two ounces.\r\n\r\nThe event, hosted by local businessman Drew Cerza, launches Buffalo.s recently saved New Year.s Eve celebration, which will culminate with a New Year.s Eve ball drop in Downtown Buffalo. The city.s annual New Year.s Eve ball drop in Buffalo was threatened this year by funding difficulties until a grass-roots campaign saved the celebration.\r\n\r\nThe 10-minute fruitcake-eating contest was overseen by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE). The IFOCE was enlisted to help consume the collection of fruitcake from the first Fruitcake Amnesty Campaign, a nationwide public service to collect and consume unwanted and uneaten fruitcakes from recent holiday seasons. Fruitcake recipients from throughout the United States mailed their unopened, uneaten fruitcakes to the Food Bank of Western New York in Buffalo. The Food Bank distributed dozens of fruitcakes to families and institutions throughout the region.\r\n\r\nThe amnesty initiative highlighted a holiday food drive for the Food Bank of Western New York, which services more than 100,000 needy people per month through 500 local food organizations. The Food Bank, which has seen hunger demand increase by a shocking 23 percent this year, collected and donated food for the needy during this holiday season.\r\n\r\n.Eating leftover fruitcakes in a 10-minute contest will help us start the New Year fresh,. said Drew Cerza, who helped organize the effort to save the New Year.s celebration. Cerza helped raise nearly $50,000 to save Buffalo.s celebration that attracts some 20,000 people each year. \r\n\r\nThe New Year's Eve event begins at 11 PM in downtown Buffalo with live music and ends with a ball drop at the Niagara Mohawk building at midnight followed by fireworks.\r\n\r\n###"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dc6","sn":51,"title":"Fruitcake Eating Contest","createdAt":"2003-12-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The IFOCE will travel to Buffalo in late December with a daunting mandate: consume all the uneaten fruitcakes in the United States.\r\n\r\nA group of businesses in Buffalo have launched a nationwide Fruitcake Amnesty Campaign as a public service to collect and consume all uneaten fruitcakes -- those that are languishing in cupboards or which have suffered the indignity of \"re-gifting.\"\r\n\r\nAll fruitcakes will be consumed in a first-ever 12-minute fruitcake-eating contest on December 30, erasing any guilt the original fruitcake recipients may have felt and enabling the nation to start fresh in 2004, unhindered by fruitcakes of the past.\r\n\r\nThe Fruitcake Amnesty Campaign is part of Buffalo.s New Year.s Celebration. The New Year.s Eve ball drop in Buffalo was threatened by funding difficulties this year until a grass-roots campaign led by Drew Cerza (founder of the National Buffalo Wing Festival) saved the celebration. \r\n\r\nCerza and Buffalo business groups decided to take the holiday spirit one step further, providing a public service to the recipients of fruitcakes, a population that has suffered silently for decades under the burden of uneaten fruitcakes. The fruitcake eating contest will kick off the Buffalo New Year.s Celebration that culminates in the ball drop in downtown Buffalo.\r\n\r\n.This effort will bring much-needed culinary closure to this year while helping us to kick off the nation.s finest New Year.s celebration,. said Cerza. .We also believe that by eliminating the existing inventory of fruitcakes we can jumpstart the fruitcake industry and, in turn, push the economy into high gear..\r\n\r\nCerza helped raise nearly $50,000 to save the celebration that attracts some 20,000 people each year. The New Year's Eve event begins at 10:30 with live music and ends with a ball drop at the Niagara Mohawk building. Fireworks begin at midnight.\r\n\r\nThose wishing to send in uneaten fruitcakes may mail them to the Fruitcake Amnesty Campaign, Food Bank of Western New York, 91 Holt Street, Buffalo, NY 14206-2206.\r\n\r\n###"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dd6","sn":50,"title":"Ben's Matzo Ball Battle","createdAt":"2003-12-11T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The International Federation of Competitive Eating will officialy sanction the seventh Ben's Annual Charity Matzo Ball Eating Contest to be held on January 27, 2004.\r\n\r\nEric Badlands Booker, ranked number four in the world, holds the matzo ball eating record with 21 baseball-sized matzo balls in 5 minutes 25 seconds. Booker will defend his title against those who secure a spot in the finals by competing in one of five qualifying rounds beginning January 17.\r\n\r\nThe event -- known in the eating community as the Gartenberg Classic after Jim Gartenberg, a rising IFOCE eater who died in 2001 at age 36 -- typically attracts top eaters from the east coast.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dc3","sn":49,"title":"Wings: IFOCE Eaters Focus on Philly!","createdAt":"2003-12-10T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"\"What's up Philly, I got bad news. Too few chews means you gonna loose.\"\r\n\r\nThose might be the rhymes from Badlands Booker as he takes the stage with Charles Hardy, Cookie Jarvis and Kevin Lipsits at WIP's Wing Bowl XII in Philadelphia in January 2004.\r\n\r\nKevin Lipsits was first to qualify for this annual event, scheduled for January 30, 2004. Hardy, Booker and Jarvis followed suit, creating the first real challenge to the dominance of Bill Simmons, the self-proclaimed \"El Wingador,\" three-time winner of the Wing Bowl.\r\n\r\nSimmons is undoubtedly a top eater nationally, but he has never competed successfully at this level of competition. Several IFOCE members have competed sporadically in the event, but 2004 will represent the first time that the top-ranked gurgitators have all competed. Will Sonya Thomas be there?\r\n\r\nMany Philadelphia area residents are seeking to classify this as a New York/Philly battle, but the truth is that with the IFOCE involved, it is actually a national onslaught of top eaters. Simmons will have to beat the best or retire his crown."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dc8","sn":48,"title":"THOMAS WINS 2003 THANKSGIVING INVITATIONAL","createdAt":"2003-11-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"IFOCE Features Turducken (Turkey, Duck, Chicken)\r\nin 2003.s Final Championship Event\r\n\r\n-----------------------\r\n\r\nNew York, NY, Nov. 26, 2003 . 100-pound rookie eater Sonya Thomas of Alexandria, VA, won the 2003 Thanksgiving Meal Invitational by consuming 7¾ one-pound plates of Thanksgiving meal (featuring Turducken, green beans, cranberry sauce and yams) in 12 minutes.\r\n\r\nEdward \"Cookie\" Jarvis, the 409-pound mutli-title champion from Nesconsett, NY, took second place with 7½ one-pound plates, and 420-pound Eric \"Badlands\" Booker of Copaigue, NY, came in third with 5¾ one-pound plates.\r\n\r\nThomas' victory was a major upset. Jarvis has dominated the 2003 eating season, earning six major titles, and Booker, world matzo ball and corned beef hash eating champion, won the 2002 Thanksgiving Meal Invitational.\r\n\r\nTurducken.com, the world.s leading provider of turducken (a semi-boneless turkey stuffed with a boneless chicken, duck breast and layers of sausage stuffing), was the exclusive sponsor of the IFOCE Thanksgiving Meal Invitational at Mickey Mantle.s Restaurant on Central Park South in Manhattan.\r\n\r\nTurducken.com is the home of Cajun Stuff, the world.s foremost provider of turducken and other authentic Cajun fare, including gumbos, Louisiana-style Po-Boys, and Cajun spiced and stuffed meat. For several years, Cajun Stuff has sold the specialty meat, turducken, to a nation-wide customer base at www.turducken.com.\r\n\r\nThe Thanksgiving Invitational, which featured winners of the IFOCE.s eight Harvest Series events, was a 12-minute all-you-can-eat contest, utelsils encouraged. The Thanksgiving Meal Invitational is the final major event of 2003 and the culmination of the eating year.\r\n\r\n.Americans love quality too much to limit themselves to turkey, duck or chicken at an important meal such as Thanksgiving,. said Bob Hanna, who is co-owner of Cajun Stuff with Kevin Trahan. .Turducken is a way to enjoy all three birds at once, bringing the holiday meal to a whole new level..\r\n\r\n.The turducken is the first real advancement in Thanksgiving in the nearly 400 years since the pilgrims sat down for dinner with the Indians,. said Richard Shea, President of the IFOCE. .Turducken is the ideal entrée for competitive eaters, who truly appreciate the nuances of great food in great quantity..\r\n\r\nThe International Federation of Competitive Eating is the world body that governs all stomach-centric sport. The IFOCE Harvest Series, a fall circuit of competitive eating events making stops in Seymour, WI, New York, NY, and Reno, NV, concludes at the Thanksgiving Meal Invitational in New York City. Additional information is available by visiting www.ifoce.com.\r\n\r\n# # #"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dc4","sn":45,"title":"Commissioner.s Volunteer Day at the Food Bank","createdAt":"2003-11-25T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"IFOCE eaters will focus their energy on sorting rather than eating on December 20 as the IFOCE holds the Commissioner.s Volunteer Day at the Monmouth and Ocean County Food Bank in New Jersey.\r\n\r\nEaters will converge on the Monmouth and Ocean County Food Bank, located at 3300 Route 66 in Neptune Township, NJ, at 11 am on Saturday, December 20 to sort donated food for distribution during the holidays. The event is organized by IFOCE Commissioner Mike Devito, former world champion hot dog eater.\r\n\r\nWhile only 10 food bank volunteers can sort at any given time, 20 IFOCE volunteers are expected. As a result, sorters on break will be free to play football, discuss new IFOCE records and . well . eat. Charles Hardy will be manning the grill in the parking lot. However, no competitive eating will take place. Social eating only.\r\n\r\nLast year, Cookie Jarvis led a holiday toy and food drive for one of New York City.s largest soup kitchens. This year.s Commissioner.s Volunteer Day provides the opportunity for IFOCE members to collect food for donation. For more information call the IFOCE at (212) 352-8651, and to learn more about the food bank and donating food, visit:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.foodbankmoc.org\r\n\r\nAll are welcome at this event.\r\n\r\n\r\nDIRECTIONS TO THE FOODBANK\r\n\r\nFrom the North: Take Garden State Parkway South to EXIT 102, bear right onto Asbury Avenue. Make right turn just before 2nd light (sign will say Route 66 West). Make a right onto Route 66. The Foodbank entrance will be on the left just past Wayside Road.\r\nFrom Brielle/Pt. Pleasant Beach Area: Take Route 35 North to Route 138 West, to Route 18 North, follow Route 18 North and exit at Route 66 West. Continue on Route 66West to first traffic light. Continue on Route 66 through the traffic light. Proceed through traffic light. Entrance is on the left just past Wayside Road. \r\n\r\nFrom The West (Trenton Area): Route I-195 East towards the Shore points, go approximately 32 miles to Route 138 East (I-195 becomes Route 138 East). Take Route 18 North to exit for Route 66 West, continue thru the traffic light. The entrance to The Foodbank is on the left just past Wayside Road.