BREAD EATING CONTEST

Competitive eating, or speed eating, is a sport in

which participants compete against each other to

 consume large quantities of food in a short time

period. Contests are typically eight to 10 minutes

long, and usually less than 15 minutes in length,

 with the person consuming the most food being

 declared the winner. Competitive eating is most popular

 in the United States, Canada, and Japan, where

 organized professional eating contests often offer prizes,

 including cash. Competitive eaters are sometimes

 known as "gurgitators," a word coined by

Major League Eating.

MJ vs Jenifa, who will win the bread eating contest

Trying not to choke

A few months ago we noticed that competitive eating was

a rapidly growing "sport": This year, 1.5 million people

tuned in to ESPN to watch the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating

 Contest, and there's now a game, Major League Eating,

available on the Nintendo Wii. Yet while it's entertainment

for many, it comes at a cost for others.

There were plenty to be had, especially at the pie eating

 contest, which had many blueberries to go around 

including fry bread

Two contestants per team, two sheets of Matzo Bread ...

and NO water - mouseover to see the contest begin!

Andy finishes the Matzo and "shows" a

 clean tongue - mouseover image

 for another view

Rules and overview of events

Competitive eating contests often adhere to an 8, 10,

12 or 15 minute time limit. Most contests are presided

over by a master of ceremonies, whose job is to

 announce the competitors prior to the contest

 and keep the audience engaged throughout the

contest with enthusiastic play-by-play commentary

 and amusing anecdotes. A countdown from 10

usually takes place at the end of the contest, with

 all eating coming to an end with the expiration of time.

Many professional contests also employ a

series of judges, whose role is to enforce the

 contest rules and warn eaters about infractions.

 Judges will also be called upon to count or

weigh each competitor's food and certify the

results of the contest prior to the winner

 being announced.