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Top Tamale tasters test talent
By Josh Hixson, Staff Writer
There is $3,000 in prize money on tap and the title of World’s Top Tamale Eater will be awarded this Saturday at 1 p.m. on the community stage during Lewisville’s Western Day festival.
The International Federation of Competitive Eating will sanction the second annual World Tamale Eating Championship. George Shea, co-founder of the IFOCE, is excited about the IFOCE coming to Lewisville.
“We have been doing contests like this for many years with the Nathan’s famous contest,” Shea said. “We saw so much interest in it that we decided to take it further by creating the IFOCE in 1997. When we have done these events, fans find the eaters very compelling.”
“We have been extraordinarily pleased by the coverage. It allows us to do more events because the sponsors are there,” Shea said. “You are going see some of the top eaters in the nation in Lewisville. When you get to see Tim Janus compete you are talking about one of the top competitors in the world.”
Shea is referring to the No. 6 ranked competitor in the world for competitive eating. Janus is the tiramisu eating champion of the world, having downed four pounds of the Italian dessert in six minutes. Fans and competitors alike know Janus as “Eater X,” man of mystery. The day trader from New York hopes to make his mark on the Western Day festival by capturing the tamale eating title.
“I’ve been fortunate to get more than my share of eating exposure. Even for the best of us, no one is a super celebrity,” Janus said. “For me, maybe twice a month people in New York will recognize me.”
Janus explained that compared to being a day trader, competitive eating is a piece of cake.
“Both take intestinal fortitude. I think the stress in day trading is harder,” Janus said. He also went on to explain that in day trading you can lose money, but in competitive eating the worst that can happen is that you lose your lunch. “You may feel kind of gross, but that is about it.”
Janus’ competition Saturday will consist of 14 other entrants, with three in the top 25 of the IFOCE world rankings. Hall Hunt of Gainesville, Fla. (No. 15), Seaver Miller of Ashburn, Va. (No. 17) and Larry McNeil of Newnan, Ga. (No. 25) will all converge on Lewisville to challenge top ranked Janus.
James Kunke, the Community Relations and Tourism Director for the city of Lewisville, added that he expects some local talent to make a run at the title.
“We’ll see if a Yankee can out eat a Texan,” Kunke said.
Shea said that the tamale eating title will come with some added respect for the winner.
“I would say that this is among the most popular of our eating events. Somehow competitors are saying ‘I want that title,’” Shea said. “The tamale is going to be a bit of a departure, but nothing that is going to shake (Janus). I expect him to be the favorite.”
Janus explained some of the dynamics that make the tamale a little different from the normal fare.
“Tamales kind of fall apart; it is going to conform to the shape of your throat,” Janus said. “Tamales should be a faster food to consume, so the mass of food that we consume should be greater. Tamales have already reached their maximum volume.”
He also explained that the ultimate form of motivation isn’t challenging a competitor, but striving for a new personal best.
“It is really about pushing yourself and not worrying about what your competitors are doing,” Janus said. “You can’t play defense in competitive eating.”
For information on registration call the IFOCE at 212-627-5766 or visit their Web site at www.ifoce.com.
Contact staff writer Josh Hixson at jhixson@acnpapers.com or 972-538-2115.
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