The Disgusting(ly Fun) World of Competitive Eating
advertisement
It's weird, it's wonderful, it's a deep-dive into 11 years of blog archives. It's time for Throwback Thursday...
Ah, the joy of stuffing your face to the point of bursting, vowing to show future restraint, only to repeat the whole shebang a few days later. While the holy scriptures may still hold gluttony as one of the deadliest of sins, we urbanites often can't help but indulge.
As the Apr 20-21 Hot & Spicy Festival rapidly approaches, we look to some of the competitive eating world records for inspiration. Back in 2009, the Beijinger compiled a list of such, adding where the foods could be eaten in Beijing should you want to perform your own little excess fest.
advertisement
Today we update the list and weigh our odds. Most of these foods will also be available during the aforementioned Hot & Spicy Festival, so put on your stretchiest pair of pants, pull up your sturdiest chair, and get a' feastin' on these babies.
Has anyone got a timer? I am about to down five of Q Mex burgers in one minute
World Record: Most Hamburgers Eaten
The most hamburgers eaten in one minute was conquered by Ricardo "Rix Terabite" Francisco of the Philippines on Aug 27, 2016, when he managed to wolf down five beefy patties.
Your Hot & Spicy Fest Option: Five of De Refter's spicy bao burgers should do the trick.
"I will have 113 of those cheese jianbings, thanks"
World Record: Most Pancakes Eaten
In 2016, American competitive food eater extraordinaire Matt "Megatoad" Stonie set a new world record by eating 113 pancakes in eight minutes at the World Pancake Eating Championship. Yep, that's a thing.
Your Hot & Spicy Fest Option: We reckon Avocado Drum's jianbings are the closest answer China has to the good ol' American pancake. However, be warned that they're much more filling, so you should cut the record in half – we can barely get through one!
QUIZ: Test Your Knowledge of Chili Peppers, Win Tickets to the Hot & Spicy Festival (Apr 20-21)
World Record: Most Burritos Eaten
Joey "Jaws" Chestnut obliterated the previous burrito eating record by gorging a whopping 47 burritos in 10 minutes at the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque in 2010.
Your Hot & Spicy Fest Option: Q Mex will serve hot chili chicken burritos. We wouldn't suggest eating 48 of them.
World Record: Most Ice Cream Eaten
Competitive eater Miki Sudo (yes, finally a woman!) set the world record for eating ice cream, downing 16.5 pints in six minutes at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis back in 2017.
Your Hot & Spicy Fest Option: Head to the Pinvita booth at this year's festival for a helping of chili chocolate gelato, which is not only sweet but also spicy – brain freeze and burn in one wholesome, chocolatey package.
Last year's chili eating competition winner
World Record: Most Chilies Eaten
Finally, chili peppers. In 2016, Greg Foster ate a gut-crippling 22 Carolina Reaper chili peppers (consider the hottest in the world) in 60 seconds at the Arizona Hot Sauce Expo. As you may recall from our chili peppers quiz, the Carolina Reaper measures a staggering 1,500,000-plus Scoville Heat Units (SHU). In comparison, jalapeños measure a measly 2,500 to 8,000 SHU.
Your Hot & Spicy Fest Option: Seriously, take your pick. Every vendor at our Hot & Spicy Festival will provide at least one chili-laden item. It wouldn't be very Hot & Spicy without them!
If you want to get really serious, sign up for our annual Hot Chili Pepper Eating Contest, which takes place on both Saturday and Sunday at the Hot & Spicy Festival. As per chili eating contests the world over, participants will be required to eat increasingly spicy peppers with speed, stamina, and an unwavering ability to ignore the burning sensation flowing through their mouths, belly, and veins. Yay!
Keen to go down a more creative route and set a first-time record? How about trying to set a record for the most crawfish, chuan chuan xiang, or nachos eaten, all of which will be available at the fest? Learn more about who'll be slinging those right here:thebeijinger.com/2019-hot-spicy-festival. Just remember, make sure to carry an emergency milk ration in order to soothe your burning innards.
READ: Early Bird Tix Now on Sale for Hot & Spicy II April 20 & 21
Images: chinadaily.com.cn, LumDimSum.com, courtesy of the venues
advertisement
Want to know what awesome events are happening in town? Scan/Extract the QR code above to get the list of our Editors' Picks.
Got something to sell? Looking for a job? Or an apartment? Then scan/extract the QR code above to visit our Classified Ads.
Do you have what it takes to be a True Runner?
Scan/Extract the QR code above to check out our current job openings.
The Beijinger
Always something fresh
Scan/Extract this QR code to follow us!