Just Announced This time, it's gastronomical: Madison to host food-court eating competition

Have you ever pictured yourself victorious over your competitors in eating a mighty tub of hot dogs or a vat of giant frog legs in record time? Heard, in your dreams, the roar of the crowd as you accept a trophy and raise it high (then double over in pain to emit a freakishly extended belch)? On Feb. 6, you'll have the chance to fulfill that vision, only it might involve more Sbarro and greasy "Japanese" food. The USquare National Food Court Eating Championship is coming to downtown's USquare building, the Wisconsin State Journal reported this morning. Last night's announcement from All-Pro Eating Promotions (formerly the Association of Independent Competitive Eaters) means the title of America's Food Court King or queen will be won right here in Madison, at USquare's altars of Nori Japan, Bubble Island, Quiznos, Sbarro, and Stir Fry 88.

But what will you have to eat to win? "It's a food-court event, and they haven't decided exactly what to eat. It will probably be kind of a relay event where they take several items from around the food court and eat them in succession," says David "Coondog" O'Karma, Director of Operations for All-Pro Eating Promotions, who once ate 13 sweet-potato pies in one minute of intense competitive eating, and has gone on to win Krispy Kreme-eating and hot dog-eating competitions. (O'Karma also spoke with our Chicago site about competitive eating earlier this year.)

There will be a professional division and collegiate event, with different prizes for each. "Because Madison is a college town, we wanted the locals to have a shot," says O'Karma. "We have guys coming in from all over the country who have won past events. We've got the meatball guy from Chicago, and the pastrami eater from Michigan." Special guests like Ian "The Invader" Hickman will make appearances, too. All who attend this puzzling display of excess should bring a huge appetite, but also canned food (or cash money) to benefit The River Food Pantry in Madison. For now, enjoy this video of O'Karma going head-to-head with a pizza-eating bear: