Last Updated on February 3, 2026 by Brian Kachejian
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The world of competitive eating has evolved far beyond the simple county fair pie-eating contests of the past into a recognized global phenomenon that tests the absolute limits of human physiology. It is a discipline that requires not only a ravenous appetite but also elite technique, mental fortitude, and often an extreme tolerance for pain. From the bright, televised stages of Coney Island to the grease-stained tables of legendary roadside diners, these events have captivated audiences by transforming the simple act of consumption into a spectacle of athletic endurance.
This curated list represents the pinnacle of gluttonous achievement, highlighting events that have stood the test of time to become permanent fixtures in their respective cultures. We have ranked these contests not just by the volume of food consumed, but by their historical longevity, their impact on popular media, and the sheer audacity of the challenge they present. You will find professional championships sanctioned by Major League Eating sitting alongside “man versus food” restaurant battles that have defeated thousands of hopeful challengers.
The diversity of these competitions is staggering, ranging from high-speed sprints involving a single item, like a meat pie or a humble gyoza, to marathon endurance tests featuring massive steaks and 100-pound burgers. We also explore the realm of culinary masochism, where competitors must battle the searing heat of ghost peppers, the stinging nettles, and the spicy horseradish, rather than just the capacity of their stomachs. Whether it is a centuries-old Scottish tradition or a modern Las Vegas spectacle, each entry on this list offers a unique window into the fascinating and often overwhelming world of competitive eating.
# 20 – The 48-Ounce Curry Hell Challenge
Location: Rupali Restaurant, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Established in 1987, this legendary challenge was created by the late restaurateur Abdul Latif, who sought to test the limits of the British palate. The “Curry Hell” is not just about quantity but extreme heat; the dish is reportedly four times hotter than a standard vindaloo and is made with a secret blend of crushed chilies. Participants must finish the entire 48-ounce bowl to have their meal paid for, but few succeed without severe physical distress. It remains a bucket-list destination for spice enthusiasts across Europe who want to prove their mettle against one of the earliest viral food challenges in the UK.
Read More: The Curry Hell Challenge, Why This 48-Ounce Dish Defeats Most People
# 19 – The 8th Wonder Challenge
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Location: Clinton Station Diner, Clinton, New Jersey
Since 2004, this challenge has been a monument to American excess and is arguably the largest standing burger challenge in the world. A team of up to ten people has one hour to consume a 105-pound burger that measures 28 inches in diameter and 11.5 inches high. The prize for finishing this monstrosity is $5,000, but the success rate is virtually non-existent due to the sheer density of the meat and the massive bun. The diner itself is a historic converted railcar, adding a classic atmosphere to this impossible physical feat.
Read More: All About Clinton Station Diner’s 8th Wonder 105-Pound Burger Challenge
# 18 – World Haggis Eating Competition
Location: Birnam Highland Games, Birnam, Scotland
Running annually for decades, this contest is deeply rooted in Scottish tradition and takes place during the historic Birnam Highland Games. Competitors must consume a full pound of haggis, a savory pudding containing sheep’s pluck, onion, oatmeal, suet, and spices, in the fastest time possible. The current record is held by local butcher Alastair Ross, who devoured the dish in an astounding 44 seconds. It is a celebration of national heritage that demands both speed and a strong stomach for offal.
Read More: Inside the World Haggis Eating Competition at Birnam Highland Games
# 17 – The Holy Cannoli Eating Championship
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Location: Little Italy, New York, New York
A staple of the Feast of San Gennaro since the mid-1990s, this event captures the chaotic energy of New York City’s oldest street fair. Held every September during the Feast of San Gennaro, this event captures the chaotic energy of New York City’s oldest street fair. Major League Eating professionals and local amateurs have six minutes to consume as many cream-filled pastries as possible. The technical difficulty lies in the hard, crunchy shell combined with the rich, heavy ricotta filling, which slows down even the fastest eaters. Matt Stonie and Joey Chestnut have battled here, with records exceeding 30 cannoli in the short time limit.
Read More: New York’s Fastest Cannoli Eating Competition At The Feast Of San Gennaro
# 16 – World Pumpkin Pie Eating Championship
Location: Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival, Elk Grove, California
Established in 2014, this contest quickly became the premier autumn event for professional eaters; it is held in a city famous for its massive agricultural output. Competitors have eight minutes to eat as much pumpkin pie as possible, often discarding the crust to focus on the heavy, spiced filling. The “hands-free” nature of the event results in eaters being covered in orange filling, creating a visually striking spectacle. Matt Stonie set a legendary world record here by consuming 20 pounds and 13 ounces of pie, defeating Joey Chestnut in a rare upset.
