Hot dog eating contest winner hungry for the top
BY BOB RAKOW Correspondent July 3, 2011 11:38PM
Jacob Larry, 22, ate 17 and 1/4 hot dogs to win one of the hot dog eating contests at Memorial Park in Palos Heights, IL on Sunday July 3, 2011 | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: October 30, 2011 1:31AM
Jacob Larry left the competition in his wake Sunday night during a hot dog eating contest at the Palos Heights Independence Day festivities.
Larry, a native of Grand Rapids, Mich., was in town to visit a college friend and decided at the last minute to enter the contest, which is sponsored by Pop’s Italian Beef and Sausage.
Larry devoured 17 hot dogs in 10 minutes to win the annual contest, which benefits the American Cancer Society.
“I went up there to win,” Larry said. “It’s 80 percent mental and 20 percent physical, I think.”
Larry won $500 and a trophy. He plans to donate a portion of his winnings to the American Cancer Society, he said.
Larry said he was prepared when the contest began.
“I ate a couple earlier today, just to get the texture,” he said. “I went up there to win.”
The practice paid off.
He consumed 12 hot dogs within the first five minutes of the contest.
None of the nine other contestants could keep pace. Some took time while chewing their wieners to watch Larry demolish his.
Larry’s hot dog eating strategy is simple. He eats two dogs then dips the buns in water before eating them.
Larry, 22, is no stranger to competitive eating.
He once ate 25 hot dogs in a contest, but they were made of chicken and beef, making them easier to consume, he said.
He’s eaten 18 White Castles in five minutes and recently competed in a chicken gizzard eating contest.
“I have a couple of restaurant challenges named after me,” Larry said.
Larry planned to enjoy the rest of Sunday night’s festivities, including a fireworks show. He did not plan to visit the food vendors.
“I’ll probably relax the rest of the night,” he said.
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