Wing Bowl 14 Recap
Wachovia
Center, February 3, 2006
It was billed as a "virgin" Wing Bowl, but the contest was between two professional food eaters from start to finish. Distancing themselves from the field were the IFOCE (International Federation of Competitive Eating) 3rd-ranked contender, 22-year old
Joey Chestnut of San Jose, CA; and the 6th-ranked, 61-year old
Richard "The Locust" LeFevre of Henderson, NV - who appeared wearing a Donovan McNabb #5 jersey.
As could easily have been predicted, Philly fans quickly anointed "The Locust" their favorite - showing him with cheers whenever he appeared on the Wachovia Center JumboTron. On the contrary Chestnut was the object of their scorn as he took an early and sizeable lead over the entire pack of eaters.
In the end Chestnut won the Wing Bowl by eating a record-setting 173 chicken wings. He won the title and a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara. LeFevre finished a respectable second having consumed 156 wings - not bad for a skinny 130-pound man who usually eats health food.
The top local finisher was Dave "Dr.
Winglove" Inderbitzin, 27, of Manayunk, who ate 114 wings.
In a separate contest Candace Caridmon won Wingette of the Year. Candice was runner up to
Amanda Vanderziel in the 2005 Miss WIP competition. As Wingette of the Year she won an all-inclusive Apple Vacation to Punta Cana or Cancun.
In honor of his contributions to Wing Bowl and his victories Bill "El Wingador " Simmons was honored as the first member of the Wing Bowl Hall of Fame. His name now soars high on a banner in the rafters of the Wachovia Center.
The changes at this year's Wing Bowl proved successful, especially the decision to sell all tickets prior to the event with the $5 per ticket going to charity. This prevented the near riot which occurred last year in the Wachovia Spectrum parking lots.
By having all "virgin" Wing Bowl contestants, the spectators were treated to some of the best pageant-like entrances by all of the contestants. It would have been good to see a separate prize for best entrance by a contestant.
Some things remained the same. The contest was exciting. Two contestants heaved...and then leave(d). Mize continued his annual demonstration of beer can bashing on his head. Angelo Cataldi lost his voice and was
rescued by Wing Bowl founder Al Morganti and the lovely Rhea Hughes. Former Major League umpire
Eric Gregg returned as Wing Bowl commissioner but is desperately in need of some weight loss for his own health. He has clearly gained substantially since last year. As usual the 75+ Wingettes attracted more attention than the eaters as you could easily expect from a 90% testosterone heavy male audience.
As lovely as Candace was, my personal choice for Wingette of the Year was the young short-haired blond that served as one of "The Locusts" wingettes. She was a definite
Mariska Hargitay
look-a-like. I was shocked that she did not make the final ten for Wingette of the Year.
Planning has already begun for next year's Wing Bowl 15. Joey Chestnut and Richard LeFevre both want to return to face-off again. Perhaps next year, Wing Bowl will once again mark the start of a Super Bowl weekend where the Philadelphia Eagles will return to the big game. Well, we can dream...