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The amazing Beanie Burger Contest
September 11, 2007If you have a chance this weekend... you should go to the Texas Oklahoma Fair and witness the bizarre and amazing beanie burger eating contest.
You might be grossed out...but that's part of the point I think.
I remember my first BBEC (Beanie Burger Eating Contest) rather vividly...unfortunately for me.
It was in 2004, and I was working on the Saturday the contest was taking place. There was also a pie-eating contest earlier that morning. The pies were way easier to photograph and not as visually disturbing as the BBEC.
I stood there, on the edge of the stage, not sure if I really wanted to photograph what was about to happen. I don't usually get grossed out at a bad car wreck or some kind of shooting... But I genuinely thought I might need to find a trash can before this thing was over.
So I'm standing there, and this little kid jumps up to the table, ready to take his seat for the contest.
I'm thinking to myself...there is no way I'm actually seeing this.
Shaleendria Murphy watches the competition during the 2004 Stanley's Beanie Burger eating competition Saturday afternoon at the Texas Oklahoma Fair.
There were about 20 contestants in 2004, and it wasn't going to be possible to get a shot of everybody, but I couldn't miss a chance to preserve history and not take a picture of the kid. She gave it a champions effort...but was several burgers short of the title. The look on her face is priceless though.
So, after nailing a shot of the youngest contestant in the group...I thought I'd step back a bit and look for another angle. It's been about two minutes into the contest, and I'm wondering if I'll be able to hold down breakfast at this point. I cannot possibly describe the smell.
If you've never HAD a beanie burger...do so with caution. There are a lot of people in town who swear by them, saying they're the best in the city.
I'd probably swear AT it.
Robby Schorer, right, reacts after his first few bites during the 2004 Stanley's Beanie Burger eating contest Saturday afternoon during the Texas Oklahoma Fair at MPEC.
I use the word "reacts" in the caption. That's the generic thing to do. Truth is...he was pretty much gagging. I very nearly threw up in my mouth a little bit when he did. My eyes were watering and I really just wanted something to drink.
After a few minutes, it was all over. And this college kid, Nathan Biller, took home the trophy after eating six and a half (if I remember correctly).
But seriously, does anybody actually "win" in this situation? Charmin wins...that's about it.
In 2005, Nathan Biller was all the rage at the contest. He was the front-runner, and I was basically instructed to stay with him for the duration of the show, photographing him bite by bite. It wasn't the best of jobs to say the least.
Nathan Biller (left) crams the first of five beanie burgers in his mouth Saturday evening during the 2005 Times Record News/Stanley's Beanie Burger Eating Contest at the Texas Oklahoma Fair. Biller defended his title from last year's innaugural eating contest.
Nathan Biller (left) crams the one of the beanie burgers in his mouth Saturday evening during the 2005 Times Record News/Stanley's Beanie Burger Eating Contest at the Texas Oklahoma Fair. Biller defended his title from last year's innaugural eating contest by polishing off five of the beanie burgers.
Now, he didn't eat as many in 2005 as he did the previous year...there was no need to. He was watching his nearest competitor out of the corner of his eye and was pacing himself.
It didn't matter.... as soon as the contest was over, he lost it. Nearest trashcan lost it.
That's the way it goes at the BBEC.... If you win, you still lose. See you there...
Posted by Jason Palmer at 7:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Comments
and that is gaaarossss!
