Eager eaters will have an opportunity to forget about carbohydrates, take on a world champion and raise money for a local charity this Saturday at the Denver Oktoberfest’s first bratwurst-eating competition.
About 10 local charity representatives are needed for this Saturday’s contest, in which contestants will take on world hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut, said Jeff Suffolk, event director for Oktoberfest.
Chestnut is currently ranked the Number One eater the world. In July, Chestnut ate 62 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, according to the organization’s website.
Assuming that Chestnut takes first place, the person to eat the second-highest number of bratwurst in 10 minutes will be awarded $1,000 for their charity, and the third place winner will be awarded $500.
Every entry will receive $250 for their selected charity.
Some early entries, including Special Olympics Colorado and the American Lung Association, have already started training, Suffolk said.
“A lot of people are taking it seriously,” Suffolk said. “Some have been practicing this week and some say they have been practicing their whole lives.”
About 140 bratwurst have been set aside for the competition, Suffolk said. Drinks will be allowed along with any condiments contestants want.
“But after awhile, condiments become kind of a nuisance,” Suffolk said.
The current record for the number of bratwurst consumed in 10 minutes is 58, held by Takeru Kobayashi, according to the International Federation of Competitive Eating.
Chestnut himself holds several eating records, including a record he set in April when he ate more than 9 pounds of fried asparagus spears in 10 minutes. He also set a record in May 2009, when he ate 5.9 pounds of funnel cake in 10 minutes.
The competition in Denver will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, at Larimer and 21st streets, in the middle of the 42nd annual Oktoberfest.
Anyone interested in representing a charity at the competition can call 720-255-5475 or email jeff@canyoumove.me.
Jordan Steffen: 303-954-1794 or jsteffen@denverpost.com
