Chinook Winds BBQ Ribs Results, July 16 2006

Contest Results (current IFOCE ranking in paranthesis):

1st - Joey Jaws Chestnut(3), 8.4 lbs. $1500
2nd - Rich the Locust LeFevre(5), 5.05 lbs. $750
3rd - Erik the Red Denmark(26), 4.1 lbs. $500
4th - Jason Erbivore Erb(NR), 3.05 lbs.

I am not sure what Scott the Pork Slayer Sayer's(50) final total was but i am pretty sure he took 5th.

Well, sorry it has taken me so long to update (who am I apologizing to? I don't know). Let me tell you a bit about the contest - it was hot. I mean the contest was fun, I mean it. Not that all the contests I have been in were not fun (they were), but some are more painful or grueling or the crowds are not as enthusiastic. Obviously, after coming back from New York and re-living the Nathan's experience over and over again in my head; I feel envigorated with excitement and confidence in my skills. I know I have a little way to go before I can reach the upper echelon of competitive eaters in the world but I believe I am knocking on the door and soon I will be in.

This was my first rib contest and I wasn't quite sure what would be the most effective way to get the meat off of the bone. I knew I would need to use my hands and my teeth in conjunction to continuosly keep my mouth full of meat. The crowd that was gathered outside of the Chinnook Winds Casino were excited, it helped that the stage was set right in front of the beer garden, but they were very responsive to MC Mike Castellano, who rocked.

Anyway, I felt relaxed, confident and ready when the contest began - I was very relieved actually to be eating anything but hot dogs in contest after competing in 5 hot dog competions on the circuit. I picked up the first rib and took a bite of what I thought would be meat but to my surprise there was actually two bones on each rib cut - this threw me off right away and I abandoned any strategy I had in my mind and just started ripping the meat from the bone as fast as I could.

Despite being surprised by my first bite, I came out fast and was in a good rhythm. I finished my first plate (comprised of 2.5 lbs. of meat and bone) in equal time as Joey who was standing to my right. The second plate went down almost just as fast and I was just behind Joey when I started my third plate. I took my first bite of the third plate and I knew it would be a struggle; there was almost no sauce on the ribs, in contrast to the first two plates, and the meat was very dry. My jaws started to get tired and I had to consume way too much water to get the third plate down. Joey kept in his methodical fast and steady pace to finish three more plates (for a total of 5) and Rich probably passed me in the last two minutes of the contest. Third place and 4.1 pounds is not a dissapointment for me and I think I am capable of pulling a big upset in the near future.

I do have a video of the first 8 minutes of the contest, which I do intend to post but I need to compress it because it is over 100 MB's. Anyway, I will post this week.

Below are some pics, all from the last 4 minutes of the contest (taken by my Dad):

I am trying to rip through the meat to get it to my mouth
(it was very messy) as Joey is taking a sip to clear his mouth


Joey is filling his mouth full while I have turned to my teeth for help


This is about 8 minutes in to the contest,
Rich is just finding his stride as Joey is working on his third plate


Mike Castellano gets closer as the contest is winding down


With about 1:30 to 2 minutes left in the contest,
Scott Sayer (glasses) straightens up as
Rich is starting his fourth plate, Joey is working on his fifth,
and the bones are piling up from the end of my third plate