When we think competitive eating, we think those big American hot wings challenges at county fairs. Or those burger-eating contests in the movies.
What we don’t think of is a fit and sensible-minded man named Issac “Sir Eats-A-Lot” Martin, who just happens to be a member of The Chew Crew, a coalition of Australia’s top competitive eaters.
Martin frequently pushes his body to the limit by consuming exorbitant amounts of food in record time.
Issac "Sir Eats-A-Lot" Martin just before his big meal. (SBS) Source: SBS
Today, he planned to down four large sandwiches and a protein shake in 20 minutes flat, all at the newly opened Charc Specialty Meats and Coffee in Sydney’s North Shore.
When asked why he wanted to undergo something so taxing, he tells SBS Food, “Oh for shits and giggles, I guess.”
But “shits and giggles” aside, competitive eating can be lucrative when done right. However, today’s challenge was anything but.
“Yeah, the challenge is on our menu. If you eat four smash sized sandwiches [the largest size] and one protein shake in under 20 minutes, you win $85. But the food costs $75 anyway, so it’s only a $10 profit,” says Peter Wilmot, Charc café’s owner. “But you are getting the food paid for, so that’s something.”
The meal that awaited Sir Eats-A-Lot. (SBS) Source: SBS
Eat the whole lot in under 10 minutes and you receive $120 instead.
Today, Martin braved the 20-minute challenge, endeavouring to consume a Ruben, and Cuban, a chicken avocado sandwich, a deli sando, and a large chocolate protein shake in record time.
“They get to choose three sandwiches, and then I get to choose the fourth one,” says Wilmot, who chose the deli sando for Martin.
“It’s one of the lightest sandwiches we’ve got; it has no cheese. It’s like an American deli sandwich with pastrami, but I’ve given it a Japanese twist with wasabi mayo.”
Before getting underway, Martin had this to say about his technique:
“You want to eat as fast as possible. The longer you take to eat, the harder it gets. Water helps it go down, too."
With nearly one minute to spare, Martin completes the 20-minute challenge without breaking a sweat.
What’s most fascinating is how, in spite of scoffing his food down as fast as he could, Martin is a surprisingly neat eater.
He pauses frequently to wipe his mouth with a serviette, and made a point to chew with his mouth closed.
But after catching his breath, he says, “I’m disappointed.”
Issac "Sir Eats-A-Lot" Martin takes his eating very seriously. (SBS) Source: SBS
Martin was convinced he’d finish the challenge a lot sooner than he did. He compared this performance to the time he ate a number of large pizzas in half an hour, a feat he felt he “was much better at”.
Unlike that time, where “he felt pretty sick afterwards”, Martin says he feels A-ok after this challenge.
He gives me a thumbs-up and says, “I’ve got three lunches to eat after this.”
And he isn’t joking.
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