\r\n\r\nFrom Route 35 North (Eatontown Area) and Route35 South (Wall Area): Follow Route 35 to the Asbury Circle (Landmark-Coca-Cola Bottling Company). At the Circle merge onto Route 66 West. (Seaview Square on the right and Shop-Rite/Ames on left). Follow Route 66 West to 2nd traffic light. Proceed thru the light. The Foodbank entrance will be on the left just past Wayside Road.\r\n\r\nFrom The South (Toms River, Brick Area): Take the Parkway North to exit 100A. Follow Route 66 East (about 1 mile). Look for Beacon Street Grill on the left. Foodbank entrance is on the right just past Beacon St.\r\n\r\nFrom Philadelphia & South Jersey Area: New Jersey Turnpike to Exit 7A. Take I-195 East to Route 138 East. (I-195 becomes 138). Take Route 138 to the exit for Route 18 North. Take Route 18 North to the exit for Route 66 West. Take Route 66 West to the Traffic light. Proceed through the traffic light. The Foodbank entrance is on the left just past Wayside Road.\r\n\r\nFrom Route 34: Take the Collingwood Circle to Route 33 East. Go past the Volkswagen Dealer on the left. After the Vw Dealer stay to your left and proceed East on Route 66. Go about 2 miles (Beacon St. Grille on the left). The Foodbank entrance will be on the right side just past Beacon St. Grill."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dc1","sn":44,"title":"Gurgitators Gird for Turducken Battle","createdAt":"2003-11-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Rumors ran rampant during the past several weeks as competitive eating fans tried to get a handle on the handicapping of the Thanksgiving Meal Invitational, which this year will feature Turducken, a combo of turkey, duck and chicken provided by Turducken.com. \r\n\r\nOne might think that Cookie Jarvis would be a shoe-in for another major win, but many are pointing to Eric Badlands Booker, last year.s champion, and to diminutive rookie Sonya Thomas, who has beaten both Booker and Jarvis this year. Jarvis, however, cannot be counted out . the number-two-ranked eater has dominated the American eating scene this year.\r\n\r\nThe Thanksgiving Meal Invitational, to take place on Wednesday, November 26, at 11 am at Mickey Mantle.s Restaurant on Central Park South in Manhattan, will run 12 minutes, during which eaters will consume as many one-pound plates of Turducken and sides as possible.\r\n\r\nAnother eater to watch: Rich LeFevre of Henderson, Nevada. Rich likes a heavy meal and comes into this event hungry. He has been stymied in recent matches (some say uneven officiating cost him a second-place finish in pasta) and he wants a victory to show his strength. Hungry Charles Hardy also has finished in the top three in several recent championships. Can he elbow his way to the top at this event?\r\n\r\nBack in the game is Carlene Lefevre, who returns to the table after a five-month hiatus from competition. Carlene is bound to be rusty, but she is known as a giant-killer and the eaters, including big-screen star Crazy Legs Conti, are taking her seriously. Marie .Chang Saw. Chang, a newcomer who qualified by finishing second in the ICS chili eating contest, will try her hand at Turducken."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dc0","sn":43,"title":"It's a Turducken Holiday","createdAt":"2003-11-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Thanksgiving, and the IFOCE.s Thanksgiving Invitational, will never be the same.\r\n\r\nTurducken.com, the world.s leading provider of turducken (a semi-boneless turkey stuffed with a boneless chicken, duck breast and layers of sausage stuffing), will be the exclusive sponsor of the IFOCE Thanksgiving Invitational to be held on Wednesday, November 26 at Mickey Mantle.s Restaurant on Central Park South in Manhattan.\r\n\r\nTurducken.com is the home of Cajun Stuff, the world.s foremost provider of turducken. Bob Hanna and Kevin Trahan, co-owners of Cajun Stuff, offer authentic Cajun fare . like gumbos and Louisiana-style Po-Boys . and sell Cajun spiced and stuffed meat and other foods. For several years, they have sold specialty meats such as turducken to a nation-wide customer base at turducken.com.\r\n\r\n.Americans love quality food too much to limit themselves to turkey, duck or chicken at important meals,. said Bob Hanna. .Turducken is a way to enjoy all three at once, bringing the holiday meal to a whole new level..\r\n\r\n.The turducken is the first real advancement in Thanksgiving in the nearly 400 years since the pilgrims sat down for dinner with the Indians in Plymouth,. said Richard Shea, President of the IFOCE. .Turducken is a much-needed shot in the arm for Thanksgiving and the whole holiday season..\r\n\r\nThe Thanksgiving Invitational, which will feature winners of the IFOCE.s Harvest Series events, is a 12-minute all-you-can-eat contest featuring one-pound plates of mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and sliced turducken.\r\n\r\n.Turducken is not simply a food -- it is a lifestyle,. said IFOCE Chair George Shea.\r\n\r\nEaters who will face off at the Thanksgiving Invitational include Cookie Jarvis, Sonya Thomas, Badlands Booker and Hungry Charles Hardy."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dbe","sn":42,"title":"Booker Likes MTV Candy","createdAt":"2003-11-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eric Badlands Booker joined a Willy Wonka-styled Crazy Legs Conti at MTV.s Time Square studios for a special Halloween taping of Total Request Live.\r\n\r\nBooker, who ate 2 lbs. of mini candy bars to Conti's 1.5 lbs., won the first-ever TRL Halloween Candy Eating Contest, a six-minute event."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dbf","sn":41,"title":"Lone Star On The Circuit?","createdAt":"2003-11-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Chicken Fried Steak Eating Championships recently occurred in Austin, Texas, with tireless competitors Dale Boone and Ed .Cookie. Jarvis in attendance. Newcomer Levi Oliver was also at the event, which was held at the Lone Star Café & Texas Grille.\r\n\r\nBoone surprised fans by keeping pace with Jarvis and actually held the lead for a solid portion of the event. Onlookers credit Boone's early dominance to a familiarity with southern cuisine. Jarvis claimed it was his determination to cut the steak into small pieces prior to eating that allowed Boone to beat him out of the gate. The rich gravy ultimately proved too much for Boone, forcing the Atlanta native to his personal Austin City Limits well before the buzzer.\r\n\r\nCookie gets the title: six 11-ounce chicken fried steaks with white gravy in 12 minutes."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dbc","sn":39,"title":"Popular Science Confirms BoF Theory","createdAt":"2003-10-29T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"After failing to gain recognition from the academic community for more than five years, a ground-breaking piece of science from the IFOCE.s research department has been confirmed by Popular Science, the respected scientific journal.\r\n\r\nThe November 2003 Popular Science addresses the tendency for thinner, in-shape gurgitators to beat heavier eaters in competition. Many intuitively believe that a larger individual has more room to hold food, but this is not the case. The magazine states that the size of the stomach at rest is inconsequential and that the ability for the stomach to expand is all that matters.\r\n\r\nThis is the conclusion reached by former world champion hot dog eater Edward Krachie in his 1998 scholarly journal article, .CAN ABDOMINAL FAT ACT AS A RESTRICTIVE AGENT ON STOMACH EXPANSION? An Exploration of the Impact of Adipose Tissue on Competitive Eating.. In his article, Krachie goes a step further and proves that the stomach of a heavier eater is prevented from expanding by a .belt of fat..\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE and Edward Krachie submitted his piece to numerous academic journals including the New England Journal of Medicine. Sadly, all journals rejected his piece.\r\n\r\n.This is an amazing moment of vindication,. said IFOCE President Richard Shea. .The scientific community has recognized that the IFOCE research was years ahead of the curve..\r\n\r\nCopies of Krachie.s so-called Belt of Fat Theory are available through subscription to The Gurgitator, Life on the Circuit, the IFOCE.s quarterly publication. Copies of Popular Science are available at newsstands."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3db9","sn":38,"title":"TALE OF THE TAPE REDUX","createdAt":"2003-10-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"There is no instant replay in competitive eating, but speculation over a missing plate at a recent match caused a flurry of tape watching. At the pasta championship at Paesano.s of Little Italy, Cookie Jarvis continued his 2003 juggernaut by beating top eaters including Charles Hardy, Brian Seiken, Rich LeFevre, Crazy Legs Conti and Allan Goldstein.\r\n\r\nHowever, after the event, several eaters claimed that members of the Paesano.s kitchen staff removed, or moved, empty plates during the fray, affecting the final tally. After an initial review, a news team that had a complete record of the entire event, said that Cookie Jarvis consumed seven and one-half pounds in 10 minutes while Rich LeFevre consumed the second largest quantity . six and on-half pounds in 10 minutes.\r\n\r\nHowever, a second review from the very top level of the news outlet, settled much closer to the original count: Cookie 6 1/2 plates; Charles Hardy 5 1/2 plates; Rich LeFevre 5 1/2 plates.\r\n\r\nRich, who is known for his jaw strength and stomach capacity, downed more than a gallon of Stagg Chili in 10 minutes a week prior to the pasta contest to win his second chili championship. Rich favors long contests, but has adapted to the eight- to 12-minute format favored in official events."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3db8","sn":36,"title":"Jarvis Displays Pizza Prowess ","createdAt":"2003-10-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Ari Fleischer, Fred Willard and famed NBA dunker Darryl Dawkins joined Cookie Jarvis, Hungry Charles Hardy and Crazy Legs Conti on the first installment of Cold Pizza, ESPN 2.s new morning show. \r\n\r\nThe live program featured a pizza-eating competition. Cookie Jarvis was the first of the three gurgitators to finish a large cheese pie and to take the crown. For the record, it took Cookie just three minutes and 21 seconds. Hardy placed second. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dba","sn":37,"title":"Chi Fry Steak-Eating in Austin, TX","createdAt":"2003-10-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The first-ever officially sanctioned Chicken Fried Steak-Eating Competition will take place on November 2nd at the Lone Star Café in Austin. The competition will be part of an entire day of festivities at Lone Star Café, home to Austin.s favorite chicken fried steak for more than 20 years.\r\n\r\nEd .Cookie. Jarvis, the American Hot Dog Eating Champion and a recognized steak-eating specialist, has stated that he.ll fly to Austin for the competition. Jarvis is known far and wide for consuming a 76-ounce steak and side in just over seven minutes.\r\n\r\n.Chicken fried steak is an important part of Texas cuisine and we are excited to be recognizing this title,. said Richard Shea, president of the IFOCE. .I strongly encourage aspiring gurgitators to come out to Lone Star Café and challenge Cookie in this contest..