Live from L.A.! World Gyoza Eating Championship!

Nisei Week continues in Little Tokyo. The only event I went down for today was the World Gyoza Eating Championship at the JACCC. When I’d heard that Sonya Thomas was scheduled to appear I knew I could not miss it.

I got into “competitive eating” (as a spectator, not participant) the day I saw Ed “Cookie” Jarvis eat tubs of mayonnaise with his bare hands on a FOX network special that aired several years ago. I still remember the words that flashed through my mind, “THIS FUCKING RULES!” Others familiar with competitive eating will recognize Sonya “The Black Widow”—the small Korean American woman based in Alexandria, Virginia is a record-setting eater. Among other things, she is record holder for oysters (552/10 min), hard boiled eggs, and Maine lobsters (11.4 lbs in 12 min). A complete list can be found here.

Got to the courtyard just as they were introducing the event, hosted by Golden Palace, the online gaming site and notorious winner of numerous ebay auctions including “the Lincoln Fry,” the Virgin Mary grilled cheese, the Shatner kidney stone, the duck x-ray, naming rights on a species of monkey, tattoo Golden Palace on some poor woman's face, and owner of other oddball items such as the Britney Spears pregnancy test and wedding invitation. (An early introduction to the company, for me, was seeing Golden Palace ads all over Danny Bonaduce's body on Celebrity Boxing as he pummeled the hell out of "Greg Brady" Barry Williams--another FOX special that aired years ago--I know, I have great fucking taste in television!)

The gyoza was generously provided by the newly reopened Chop Suey Café (NOT RECOMMENDED) in the Historic Far East building on First Street.

Participants included world-class competitive eaters Chestnut, Thomas, Rich LeFevre (his wife did not compete), the tofu guy, the asparagus guy, an Olympian (U.S.’s own bronze medalist in sumo wrestling AND he’s white), and other amateur eaters, including 2, who are in fact, volunteers from the JACCC with big appetites. There were cash prizes and the rules are strictly IFOCE (International Federation of Competitive Eating).

Here is a list which is by no means complete…

• The contest would last 10 minutes.
• The gyoza is a typical Japanese potsticker about 2 oz. apiece.
• 25 gyoza to a plate.
• Water and napkins are provided.
• Buckets, should anyone need them, are provided.
• Vomitting or…the relieving of one’s bowels (I swear this is a rule!)…at any time during or after the event disqualifies the contestant. All food must be kept down until prizes are awarded. NO ROMAN STYLE! EAT AS MUCH AND AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

I’d never seen an eating contest of this caliber live and up close. I regularly watch the Nathan’s coverage by ESPN. This was as disgusting as you’ve seen on television. You can tell the pros had real strategy and form. The audience—mostly JA grannies, kids, and frat-type guys--went insane. Yelling ensued—everyone cheering their “gurgitators” on. I soon realized how 10 minutes is a really long time to gorge yourself on food that’s ripped apart, dunked in water, and swallowed with minimal chewing. The real pros did about 100-200+ pieces while amateurs put away an impressive 25+. A typical serving for those not familiar: 6 pieces. I might eat 4.
No one vomited. THANK GOD! Because I was at the very front with a press pass. But if they did, I still would have happily taken a photo and show it to IE readers.

RESULTS…
First Place: $2,500 went to Joey “Jaws” Chestnut 212 gyoza/10 minutes.
Runner Up: $1,500 went to Sonya “Black Widow” Thomas; 210 gyoza/10 minutes. My girl missed by 2!
Bronze: $750 went to Rich “the Locust” LeFevre, the chili guy.
Fourth Place: $250 went to “Eric the Red”
Cash prize totals $5,000 paid by Golden Palace.

Most excellent photos to come soon…