AICE Memorable Moments in 2006

AICE Memorable Moment #10

Chowhound Smashes Pickle Record at the Famous Carnegie Deli

Arnie “Chowhound” Chapman was in a pickle of sorts. Despite being sick with the flu during the 2004 World Pickle Eating Championship “Chowhound” narrowly lost to eating legend “Cookie” Jarvis by .03 of an ounce and has always maintained that he is the true “Prince of Pickles”. Unfortunately, the then 44 year old Chapman, who had planned to retire in 2005, had to delay his retirement because the event runs every other year. Chowhound and a group of Independent Eaters pulled off the greatest display of Pickle prowess ever performed in this legendary contest. Although only 3:45 in duration in 2006 (Contest was accidentally shortened from the standard five minutes) AICE Eaters, “Chowhound” Chapman, Mike “The Real Skinny” Hoffman and Josh Lumberjack Hearne amassed the top three totals ever consumed for this contest. Chapman consumed 2.97 lbs, followed by Hoffman’s 2.65 lb and Lumberjacks 2.51lbs

AICE Memorable Moment #9

Muscox McCarthy captures Major Eating Title in first speed Eating Contest to Win National Strawberry Eating Championship

Christian "Muscox" McCarthy who had a history of Buffet & Restaurant annihilation pulled off an incredible upset by downing 5.23 lbs of Strawberries at the Delaplane Virginia Strawberry Festival in May, 2006. "Muscox" had closely followed the fantastic rise of fellow Kentuckian Ian Hickman while both were students at the University of Kentucky. Having matched Hickman in some of the restaurant challenges in Lexington, Kentucky, the 21 year old University of Kentucky Junior entered the contest with a quite confidence that he had a shot at becoming the National Strawberry Eating Champion. The Muscox who never looked pressured during the contest established a new standard in Strawberries and was soon known as one of the great young, new talents to emerge on the Competitive Eating scene in 2006.

AICE Memorable Moment #8

Coondog revolutionizes Corn-on-the-Cob Eating while setting new World Record and impacting US policy on developing fossil fuel alternatives.

Like a horde of hungry raccoons, Coondog O'Karma tore through some of the Midwest’s best corn eaten' competitors in the 86th Annual National Corn-on-the-Cob Eating Championship in Ortonville Minnesota. Coondog turned, twisted, gritted and ground his way through some heavy duty Minnesota cobs and set a new world record of 4.86 pounds of corn in only 10 minutes. O’Karma also revolutionized Corn on the Cob Eating by demonstrating the innovative “Turkey-Flap-Twist Technique. The weeks prior to this event, Coondog had been a guest on several local radio stations taunting anybody and everybody who might question his superior corn-eating-skills. Despite his status as an “outsider” and his reputation as a provocative rebel-rouser, Coondog personally discovered the benefits of ethanol gas and now only uses this corn based fuel alternative for all his energy needs. Not only does this make Coondog O’Karma the greatest Corn-on-the Cob Eater of all time, it solidifies his reputation as a genuine American Hero. Coondog’s Competitive Eating activity since this historical event has been limited due to his new role as White House Consultant providing advise and technical expertise on the benefits of Ethanol as a safe and inexpensive energy source.

AICE Memorable Moment #7

Mark Lyle lasso's National County Fair Eating Title in Boulder Colorado 8/5/06

In AICE’s first trip to beautiful Colorado Mark Lyle "The Human Vacuum" stayed true to his moniker by ingesting Six Corn Dogs, 2lbs of Watermelon, Two Monster Funnel Cakes and a spool of Cotton Candy in an unbelievable 5:45 to capture the National County Fair Eating Championship. Spectators and children in wide-eyed amazement looked on as the masterful Lyle showed America that the Human Vacuum is unmatched in this event. Contestant and former Professional Boxer Rico "Right Hook" Means who had previously fought for the World Lightweight Boxing Title conceded that Lyle may be the toughest competitor he ever encountered and walked away from the contest with a new found respect for Competitive Eating.

AICE Memorable Moment #6

The “Invader: A conduit for the spirit of Elvis Presley..?

The National “Elvis Sandwich Eating Championship” on the Asbury Park Boardwalk signaled a turning point in the status of Ian “The Invader” Hickman” from darn good to Elite. Ian, also known as the “Hunk of Hunger” and universally recognized as the “Heart Throb of Competitive Eating” had previously captured three National Eating Titles but was still fighting the battle for respect and recognition as an elite eater. Much like the great Elvis Presley, Hickman defied old stereotypes and showed the world that you can be metropolitan, fashionable, educated, physically fit, drive a Range Rover, go to the tanning salon and still be an elite Competitive Eater. Hickman silenced those that would have questioned his toughness and his intensity as he defeated the Great “Gentleman Joe” Menchetti and a host of other top-notch Eaters to win the First Annual National Elvis Sandwich Eating Championship. Even in victory Hickman still did not get full credit as some people in the crowd questioned his victory. Whispers containing innuendo that suggested Hickman, who is originally from Tennessee, had an unfair advantage because he was guided by the spirit of Elvis Presley who was overseeing the event and showed preference to the “Boy from Tennessee”. AICE’s subsequent investigation did not uncover any evidence that Ian improperly used spiritual forces in capturing the Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich Title. However, it remains unclear whether or not Elvis did. Rumors had circulated shortly after the contest that that the Asbury Park Visitors Bureau may hire a team of professional Ghostbusters for next years contest.

AICE Memorable Moment #5

“King George regains crown-NJ goes crazy..!” 8/06

The Windmill National Hotdog Eating Contest saw the re-emergence of King George Van Laar as he recaptured his National 1/4 lb Hotdog Eating Title. “King George” won the title in the same dramatic fashion that he lost it in August of 2004. King George came out of a two year self imposed exile to battle both “Gentleman Joe Menchetti and young eating sensation Ian “The Invader” Hickman. The environment for this contest was absolutely electric as the crowd favorite and Roselle Park New Jersey Native, Van Laar edged out Ian “The Invader” Hickman by a nibble. Menchetti seemed to be the early leader but buckled at the 9 minute juncture, as the crowd roared in anticipation of the possibility that the crown would be returned to the Garden State. The contest between the veteran Van Laar and the young buck Hickman was so close that it was impossible to know which Food Warrior had the lead in the final minute of the contest. However there was a sense of optimism among the many spectators that the hands of destiny were operating to bring about the crowning of a New Jersey Champion. The future of New Jersey Competitive Eating is bright as promising newcomers Lew “The Chew” Porchiazzo, Frank & Vinny Dimeglio, Patrick “The Lunch Liquidator” Lyons and Brian “Eatin Keaton came on the scene with impressive performances in 2006.

AICE Memorable Moment #4

Wow, Two World Championships on the same day!!!!!

On July 15th, 2006 AICE conducted two events in two different parts of the country; Boston Massachusetts and Marshal Michigan. Not only were the World Italian Sausage and Reuben Eating Championships exciting and fun events they also signified AICE’s vision to grow and expand it’s reach. Also, and perhaps more importantly, these events were developed, organized and run by Eaters. AICE, the only Eaters Organization run and operated by Eaters is also the only true International Competitive Eaters Organization in the world. AICE has reached out and assisted Eaters organizations from all over the globe. The success and optimism that has been generated from our involvement with these groups lets us know that AICE’s philosophy and fun approach to the sport of competitive eating is a vision shared by the majority of Eaters and fans all over the world.

AICE Memorable Moment #3

AICE Sanctions the Worlds Smallest Hamburger Eating contest while unveiling the worlds largest menu Burger at the Clinton Station Diner. 10/28/06

AICE, in keeping with it’s vision of creating different and unique events sanctioned the first ever Nano Burger Eating Championship at the Clinton Station Diner in Clinton Station Township New Jersey. This event not only featured the Worlds Smallest but the World's Largest Menu Burger. Three Teams of All Star Eaters battled for the title of World Nano Burger Team Eating Champions, prize money and the right to take home the Worlds Largest Hamburger which weighed an unbelievable 105 lbs! Look for this accomplishment to be listed in Guinness Book of World Records

AICE Memorable Moment #2

Tom “Goose” Gilbert storms onto the Competitive Eating Scene, sets WR’s

This 25 year old member of the Army Reserve who is a combat medic has served notice that he might be the man to beat in 2007. In only his first speed eating contest, the lanky Gilbert nearly defeated the returning champion at the World Italian Sausage Eating Championship barely losing by .18 lb. In doing so, The “Green Beret of Grub” decisively defeated several well credentialed stomach assassins and won the hearts of many Bostonians. Soon after, the buzz in competitive eating circles suggested that Gilbert may have the potential to be among the Worlds greatest Eaters. Those suspicions turned out to be well founded as “The Goose” flew into Pine Bluff Arkansas and set a World Record in chicken wings by downing an amazing 5.6 lbs of Meat off the bone in only 15 minutes. One month later Gilbert Gobbled down 80 Oreo cookies and 1 Liter of milk in only five Minutes (Unfortunately, he was DQ’d on a technicality). The Goose stepped up to the table one hour after the infamous Milk & Cookie blunder and won the National Back Bacon & Bun Eating Championship by an entire sandwich. In December of 2006 Gilbert also captured the National Potato Latke Eating Championship by downing an amazing 31 3oz. Latkes. No doubt that Competitive Eating fans ponder what this young man might accomplish in 2007.

AICE Memorable Moment #1

Swallow Your Pride wins 1st Place at Philadelphia Film Festival-6/16/06

Josh Camerote and Brian Dwyer had a vision: “Let’s create the best film ever about Competitive Eating.” For two years these young Film Pioneers shared living expenses, ate only once a day and made unimaginable personal sacrifices in order to make this film. These young documentarians, despite many obstacles, always believed that bringing “Swallow your Pride” to the Screen was more than their personal desire for artistic expression, but a story that needed to be told. This film captures the lives and times of several Eaters, complete with frustration, happiness, anger and excitement while also successfully showing the “glorious fun” that is intrinsic to Competitive Eating. As the Association of Independent Competitive Eaters encountered such obstacles as corporate greed, ruthless and unethical conduct by its competition, so did young film makers Camerote and Dwyer. Despite these challenges they persevered. On June 16th, 2006, Swallow Your Pride won first place at Philadelphia Film Festival sponsored by FirstGlance Films. Also, This film will be making future appearances nation wide at several other venues in 2007. However, these young film pioneers will not be satisfied until their film makes its appearance in the minds, hearts and souls of all Americans; after viewing the film, you will understand why.