\r\n\r\nThe official competition will be a 10-minute chicken fried steak eating contest. Competitors, who will be required to use utensils, will be presented with multiple hearty Lone Star Café chicken fried steaks with gravy. Who ever completes the most steaks in ten minutes will be presented with the Lone Star Café Belt of Chicken Fried Steak Eating Greatness.\r\n \r\nCookie Jarvis is the pizza, dumpling, ice cream, french fry, Easter dinner, and Buffalo Wing eating champion of the world. Jarvis. eating accomplishments have led to appearances on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, ESPN, the Today Show, and IFOCE programs on Fox, Discovery and the Travel Channel.\r\n\r\n.Cookie is a big man with many titles,. said Rick Redmond, proprietor of the Lone Star Café. .I am not sure, however, if he is big enough to take on the proud and hungry Texans that I expect will turn out for this contest.. \r\n\r\nThe IFOCE, which governs the fast growing sport of competitive eating, recognizes select major titles including the Nathan.s Hot Dog Eating Championship in New York City, the Acme Oyster Eating Contest in New Orleans, and the National Buffalo Wing Eating Championship in Buffalo. Members of the eating community desire each of these titles and the bragging rights that come with them.\r\n\r\nPrior to the championship event, undercard competitions will be held among local celebrities and business people. Live music will be part of the festivities, which will take place on November 2nd from 1pm to 6pm at the Lone Star Café at 11066 G Pecan Park Blvd. near Lakeline Mall. \r\n\r\nFor additional information people can visit the Lone Star Café where applications will be made available to those over 18 years of age. Information will also be posted at www.lonestarcafetexas.com and www.ifoce.com. Interested parties can also email lonestar@ifoce.com. Organizers will review applications, considering any prior eating accomplishments. Compelling essays on why a competitor should be selected for the contest will also be considered. A total of fifteen individuals will be selected to compete in the Lone Star Café Chicken Fried Steak Eating Championship."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3db7","sn":35,"title":"Will the Prophesy be Fulfilled?","createdAt":"2003-10-17T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"You can understand why people used to scoff when the prophesy was mentioned. Ten years ago it was inconceivable that the Coveted Mustard Yellow Belt would be held by an eater from another nation. So it seemed impossible to imagine that it would take a hero in the form of a 105-pound woman to bring the belt home.\r\n\r\nBut now people are paying attention to the prophesy. After watching Takeru Kobayashi dominate the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest three years in a row they realize something supernatural is required to regain our position. It is at this point that the phenomenon appears: Sonya Thomas.\r\n\r\nSnippets of the prohesy, handed down through an oral tradition, are now circulating throughout the competitive eating community like a mantra of optimism. \"It will be a diminutive woman who will galvanize American eaters.\" \"A gentle, disarming woman will rise like Joan of Arc before her to defend the honor of a nation.\" \"She will be small in stature and great in power.\"\r\n\r\nSuch are the words that begin to outline the prosphesy of \"The One Eater,\" a person who understand food differently than you and I. When we see a chicken sandwich, she sees proteins, peptides and enzymes. To her, food is a chemical equation, and while matter can neither be created nor destroyed, chemistry can be manipulated.\r\n\r\nThe One Eater is a hero who will lead American eaters to victory. But she is more than a hero -- she is an artist who can achieve that which we cannot, and as a result we believe she is an alchemist or magician. Could it be that she is Sonya Thomas?"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3db4","sn":32,"title":"Pasta Eating Props Go to Jarvis, Hardy as LeFevre Shows Prowess","createdAt":"2003-10-14T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The plates were flying at Paesano.s of Little Italy on Monday, October 13th as top eaters competed in the Columbus Day Pasta-Eating Contest. The contest was part of the International Federation of Competitive Eating.s Harvest Series and qualified an eater for the Thanksgiving Meal Invitational.\r\n\r\nCookie Jarvis of Long Island, who holds titles in barbecue ribs, ice cream, cannoli, Russian dumplings and hot dogs, won the match by eating an official 6 2/3 pounds of pasta in 10 minutes. Hungry Charles Hardy finished second while third place went to Beautiful Brian Seiken and Allan Goldstein.\r\n\r\nHowever, during the fray, a certain number of plates were shuffled and the IFOCE went to a film crew covering the event for confirmation of the top finishers. It appears that Rich LeFevre, a resident of Henderson, NV . who ate an astounding 166 ounces of chili (approximately 1 ½ gallons) in 10 minutes to secure the title of chili-eating champion . may actually have consumed two additional plates of pasta, placing him just under Jarvis.\r\n\r\n.The Columbus Day Pasta-Eating Contest at Paesano.s of Little Italy is an important stop on the IFOCE circuit,. said George Shea, chairman of the IFOCE. .While there is no instant replay in competitive eating, we must recognize that LeFevre consumed more plates than his official tally recognized..\r\n\r\nThe 10-minute, all-you-can-eat contest will produce the only officially sanctioned pasta-eating record in the world. The competition pasta, a traditional linguini (number 115), was dressed in Paesano.s family marinara sauce."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dbb","sn":28,"title":"American Eaters Poll -- Pass the Pasta ","createdAt":"2003-10-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"America.s top eaters have spoken and the message is clear . their pasta consumption has not decreased despite the low carbohydrate diet phenomenon. The remarkable results are part of The American Eaters Poll, the first in a series of polls exploring eating habits and food views among the nation.s competitive eaters.\r\n\r\nThe poll was conducted by the International Federation of Competitive Eating, the world body that develops, runs and promotes eating as a sport. The poll, conducted on Oct. 9, 2003, and Oct. 10, 2003, queried a pool of more than 1,000 eating athletes (mostly male, mostly weighing between 151 and 200 pounds), including the 100 top-ranked eaters in the world.\r\n\r\nOf the 171 respondents, 65 percent of respondents said they eat pasta five times each month or more. Nearly 31 percent eat pasta eight times a month and 17.5 percent eat pasta 10 times or more each month.\r\n\r\nA full 71 percent said that their pasta consumption has either increased or remained the same in the past five years (the period during which the Atkins Diet has risen in popularity). Approximately 34 percent said their consumption has increased, 37 percent said their consumption has remained the same and only 29 percent said their consumption has decreased. However, of the respondents who said their pasta consumption had decreased, 61 percent attributed the decrease to an attempt to reduce carbohydrate intake.\r\n\r\n.The results of this poll are a slap in the face to the carbohydrate-haters of this nation,. said George Shea, Chair of the IFOCE. .Among America.s true eaters, pasta remains an attractive daily entrée choice..\r\n\r\nShea speculated that this was the beginning of a backlash against the high-protein, low-carbohydrate fad, and he predicted a bounce soon in the potato category.\r\n\r\nMarinara was by far and away the most popular sauce, securing a full 31 percent of the vote for favorite sauce. Bolognese sauce came in second with 20 percent of the vote, and Alfredo sauce in third place with 19 percent of the tally. Pesto, red clam and putanesca sauces appear to be out with America.s big eaters, with each receiving 5 percent or less of the vote.\r\n\r\nIn a remarkable surprise, angel hair pasta stomped all other types of pasta, grabbing 25 percent of the vote. Traditional spaghetti (No. 8) and penne were virtually neck and neck, taking 17.5 percent and 16 percent of the tally, respectively. Shells and macaroni fared poorly in popularity, each garnering just 5 percent of the votes.\r\n\r\nThere was some confusion among respondents over the etymology of Alfredo sauce. While 43 percent correctly identified Alfredo as a reference to its namesake, Italian chef Alfredo di Lello, a full 30 percent incorrectly said it referred to dining outside (which is, in fact, .al fresco.) and 13 percent thought it referred to Michael Corleone.s brother in The Godfather (who was, in fact, Fredo Corleone). Sadly, for historians, 11 percent of respondents believed that Alfredo sauce was named after Frederick the Conquerer.\r\n\r\nOf the respondents, 88 percent were male, with 67 percent of all participants between the ages of 18 and 34, and 23 percent between the ages of 35 and 44. A full 40 percent weighed between 151 and 200 pounds; 25 percent weighed between 201 and 250 pounds.\r\n\r\nThe American Eaters Poll series will explore eating and food subjects among approximately 1,000 of the United States. top eaters. Subjects will include: the stature of mashed potatoes in the Thanksgiving meal, the number of eggs that comprise the ideal omelet, the best complement to a beer (cracker, potato chip, cheese curl or peanut?), etc.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3db3","sn":31,"title":"Chili Eating Title Goes to LeFevre Again","createdAt":"2003-10-06T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The world's most determined competitive eaters converged in Reno, NV, on October 4th, to compete in the 2nd Annual Stagg Chili Eating Contest. The contest was part of the World's Championship Chili Cookoff sanctioned by The International Chili Society. The winner received the coveted ICS cup and a $500 prize.\r\n\r\nThe impressive field of eaters included 2002 champion Rich .The Locust. LeFevre, a Henderson, NV resident, who ate an astounding 166 ounces of chili (approximately 1 ½ gallons) in 10 minutes last year. Also competing was Spencer Thomas of Nevada, Arnie Chapman of New York, Marie .Chang Saw. Chang of California and Les Crawford of Montana.\r\n\r\nLeFevre cruised to an easy victory, downing more than 1 gallon of chili in 10 minutes. Last year, LeFevre consumed 1 ½ gallons of chili in the same time period.\r\n\r\n.The World Chili Eating Championship has become an important stop on the IFOCE circuit,. said George Shea, Chairman of the International Federation Of Competitive Eating. .LeFevre has once again proven his skill in heavy meat category..\r\n\r\nThe International Chili Society (ICS) is a non-profit organization that sanctions chili cookoffs with judging and cooking rules & regulations. These events are worldwide and benefit charities or non-profit organizations. All winners of ICS sanctioned cookoffs qualify to compete for cash prizes and awards at the World.s Championship Chili Cookoff held each year on the first weekend of October. The ICS is the largest food contest, festival organization in the world."