Posted by Daniel Zemans, November 1, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Stronger than ever as the month comes to an end [Photograph: Ron Kaplan]
Just three weeks ago, I introduced you to a man who was a week into his effort to complete what might be the greatest pizza-eating feat in the history of humankind. Thanks to an article in the Chicago Tribune, we now know the man's name is Craig Scharoff, he has a remarkably forgiving palate, and that if he made it through the entire month of October eating no food other than sausage pizza (with optional additional toppings), he stood to make a four-figure sum.
Well, October has come to an end and Scharoff can expect a check from his business partner, Ron Kaplan. To anyone who followed the thread at LTH Forum about Scharoff's quest, his success is no surprise. The man made it clear by the middle of October that he was an unstoppable pizza-eating force. He happily wolfed down pies regardless of their origin, seemingly getting as much pleasure from concession stand slices as he did from meticulously crafted high-quality pies.
Scharoff claims the challenge was easy. When asked if there was ever a point that he thought he might not make it, he said "not even close" and that he could do another 30 days if not for all the pictures and documenting he had to do. Both here and on the LTH thread, people questioned the effect of the challenge on Scharoff's health. Not only did he eat absolutely no vitamins or take any aids in the vein of Metamucil, but he never felt sick the entire month and, as of October 29, he lost 6 pounds since the challenge began.
At 4:00 this morning, Scharoff ate some of his wife's homemade wild rice soup. That was to be followed by a wide array of foods while tailgating before this afternoon's Bears game. Tonight, this great man, this pizza-eating machine, this hero to us all...tonight, he plans to eat pizza.
[Update, 11/2/09 at 1:20 pm] It turns out that Scharoff had a lot of leftovers from his tailgate, so he did not return to pizza last night. Too bad for him as it turns out the human digestive system can get used to eating nothing but pizza and does not react well to a return to a varied diet. Finally, Scharoff had a change of heart and instead of demanding the $2,000 payment from Kaplan, the pair decided to donate the money to the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Kudos to them both!
Dan, I surfed the LTH forum--hilarious link, btw--and I have to say I was surprised at three things:
1. Lots of the pizza this guy ate looked pretty bad. Does the consumption of Tombstone really count as pizza?
2. He ate his pizza with TABASCO sauce.
3. Lots of disturbing accounts of people who ate the same thing for 10+years of their lives, like one guy who said his mom ate nothing but instant coffee, hot dogs, and Life cereal for his entire teenage years. And I thought I was bad when I was a dieting chick in my 20s...
Ho, hum...Riddle me this: What's the difference between pizza and a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato and whatever once it is in your stomach? I would be a lot more impressed if he ate escargot for a month, a lot more! Pizza and varied toppings might make you fat but it probably hits most of your food groups.
@HeartofGlass: In the Tribune article, he actually listed Tombstone as one of his favorites. Who am I to judge? As for the Tabasco, I don't use it myself, but it's not that different from using red pepper flakes, is it?
@dmcavanagh: You might be right. But like climbing Mount Everest, there is a big difference between having the theoretical capability of doing something and actually doing it.
@lemonfair: The weight loss is perhaps the most impressive part of all this. The guy who lost the bet attributes the weight loss, at least in part, to the fact that the bet stopped him from finishing off food his kids left behind on their plates.
Hate to be a nay sayer, but was he under surveillance late at night?...perhaps he grabbed a thumb full of peanut butter or wolfed down a quick breakfast burrito.
I guess most flavor profiles could be attained through "the other toppings" he was allowed to eat. He could technically throw a steak or some chicken breast on there, or any salad.
Either way...if he really did pull it off, i give him credit.
I just discovered that Scharoff's feat is not unprecedented. Matt McClelÂlan, owner of Tour de Pizza in Tampa, went a month earlier this year eating nothing but pizza. He was motivated to the challenge by a desire to show that pizza isn't actually that bad for you. His results were shocking: eating nothing but pizza for 30 days, McClellan lost over 20 pounds! Read all about his month in this article from the St. Petersburg Times.
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Dan, I surfed the LTH forum--hilarious link, btw--and I have to say I was surprised at three things:
1. Lots of the pizza this guy ate looked pretty bad. Does the consumption of Tombstone really count as pizza?
2. He ate his pizza with TABASCO sauce.
3. Lots of disturbing accounts of people who ate the same thing for 10+years of their lives, like one guy who said his mom ate nothing but instant coffee, hot dogs, and Life cereal for his entire teenage years. And I thought I was bad when I was a dieting chick in my 20s...
HeartofGlass at 7:37PM on 11/01/09
Ho, hum...Riddle me this: What's the difference between pizza and a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato and whatever once it is in your stomach? I would be a lot more impressed if he ate escargot for a month, a lot more! Pizza and varied toppings might make you fat but it probably hits most of your food groups.
Pizzarotti at 8:25PM on 11/01/09
What's the big deal. A lot of people could do that , especially if there going to got paid a four figure payoff.
dmcavanagh at 5:57AM on 11/02/09
Lost 6 pounds? sign me up
lemonfair at 6:50AM on 11/02/09
Thats impressive! Craig, way to represent The Windy City, thats what I'm talkin' about! I'm dedicating my next square-cut sausage pizza to you.
Forza Pizza!
forzapizza at 11:24AM on 11/02/09
@HeartofGlass: In the Tribune article, he actually listed Tombstone as one of his favorites. Who am I to judge? As for the Tabasco, I don't use it myself, but it's not that different from using red pepper flakes, is it?
@dmcavanagh: You might be right. But like climbing Mount Everest, there is a big difference between having the theoretical capability of doing something and actually doing it.
@lemonfair: The weight loss is perhaps the most impressive part of all this. The guy who lost the bet attributes the weight loss, at least in part, to the fact that the bet stopped him from finishing off food his kids left behind on their plates.
Daniel Zemans at 11:31AM on 11/02/09
This guy is true American hero. I'd love to have a few Old Styles with him at Pizanos.
browngravy at 11:34AM on 11/02/09
This man is a hero to us all.
porkydickens at 4:11PM on 11/02/09
Hate to be a nay sayer, but was he under surveillance late at night?...perhaps he grabbed a thumb full of peanut butter or wolfed down a quick breakfast burrito.
I guess most flavor profiles could be attained through "the other toppings" he was allowed to eat. He could technically throw a steak or some chicken breast on there, or any salad.
Either way...if he really did pull it off, i give him credit.
ejfoodie at 6:28PM on 11/02/09
I just discovered that Scharoff's feat is not unprecedented. Matt McClelÂlan, owner of Tour de Pizza in Tampa, went a month earlier this year eating nothing but pizza. He was motivated to the challenge by a desire to show that pizza isn't actually that bad for you. His results were shocking: eating nothing but pizza for 30 days, McClellan lost over 20 pounds! Read all about his month in this article from the St. Petersburg Times.
Daniel Zemans at 1:48AM on 11/10/09