Archive for July, 2010

Bleeding Heart Bakery Cupcake Eating Contest

Posted by Val on July 20th, 2010 at 9:20 am | Permalink | 3 Comments » |

It’s been a while since I’ve gone to an eating contest that wasn’t sponsored by Major League Eating. Actually I’ve only been to a couple of contests ever that weren’t “professional” eaters. But, when one of my favorite bakeries hosts a vegan cupcake eating contest just down the block from me, you know I’m there.

The contest was fun (and free cupcakes were awesome) but I forgot how slow paced contests can be when the people eating don’t do it for a living. Still fun to watch though as people pushed through, as people gave up, as people just ate to eat. And as one little girl popped whole mini cupcakes in her mouth to win her division (she could take on Chestnut, I swear).

There were five contests throughout the afternoon: a kids division, a most creative eater division, and 2 adult matches with a head to head eat off between the two winners. The last match was no contest when the inner of the second round gave up after one…but despite the guaranteed victory round one’s winner pushed through and finished every one of his cupcakes.

More cupcake eating contest photos here.

Site: Bleeding Heart Bakery Lakeview
Location: 2961 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 60657
Date: July 17, 2010

Bleeding Heart Bakery Cupcake Eating Contest | 3 Comments » |

Nathan’s Famous July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest

Posted by Val on July 9th, 2010 at 9:59 am | Permalink | No Comments » |

This was my third year in a row heading out to Coney for on the Fourth of July to watch the annual hot dog eating contest. It’s become a tradition for me, one I am not willing to give up any time soon. One of those things that once you see live it’s hard to go back to watching on TV.

We got up ridiculously early and took a subway to Coney getting there at just before 8:45am. It was hot. Too hot. Honestly none of us were really all that excited until the train approached. Looking out over the roller coasters and ferris wheels and seeing a crowd gathering around the stage gave us the kick we needed. We ran from the train, getting to the stage just as George Shea was rehearsing and Badlands Booker was preparing to sing frere jacque. We eventually found a spot right up near the stage and stood through the intense heat and opening acts we couldn’t see.

If you saw the broadcast or any media we were right next to the dudes in the facepaint who were all over the photos and videos. Never mind, media people, that right next to them were four un-facepainted ladies that happened to be the number one fans of competitive eating. But whatever.

There was still a little buzz over whether or not Kobayashi would be there…especially to me since they usually do a practice run of the intros and they didn’t do it this year…little did we know though, standing at the opposite end that Kobayashi was there. In the crowd. We had no idea.

The broadcast began and the eaters were introduced.

And then they were off, eating.

We couldn’t see a thing from where we were so we moved a bit and then could sort of see some stuff. There is no good place to watch live. I have determined that. You could think you have the best spot ever and then the judges come out and you can’t see a thing. I often hope that someday I can stand in the press box, but even then I’d be able to see wonderfully but not be able to get the photos I like to take. Not that I could get those photos anyways.

The contest seemed more subdued this year. With Kobayashi not a threat to Joey Chestnut he got in a comfortable lead and didn’t come close to his record (although, really, 54 hot dogs in ten minutes is nothing to sneeze at) and the crowd wasn’t as loud, weren’t all pushing towards the stage. Weren’t…as into it.

Oh, and Gravy kind of looked like he was going to reverse…and we really kind of wished he had because it would have made the show. But alas he kept it all in. :-(

And it was over with little doubt that Chestnut had won. He grabbed his Pepto Bismol and his trophy and his American Flag.

Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti ended up in third place with 37 and Tim “Eater X” Janus in second with 45.

And, apparently, Kobayashi rushed the stage…which me and my friends were totally oblivious to and we watched it on a handheld video camera in a bar afterwards and then YouTubed in back at the hotel. It was all rather odd. And I don’t even know what to think of it. Because a contract is a contract and you either choose to sign it or don’t. I mean even I have to sign an agreement that I won’t do any work that is a conflict of interest with the company I work for so I can understand the want to not have the eaters compete in outside contests or push products that compete with those of sanctioned contests. But at the same time I get a salary and guaranteed paycheck.

After the contest we went to a bar on the boardwalk. That had no power. And did I mention that it was hot? And finally the power and therefore fans came on and we drank some beer and mingled amongst eaters and zombies until it was too hot to handle.

And even though it was way too hot and way too crowded with a more repressed crowd and we couldn’t see and the competition was no competition, I’ve already planned to be there next year. Because it’s awesome. Because it’s worth it. And because it is so much better live than watching it on TV.

More hot dog eating contest photos here.

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New York: Day Two

Posted by Val on July 8th, 2010 at 9:46 am | Permalink | No Comments » |

Saturday morning I was on my own. Sadie and Jamie and Carrie were off to the Brooklyn Brewery but I a) don’t like beer and b) had a ticket to Broadway.