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3db6","sn":34,"title":"Black Widow Strikes Again","createdAt":"2003-10-03T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Corinth, MS - In front of hundreds of BBQ enthusiasts at the Hog Wild Festival in Corinth, Mississippi, Sonya .The Black Widow. Thomas continued her meteoric rise to the top of the competitive eating totem pole by winning the World BBQ Eating Championship. \r\n\r\nThomas consumed 23 Pulled Pork Sandwich.s in 10 minutes to set a world record, taking home $1,250.00 and the championship belt for her efforts.\r\n\r\nMaking Thomas. victory even more remarkable was the fact that she had never seen a pulled pork sandwich until minutes before the contest began.\r\n\r\n.If Sonya Thomas truly is .The One,.. said a visibly emotional David Baer, Director of Business Development for the IFOCE, .then tonight marked yet another chapter in the fulfillment of the prophesy..\r\n\r\nThomas, who has been described as a cross between Anna Kournikova and a ravenous jackal roving the planes of the Serengeti, plans to take a few weeks off from the circuit before returning for the Thanksgiving Invitational in late November.\r\n\r\nLocal favorite Dale .The Mouth of the South. Boone bolstered his reputation as perhaps the sport.s most volatile combatant, unleashing one verbal barrage directed at his fellow competitors and another at the crowd. Boone, ranked seventh in the entire world, was forced to step away from the table at the 8-minute mark due to an incident deemed contradictory to the integrity of the sport.\r\n\r\nFinishing second with a very respectable 16 BBQ Sandwiches was Florida.s .Jammin. Joe LaRue, who is battling back from a knee injury, followed by newcomer Tim Roberson, who ate 11 sandwiches. LaRue and Roberson won $500 and $250, respectively, in prize money."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3db2","sn":30,"title":"Thomas Tops in Taco Eating at Mexican Independence Day Classic","createdAt":"2003-09-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"National hot dog and chicken wing champion Cookie Jarvis, world hash-eating champion Eric Booker and world shrimp-eating champion Hungry Charles Hardy were unable to keep up with world egg-eating champion Sonya Thomas at the Zocalo Taco-Eating Championship at Zocalo Restaurant in Grand Central Terminal.\r\n\r\nThe contest, dubbed the Mexican Independence Day Classic, was part of a day-long series of events to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. Event sponsors included Mico Tequilla and Corona Beer, and the event was sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE). \r\n\r\nThe diminutive Thomas, weighing in at 105 pounds, took the title of World Taco-Eating Champion and $1,000 in purse money by downing 43 soft tacos in 11 minutes. The event offered significant drama, with the top eater entering the arena led by renowned mariachi, Bustamonte.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3db5","sn":33,"title":"New IFOCE Polling Series","createdAt":"2003-09-15T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The International Federation of Competitive Eating has announced a new polling series, .The American Eaters Poll,. that will explore eating habits and food views among the nation.s top eaters. \r\n\r\nThe IFOCE runs the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, The National Buffalo Chicken Wing Eating Contest and the Stagg Chili Eating Contest. The organization counts the world.s best eaters among its members and maintains a list of thousands of serious eating athletes.\r\n\r\nThe new polling series will explore eating and food subjects among approximately 1,000 of the United States. top eaters. Subjects will include: the stature of mashed potatoes in the Thanksgiving meal, the frequency with which pasta occurs on the regular diet, the number of eggs that comprise the ideal omelet, the best compliment to a beer (cracker, potato chip, cheese curl or peanut?).\r\n\r\n.Americans talk incessantly about food, but many of our comments are censored to match the views that are politically correct on a given day,. said George Shea, Chair of the IFOCE. .Our poll will delve into important cultural food truths by compiling the views of America.s true eaters, professional eaters, who make no apologies about their passion for food..\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE polls, which will begin with the Columbus Day Pasta Poll, will be available for sponsorship. The IFOCE expects to release six or more polls in the first year.\r\n\r\nIFOCE eaters are athletes able to consume amazing quantities of food in competition. Sonya Thomas of Virginia, who weighs 106 pounds, recently consumed 65 hardboiled eggs in six minutes and 40 seconds to set a new world record. In addition, she ate 43.5 tacos in 11 minutes at the Zocalo Taco Eating Contest in Grand Central Terminal, beating Cookie Jarvis and Eric Booker, two of the biggest names in the sport."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3d9c","sn":29,"title":"Eating Contest King? Jarvis Defends Cannoli-Eating Title","createdAt":"2003-09-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Marking his fifth major win in five contests, Cookie Jarvis topped Eric Booker, Dale Boone and a host of other top eaters to win the 2003 Cannoli-Eating Contest at the Feast of the San Gennaro in New York City.s Little Italy. Jarvis, who consumed 21 cannoli to win in 2002, downed 16 1/2 this year. The cannoli were said to be tough by the eaters.\r\n\r\n.These were slow cannoli,. said Badlands Booker, who ate 14 ½ cannoli in the six-minute battle. .They were large and the shell was hard to break..\r\n\r\nAfter tossing .Team Jarvis. t-shirts to fans in the crowd, Jarvis settled into a steady pace, using warm coffee to soften the cannoli shells before eating. The size of the cannoli caused murmurs among the audience, some of whom characterized the dessert items prepared by Caffe Roma as .oversized ricotta-based ordinance..\r\n\r\nDale Boone, direct descendent of Daniel Boone, finished third in the eating contest, which also included performances by gurgitators Beautiful Brian Seiken, Crazy Legs Conti and Arnie Chapman.\r\n\r\nCookie.s cannoli win follows first-pace finishes in Russian dumplings, chicken wings, pork ribs and hot dogs. \r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3db1","sn":27,"title":"Cookie Jarvis, Charles Hardy, Sonya Thomas Storm Buffalo","createdAt":"2003-09-02T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eating Contest Ranks Among America's Greatest\r\n\r\nDespite a threat from surging newcomer Sonya Thomas, the 106-pound beauty who has struck awe into veteran gurgitators in recent months, America's top-ranked eater Cookie Jarvis secured victory in Buffalo at the National Buffalo Wing Festival.\r\n\r\nJarvis downed 92 chicken wings in 12 minutes to win his third major title in as many events at the Labor Day championship in Buffalo, New York. Hungry Charles Hardy came in second, while Thomas, a rookie who has displayed amazing capacity and hand speed, placed third. Donovan Busta, another rookie, took fourth, followed by Oleg Zhornitskiy and Floridian powerhouse Jammin' Joe LaRue. Celebrities who attended the match included cookbook author Chef Armand, Buffalo Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe and Buffalo Mayor Tony Masiello.\r\n\r\n\"We brought the finest athletic eaters in America to the birthplace of the Buffalo Wing,\" said Drew Cerza, organizer of the National Buffalo Wing Festival who is known in the competitive eating community as the 'Wing King.' \"Buffalo is a great sports town and festival attendees enjoyed watching the world's greatest eaters go after our city's most famous fare.\"\r\n\r\nThe festival, which attracted more than 50,000 people, took place Buffalo's Dunn Tire Park. The event was sanctioned and hosted by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE). The IFOCE sanctioned the Wing Eating Contest as part of its Harvest Series, a fall circuit of competitive eating events making stops in Seymour, WI, New York, NY, and Reno, NV. Additional information is available by visiting ifoce.com or www.buffalowing.com.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3daf","sn":24,"title":"Competitive Eaters Gather for Thickburger Battle","createdAt":"2003-08-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The Midwest's most determined eaters will gather at Seymour's 15th Annual Burger Fest on August 9, 2003 to vie for the title of 'Hardee's World Thickburger. Eating Champion.' The contest, sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating, will feature Hardee's new Thickburger, a 100% Angus beef hamburger that weighs over a half pound when fully dressed.\r\n\r\n\"We are thrilled to visit the Home of the Hamburger and celebrate with this important contest,\" said Brad Haley, Executive Vice President of Marketing at Hardee's Restaurants. \" This is an important festival for any burger lover, since the Thickburger competition will identify the individual who is most passionate about the noble burger.\"\r\n\r\nThe Hardee's Thickburger contest will be a 10-minute all you can eat hamburger competiton. Competitors will be presented with multiple Thickburgers, freshly prepared and topped with leaf lettuce, tomato, red onion, ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise. They must complete an entire burger before moving on to the next.\r\n\r\n\"Hamburgers are loved worldwide and we are eager to set a new world hamburger eating record in Seymour,\" said Richard Shea, president of the IFOCE. \"At a half pound, the Thickburger is so large that it may indeed be the one item to challenge competitors who are used to eating dozens of hot dogs and scores of oysters in these contests.\"\r\n\r\nThe Hardee's Thickburger Eating Contest will occur at 1pm Saturday, August 9th during Burger Fest , which occurs on Depot Street in downtown Seymour, WI. The contest is open to individuals over 18 and is limited to 20 competitors. Those interested in competing can visit Hardee's locations in Green Bay, the Fox Cities and surrounding areas for an application. E-mails can be sent to burger@ifoce.com.\r\n\r\nHardee's Food Systems, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, is a wholly owned subsidiary of CKE Restaurants, Inc. of Santa Barbara, Calif. CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:CKR), through its subsidiaries, franchisees and licensees, operates over 3,200 restaurants, including 1,000 Carl's Jr. restaurants, 2,181 Hardee's restaurants, and 97 La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grills in 44 states and in 14 countries.\r\n\r\nSeymour, WI is the \"Home of the Hamburger\" and site of the Hamburger Hall of Fame that pays tribute to hamburger inventor Charles Nagreen. According to local legend, Nagreen served the first burger in 1885 at the Outagamie County Fair. \r\n\r\nSeymour celebrates the invention of the hamburger every year during Burger Fest. It includes making of a \"big burger,\" a hot air balloon rally and entertainment. Kids will especially enjoy the \"The Great Hamburger Meet,\" which features a ketchup slide, bun toss and hamburger-eating contest, as well as the \"world's largest hamburger parade.\"\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE, the governing body of stomach-centric sport worldwide, recognizes select eating titles including the Nathan's Famous July 4th Hot Dog Eating Championship in New York City, the World Buffalo Wing Eating Championship in Buffalo, and the Acme World Oyster Eating Championship in New Orleans. Members of the eating community desire each of these titles and the bragging rights they provide.