We took on four of the toughest eating challenges across the country – but could we finish them?

The Sun

19-07-2025

THEY have long been associated with gut-busting Americans who think nothing of cramming calorie-packed meals into their supersized stomachs.
But competitive eating contests are now going mainstream in the UK, with enterprising starved restaurants serving them up to attract punters.
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As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, dozens of outlets are now offering a variety of food challenges, from finishing the biggest steak to gobbling up a mountain of burgers.
The trend, which started with Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest in the States in 1972, is now popular with social media influencers.
But how would the average Brit fare taking on the gargantuan meals?
Four of our brave writers braced their stomachs to find out.
NEWCASTLE
32-inch pizza to be finished in one sitting
(They're open for 13 hours) - Difficulty 4/5
What is it? Massive pizza with 20,000 calories.
Only two people have ever polished off one of these 32in pizzas – Pizzaholic restaurant owner Ilhan Ozcan and competitive eater Kyle Gibson.
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It's big enough to feed someone for ten days.
Staring at the humongous pizza, which I must eat all in one go, I realise that a single slice is bigger than my head.
I am shocked by the sheer weight of cheese and crust.
After 25 minutes, I have consumed 60 per cent of the pizza, but I am shaking with nausea and I am defeated, which means I have to pay my full bill, £93.99.
Boss Ilhan said: 'It's popular. The rapper 50 Cent was here and we delivered one to Bryan Adams after his show in Newcastle. We used to challenge people to do it in 20 minutes but it was too difficult.'
ALEX STOREY
PLYMOUTH
The Big 60: 60oz steak to be finished in 60mins - Difficulty: 2/5
What is it? 60oz steak equivalent to seven-and-a-half average servings.
Barbican Steakhouse's 5,000-calorie steak is £64.95.
Around 200 people have tried the Big 60 Challenge in the past decade but just a handful polished it off in under 60 minutes.
As the medium rare slab was placed in front of me, I felt confident.
But 45 minutes later, I threw in the towel with eight ounces left.
Co-owner Tahir Bhatti said: 'Our best time was under 20 minutes. He was an average-looking guy, but the mad thing is his wife told us he'd had a bucket of KFC on the way.'
BEN ENDLEY
LEEDS
The Paralyser: Monster English breakfast in 12mins - Difficulty: 3/5
What is it? Breakfast including four slices of bacon, four sausages, four hash browns and equivalent of a loaf of bread, plus trimmings.
A 2,000- calorie feast.
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Competitors have less than 12 minutes to finish the £18 meal and get their money back at the Greasy Pig.
The current best time is 3.27 minutes.
I managed four slices of bacon, three hash browns, two half slices of bread, half a sausage, a scoop of beans and a couple of mushrooms.
Boss Mitz Bala said: 'It causes a stir on social media, it attracts influencers with huge followings.'
SAMANTHA YULE
LONDON
Eating 13 burgers in 10mins - Difficulty: 5/5
What is it? Ten minutes to eat 13 burgers.
I'm a glutton, so was looking forward to taking on Red Dog Saloon's burger-eating challenge.
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But then I found out I would need to eat 13 6oz whoppers in ten minutes to claim £5,000, and my stomach began to shrivel.
Professional scoffer Leah Shutkever ate 12 and it's her record you have to beat.
My mood darkened as I was served a mountain of meat, cheese, onion and suffocating brioche bun.
Halfway through the fourth, I surrendered. I ate three and a half.
Tourists began to film me on their phones through the window of the Soho branch.