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Grilled cheese champion of JMU named...news alert
By Kayla Flemming, contributing writerPosted on February 18, 2008
Freshman James Weiner can eat more grilled cheese sandwiches than anyone. Class Council is starting a JMU book of records, Madison Moments, and a grilled cheese sandwich-eating contest at D-Hall on Thursday was their first event.
“We chose grilled cheese because it was a Thursday, and it’s a big hit with students,” said Brian Temple, senior class treasurer. “It was probably the easiest we could have done in conjunction with Dining Services.”
Students will have the opportunity to make new records, and break those records of previous students.
“It went great, and the turn-out ended well,” Temple said. “It definitely built class unity, which is what it’s supposed to do.”
Nine contestants gathered to see how many grilled cheese sandwiches they could eat. With the average result being seven or eight, Weiner swept everyone away eating 12 sandwiches in the eight-minute time slot.
Some contestants took bites of their sandwiches; others rolled their up and ate it like a hot dog. One stacked three on top of each other and ate them together. Wallace dipped his sandwiches in water before sticking it into his mouth.
“Dipping food in water helps you swallow things easier. I’ve been in five eating contests, so I know it definitely helps you,” he said.
Contestants started with four grilled cheeses each on their plates. Once their sandwiches ran out, they were supplied with more.
Student Government Association members stood behind each contestant to count and to make sure they ate the whole sandwich.
The event began just before the dinner rush at D-Hall and drew a number of spectators eager to see who would set the first JMU record.
“It’s very entertaining to watch,” senior Katie Coleson said. “Everyone there had good energy, and there were a good variety of people competing.”
Other contests included freshmen Jon Schoeffel, Daniel Smolkin, Brock Wallace, Rich Steen, sophomore Candace Avalos, junior Andy Gibson and seniors Justin DeMartinis and Brandon Eickel.
“I decided to enter because all the contestants were guys, so I was doing it to represent the female population,” sophomore class president Candace Avalos said. “It was awkward though, because girls don’t eat 12 grilled cheese sandwiches.”
Senior class president Katelyn Grant said she was impressed with the first event.
“It’s a great day of event, because we only just started advertising a few days ago,” she said. “It’s a great way to start off Madison Milestones, and it will let more people know about what we are doing.” .... Not an I.F.O.C.E record...