Mon. Sep 15, 2008 —On September 14th, the world’s greatest speed eaters converged in Chicago for the second annual La Costeña Feel the Heat Jalapeño Eating Championship Challenge, considered by many to be the most grueling and entertaining event on the Major League Eating circuit.
The results of the eight-minute speed eating challenge:
“I’m really excited for this trophy from La Costena especially because this is a big trophy and I can drink from it. And I like to drink from my trophies”
– Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti
The contest boasts some of the biggest names in pro-eating, including Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, who last year ate 191 jalapeños in 6 ½ minutes, a new world record. But this year’s contest was an eight-minute affair, and Bertoletti faced such notables as Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas, a 100-pound phenomenon who has 21 world titles to her name. Chicago’s Tim “Gravy” Brown, so nicknamed because he smothers all foods with a thick layer of gravy, also competed.
IFOCE or Major League Eating (MLE), the world governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 80 events annually. The 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.