3rd annual pizza hut eating competition

November 28th, 08

There is a tradition that started 3 short years ago with my roommates at the time where we attend the pizza hut buffet and compete in pizza eating. We eat either until eating is no longer possible or until the others concede. The luncheon is traditionally followed by a long lasting feeling of disgust, an afternoon nap and most importantly, year long bragging rights for the winner. If anyone loses their lunch due to an upset stomach before midnight though, they are automatically disqualified.
The slices of the competitors are measured and compared and the standard pieces are counted. 4 Pizza Hut slices is generally 2.5 to 3 standard pieces. The first year I finished with 16 pieces, two ahead of Ed in second. In 2007 after returning from Calgary I defended my championship with another 16 piece performance just beating Ed who finished with an improved 15 and a half pieces.

This past year discussing the recent and upcoming pizza hut eating competitions was literally a daily occurrence. Ed was convinced he could take the title while Latham, who had finished with 11 pieces, was eager to redeem himself. Throughout the spring and summer friends would join these conversations, make predictions and form support groups. Although not contenders, our small roommates Sarah and Megan who get full off a bagel and yogurt both said they’d pass the 10 piece mark this year. In the fall, things really started to heat up as the date drew nearer and current eating habits as well as confidence levels were constantly being scrutinized. We all knew though, that this competition was a mental game.
So the day finally arrived, the last Friday before exams, with fans as far as Germany awaiting the results. I wore my “world champion” T-shirt for intimidation and everyone sported stretchy pants to the event. It was soon apparent that not Ed but Latham would be the major contender this year. At 8 standard pieces I wanted to stop, and at 11 pieces the pizza stopped tasting good altogether. Sarah surprised everyone by reaching her goal of 10 and collecting her $20 winning from me. Megan on the other hand finished up at a disappointing 7. On the men’s side Ed had a poor showing of 12 pieces while Latham and I had both eaten 16 at the buffet’s end, 75 minutes in. So we went to the tie breaking 17th piece of which I ate half and Latham had but a bite. This year certainly left the contestants feeling more disgusting than ever as they pushed themselves to the limit. However exciting, the future of this gluttonous event may be in jeopardy as none of the competitors are eager to relive the experience.