MSNBC.comNew Yorker wins world burrito title
SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine - A day trader and aspiring pizza chef known as "Eater X" munched through 10 3/4 burritos in a dozen minutes Saturday to win what was billed as the world burrito-eating championship.
Tim Janus, 30, of New York City, said he prepared by just eating candy for a day, which he said helped clear his system.
"I love Mexican food," he said after his victory.
About 100 spectators watched the contest outside the Costa Vida restaurant, where about a dozen entrants competed for $3,000 in prize money. The 18-ounce burritos were made of rice, black beans, pork, cheese and a mild sauce wrapped in a tortilla.
The burrito record holder, Eric "Badlands" Booker, has retired from competitive eating and wasn't on hand to defend his title. But other contestants well-known on the eating contest circuit showed up.
Among them was Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas of Alexandria, Va., who holds a world lobster-eating title that she won in Kennebunkport and who finished second Saturday by downing 10 "Big Kahunas."
Other eaters included Jason "Crazy Legs" Conti and Tim "Gravy" Brown.
