Corny dogs reloaded

Corny dog contestants chow their way to the championship
12:00 AM CDT on Monday, October 1, 2007
By EMILY POWELL / The Dallas Morning News

What do you get when you scarf down 12 deep-fried corny dogs in 10 minutes?

For Mike Wilkes, a first-prize winner in the State Fair of Texas' fifth annual World Corny Dog Eating Championship, the answer isn't indigestion or a full stomach.

Read the rest of my first-ever metro cover story about the State Fair of Texas' fifth annual World Corny Dog Eating Championship here.

Why I work downtown on Sundays

I get to go the State Fair of Texas to cover the fifth annual Corny Dog Eating Championship.

This was last year:

Would-be champs inhale corny dogs
14 contestants fill up fast at fair event
October 2, 2006
By LAUREN D'AVOLIO / The Dallas Morning News
Like wood chippers devouring plank after plank, 14 hungry hopefuls tested their digestive limits Sunday in the State Fair of Texas' Fourth Annual World Corny Dog Eating Contest.
As a raucous crowd chanted, "Eat! Eat! Eat!" the extreme eaters – 12 men and two women – wiped their sweaty brows and dry heaved in gluttonous bliss.

"Nasty" Nathan Biller scarfed 12 of the fried franks in 10 minutes, beating Brent Ricord by a dog. It was enough for the trophy, but not to out-eat the record of 18 set last year by Richard LeFevre. The three-time champ didn't show Sunday to defend his title.

"I came in thinking maybe I could put the entire dog in my mouth and chew it," said Mr. Biller, who stands 6 feet and weighs 180 pounds. "They were a little bigger than I thought, so I could fit about three-quarters of it."

...

Twenty-two-year-old Cam Le of Lone Oak is no corpulent foodie; he was in it for the free meal. "I hope I don't throw up," he uttered minutes before taking the stage.
He was not successful, but he still tied for third place.

Stay tuned for my report of this year's fried frank goodness.