On my way out I witnessed someone almost getting mugged. It was this teenage guy standing there with one of those backpacks where the straps are just strings and an older man walked by, punched his arm through the straps and yanked really hard. When it didn’t come off the man just kept walking. The kid seemed a little shocked and I am happy he still has his pack.

I wanted to check out some of the sculptures and statues that I had never seen. So my first stop was the giant needle and button in the garment district. And then the Ralph Cramden statue by the port authority…where a woman yelled at me for taking her photo even though I was not taking her photo. Ah, New York.

I wandered about a bit more, and fell onto a street fair where I got a cheap lunch of $1 chicken sates and a fruit smoothie and I took them to Bryant Park for some down time.

And then it was time for Green Day’s American Idiot!

True story: I was a total theatre geek in high school, so going to Broadway shows still makes me feel giddy. And since, as of late, some of my favorites have been of the Rent/Spring Awakening/Avenue Q variety, I thought I’d check out Green Day’s musical.

The show was good. And, hey, cute boys singing Green Day is never a bad thing. The music translated really well to the stage, but the story was really weak. Weird thing: the guy would deliver his dialogue, walk into the spotlight, and then stand there tuning his guitar a bit before performing…it was odd to say the least and broke up what was going on a bit.

I took a short walk through Central Park until everyone got back and then we headed back to the hotel for some much needed air conditioning.

We did dinner at a place called Cancun (I had a sweet crab stuffed plantains covered in cheese) and then walked back to our hotel through Times Square again.

We made it another early night though because we had to wake up bright and early to make our way to Coney Island in the morning…

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New York: Day One

Posted by Val on July 7th, 2010 at 12:20 pm | Permalink | No Comments » |

After spending my entire Thursday doing laundry so I’d have something to wear, and not getting enough sleep, and having to wake up way too early for my liking, I hopped a train to O’Hare. I got to my gate about an hour and 15 minutes before takeoff…and believe me, that is probably my record for cutting it close.

And then my flight was delayed. Of course. But we still managed to make our way to New York on time. During the flight though, I got this horribly sharp pain right above my eye. It was awful. I googled it as soon as I landed and found some internet postings that suggested it was a sinus problem. Odd as I’ve never had sinus problems before, but I did just get my wisdom teeth removed and I know that can also be linked to sinus problems…

I landed in NYC and took a cab to the hotel. I checked my bag and texted Jamie, Sadie, and Carrie, AKA the HungrySisters, (who had graciously offered to let me stay with them for the weekend to save us all money). Turns out they weren’t too far away so they headed back to the hotel and checked in a little early. Of course, this led to me giving my baggage check ticket to the guy, who then took it and walked away. After some confusion, the lady at the front desk called him and he came back and found my bag.

We settled into our room and cranked the air conditioning and debated where to go. We decided it would be a good time to hop a Path train to Hoboken with the mission of going to the Bakery featured in the TV show “Cake Boss.” So we headed off to New Jersey!

Unfortunately once we got there the line to get in went down the block, and we just didn’t want to wait. Fail. Number. One.

So we walked by and peeked into the window then hit the streets to see what else Hoboken had to offer. We ended up walking down to the waterfront to get a nice view of the Manhattan skyline…and that was about it.

Once back in the city we decided on where we wanted to go to dinner and came to the conclusion that we really wanted to go to BAMN! automat. An automat is a “restaurant” that has all the food in little cubicles on the wall and you put your money in and get your food. They are all over places like Amsterdam (hello FEBO!).

We took a Subway over to the East Village and went on a hunt for the place…only to find an empty building. Bamn had closed. Fail. Number. Two.

At least we were in a nice area with lots going on so after a stroll we decided on Mark, which had a cow on its roof and cheap sliders (and, well, only sliders). And they were delicious (and had a really yummy bbq sauce to go on top).

And then we headed across the street to Pinkberry: a gem of a frozen yogurt stop I’d been wanting to try for a while. I got a refreshing watermelon yogurt with strawberries and mangos on top… and everyone else got chocolate :-)

We walked to Washington Square Park, saw some performers, and saw an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm being filmed…

And then we headed back towards Times Square. Which is crowded and crazy but pretty quintessential to any trip.

Walking back to the hotel we stumbled upon an outdoor exhibit called Sidewalk Catwalk featuring mannequins dressed by famous designers.

And then, as we’d all got up early and were all a bit jet lagged and were all a bit tired we called it a semi-early night…

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A sneak peek from NYC

Posted by Val on July 6th, 2010 at 10:28 am | Permalink | No Comments » |

New York City was awesome.

I took about 20 GB of photos.

I only have about 2 GB of free space on my laptop so I can’t even touch the photos until I do a backup and cleanse.

I, for some reason, decided to go to an improv show after flying home knocked out on Dramamine and Benadryl.

