This hot news just in…
The International Federation of Competitive Eating is bringing its Jalapeno-Eating World Championship to the State Fair of Texas.

It’s not exactly the Olympics, but the press release refers to the “Top Major League Eaters on the IFOCE circuit” as an “increasingly celebrated breed of American athlete.”

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF COMPETITIVE EATING
151 West 25th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MAJOR LEAGUE EATERS TO BATTLE IN DALLAS FOR JALAPENO-EATING CHAMPIONSHIP

Stage is Set for Bertoletti-Thomas Matchup, $4,000 in Cash At-Stake
_______________________________

NEW YORK (September 25, 2006) – The State Fair of Texas will play host to some of the World’s finest competitive eaters on Sunday, October 8, at 1:30 p.m. for the Goldenpalace. net Jalapeno-Eating World Championship. Top Major League Eaters on the IFOCE circuit, an increasingly celebrated breed of American athlete, will gather in Dallas to battle for the title of 2006 Goldenpalace. net Jalapeno-Eating World Champion. Additionally the champion will receive a $2,000 prize, with another $2,000 being distributed to the rest of the winners.

Headlining the event will be Patrick Bertoletti and Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas. Bertoletti, the #4 ranked Major League Eater, and the current jalapeno-eating world champion, is riding a wave of momentum heading into the contest. He recently captured the Goldenpalace. net Kolache-Eating World Championship, the International Pizza-Eating Championship and established a new record in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most ice cream eaten in 30 seconds. Thomas, the #3 ranked Major League Eater in the World, recently tied the American hamburger record, with 62 in 8 minutes.

Major League Eating fans consider this to be one of the most anticipated contests on the IFOCE circuit, as two of competitive eating’s greatest stars, Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas and Patrick Bertoletti, will face-off with a world championship title on the line. Fan favorites Rich Lefevre and Erik “The Red” Denmark will enter the contest as significant underdogs to Thomas and Bertoletti, but the two have been on successful streaks as of late. Rounding out the field will be local hopeful Todd Harris, who will be competing in his first Major League Eating event.

“Todd Harris of Garland is poised to change the Texas competitive eating scene in the same way Bob Wills changed the Texas music scene years ago,” said Richard Shea, President of the IFOCE. “Harris has his own style, and the rest of the world will be forced to take notice if he delivers the Jalapeno title to his home state.”

In addition to the professional event, there will be a Goldenpalace. net $100,000 Amateur Grilled Cheese-Eating Challenge. This contest is open to Texas residents above the age of 18 who have never competed in a professional eating contest before. If one of the contestants breaks the existing grilled cheese-eating record of 47 sandwiches, the competitor will win $100,000.

The State Fair of Texas is one of the largest attractions in the Lone Star State. The 2006 State Fair of Texas features games, activities and entertainment such as Cowboy Crush, the Kitchen Craft Starlight Parade and Lee Ann Womack. For more information visit www.bigtex.com.

The International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 100 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y. The competitive eating community, which numbers more than 3,000 veteran and rookie athletes, travels the nation in search of top titles and the glory that they provide.

Event Info:
WHAT: 2006 Goldenpalace. net Jalapeno-Eating World Championship

WHERE: State Fair of Texas
(Chevrolet Main Stage)
Dallas, TX

WHEN: Sunday, October 8

TIME: 1:30 p.m.

Any Texan HSBers willing to go and get us a report (with pictures)?