
We took on four of the toughest eating challenges across the country – but could we finish them?
BRIT V FOOD We took on four of the toughest eating challenges across the country – but could we finish them?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
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.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
5
Competitive eating started with Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest in the States in 1972
Credit: The Mega Agency
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.
5
Alex Storey and the pizza that beat him
Credit: North News and Pictures
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.
5
Ben Endley with his massive 60oz steak
Credit: Wayne Perry
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.
5
Samantha Yule with her monster English breakfast
Credit: NB PRESS LTD
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.
5
Graeme Culliford with his 13 burgers
Credit: Oliver Dixon
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.
GRAEME CULLIFORD
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
12 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
New ‘trains of the future' revealed with cinema-style screens and onboard nap pods
Including the top 10 advancements Brits want the most TRACK ON New 'trains of the future' revealed with cinema-style screens and onboard nap pods Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FANCY whizzing through the countryside with 360-degree views of the landscape through glass-to-ceiling windows? Or perhaps, getting your10,000 steps in as you travel from London to Penzance? Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Train operator LNER has predicted what the future of travel could look like in 2075 Credit: Mischief PR MHP Group 5 Passengers could expect to see 'nap pods' and onboard cinema-style screens Credit: Mischief PR MHP Group Well, these things could appear on trains in the UK in the future, according to LNER. As part of the Railway 200 celebrations, which celebrate 200 years of modern railways, LNER and applied futurist Tom Cheesewright have predicted what we could see from trains in 2075. According to Cheesewright, in 2075 train carriages will have a focus on maximum comfort, entertainment and wellness. Instead of just transporting passengers from A to B as most trains do now, train travel could be an experience that promotes passenger health and wellbeing. As such, trains could feature floor-to-ceiling windows, with 360-degree views of the landscape. Of 2,000 people asked, 57 per cent expressed how they would like this, commenting that gazing out at the countryside is often their favourite thing to do whilst on a train. And 60 per cent said they need constant entertainment whilst travelling. As a result, carriages could feature augmented reality with surreal scenes and gamification options, in the future as well as cinema-style screens - which 22 per cent said they would like. 'Nap pods' might feature too - which 22 per cent expressed they wanted as well. Speed remains a top priority for travellers, with 66 per cent declaring this is why they opt for train travel. Most glamourous train carriage in the world revealed with disco balls, library and private tearoom Cheesewright predicts that new technologies could help trains to become faster, slashing travel times considerably. This would start by making trains more aerodynamic, with complicated things like quantum computing and AI being used together to test thousands of designs at the same time. New materials could also help, with laboratories creating 'super-stiff' composites that can be made to a specific shape. And 3D technology could be used to print metals for the trains. Cheesewright added that the customer experience of getting to and on the train could improve as well. This could include facial recognition replacing ticket barriers. 5 There could even be facial recognition instead of ticket barriers Credit: Mischief PR MHP Group 5 LNER's 'Train of the Future' will be open for people to actually visit Credit: Mischief PR MHP Group Many travellers who were asked (44 per cent) shared how sitting back and relaxing is one of the main selling points of train travel. As such, 'smart' seats could be introduced in the future - where the seats would adjust to the customers' microenvironment, with temperature options and different seat firmness levels to choose from. The seats could also pre-save customer preferences. And for those who hate to sit still, there could be the option to book a 'treadmill seat' where passengers can get their steps in on long journeys. All of Cheesewright's predictions have been brought to life in a first-of-its-kind train from LNER called the 'Train of the Future'. The futuristic train will be on show at London King's Cross Station for three days between July 30 and August 1. The top 10 future train advancements Brits would most like to see on trains LNER asked 2,000 people what they wanted to see on trains in the future, and here is what they said. Cinema-style onboard entertainment - 36 per cent Wellness carriages - 23 per cent On train nap pods - 22 per cent Pre-programmed smart seats - 22 per cent Pet zones - 21 per cent Self-balancing food trays - 21 per cent Family playrooms - 19 per cent Odourless food - 19 per cent Onboard concierge for destination recommendation - 16 per cent Neurodivergent-friendly areas - 16 per cent Rachel Pope, head of digital experience strategy for LNER, said: "It's a very special year for the railway industry, we're participating in nationwide festivities, including various exhibitions showcasing the impact of the railways on society and celebrating the past, present, and future of rail travel." Tom Cheesewright, applied futurist said: "The train journey of the future will be smooth from start to finish, aided by AI planning, ticketless travel, and floor to ceiling windows. "The train of the future will look like a science-fiction marvel: swooping and organic, powerful and quiet, and with an onboard experience that connects us to the countryside around us, or the digital world, or even a seamless combination of the two." The LNER 'Train of the Future' will be open from 9am to 5pm in London's King's Cross Station from July 30 to August 1. Railway 200 started in January and celebrates 200 years of the modern railway. Across 2025, the celebration will see a number of different events and activities for the public to get involved in. There is also a £5 scenic train journey in the UK right along the coastline – where waves crash against the windows. Plus, 12 of Europe's most beautiful train journeys are in Britain – with Victorian carriages and stargazing.