I stupidly did not take today off of work.

In conclusion, I’m very tired and you’ll have to wait a day or two for my trip recap and photos…

In the meantime, here are some not-so-lovely Blackberry pics to tide you over.

A sneak peek from NYC | No Comments » |

Ultimate Guide to the July 4th Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest

Posted by Val on July 1st, 2010 at 11:12 am | Permalink | 6 Comments » |

It’s become as essential to the Fourth of July as flags waving, parades, watermelon, and fireworks: The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island.

Every July 4 the best of the best competitive eaters gather together to go bun to bun in the ultimate gurgitory competition. Thousands of people gather at Coney Island each year to watch and more than a million more watch at home on TV (including the president of the United States).

My bags are packed and I’m anxiously awaiting my flight to New York so I can be there in person for the third year in a row. It’s definitely something to experience (even Lonely Planet’s 1,000 Ultimate Experiences mentions it as number 380). Whether you’re planning on watching the contest on TV, watching it in person, or are totally grossed out by it, you could probably stand to learn a few things to impress your fellow viewers by (or to enhance your point against it, I guess) and get the most out of your viewing experience. So here’s an ultimate competitive eating superfan’s ultimate guide to the July 4th hot dog eating contest, everything you need to know about how to watch and what you’re watching.

The Basics

The July Fourth hot dog eating contest is ten minutes long (formerly twelve minutes). It’s a timed challenge: contestants have ten minutes to eat as many hot dogs as they can. Both the hot dog and bun (HDB) need to be eaten. Dunking is allowed (meaning the contestants can submerge the hot dog, bun, or both into liquid before eating. The practice softens the bun and makes it easier to go down, but it is controversial because it leads to messier eating and a lot more debris.) You will see eaters with different liquids from plain ole water to fruit punch.

There is an automatic disqualification for a “reversal of fortune” aka throwing up what you ate.

Contestants have to be 18 years of age and qualified at smaller contests held around the country. (So, sorry, you can’t just show up and expect to compete). And all eaters are members of the International Federation of Competitive Eaters/Major League Eating.

On the line is fame, money (last year it was $10,000 for the winner), and the prized Mustard Yellow Belt.

Watching the Contest in Person

The contest starts at 12noon EST at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, right in front of Nathan’s Famous. I highly recommend taking the subway: take D, F, or Q to Stillwell Avenue (it’s the final stop). Once you get off the train you can’t miss it! I would definitely recommend getting there by 9am if you want a good spot. you’ll have to stand around for a while, but there will be plenty of entertainment to entertain you (including acts from the Ringling Brother Circus).

Be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen. It gets toasty out there. Also, you’ll have to face the choice of if you would rather risk dehydration or having to pee the whole time. I choose the former and go without water or coffee the whole morning so I don’t have to give up my spot or wait in huge lines for a bathroom. If rain is in the forecast, bring a poncho (you don’t want to bother people with an umbrella in the way!) And look out for free swag. They usually throw out thunder sticks (blow up things that make noise when you hit them together — which I kind of hate because they get in the way of my photos) and sometimes a few t-shirts. Sometimes an eater will create posters to hand out, so look for those.

Want to have a little more fun while there? The New York City Zombie Crawl is having a meet up there. So, if you so desire, you can come back from the dead and meet others of your kind.

Other than that, just watch and enjoy! It’s an amazing ten minutes of sports and you won’t regret heading out for it.

Watching the Contest on TV

On July 4 ESPN will be broadcasting the contest starting at 12noon EST. Look up what channel ESPN is on in your area. This year the broadcast will be repeated immediately afterwards at 1p.m. EST…so if you miss it the first time you can watch it in repeat…or you can watch it twice in a row!

Edited to add: Looks like the contest will also stream online at ESPN3.

People to Know

Only the best of the best eaters make it to the table each year to vie for the Mustard Yellow Belt. Each eater has a different style, whether they shake, jiggle, or hop to get the dogs down and whether they snap the hot dogs in half to eat both halves at once (the Solomon Method), separate the buns from the dog (Tokyo Method) or just, well, chew. Here are some of the key players in competitive eating to watch out for this Sunday.

Joey “Jaws” Chestnut
RANK: 1
QUALIFIED WITH: 68 HDB (last year’s winning total and world record)
Joey Chestnut is an engineer by week, eater by weekend. He is the number one ranked competitive eater in the world. As the Mustard Yellow Belt winner for the past three years, this defending champion is the one to beat…but he is not unbeatable. In other contests he has been eclipsed by Pat Bertoletti, Bob Shoudt, and Takeru Kobayashi. But if history is any judge, it will be a very hard battle for anyone to dethrone Jaws at hot dog eating.