Website: https://www.cosumnescsd.gov.prod.sportngin.com/giantpumpkinfestival
# 15 – The Carnivore Pizza Challenge
Location: Big Pie in the Sky, Kennesaw, Georgia
Since 2009, this challenge has been popularized by the television show Man v. Food: a two-person team must finish an 11-pound pizza in under one hour. The pie is 30 inches in diameter and is loaded with pepperoni, ground beef, Italian sausage, ham, and bacon. The challenge is deceptive because the sheer weight of the meat and cheese creates a “flavor fatigue” that stops most teams halfway through; the failure rate is incredibly high despite the team format. Winners receive $250, but the true prize is simply making the “Wall of Fame.”
Read More: Why the Carnivore Pizza Challenge in Kennesaw, Breaks Almost Every Team
# 14 – World Matzoh Ball Eating Championship
Location: Various (Historically Ben’s Deli, NYC; recently Kenny & Ziggy’s, Houston, TX)
Since roughly 1996, this contest has been a cultural icon that celebrates Jewish deli cuisine. The challenge features massive, dense matzoh balls that are difficult to swallow quickly due to their absorbent texture. Joey Chestnut set the current world record by consuming 78 matzoh balls in just eight minutes, a feat that requires immense jaw strength. The event is beloved for its festive atmosphere and often serves as a fundraiser for local charities.
Read More: Why the World Matzoh Ball Eating Championship Defies Competitive Eating Logic
# 13 – National Sweet Corn Eating Championship
Location: South Florida Sweet Corn Fiesta, West Palm Beach, Florida
Since the early 2000s, this contest has been unique because it requires a specific technical skill: stripping kernels off the cob cleanly without eating the cob itself. Competitors have 12 minutes to clean as many ears of Florida sweet corn as possible; the judges meticulously check for “debris” left on the cobs. The record stands at 61 ears of corn, held by Carmen Cincotti. It is one of the few “healthy” vegetable contests on the circuit and draws thousands of spectators to the agricultural fairgrounds.
Read More: All About The National Sweet Corn Eating Championship in West Palm Beach
# 12 – The Kitchen Sink Challenge
Location: Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor, Dania Beach, Florida
Since 1956, Jaxson’s has been an institution in South Florida, and their “Kitchen Sink” is the grandfather of all ice cream challenges. The dish is literally served in a specially made kitchen sink and features three pounds of ice cream, bananas, homemade whipped cream, mixed nuts, and cherries. While meant for four people, solo attempts are permitted for those seeking glory. The longevity of this challenge is unmatched; it has been defeating hungry tourists and locals for nearly 70 years.
Read More: The Legend of the Kitchen Sink at Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor
# 11 – World Poutine Eating Championship
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Location: Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto, Ontario
Sponsored by Smoke’s Poutinerie, this is the largest professional eating contest in Canada since 2010. It challenges eaters to consume pounds of French fries, cheese curds, and hot gravy in 10 minutes. The mixture is heavy, hot, and dense, making it one of the most physically demanding contests on the circuit. Joey Chestnut established his dominance here with a world record of 28 pounds of poutine; the event is a massive rock-n-roll style party that shuts down the center of Toronto.
Read More: Why the World Poutine Eating Championship in Toronto Is Total Mayhem
# 10 – The Siegel’s Bagelmania World Bagel Eating Championship
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Location: Las Vegas,
Established in 2023, this contest has quickly established itself as a “Major” due to its high prize purse and Las Vegas residency. Competitors must eat bagels with cream cheese; the dense bread makes this an endurance test for the jaw muscles. It has quickly become a favorite stop for the world’s top-ranked eaters who appreciate the glitz and high production value of the event. Geoff Esper set the pace early on, proving that modern competitive eating is as much about athleticism as it is about appetite.
Read More: Why the World Bagel Eating Championship in Las Vegas Turns Brutal
# 9 – Krystal Square Off
Feature Photo: Sean Russell from Knoxville, TN, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Location: Various (Historically Chattanooga, TN)
This event revolutionized the sport in 2004 by being the first major televised rival to the Nathan’s hot dog contest. It features the small, square Krystal hamburgers, which are similar to White Castle sliders. The contest is famous for the 2000s rivalry between Takeru Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut; Kobayashi once ate 97 burgers in eight minutes here. Although it has gone through periods of hiatus, it remains the gold standard for hamburger-eating contests in the United States.