Scottish Sun
12 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Aunt who wore floor-length white gown to niece's wedding hits back as she claims critics hate her because she's ‘pretty'
Read on for other outfits not to wear as a wedding guest AISLE SAY Aunt who wore floor-length white gown to niece's wedding hits back as she claims critics hate her because she's 'pretty' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WEDDING guest has been slammed after people confused her with the bride. The woman, from the US, turned up to her niece's wedding wearing a crystal floor-length white gown and hit back at critics for her inappropriate attire. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Can you spot who the bride is? Credit: Reddit 2 The aunt hit back at critics who bashed her wedding guest outfit Credit: Reddit While many of us know you can't wear white to a wedding, it seemed this aunt didn't get the memo. In a picture shared on the Reddit forum, Wedding Shaming, she stood next to the bride who wore a short white dress on her big day. The aunt posed for a picture wearing the floor-length gown which was finished with a mesh train and she wore pearl jewellery. People were left wondering who the bride was at first, as the aunt's dress looked much more flamboyant than the bride's effortless look. When they realised who was who, people were stunned the aunt would turn up in such an outfit. But the aunt was quick to take to Facebook and hit back at the critics for her lavish dress, implying the haters were just mad because she was pretty Her Facebook post read: "No one hates you more than the women who can't compete with you. "They watch your every move, talk nonstop-because if they talked about themselves, no one would listen. "Let them bark from behind. Real queens don't tear each other mistresses do. Let's shine babe, keep being pretty." Over on Reddit, people were not impressed with her statement. Couple paid thousands of dollars and flew 14 hours for a wedding - until they realized they weren't invited People were quick to claim she had 'no class' and was 'rude' for wearing the bride-like dress. One person wrote: "That's a gorgeous dress but I thought she was the bride." Another commented: "Whyyyyy would anybody wear a dress with a train to someone else's wedding? Incredibly rude." "The train takes away all benefit of the doubt... this lady is showing no class," penned a third. Wedding Guest Outfit Etiquette If you're struggling to decided on a dress to see you through wedding season, here's a few rules on what not to wear so you don't get in trouble. Folklore says that wearing red at a wedding means you slept with the groom. Casual attire like jeans and flip flops should always be avoided. Any colour that could be picked up as white or cream - even if it's not. Most would agree that your cleavage needs to be covered. Wearing white is a massive no-no if you're not the bride. Meanwhile a fourth said: "I think she's intentionally spent more money than the bride too. This seems to be not only upstaging the bride but also 'I've got more money than you paupers.'" "Wait... That's NOT the bride?' claimed a fifth Someone else added: "The one in the short white dress is the bride? LOL, I thought there were two guests with attire issues."


Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Hulk Hogan's wife Sky pays touching tribute to ‘my heart' and says wrestler had ‘health issues' before his tragic death
'THE MAN I LOVED' Hulk Hogan's wife Sky pays touching tribute to 'my heart' and says wrestler had 'health issues' before his tragic death Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HULK Hogan's wife has broken her silence on his sudden death with a heartwrenching statement. Sky Hogan said that her "heart is in pieces" as she opened up about his health issues after her beloved wrestling star husband died at 71 on Thursday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Hulk Hogan's wife mourned his death with a heartwrenching Instagram post Credit: Instagram/ 2 Yoga instructor Sky had been married to Hogan since September 2023 Credit: Instagram/ She mourned her husband with a tragic Instagram post, writing in the caption, "I wasn't ready for this [...] and my heart is in pieces. "He had been dealing with some health issues, but I truly believed we would overcome them. I had so much faith in his strength. I thought we still had more time. "This loss is sudden and impossible to process. To the world, he was a legend… but to me, he was my Terry. The man I loved. My partner. My heart. "Hulk loved his fans so much and despite his growing physical discomfort, he did everything he could to show up, sign autographs, take photos, and connect with the people who supported him through it all. You meant everything to him. more on hulk hogan STAR'S FIGHT Hulk Hogan's final moments revealed as emergency crew battled to save wrestler "He was a believer in Christ, and I take comfort knowing his soul is at peace and he's been welcomed home. "Please keep his family and all of us who loved him in your prayers as we try to navigate this new reality." On Thursday morning, paramedics responded to reports of a cardiac arrest at Hogan's $11.5 million home in Clearwater, Florida. He was treated at the scene and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Hogan was reported to be on his deathbed just one month before his death as he suffered from a series of health issues that left him unable to feel his legs. However, despite the rumors, Sky, who had been married to Hogan since September 2023, insisted that her husband was healthy. In response to claims that Hogan was in a coma, Sky said last month, "His heart is strong, and there was never any lack of oxygen or brain damage. None of these rumors are true. Speaking to fans on her Instagram stories, Sky explained that her husband was recovering from a complex procedure. 'He's been recovering from a major four-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and [Fusion], which is an intense surgery with a long and layered healing process,' she said at the time. 'If you look it up, you'll see what the last six weeks have involved… not just for his spine, but also for his vocal cords, and the eating/breathing tubes that are clamped over during surgery." ACDF treats pinched nerves in the neck by removing damaged discs and stabilizing the spine. Daily said her husband of nearly two years had been "in and out of the hospital" as he recovered from surgeries. "He's healing and we're taking it one day at a time with love, strength, and patience," she said. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun