Desiree Koh:
Third week of the first Major League Eating heats in Singapore, a local recreation of the stage where many before me have walked... Eater X, Kobayashi, the Black Widow, Joey Chestnut, Crazy Legs Conti...
Desiree Koh:
Seven Carl's Jr. burgers await devouring.
Desiree Koh:
Zack coaches Neil, the eventual winner with five burgers in 12 minutes. A long way from Joey Chestnut.
Desiree Koh:
I've learned that the Major League Eating community is a very warm and supportive one.
Desiree Koh:
Neil doing as seen on TV -- dunk in water, gobble, dunk in water. He also half-bopped about rhythmically to help the food go down and to maintain a steady pace of gobbling.
Desiree Koh:
Masticulating... something the pros don't do. They just shove and shove.
Desiree Koh:
Neil knew he had it. He is 18 years old.
Desiree Koh:
A very intent contestant.
Desiree Koh:
Ah Heng on the left is the contractor who set up the stage and somehow got roped in. Intent contestant is done wielding paper napkins.
Desiree Koh:
The burger kings.
Desiree Koh:
Ah Heng and a member of his cheerleading squad.
Desiree Koh:
Next up was the otah (spicy fish paste) category.
Desiree Koh:
Bobby Yeo, the eventual winner, who put away 1kg/2.2 pounds of otah in about two minutes flat.
Desiree Koh:
This soon tapered and left Bobby standing for the most part of the event trying not to throw up and stroking his digestion track south.
Desiree Koh:
This guy started strong.
Desiree Koh:
But remained in this position for most of the contest soon after the first box (1kg/2.2 pounds).
Desiree Koh:
The casualty.
Desiree Koh:
Next, the curry puff category. And yes, less than 20 minutes after his burger victory, Neil was back.
Desiree Koh:
He ate with gusto, as if he hadn't eaten anything all day.
Desiree Koh:
Zack back coaching Neil.
Desiree Koh:
Mr. See, a nonchalant contestant.
Desiree Koh:
Mr. See ate measurely and stoically.
Desiree Koh:
Time for our satay category!
Desiree Koh:
I lift a 2kg/4.4 pound box of satay swimming around in sauce.
Desiree Koh:
The paparazzi was relentless.
Desiree Koh:
Good sportsmanship.
Desiree Koh:
Zack's goods.
Desiree Koh:
My goods.
Desiree Koh:
Here we go! I was playing to have fun without getting beat too bad.
Desiree Koh:
Hamming it up.