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3db0","sn":23,"title":"Buffalo Wing Eating Contest","createdAt":"2003-08-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eating contest enthusiasts rejoice! America's top-ranked competitive eaters - including national hot dog champion Cookie Jarvis and world egg-eating champion Eric Booker and world pelemeni-eating champion Dale Boone - and will converge in Buffalo, NY at the National Buffalo Wing Festival on Labor Day weekend for the 2003 Buffalo Chicken Wing-Eating Championships.\r\n\r\nThe festival, which is expected to draw more than 40,000 people, will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 30 and 31 at Buffalo's Dunn Tire Park. The chicken wing-eating championship on Sunday, August 31, is the culmination of a national wing eating circuit that has been conducted throughout the year. Two final qualifying rounds for the championship will be held on Friday, August 29 and Saturday, August 30.\r\n\r\nMost of the eaters competing in the Wing Eating Championship are ranked members of the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE). Cookie Jarvis, the top ranked American eater, is national hot dog eating champion, rib eating champion and ice cream eating champion. Eric Booker, former American hot dog eating champion and current holder of five world titles, will be in attendance, as will Dale Boone, who was recently named IFOCE Rookie of the Year.\r\n\r\nOleg Zhornitiskiy, the 2002 National Buffalo Wing Eating Champion and a native of Ukraine, will return to defend his title. At stake is a total purse of $2,000, with $1,000 going to the winner, $700 to second place finisher and $300 to third. In addition, the winner will receive possession of the bejeweled Championship Wing Eating Belt.\r\n\r\n\"I look forward to welcoming the finest athletic eaters in America to the birthplace of the Buffalo Wing,\" said Drew Cerza, organizer of the National Buffalo Wing Festival who is known in the competitive eating community as the 'Wing King.' \"Buffalo is a great sports town and I am confident Festival attendees will enjoy watching the world's greatest eaters go after our city's most famous fare.\"\r\n\r\nThe National Buffalo Wing Festival is a weekend long celebration of the mighty Buffalo wing. It begins on Friday, August 29th at the venerable Anchor Bar and continues through Sunday, August 31st. The Anchor Bar kick off consists of a media luncheon at 12 noon followed by a buffalo wing eating clinic hosted by two top-ranked eaters and an IFOCE official. The remainder of the weekend's activities, which include a Miss Buffalo Wing pageant, live music performances, and the Franks Red Hot wing sauce competition, will take place at Dunn Tire Park.\r\n\r\nOn Friday and Saturday at 5pm, the IFOCE will conduct the final regional wing eating qualifying contests. Aspiring competitive eaters can qualify for Sunday's championship event by winning one of the preliminary rounds.\r\n\r\nThe International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE) has sanctioned the Wing Eating Contest as part of its Harvest Series, a fall circuit of competitive eating events making stops in Seymour, WI, New York, NY, and Reno, NV. The IFOCE conducted the national chicken wing eating circuit for Franks RedHot Sauce, a sponsor of the national Buffalo Wing Festival.\r\n\r\nAdditional information is available by visiting ifoce.com or www.buffalowing.com.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dbd","sn":26,"title":"Cookie Jarvis on a Roll","createdAt":"2003-07-16T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Dominates Rib-Eating Championship at Chinook Winds Casino \r\n\r\nCookie Jarvis, who recently ate 30 ½ hot dogs on July Fourth to finish second to Japanese sensation Takeru Kobayashi in the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, continued his eating streak by dominating the competition at the Chinook Winds Casino Rib Eating Championship in Lincoln City, Oregon, on July 19, 2003.\r\n\r\nJarvis, reigning Ice Cream Eating Champion (1 Gallon, 9 ounces in 12 minutes), Cannoli Eating Champion (21 Cannolis, 6 minutes) and Dumpling Eating Champion (91 in 8 minutes), walked away with the $1,250 purse and the widely admired bacon-red Pork Rib Belt. Jarvis, Battle of the Buffest champion now holds nine major titles.\r\n\r\nDale Boone, the ninth-ranked eater in the world and current World Pelemeni Eating Champion and World Reindeer Sausage Eating Champion, finished second while Gentleman Joe Menchetti, the eighth-ranked eater in the world and current World Conch Fritter Eating Champion and World Corn-on-the-Cob Eating Champion, placed third. Scott 'Pork Slayer' Sayer and Levi Oliver put in strong performances, as did up-and-coming Ray Meduna of Seattle, the top-ranked eater in the Pacific Northwest who is widely known as 'The Bison.' \r\n\r\n\"While Jarvis has always been labeled a sweets-specialist, his 30 ½ hot dog performance in Coney Island on July 4th proves his versatility,\" said George Shea, chairman of the IFOCE. \"His dramatic work in the pork discipline cements his position as America's foremost eater.\" \r\n\r\nThe two-day eating extravaganza, part of the Chinook Winds' 'Smokin at the Ocean' food festival, featured time trials on Friday, July 18th and the main event on Saturday, July 19th. The Chinook Winds Casino is located at 1777 NW 44th Street in Lincoln City, OR.\r\n\r\nThe IFOCE, the governing body of stomach-centric sport, recognizes select titles including the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Championship in New York City, the Frank's RedHot Buffalo Wing Eating Championship in Buffalo, and the Acme World Oyster Eating Championship in New Orleans. Members of the eating community desire each of these titles, and the bragging rights they provide. Cookie Jarvis maintains a website on which you can learn more about him.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dac","sn":22,"title":"Kobayashi Takes Third Straight Nathan's Title","createdAt":"2003-07-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"History was made at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island on July 4, 2003, as Takeru Kobayashi of Japan won for the third time in a row the title of world champion at the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest. Kobayashi's amazing performance, eating 44 ½ hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes, enabled him to maintain possession of the Coveted Mustard Yellow International Belt.\r\n\r\nIn 2001, Takeru Kobayashi doubled the existing world hot dog eating record by downing 50 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. Last year, amazingly, Kobayashi broke his own world record by eating 50 and ½ hot dogs and buns (HDBs). The closest American competitor to Kobayashi on July 4, 2003, was Edward Cookie Jarvis of Long Island, NY, who consumed 30 ½ HDBs in 12 minutes to set a new American record. Behind Jarvis was Eric Booker and Rich LeFevre. A newcomer named Sonya Thomas place an impressive 5th with 25 HDBs, a new female record.\r\n\r\nJapanese competitors have dominated the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest with Hirofumi Nakajima, Kazutoyo Arai and Kobayashi winning the Coveted Mustard Yellow International Belt six of the past seven years. Kobayashi is the first competitor to win the belt three years in a row.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3d9e","sn":5,"title":"BETWWTS.COM Announces Exclusive Odds for July 4th Hot Dog Contest","createdAt":"2003-07-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"ST. JOHNS, ANTIGUA (July 1, 2002) - The ultimate contest pitting man against frankfurter, Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition has been a staple of the Fourth of July holiday since 1916. For the first time in its history, fans can place bets on the overindulging contest as BetWWTS.com today announced the official odds on this year's hot dog eating competition. \r\n\r\nA leading offshore gaming company since 1992, BetWWTS.com has created numerous wagering options on the world renowned eating contest including odds on who will win the coveted Mustard Yellow Championship Belt, the World Cup of competitive eating. Reigning champion and world record holder Takeru \"Tsunami\" Kobayashi is the overwhelming favorite to win this year's contest at 1/2 odds (i.e., win $1 for every $2 bet) while giving the other contestants 20 hot dogs. The other competitive eating stars that may challenge the \"Tsunami\" include Eric Booker (9/5), Oleg Zhornitsky (4/1) and Charles Hardy (7/1). All other participants have been included in \"The Field,\" currently listed as a 10/1 long shot.\r\n\r\nCustomers may also wager on unique over/under lines on the number of hot dogs the four favorites will eat in this year's contest. The over/under line for Kobayashi, who downed an unprecedented 50 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes at last year's contest, is listed at 50 while the over/under line for the next closest competitor is 28. Fans can also bet on the exact number of hot dogs each entrant eats and the total number of hot dogs consumed by all 20 participants in this year's contest. \r\n\r\n\"As the official sports book of the Nathan's contest, BetWWTS.com is pleased to offer betting options for the first time on this popular event,\" said Jessica Davis, Vice President of BetWWTS.com. \"Kobayashi is such a force in the world of competitive eating that not only have we listed him with the best chance to win, but our company has decided to bet on the favorite by sponsoring the returning champ's headband.\" \r\n\r\nThe world record holder for hot dog consumption will wear a BetWWTS.com headband as he devours Nathan's Famous franks on July Fourth. In addition, BetWWTS.com will weigh Kobayashi before the contest and upon its completion and will take wagers on how much weight the reigning champion will gain during the event. Last year Kobayashi gained nearly a pound a minute during the event while shattering the previous record. \r\n\r\nAll current odds are subject to change. BetWWTS.com will accept wagers on the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest until 11 a.m. EST on July 4th, one hour before the official start of the competition. To view the complete list of betting options available, please visit www.betwwts.com. \r\n\r\nAbout WWTS\r\nWWTS (World Wide Tele-Sports) is the foremost offshore gaming company offering both Internet and telephone wagering to its worldwide customers. Fully licensed and regulated in St. John's, Antigua since 1994, WWTS offers a complete range of online casino games and more than 150 betting options daily through its portfolio of companies - BetWWTS.com, Post-Time.com and WiseGuyCasino.com. With over 10 years of experience, WWTS has become one of the most respected companies in the gaming industry by providing unparalleled 24/7 customer support and timely payouts. WWTS receives over $1 billion in wagers annually and provides a secure environment for sports and casino wagering."