For whatever the reason, Plymouth students seemed extraordinarily hungry this past Apr., 20 as students literally lined the stairs in the Hartmon Union Building to get a chance to compete in PACE’s first annual eating contest.
The anxious crowd waited to see who would be chosen to compete, like a scene out of the Hunger Games, except everyone was giggling, and food was in abundance. PACE passed around pretzels, gummy treats, and chips to satisfy the crowd’s hunger. Some students proclaimed that the free food was sabotage and refused to eat anything in preparation for the competition.
Eventually, 13 names, including the senior class president Nate Obin, were drawn from a big blue bowl, and prizes were showcased. Prizes included a Juicer-Ninja (said to be the best juicer on the market), a pool flotation devise used to “float the Pemi,” and a bean bag toss.
Before the competition began, each player received an official eating competition bandana and had to sign a waiver. The waiver consisted of agreement upon the hazardous activities as well as absolved Plymouth State University officers, agents, or employees to avoid lawsuits. The waiver also delimited any family member or spouse from holding liability to the university for any possible risk of injury or yes, even death, of a participant in this competition. This waiver of liability and harmless agreement bound these challengers into a ride they might never forget or survive.
After selection, the first round began. Each contestant had to eat 25 chicken nuggets. The first 10 participants to finish would move onto the next round. The emcee warning, “this is Sodexo chicken; you’re gonna have the shits.”
When the emcee gave his signal, the contestants began to eat. Some competitors used the water dip technique, similar to a hot dog eating contest, whereas others went for the slow and steady pace, attempting not to over do it.
The crowd cheered the contestants on. “Tom, you have a metabolic disorder; you can do it!,” yelled an anxious audience member.
The first player out was a shirtless student in a lucha libre mask who began to vomit. Eventually a few more players puked, and others quit who simply could not eat so much. “I feel like I’m going to yack!,” proclaimed Florencia Ezcurra, sophomore, as she fled in defeat.
Round two was a mystery round. Each participant had to be blind folded and guess the food they were being served (rumor has it the food was cottage cheese, ground hot dogs, ravioli sauce, and figs). The Fear Factor-esque round didn’t consist of Joe Rogan presenting a platter of bull testicles, but did however kick many students out leaving 5 finalists.
For the third round, massive amounts of ice cream melting in a waffle cone cup were brought out and devoured. The eventual winner would have to finish theirs first.
The final round was a close one, but in the end Eli “Tyler” Goldenberg won the competition impressively, devouring an entire ice cream sundae, seemingly with ease.
After, Goldenberg said he felt spectacular. “The taste test was kind of rough,” Goldenberg admitted as he looked over his prized Ninja Juicer. “I think I’m gonna go eat a pizza and sleep,” the victor said as he walked away with his winnings.
It was truly a 4/20 that no participant will forget.