What does this have to do with pizza? After the screening, there was a Q&A session with Mr. Legs, IFOCE chairman George Shea, and the film's directors. Always looking for the pizza angle, Slice editor and publisher Adam K. asked the panel about possible New York pizza-eating competitions.
Adam K.: In terms of comestibles, New York City is synonymous with hot dogs and pizza. You've got the hot-dog competition down, but do you have a pizza competition, and, if not, are there plans for one?
Conti answered that there was a pizza-eating competition in Chicago at Bacci Pizzeria (Bacci Pizzeria sandwich board at left courtesy of Rachelle B.) but was not specific about any plans to have a competition with real pizza—here in New York. Slice did not phrase our question properly. We should have been more specific about whether there was a pizza competition slated for New York City. We already knew about the one in Chicago, which was won by Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas.
We're sad that Chicago got the jump on us and is home to the World Pizza-Eating Championship. This is really an event that should be held in New York. Especially given the fact that the Shea Brothers, George and Richard, are New York natives.
Several luminaries from the world of competitive eating were in the audience, notably Ed "Cookie" Jarvis and Eric "Badlands" Booker. It seems to be de rigeur in the sport to christen yourself with a colorful mob-chic nickname. Our favorite nom de gulp last night was that of Mike Devito, aka "The Scholar." A former gustatory athlete now serving as commissioner of the IFOCE, Mike "The Scholar" Devito must have earned the name by taking an academic approach to gorging.
After the screening, BAM served hot dogs and beer at a mixer. Gratis. Slice ran into bloggers Youth Large and Whiskey Drinker at the screening and promptly defeated them in an impromptu eating contest (Slice: 3 dogs, YL: 2, WD: 1). YL, WD and I also saw one young woman who appeared to be a competitive-eating groupie, proving there are groupies for everything (except, sadly, pizza-blogging).
As for the movie: It was quite enjoyable. We were skeptical going in, thinking it would be more freak-show in nature. But it effectively draws the audience in and presents Mr. Legs in a heroic light. As can be expected, the film regurgitates as much humor as the professional "gurgitators" eat food. Our favorite quote in the movie comes from Mr. Conti himself: "Every American is eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. They're just not eating it on a competitive basis."
Perhaps that's why this sport is lately gaining so much attention. It's one that every American can relate to through the simple act of chewing and swallowing. With each bagel we eat and each slice of pizza we down, a small part of these athletes' glory shines on us.
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Tonight Slice made it to BAM Rose Cinemas to see the movie Crazy Legs Conti: Zen and the Art of Competitive Eating. Conti lives in the East Village and is a member of the International Federation of Competitive Eaters, a New York–based organization that oversees and sanctions a number of competitve-eating contests throughout the nation and the world. The movie takes the audience along for the ride as Mr. Legs goes from competitive-eating fan to competitve-eating athlete.
Conti answered that there was a pizza-eating competition in Chicago at Bacci Pizzeria (Bacci Pizzeria sandwich board at left courtesy of Rachelle B.) but was not specific about any plans to have a competition with real pizza—here in New York. Slice did not phrase our question properly. We should have been more specific about whether there was a pizza competition slated for New York City. We already knew about the one in Chicago, which was won by Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas.
