» World Tamale Eating Championship

Event Info
Discussion

The World Tamale Eating Championship is part of a full two-day schedule of activities planned for Western Days 2015, designed to showcase Lewisville’s rich history. This unique festival, designed to showcase the history and spirit of the west, invites attendees to find the cowboy in them through themed events, attractions, food, shopping and entertainment. Three festival stages feature national and regional live music and entertainment to flavor the air as festival-goers partake in the unique arts and crafts vendors, gunfight re-enactments, Native American singers and dancers, and car shows. Family fun continues with a multitude of children’s activities in our Kid Kountry area, face painters, strolling entertainers and the annual Huffines Auto Dealerships Lewisville Cattle Drive Parade – featuring 20-30 head of Texas longhorns.

Registration for the 2016 event will begin on Friday, July 22. Visit majorleagueeating.com for more information.

Past Champions – World Tamale Eating Championship
2005 – Levi Oliver, Austin, TX
2006 – Tim “Eater X” Janus, New York City, NY
2007 – Tim “Eater X” Janus, New York City, NY
2008 – Patrick Vandam, Eagan, MN
2009 – Juliet Lee, Germantown, MD
2010 – Tim “Eater X” Janus, New York City, NY
2011 – Tim “Eater X” Janus, New York City, NY
2012 – Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, San Jose, Calif.
2013 – Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, San Jose, Calif.
2014 – Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, San Jose, Calif.
2015 – Miki Sudo, Las Vegas, NV

Progression of tamale-eating World Record
June 2005 – Levi Oliver (36 tamales, 10 minutes and 30 seconds)
May 2006 – Chip Simpson (41 tamales, 12 minutes)
September 2006 – Tim “Eater X” Janus (51 tamales, 12 minutes)
May 2007 – Joey Chestnut (53 ½ tamales, 12 minutes)
September 2007 – Tim “Eater X” Janus (71 tamales, 12 minutes)
September 2012 – Joey Chestnut (102 tamales, 12 minutes)
September 2013 – Joey Chestnut (91 tamales, 10 minutes – * less time due to tamale shortage)
September 2014 – Joey Chestnut (75 tamales, 12 minutes)
September 2015 – Miki Sudo (61 tamales, 12 minutes)

Competition Notes

Traditional pork tamales are used in the contest, each weighing approximately 2.5 ounces.
During the 2005 contest, eaters had to remove their tamales from the corn husks during the competition. In subsequent contests, the tamales have been shucked in advance.
The 2005 event is the only one to have ended in a tie. Levi Oliver of Austin beat Donavon Busta of Denver in a three-tamale eat-off to claim the inaugural crown and establish the first world record for tamale consumption.
During the 2007 event, Rich LeFevre finished second by eating an astounding 51 tamales despite competing with missing front teeth, lost during another contest the week before.
The only Lewisville resident ever to place in the money at the Championship is Zack Alvarado, who placed fifth in 2009 by eating 23.5 tamales.
There have been only three “reversals” in event history, one in 2006 and two in 2011.
Nate Biller of Wichita Falls holds the Texas record with his mark of 50.5 tamales in the 2012 event. Biller has competed in the Championship seven times (most of any competitor) and placed in the top seven each time.
During the 2012 championship, 12 contestants combined to eat 555 tamales – about 46 dozen. That is nearly 87 pounds of food, more than seven pounds per competitor
The inaugural World Tamale Eating Championship was held during the Bassmaster Elite 50 Country Fair at Lewisville Lake in June 2005 and was won by Levi Oliver of Austin, who established a world record by eating 36 tamales in 10 minutes, 30 seconds. He remains the only Texan to win the world title in tamales.
MLE is the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducting more than 70 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.