Portland’s Big Eaters Tell Secrets on How To Win Contests

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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Byron Beck, GoLocalPDX Contributor

The Big Eaters Club was created by people with a passion for food, but they are no ordinary connoisseurs. Their culinary interests are driven by the need to push the limits of taste, portion size, and speed of consumption. 

To qualify as a member you just have to love food… a lot of food. Official membership includes submission of an eating video while wearing the club uniform (a T-shirt that says “Eat Through The Pain”). 

Eating its way through Portland for roughly two years, the Big Eaters Club is coming up on its second anniversary and maintains a roster of eight eaters. 

Two of those big-time eaters are Honey Badger (Stephanie Collingsworth) and Max Carnage (Ryan Rodacker). GoLocalPDX had a chance between bites to check in with this dynamic digestive duo: Here is what they had to say about their gut-busting obsession. 

GoLocalPDX: What kind of person would be a good candidate for the Big Eater Club?

HB and MC: A foodie with eyes bigger than their stomach. 

For first timers what is an easy competition to start with?

You first want to pick a food that you love and go from there. It isn't always about completing it, especially the first time. Go big, then keep going bigger.

Is this a hobby or more of a sport? That is, do you consider yourself professionals?

It is both and we would be considered professionals in the field. Competitive eaters have to train their bodies just like any other athlete. You have to practice technique and strategy, and yes, we watch our game tapes.

What is your favorite eating competition? 

Pretty much any of our members would say a team pizza challenge. Two people and a massive pizza.

 

 How many eating competitions do you do in a year?

It varies from person to person, anywhere from 6 to 60 in a year. 

Do you two compete against each other?

We have on occasion, but it's very rare. 

What was the hardest competition either of you faced?

For Max it would be attempting to eat the Mad Greek Deli's Progressive Challenge, a massive 10-pound deli sandwich. 
Honey Badger's would be Scrud's Gourmet Grub's 6-pound ice cream sundae in Idaho.

Have you ever thrown up?

Voluntarily or involuntarily?

Can you explain the "Belt of Fat" Theory?

The more fat you have around your stomach area, the less room you have for your stomach to expand.  Most of the world's best competitive eaters are incredibly fit.  

Once you've won a competition or a title, what do you feel you've accomplished?

Most of us that do this are competitive by nature. Competitive eating is a mentally and physically demanding sport. There is a sense of pride when you set a goal and accomplish it. Whether its conquering the massive burger in front of you, or eating more tacos than everyone else.  

Are you starstruck around the big-name celebrity big eaters?

Not really; they're regular people, too, and many we consider to be comrades of the sport. 

Once you've won a title do you think about retaining that title or do you move on to the next challenge?

Yes to both! Challenges are usually recognized as simply being completed. But when you are the first one to beat it, or you hold the record time, those are pretty special things.  

What is the holy grail of competitive eating, the big one that you would like to win?

It would of course have to be Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest at Coney Island on the 4th of July…it's our SuperBowl.

What other stuff do you like to do? Does Portland’s Big Eaters Club have meeting or potlucks? 

We like to travel, find good food in unexpected places…we listen to all kinds of music, and we stay active at the gym or bike riding. Meetings happen when one of us goes to take on a food challenge. Potlucks? No! Can you imagine the bill to feed all of us?  

If you two were to get married would you like to have a contest at your wedding?

We are not married, but a hot dog throw down would certainly make for a memorable reception!

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Related Slideshow: The 10 Legendary Food Challenges in Portland (Big Eaters Club)

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