This may be the best paid eating gig in Australia

One lucky Aussie with amazing eating skills will soon spend 12 days battling it out in food challenges across the country (and getting $1,000 cash for it).

Scotty Gordon was selected from a group of over 500 applicants who put their hand up for the job, advertised on community marketplace, Airtasker. Source: Supplied

They say that the secret to career happiness is to do something you’re passionate about. For Scotty Gordon that’s eating. Lucky for the property developer from Sydney, he’s just scored the dream gig that involves eating his way around the country and being paid for it.

As of next week, Gordon will add ‘Australia’s best eater’ to his resume, recruited by Menulog to partake in a stack of food challenges. In return for the tough job of eating everything he’s told to, Gordon will receive $1,000 in cash.

The 29-year-old was selected from a group of over 500 applicants who put their hand up for the job, advertised on community marketplace, Airtasker.

Eating food is what I’m good at – simple as that!

Dubbed the ‘ultimate tasker’, Gordon says he’s confident his insatiable appetite will be to the test.

“I’m definitely the best person for Menulog’s Ultimate Food Task – I watch Man vs Food religiously and take to the gym more than the average bloke to make sure I can eat insane amounts of food in one sitting,” Gordon says. 

“Eating food is what I’m good at – simple as that! I’ve tackled many colossal dinner plates but I may have bitten off more than I can chew with this challenge.”

Starting out his tough eating job in Sydney on Monday 26 March, Gordon will attempt to devour a giant burrito weighing over one kilogram in a Mexican food stand-off.

He’ll then fight to maintain his eating reputation by competing in food competitions across many of Australia’s capital cities. On Tuesday 27 March in Melbourne, Gordon will eat have to eat five giant burgers and heaps of chips.

"I’ve tackled many colossal dinner plates but I may have bitten off more than I can chew with this challenge.” (Photo: Supplied) Source: Supplied

Over to Brisbane on Thursday 29 March, he’ll have 30 minutes to finish a 60cm, 36-slice pizza (with his choice of toppings). Apparently, only 10 other people have completed this food challenge in the past six years.

Thai will be on the menu in Perth on Wednesday 4 April, where the ultimate eater will have to eat a traditional dish with double the chilli and green curry paste. Finally, the gig will wind up in Adelaide on Friday 6 April where Gordon will attempt to consume a one-kilogram schnitty with side of chips, plus a litre of beer. If Gordon makes it, he’ll be added the establishment’s wall of fame.

I’ve tackled many colossal dinner plates but I may have bitten off more than I can chew with this challenge.

Menulog’s head of marketing, Tasman Page, says competition for Gordon’s job was fierce.

“We were overwhelmed with the volume and creativity of all the responses to the Ultimate Food Task,” says Page.

“It really demonstrates just how passionate Australians are about their food and trying all the different options available to them.”

Gordon apparently beat a tasker with an alleged record for consuming the World’s Hottest Chili and another entrant who had finished a one-kilogram rump steak in nine minutes to take the job.

“We’re proud of the fact that no matter the task, there is someone on Airtasker with the unique skills to take it on,” says Tim Fung, CEO at Airtasker.

Follow Gordon’s food trip

Gordon’s journey around the country will be live-streamed on Menulog’s social media pages: #MenulogFoodTask @menulog. He’ll also share details of his escapades on his @TheWolfOfEatStreet Instagram page and on the Menulog blog. 

Gordon will be at each of the following places at midday on the respective dates:

• Monday 26 March – Jumbo burrito at Cantina Mexican - 612 Crown Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW
• Tuesday 27 March 27 –The Misty’s Diner Burger Task at Misty’s Diner - 765 Gilbert Road, Reservoir, Melbourne, Vic
• Thursday 29 March – Mega Pizza at Slice Pizza & Pasta - 94 Boundary Street, West End, Brisbane, QLD
• Wednesday 4 April – Spicy green curry at Thailicious - 160 James Street, Northbridge, Perth, WA
• Friday 6 April – Schnithouse, 260 Rundle St - Adelaide, SA