Takeru Kobayashi
RANK: 3
Formerly the unbeatable, undisputed, most amazing competitive eater in history, Takeru Kobayashi is probably one of the best-known competitors (even if you just know his as “that little Japanese guy”). Kobayashi is a 6-time winner of the July 4th hot dog eating contest. But, after a jaw injury a few years ago he lost his reign to Chestnut and has been slipping in the rankings ever since. He made a triumphant return to the forefront last September when he won the Krystal Square Off, but has since lost to Chestnut. As of right now Kobayashi is not scheduled to compete due to “contract negotiations.” Kobayashi says he wants the freedom to compete elsewhere and that the contract for Natan’s limits his freedom. (Ironic that he is fighting for his eating freedom on our Independance Day.) Rumors are still torn between it being a publicity stunt or that he has retired for good. We’ll have to wait until Sunday to know for sure, but even if he doesn’t compete, prepare to hear his name dropped many times throughout the broadcast.

Notorious B.O.B. Shoudt.
RANK: 2
QUALIFIED WITH: 40 HDB
Formerly “Humble” Bob Shoudt, this eater is humble no more. He’s climbed up the ranking to the number two spot, has recently won contests in fries, pb&j sandwiches, ribs, and more, and is one to watch in this year’s contest. Fun fact: Bob Shoudt is a vegetarian in real life and only eats meat in sanctioned contests.

Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti
RANK: 4
QUALIFIED WITH: 30
Pat Bertoletti is another strong contender. Although he’s slipped in the rankings over the last year (last year he was ranked #2, even ahead of Kobayashi) and has lost some recent contests to Shoudt and Chestnut. But he’s still got talent and conviction. And a mohawk. And he’s usually a good contender for a best dressed award. And he’s from Chicago. And I’m really hoping some day someone brings the victory to my town.

Crazy Legs Conti
RANK: 14
QUALIFIED WITH: 25
Crazy Legs Conti has become a familiar face of competitive eating. With his dreadlocked hair and personable demeanor he’s an advocate for the sport…but his entrance in this year’s contest has been marred with a lot of controversy. Videos and photos of the contest that he qualified in have surfaced that point to him possibly cheating by leaving more than your average about of debris, and possibly spitting hot dogs into his cup. One thing’s for sure: many eyes will be on Conti this Sunday.

Tim “Eater X” Janus
RANK: 6
QUALIFIED WITH: 46
Eater X always competes with his identity hidden behind face paint. But he also always eats well. And he had the highest number of hot dogs consumed to qualify. So he could be a strong contender this year.

Eric “Badlands” Booker
RANK: 12
QUALIFIED WITH: 38.5
Badlands has talent: both in eating and rapping. He will surely put up some good dog numbers, but really look for him before the contest performing one of his many competitive eating songs.

Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas
RANK: 5
QUALIFIED WITH: 34
Don’t let this tiny beauty fool you, she has the heart and belly of any eater up there. As the highest ranked female eater, Sonya is always up there in her totals.

Erik “The Red” Denmark (RANK: 8/QUALIFIED WITH: 29)
Tim “Gravy” Brown (RANK: 10/QUALIFIED WITH: 28)
While everyone knows the great rivalry between Chestnut and Kobayashi, there are other rivalries in the eating world. Take for instance Tim Brown and Erik Denmark. In a constant battle over rankings, these two often go head to head. While, of course these two are in it to win it, they, a little more realistically, are in it to eat more than the other. Recently Erik finished ahead of Tim in a ribs eating contest. So watch these two to see who out-eats the other at Coney.

George Shea
George Shea is the face of competitive eating. Always good for information and always good for a laugh, he serves as MC every year.

Other contestants:
“Big” Ben Monson (a newbie on the scene who has been doing well and climbed quickly to a rank of 7), Sean “Flash” Gordon (#15), Juliet Lee (#11 another strong lady of eating), Kristopher Adams (won a military-restricted contest), Andrew Bosque (won a military-restricted contest), Peter “Pretty Boy” Davekos (#20), and Bryan “Big Sexy” Beard (#32).

For live commentary from the event, follow my twitter @SillyAmerica and check back here next week for photos and an event recap! (Also be sure to follow @eatingcontest, the official Twitter of Major League Eating.) You can also head on over to EatFeats, a competitive eating news source, which will be sure to have the results and links to articles and more after the contest. Before the contest, be sure to head over to Pepto-Bismol on Facebook to guess and win how many dogs the winner will eat for a chance to win a T-shirt.

Whether you decide to brave the crowds at Coney or watch from the comfort of your own couch, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest is something that shouldn’t be missed. Kobayashi or not, this is the Super Bowl of eating: the biggest and greatest eating contest of the year. And who knows, Joey Chestnut could get dethroned, records could be shattered, someone could have a reversal of fortune, the little guy could come out of nowhere.

View my recaps from previous years’ hot dog eating contests:
Hot Dog Eating Contest 2008
Hot Dog Eating Contest 2009

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