It’s a good thing I’ve been asked to be a guest blogger on this thing. Seriously, where have Kenny and Tiffany gone? I have a feeling their absence might have something to do with a giant Krystal competition coming up in a few days. Maybe it’s a little busy around the office?
In any case: hi, I’m Liz and I’ll be a Krystal Counter for the big competition on Sunday. I just got the news last week and was really excited. That emotion was quickly followed by panic. You might think those Counters are just up there looking pretty, but no. That’s an important position up there, letting the world know how many Krystals are taking up residence in the eaters. Did you know Krystal Counters can have anxiety dreams? There’s a particularly good one about counting backwards for the wrong eater before hitting a fellow Counter in the eye with my elbow.
Lucky for me, there will be an amazing show going on in front of me, which should occupy most of everyone’s attention. If Joey Chestnut hits that 100 mark like he’s been boasting he will, I can at least be assured no one will notice the Krystal Counter losing her footing and toppling off the stage.
The big question leading up to this year’s Krystal Square Off was whether Joey Chestnut could topple Takeru Kobayashi, the reigning Krystal champ. He’d beat him in hot dogs, in one of the biggest upsets in the history of competitive eating, so could he do the same with the illustrious Krystals? But then, Pat Bertoletti decided he couldn’t let these two dudes get all the glory, so managed to beat Joey in grits and waffles. Then topped it off by beating Joey and Kobayashi in a wings competition. Unheard of!
But, as we know, tragedy struck. The jaw injury that Kobayashi was nursing in July sprung up again and he let the other shoe drop: his jaw (or ego!) hurt too much for him to compete, and he removed himself from the competition. So while the crowds might be focused on the Joey/Pat showdown, there is a whole field of strong competitors this year that shouldn’t be counted out just yet. What about Tim “Eater X” Janus or Chip “The Phenom” Simpson, both of whom have had a particularly strong year? Or “Humble” Bob Shoudt, one of the biggest Krystal lovers of all time? And we’d be fools to overlook Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas, who might need just this platform to reclaim her famous man slaying skills.
Ten eaters at that big table on Sunday ate their personal bests to get there, so the passion is running strong. I’ll check in again here after the competition, when we will no doubt be reeling from a new record (and hopefully not from that one Krystal Counter who had her shirt on backwards.)
Note: Kenny and Tiffany are truly grateful for Liz's post. Without it this blog would look like a graveyard.... For more great musings go to
http://www.urbanhonking.com/liz/ We are BIG fans!
Labels: burger, Competitive Eating, Joey Chesnut, Kobayashi, Krystal, Krystals, Pat Bertoletti