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dad","sn":21,"title":"Refrigerator Perry to Try Hand at Hot Dogs","createdAt":"2003-06-20T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Former NFL star William 'The Refrigerator' Perry served notice to the sport of competitive eating on Saturday, winning a qualifying contest for the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest and earning a spot in the annual summer classic in Coney Island. BetWWTS.com, a leading offshore gaming company for over 10 years, will serve as The Fridge's official sponsor for his appearance in the Nathan's Famous event. \r\n\r\nThe exclusive sports book of the 2003 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition, BetWWTS.com has 'The Fridge' opening as a 100-to-1 shot to win the contest. The bookmaker also lists Perry as a 50/1 long shot to break the American record of 30 hot dogs and at 100/1 to break the world record of 50 ½ hot dogs.\r\n\r\n'The Fridge,' who weighs in at more than 400 pounds, has his sights set on reigning world champion Takeru Kobayashi, who at 130 pounds, is less than a third of Perry's size. Last year Kobayashi consumed 50 ½ hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes, while The Fridge ate 12 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes to qualify - again proving that size doesn't matter. BetWWTS.com has the considerably larger Perry receiving a 40 hot dog handicap from Kobayashi in a head-to-head match up. \r\n\r\n\"This gives William Perry the chance to follow in the footsteps of other two-sport stars like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders,\" said Richard Shea, spokesman for Nathan's Famous. \"Competitive eating requires a unique combination of athleticism and discipline, and only time will tell if Perry's talent on the gridiron will carry over to Coney Island.\" \r\n\r\nPerry gained international notoriety during his rookie year in the NFL with the Chicago Bears. Through that 16-1 rookie season, his 9 year NFL career, and now eight years in retirement, The Fridge has maintained his status as one of football's most beloved big-men. His Super Bowl ring remains the largest ever made and his popularity continues to grow. Competitive Eating fans can visit BetWWTS.com for information on qualified competitors for the 2003 contest, history of the Nathan's Famous event and the growing sport of Competitive Eating. BetWWTS.com will have official betting lines on the 2003 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Contest available until 11 a.m. Eastern on July 4th, an hour before the start of the contest. \r\n\r\nHeld every year since 1916, the contest draws the finest competitive eaters from around the world to battle for the coveted Mustard Yellow Championship Belt, the World Cup of competitive eating. For the past two years, Takeru Kobayashi of Japan has won the Fourth of July contest. In 2002, Kobayashi set a new world record by downing 50 and ½ Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. \r\n\r\nThe Nathan's Famous July Fourth Hot Dog Eating contest is sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating and sponsored by French's Mustard, Orbitz.com and BetWWTS.com. \r\n\r\nFrench's® Mustard, the exclusive mustard of the Nathan's Famous hot dog eating circuit, will hold a tasting of its various flavors prior to the contest. The tasting will be presented by the French's 'Mustard Man' character, who will also join the Nathan's 'Frankster' to conduct a Neat Eating Contest., a special good manners contest in which children eat one Nathan's hot dog topped with French's Mustard as neatly as possible. \r\n\r\nOrbitz.com is conducting a raffle for a free trip to New York City to judge the July 4 competition, and Orbitz will also present the July 4 Champion with a travel package. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3daa","sn":19,"title":"Nathan's Season Begins","createdAt":"2003-05-24T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Nathan's Famous has launched the 2003 competitive hot dog eating circuit, a series of nationwide qualifying events to locate gustatory athletes with the skill, determination and spirit to represent the United States at the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, which, according to archives, has been held each year since 1916 on July 4th in Coney Island, NY. \r\n\r\nLast Year, Takeru Kobayashi of Japan broke his own record by eating 50 ½ hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes in the July 4 contest. Kobayashi, widely considered the greatest athlete in the world, will return to defend his title this year. \r\n\r\nThe Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest is sponsored by French's® Mustard, Orbitz.com, and BetWWTS.com. \r\n\r\nThe Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest is held each year on July 4 at the original Nathan's Famous location at Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, NY. An official weigh-in and certification ceremony is held at New York City Hall on July 3. The Nathan's Famous hot dog eating circuit is making stops in June in Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Atlanta, New York, Norfolk, Miami and other cities. Sign up for contests here."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3da9","sn":18,"title":"May Excites with Sweet Corn, Crawfish, Wings","createdAt":"2003-05-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"While the Nathan's Famous hot dog circuit is fast approaching, May is full of many exciting contests including Sweet Corn, Crawfish and three Frank's RedHot Buffalo Wing qualifiers. \r\n\r\nOn Friday, May 2, the IFOCE will visit Live After Five in downtown Baton Rouge for the Crawfish Eating Championships, where Breaux Bridge record holder Crawfish Nick will face off against impressive newcomer Boyd Bulot. \r\n\r\nOn Saturday, May 3, the Frank's RedHot Buffalo Wing circuit continues with an official stop in Cleveland, Ohio. The Frank's RedHot tour will also visit Memphis on May 17, and Chicago on May 31. \r\n\r\nOn Sunday, May 4, the IFOCE will take the main stage at the annual Sweet Corn Fiesta, which is held at Yesteryear Village on the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. The Fiesta is the country's leading sweet corn festival and many top-ranked IFOCE eaters are scheduled to vie for the championship. \r\n\r\nFor information on these and other contests, please email info@ifoce.com "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3da6","sn":17,"title":"NEWCOMER DETHRONES CRAZY LEGS CONTI","createdAt":"2003-04-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Nearly two thousand eating fans gathered in front of the Acme Stage during French Quarter Festival in New Orleans to watch Bayou Boyd Bulot of Hammond, Louisiana down 18 dozen Louisiana oysters in just 10 minutes. \r\n\r\nWith this accomplishment Bulot set a new world record and beat Crazy Legs Conti, who achieved instant celebrity after eating 14 dozen to win the 2002 title. \r\n\r\n\"I am very impressed by Bulot and the ease with which he smashed the old record by four dozen,\" said Stephanie Scherer, Marketing Director for the IFOCE. \"The real question now is whether or not he can eat hot dogs.\" \r\n\r\nThe Acme Oyster House World Oyster Eating Championship is a major on the IFOCE circuit. Event sponsors include the Louisiana Seafood and Promotion Board, Tabasco Brands and Barq's Root Beer. Eating fans will be keeping a close eye on Bayou Boyd as he approaches the table to compete in the World Crawfish Eating Contest in Baton Rouge on May 2nd. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3da5","sn":14,"title":"Badlands Booker Leaves Little Doubt After Matzo Victory","createdAt":"2003-01-22T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Adds to donut, hash, burrito titles with quality win to establish himself as the nation's top Gurgitator\r\n\r\n\r\nIf there were any questions about Eric Badlands Booker being the finest competitive eater in America he answered them decisively on Tuesday, January 27th when he downed 21 oversized matzo balls in five minutes and 25 seconds to establish a new world record.\r\n\r\nThe contest was held at Ben's Deli in Manhattan as part of the restaurant's annual fundraiser for charity. Booker faced off against six other IFOCE eaters including Oleg \"The Great Z\" Zhornitskiy, Joe Menchetti, Ed \"Cookie\" Jarvis, Don Lerman, Crazy Legs Conti and Scott Soifer. Zhornitskiy won the event in 2002 by downing 17 matzo balls.\r\n\r\n\"Badlands has done far more than secure the first title of the New Year,\" said Robert Gilman, IFOCE's chief counsel. \"He faced off against a Who's Who in competitive eating and blew each and every one of them away.\"\r\n\r\nWith this victory, Booker adds matzo balls to his stable of impressive eating titles, which includes donuts, corned beef hash, burritos and hard-boiled eggs. He also holds the American hot dog title with 28 in 12 minutes. \r\n\r\nHonorable mention goes to IFOCE member Ed Cookie Jarvis for his generous donation of children's dolls, crayons, trucks and other toys."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3da3","sn":12,"title":"Thanksgiving Meal Contest Caps IFOCE Harvest Series","createdAt":"2002-11-26T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The International Federation of Competitive Eating is now preparing for the Thanksgiving Meal contest, which will feature the winners of all 2002 Harvest Series events, including the Stagg World's Chili Eating Championship in Reno, NV; National Buffalo Wing Eating Championship in Buffalo, NY; Cannoli Championship in New York, NY; Hibernation Cup, Anchorage, K; the Conch Fritter Worlds in Key West, FL; and the World Pelemeni Eating Contest, Brooklyn, NY.\r\n\r\nThe Thanksgiving Meal contest, or Harvest Series Championship, will take place in New York, NY on Wednesday, November 27, the day before Thanksgiving. Competitors will eat an enormous thanksgiving meal, including an entire turkey, determining once and for all who is the king of Thanksgiving in America.\r\n\r\nSponsorship opportunities for this event are available, and interested parties can attain information by contacting dbaer@ifoce.com or calling (212) 352-8651."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3da4","sn":13,"title":"Surprise Pelemeni Victory for Boone","createdAt":"2002-10-08T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The spotlight at the Atlantic Oceana in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, seemed to shine most brightly on neighborhood hero and Ukrainian native Oleg Zhornitskiy, a man known as much for his attention to fashion as for his amazing eating capacity.\r\n\r\nHowever, when the three-round event was over, it turned out that Zhornitskiy was unable to successfully defend his title as World Pelemeni Eating Champion. Atlanta, GA, resident and IFOCE rookie Dale Boone edged out the 19 other eaters from all over the world, setting a new world record of 274 pelemeni (Russian beef dumplings) in a total of six minutes.\r\n\r\nThe speed event clearly favored Boone, who is known as a sprinter. However, few if any expected Boone to beat Zhornitskiy, who has proven nearly unbeatable in 2002. Mayonnaise, matzo balls and chicken wings are among the Great Z's recent victories.\r\n\r\nPerhaps it was the jet lag, or the airline food, but the Ukrainian National Eating Team had a disappointing showing, finishing in the middle of the pack. The enthusiasm of the crowd of Russian and Ukrainian natives was more than enough to guarantee a stronger performance next year.\r\n\r\nMany are already mentioning Boone as a possible IFOCE Rookie of the Year for 2002. "}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3da1","sn":11,"title":"2002 Hibernation Cup/Stagg Chili Contest","createdAt":"2002-10-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Charles Hardy quieted whispers that he had entered the waning years of his career with a dramatic performance in the Hibernation Cup in Alaska in August. The specifics of this four-event, four-day tournament remain under wraps as Discovery Channel prepares a one-hour documentary, Gutbusters II, for a spring airdate. However, the event attracted top eaters from Alaska and from the lower 48 for an emotional journey over the rugged Alaskan landscape in pursuit of the coveted Hibernation Cup.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, Rich LeFevre continued his impressive 2002 season with a definitive win in the Stagg World's Chili Eating Contest in Reno, NV. LeFevre ate a full 1 ½ gallons of chili in 10 minutes, overwhelming all competitors except his wife, Carlene, who topped the 1 gallon mark to come in second. \r\n\r\nRich LeFevre has been known as a distance man, but in recent months he has performed remarkably well in several speed contests. Can he expand on this success in 2003?\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3d9f","sn":9,"title":"Great Z Scores Wing Victory","createdAt":"2002-09-01T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Crowd of 5000 thrilled at Buffalo festival finale\r\n\r\n\r\nOleg Zhornitskiy brought a crowd of more than five thousand to its feet on Sunday as he downed an unprecedented 74 Buffalo chicken wings in 12 minutes to set a new American record at the National Buffalo Chicken Wing Festival at Dunn Tire Park in Buffalo, NY.\r\n\r\nZhornitskiy, an accomplished gurgitator who holds the world matzo ball and pelemeni (Russian dumpling) eating titles, won an impressive victory over a field of 12 professional eaters from the Buffalo area and from as far away as New York City, Clearwater, FL, and Memphis, TN. Don Moses Lerman, world Jalepeno pepper eating champion from Long Island, came in second with 67 wings while Moe Ribs Molesky of Ohio came in third with 64 wings.\r\n\r\nThe United States Buffalo Chicken Wing Eating contest, sponsored by the International Federation of Competitive Eating, established a new benchmark for accuracy by weighing and counting the chicken wings before and after the contest to determine which competitive eater truly consumed the most wings. The competitive eating community has widely criticized other wing eating contests that simply count wings, ignoring the fact that the wings come in different sizes and that some eaters consume less meat off of the bones during the contest. The professional eaters also sought an environment with superior quality products such as Tyson Chicken and Frank's Red Hot Sauce.\r\n\r\nZhornitskiy, a native of the Ukraine who now resides in the Brighton Beach section of Brooklyn, consumed a total of 2.65 pounds of meat during the 12 minute contest. This is a relatively small quantity of food for Zhornitskiy, who has eaten 128 ounces of mayonnaise in five minutes competitively and approximately six pounds of matzo balls in just more than five minutes.\r\n\r\nLocal wing champion Paul Archie, a telegenic newcomer to the professional eating circuit, ate 60 wings to place fifth in the contest that was overseen by Buffalo Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe, back-up quarterback Alex Van Pelt and cornerback Rueben Blades. The championship marked a dramatic conclusion to a series of qualifying events that had been running for weeks.\r\n\r\nNext year's Buffalo wing eating season will be even more extensive, and those who would like to sign up may contact Buffalowing.com or www.ifoce.com."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3da2","sn":10,"title":"IFOCE Announces the 2002 Harvest Series","createdAt":"2002-08-31T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"The International Federation of Competitive Eating is sanctioning a number of events that comprise the 2002 Harvest Series. These events all lead to the Thanksgiving Invitational, to be held on Wednesday, November 27th.\r\n\r\nWhile additional tour dates will be added, the following events are currently confirmed.\r\n\r\nRugged Alaska will serve as the backdrop to three eating contests and one \"carbo-load\" beginning on Thursday, August 22nd and culminating with the Frontier Feast on Sunday, August 25th. For more details email dbaer@ifoce.com.\r\n\r\nOn September 1st, the IFOCE will be at the National Buffalo Wing Festival in Buffalo, NY to conduct the chicken wing eating championship. More than forty of the country's best Buffalo Wing Restaurants will be on hand to showcase their various wing styles and recipes. Attendance is vital to all wing lovers and details will soon be posted on this site. \r\n\r\nNew York City's Little Italy began celebrating the Feast of San Gennaro in 1926. Held over 11 days in September, it is the oldest, largest and liveliest festa of the year. More than 3 million people attend the festival to enjoy its colorful parades, music and authentic Italian cuisine. The IFOCE is honored to kick off this year's feast with the Cannoli Eating Invitational on Thursday, September 12th. Organizers are currently reviewing applications from hopeful competitors. For consideration, please email your information to cannol@ifoce.com.\r\n\r\nOn September 21st, the IFOCE will hold the Conch Fritter Worlds at the luxurious Ocean Key Resort in Key West, Florida. This is the first-ever sanctioned conch fritter eating contest and it is up for consideration as an IFOCE major. If interested in competing at the Conch Fritter Worlds, please send your information to cfw@ifoce.com.\r\n\r\nThe Harvest Series progresses with the Chili Classic, which will take place during the International Chili Society's World Championship Chili Cookoff in Reno Nevada on October 5th and 6th. This is the largest event of the year for the International Chili Society, a non-profit that has helped raise over $60 million dollars for charities and other philanthropic organizations. For information email chili@ifoce.com.\r\n\r\nAdditional events will soon be posted. Sponsorship opportunities are available, and interested parties can attain information by contacting dbaer@ifoce.com or calling (212) 352-8651."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3da0","sn":8,"title":"Kobe Downs 50 at Nathan","createdAt":"2002-07-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Never before in the history of sport has there been such a phenomenal win.\r\n\r\nOn July 4, 2001, 131-pound Takeru Kobayashi of Nagano, Japan, ate 50 Nathan's hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes to smash the previous record of 25 1/8 hot dogs and buns set by compatriot, Kazutoyo Arai of Saitama, in 2000. \r\n\r\nArai himself upped his personal best to 31 hot dogs and buns this year.Employing a technique that was dubbed the \"Solomon Method\" (splitting hot dogs and buns in half before eating), Kobayashi broke the American and world records in just more than five minutes. \r\n\r\nHe continued eating at an unbelievable pace, finishing dog number 50 at the buzzer.Kobayashi, the \"large quantity\" eating champion of Japan, had eaten 60 hot dogs and buns in one hour at Nathan's in Coney Island on July 2nd as a training effort. He claims he will return to New York City next year to defend his title and set a new record in 2002.\r\n\r\nThe American competitive eating community has been in a state of disarray since the event. The overwhelming emotion at the arena was sadness as the Japanese once again took possession of the Coveted Mustard Yellow International Belt. However, leaders such as Hungry Charles Hardy, Ed Krachie and Oleg Zhornitskiy have vowed to bring back the belt.\r\n\r\nCompetitors at the 2001 event came from diverse locations including Canada, Germany and England. The 2000 world champion, 100-pound Kazutoyo Arai, upped his personal best of 25 1/8 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes to 31 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes.\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dae","sn":7,"title":"Kobayashi Sets New World Record","createdAt":"2002-07-04T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Three thousand fans of competitive eating contended with media outlets from around the world to watch Takeru Kobayashi set a new world record by downing 50 and ½ hot dogs and buns in the 87th Annual Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. With temperatures in the humid high 90s, and a real feel temp of 105 degrees, 20 competitors consumed a total of 336 hot dogs in the 12-minute contest.\r\n\r\nThis year's contest featured a total of 20 eaters from Japan, Germany, Thailand, Canada and the United States. To gain a seat at the table for the international contest, all eaters had to win one of 19 regional qualifying contests throughout the United States and the world.\r\n\r\nEric Booker of Long Island, N.Y., who holds the American record of 28 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes, came in second place with 26 hot dogs and buns, while Oleg Zhornitskiy came in third with 25 ½. With 50 and ½, Kobayashi improved upon his previous record of 50, which was set last year in Coney Island.\r\n\r\n\"I am impressed not only with the top three finishers, but at the stamina shown by each and every competitor today,\" said Dave Baer, an IFOCE director. \"Each year the crowd grows as does the media attention, and I am pleased that each eater was able to conquer the burdensome heat and all of these competitors should be proud of their accomplishment.\"\r\n\r\nThis year marks another milestone for the sport - BetWWTS.com, an online sportsbook - offered odds and accepted wagers for the Fourth of July event. This proved to be a major amenity for fans that have long wanted to bet on their favorite competitive eater.\r\n\r\nFor more information, contact the IFOCE at 212 352-8651."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3dab","sn":20,"title":"Kobayashi Returns to NY to Defend World Hot-Dog Eating Titlen ","createdAt":"2002-05-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Japanese gurgitator Takeru Kobayashi, who last year doubled the world record in hot dog eating by downing an astounding 50 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes, has announced that he will return to defend his title at the 87th annual Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in Coney Island.\r\n\r\nThis year's contest will feature a total of 20 eaters from Japan, Germany, England, Thailand, Canada and the United States. To gain a seat at the table on July 4, all eaters must win one of regional qualifying contests throughout the United States and the world.\r\n\r\nThis year marks another milestone for the sport - BetWWTS.com, an online sportsbook - will offer odds and take wagers on the Fourth of July event. This is a major amenity for fans, who have asked repeatedly for the ability to bet on this contest.\r\n\r\nNathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest\r\n\r\nConey Island\r\nSurf and Stillwell Avenues\r\n\r\nDIRECTIONS TO CONEY ISLAND\r\n\r\nSurf and Stillwell Avenues\r\n\r\nBy Train:\r\nTake the F, Q or W trains to Stillwell Avenue-Coney Island (the last stop). We recommend you consult the MTA Website www.lirr.org to check for any service changes before planning your trip to Coney Island.