Read More: Why Krystal Square Off Hamburger Eating Contest Rivals Nathan’s Contest
# 8 – World Nettle Eating Championship
Feature Photo: Trish Steel, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Location: The Bottle Inn, Marshwood, Dorset, United Kingdom
This is arguably the most painful contest on the list. Participants are given two-foot stalks of stinging nettles and must strip and eat the leaves; the winner is determined by the total length of bare stalks left behind. The sting creates a numbing, burning sensation in the mouth that can last for days. It originated from a dispute between two farmers and has grown into a quirky international event that attracts eccentrics from around the globe. This contest has been around since 1986
Read More: Why The World Nettle Eating Championship Is the Most Painful Food Contest
# 7 – St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail Eating Championship
Feature Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Since 2013, this annual contest, held before the Big Ten Football Championship Game, is famous for the excruciating heat of the St. Elmo spicy horseradish cocktail sauce. Competitors must consume pounds of shrimp coated in the sauce; the spice hits the sinuses immediately, causing tears and coughing. It is widely considered the most physically painful short-duration contest in Major League Eating. Joey Chestnut has dominated this event, often eating over 18 pounds of shrimp in eight minutes while fighting through the burn.
Read More: The Extreme Challenge Of The St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail Eating Contest
# 6 – The Big Texan 72-Ounce Steak Challenge
Location: The Big Texan Steak Ranch, Amarillo, Texas
Since 1960 This is the most famous restaurant challenge in the world. A challenger sits on a raised stage and must consume a 72-ounce steak, a baked potato, a shrimp cocktail, a salad, and a buttered roll in under one hour. If they fail, they pay $72; if they succeed, the meal is free. Over 60,000 people have attempted it, but the failure rate remains high. It is a rite of passage for travelers on Route 66 and has created legends like Molly Schuyler, who once ate three of the meals in 20 minutes.
Read More: Why the Big Texan Steak Challenge in Amarillo Has Defeated Tens of Thousands
# 5 – Day-Lee Foods World Gyoza Eating Championship
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Location: Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, Los Angeles, California
The Nisei Week festival in Little Tokyo is the premier dumpling contest in the world since 2007. It is known for its speed and precision; eaters use a “chipmunking” technique to stuff dozens of gyoza into their cheeks. The record stands at 384 gyoza in 10 minutes, held by Joey Chestnut. The event is beloved by the eaters for the quality of the food and the enthusiastic support of the local Japanese-American community.
Read More: All About The World Gyoza Eating Championship
# 4 – Acme Oyster Eating World Championship
Location: New Orleans Oyster Festival, New Orleans, Louisiana
This event, which has been going on since 2010, requires a unique technique of sliding raw oysters directly from the shell into the throat without chewing. It is held in Woldenberg Park on the riverfront; the humidity and the texture of the oysters make it a grueling endurance test. The local legend “Crazy Legs” Conti and champion Sonya Thomas have both cemented their legacies here. The current record involves eating over 40 dozen oysters in eight minutes, a feat that seems medically impossible to the average spectator.
Read More: Why the Acme Oyster Eating World Championship in New Orleans Pushes the Human Body to Its Limits
# 3 – World Pie Eating Championship
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Location: Harry’s Bar, Wigan, United Kingdom Longevity: Since 1992 In Wigan, “pie” refers specifically to a meat-and-potato pie, and this contest is a matter of fierce local pride. Unlike American contests that focus on quantity, this is a sprint to finish a single pie in the fastest time. The record is an incredible 23.53 seconds. The rules are strict; crumbs must be swallowed, and the “gravy check” ensures the pie was not too dry. It gained international fame when a dog named Charlie once ate the competition pies the night before the event, forcing a scramble for replacements.
Read More: Why Wigan’s World Pie Eating Championship Is All About Speed
# 2 – National Buffalo Wing Festival
Feature Photo by Francis W Naung Licensed from Shutterstock
Location: Highmark Stadium, Buffalo, New York
In 2002, after the movie Osmosis Jones featured a fictional wing festival, this event became a reality that now draws 50,000 people a year. The “Wing It On!” championship is a 12-minute battle to strip meat from chicken wings; judges weigh the leftover bones to determine the winner. It is the Super Bowl of wing eating, with Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo frequently trading titles. The festival itself is a massive economic driver for the city and celebrates the birthplace of the Buffalo wing.
Read More: How the National Buffalo Wing Festival Turned Wings Into a Major Sport
1 – Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest
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Location: Surf and Stillwell Avenues, Coney Island, New York
Since 1916, this has been the undisputed king of all food contests. Held every Independence Day, it is broadcast live to millions on ESPN. The contest is steeped in history and pageantry, from the “Bus of Champions” arrival to the introduction by emcee George Shea. The 10-minute battle for the Mustard Yellow Belt has made household names of Takeru Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut. It is the standard by which all other eating contests are measured; the current record is 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.
Read More: History Of Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
Updated February 3, 2026
Top 20 Food Eating Contests Of All Time article published on RockinFoodie.com© 2026
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