\r\n\r\nBy Car:\r\nTake the Belt Parkway to exit 6. Head south on Cropsey Avenue to West 17th Street. Keyspan Park and the Parachute Jump will be in front of you on Surf Avenue. Parking is available along most streets. There are commercial parking lots on West 17th Street and West 12th Street between Mermaid and Surf, West 15th Street between the Boardwalk and Surf and on Neptune Avenue between West 12th and Stillwell Avenue.."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3d9b","sn":2,"title":"CRAZY LEGS SECURES WORLD OYSTER EATING TITLE","createdAt":"2002-04-13T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Crazy Legs Conti, a rookie competing in his first IFOCE contest, ate 14 dozen Louisiana oysters in ten minutes to win the World Oyster Eating Championship, which was held in New Orleans on Saturday, April 13, 2002.\r\n\r\nMore than 1,000 eating fans watched as Conti went head-to-head against noted IFOCE competitors Crawfish Nick Stipelcovich and David \"Moe Ribs\" Molesky. With just three minutes remaining in the contest, Conti and Molesky were tied for first with Stipelcovich holding a close second. Conti was resolute, maintaining his pace each step of the way, and when the buzzer sounded he finished on top with 168 oysters.\r\n\r\nIn all, 15 eaters competed in the contest, which was held in the midst of French Quarter Festival, a weekend long celebration of New Orleans food and music that draws more than 200,000 people to the city's most famous neighborhood. Conti, who some fans referred to as \"mollusk king,\" won over the festival crowd with his fun-loving style and impressed other competitors with his modesty. \r\n\r\n\"I have to hand it to Crazy Legs,\" said Molesky who lost by less than one dozen oysters. \"This kid eats to win and he seems to have the focus needed to succeed in this sport.\" While new to the IFOCE circuit, the Louisiana Oyster Eating Competition is listed as a major on the 2002 tour. The contest was sponsored by Acme Oyster House, Tabasco Brands, the Louisiana Seafood and Promotions Board, Culinary Concierge Magazine and Miller Lite."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3d9a","sn":1,"title":"The Glutton Bowl ","createdAt":"2002-02-21T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Perhaps no event has ever tested the skills of the world's greatest eaters in such a broad variety of disciplines as The Glutton Bowl, a two-hour IFOCE-sanctioned eating special scheduled to air on Fox Television in mid-February 2002.\r\n\r\nThe greatest eaters from the United States and around the globe convened in California for an event of enormous magnitude to the world of competitive eating. \r\n\r\nProduced by Nash Entertainment (\"Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed\"), the Glutton Bowl promises to deliver the most drama this sport has seen since the rivalry between Hirofumi Nakajima and Edward Krachie in the mid 1990s.\r\n\r\nExecutive producer for the multi-category event is Don Weiner (\"Showtime at the Apollo\"), and Richard Shea, president of the IFOCE, is co-executive producer. The host of The Glutton Bowl, Emmy-winning Mark Thompson (\"Guinness World Records: Primetime,\" \"When Good Pets Go Bad\") is joined by IFOCE Chairman George Shea for color commentary."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3da7","sn":15,"title":"BADLANDS SECURES BURRITO TITLE","createdAt":"2002-02-12T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Eric Badlands Booker won the BurritoVille Burrito Eating Contest, an IFOCE Invitational that took place at BurritoVille in Lower Manhattan on Saturday evening, March 16th. With this win, Booker secured his first career major and set up what is certain to be an extraordinary summer circuit. \r\n\r\nBooker, who is the current Glutton Bowl Egg Eating Champion and has long been recognized as one of the IFOCE.s finest eaters, proved his mettle at the burrito eating contest by beating veteran hot dog eating champion Hungry Charles Hardy, Glutton Bowl tongue eating champion Dominic Cardo, and whip cream eating specialist Gaseous Maximus Frye among others. \r\n\r\nBooker consumed a record 14 six-ounce burritos to win the eight-minute contest. Eating fans enjoying the festivities of BurritoVille.s 10th Anniversary celebration, cheered loudly when the contest hit the seven minute mark and less than one burrito separated Booker from three of his opponents . Hardy, Jarvis and Lipsitz.\r\n\r\n\"This contest is evidence of the invitational format.s popularity among eating fans,\" said David Baer, the IFOCE.s director of business development. \"Whenever you have six competitors this closely matched the tension is high and so are the expectations. Booker delivered in no uncertain terms.\" \r\n\r\nThe Burrito Eating Contest, which was sanctioned and judged by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), is one of many new events recently added to the growing list of IFOCE majors. Later this spring, the IFOCE will sanction the Big Easy Eat Off., where fans will watch 15 competitors down as many oysters as they can in 12-minutes.\r\n\r\n"}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3d9d","sn":4,"title":"Lerman Sets World Cloud Burger Record","createdAt":"2001-11-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Donald \"Moses\" Lerman, who has set consumption records in the matzo ball, ice cream and steak eating disciplines, recently traveled from New York to Duluth, MN, to win this year's World Cloud Burger Eating Contest.\r\n\r\nThe contest, featuring The Cloud®, a quarter-pound of ground hamburger made by the Rochester Meat Company, was held at Willys Garage in Canal Park in Duluth. It was sanctioned by The International Federation of Competitive Eating and was open to all those over the age of 18.\r\n\r\nLerman ate 11 1/4 Cloud Burgers and buns - nearly four lbs. of food - in 10 minutes to win the championship. Duluth Police Officer James Lesar placed second in the contest, eating a total of 8 Cloud Burgers and buns. Duluth Police Officer Jim Nilsson placed third with 7 3/4 burgers and buns.\r\n\r\nA Cloud Burger Neat Eating ContestTM was also held for all those under the age of 13. Neat Eating Contests are not about speed and have no time limit; they test the style, manners and grace of the participants, who must finish a burger without getting condiments on their lips.\r\n\r\nMany of the competitors secured individual sponsorships for each hamburger they ate. Grandma's Restaurant Company will join them in donating more than $1000 to the Twin Towers Fund, which was established by New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to assist the \r\nfamilies of the members of the uniformed services of the New York City Fire Department and its Emergency Medical Services Command, the New York City Police Department, \r\nthe Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the New York State Office of Court Administration and other government officers who lost their lives or were injured because of the tragedies of September 11, 2001.\r\n\r\nWilly's Garage is a member of the Grandma's Restaurant Company, a multi-concept casual dining and retail business with 15 operations located throughout the state of Minnesota. Willys Garage is famous for its handcrafted pizza, split top hot dog and Fat Willys hamburger, as well as its unique auto garage-theme setting. Willys Garage is located at 355 Lake Avenue South in Duluth.\r\n\r\nRochester Meat, Inc. is a beef and pork processor that manufactures a variety of portion-controlled products including hamburger patties, steaks, and pork chops. As one of the largest suppliers to food service distributors nationwide, Rochester Meats consistently provides the highest quality of products on the market today, including The Cloud®, a signature 1/4 pound hamburger made with the highest quality meets to exacting standards."}},{"node":{"id":"Articles_5ce1c7636ca25f5a3dda3da8","sn":16,"title":"Lerman Sets World Cloud Burger Record","createdAt":"2001-11-07T00:00:00.000Z","coverPhoto":null,"content":"Donald \"Moses\" Lerman, who has set consumption records in the matzo ball, ice cream and steak eating disciplines, recently traveled from New York to Duluth, MN, to win this year's World Cloud Burger Eating Contest.\r\n\r\nThe contest, featuring The Cloud®, a quarter-pound of ground hamburger made by the Rochester Meat Company, was held at Willys Garage in Canal Park in Duluth. It was sanctioned by The International Federation of Competitive Eating and was open to all those over the age of 18.\r\n\r\nLerman ate 11 1/4 Cloud Burgers and buns - nearly four lbs. of food - in 10 minutes to win the championship. Duluth Police Officer James Lesar placed second in the contest, eating a total of 8 Cloud Burgers and buns. Duluth Police Officer Jim Nilsson placed third with 7 3/4 burgers and buns.\r\n\r\nA Cloud Burger Neat Eating ContestTM was also held for all those under the age of 13. Neat Eating Contests are not about speed and have no time limit; they test the style, manners and grace of the participants, who must finish a burger without getting condiments on their lips.\r\n\r\nMany of the competitors secured individual sponsorships for each hamburger they ate. Grandma's Restaurant Company will join them in donating more than $1000 to the Twin Towers Fund, which was established by New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to assist the \r\nfamilies of the members of the uniformed services of the New York City Fire Department and its Emergency Medical Services Command, the New York City Police Department, \r\nthe Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the New York State Office of Court Administration and other government officers who lost their lives or were injured because of the tragedies of September 11, 2001.\r\n\r\nWilly's Garage is a member of the Grandma's Restaurant Company, a multi-concept casual dining and retail business with 15 operations located throughout the state of Minnesota. Willys Garage is famous for its handcrafted pizza, split top hot dog and Fat Willys hamburger, as well as its unique auto garage-theme setting. Willys Garage is located at 355 Lake Avenue South in Duluth.\r\n\r\nRochester Meat, Inc. is a beef and pork processor that manufactures a variety of portion-controlled products including hamburger patties, steaks, and pork chops. As one of the largest suppliers to food service distributors nationwide, Rochester Meats consistently provides the highest quality of products on the market today, including The Cloud®, a signature 1/4 pound hamburger made with the highest quality meets to exacting standards."}}]},"placeholderImage":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3736263736263736,"src":"/static/3ae40fb552b546bb3a30b7592c8cd5b2/46604/news-banner.png","srcSet":"/static/3ae40fb552b546bb3a30b7592c8cd5b2/62d80/news-banner.png 125w,\n/static/3ae40fb552b546bb3a30b7592c8cd5b2/e1953/news-banner.png 250w,\n/static/3ae40fb552b546bb3a30b7592c8cd5b2/46604/news-banner.png 500w,\n/static/3ae40fb552b546bb3a30b7592c8cd5b2/ce37b/news-banner.png 591w","sizes":"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px"}}}},"pageContext":{}}}
![16 ounces at a time.](\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5X5HNUJdGFQ/SrFCyqGPBkI/AAAAAAAAA6E/aZwQMN-UcMw/s1600-h/P9110143.JPG\"){kind=link}