Pie-eating contest goes veggie

The Daily Telegraph ^ | 23/11/2006 | Nigel Bunyan

[Mrs Ivan]

Vegetarians are to be allowed to compete in the World Pie Eating Championships for the first time.

In previous years the only filling available to contestants was one of meat and potato.

But next month, following "relentless pressure" from the Vegetarian Society, a cheese and onion version will also be on the menu.

Tony Callaghan, the event's organiser, has also changed the rule on the number of pies to be eaten.

First prize has traditionally gone to the contestant who could eat the highest number of pies in three minutes. The current record stands at seven.

On December 13, however, the winner will be the man or woman who can devour a single pie the quickest.

Mr Callaghan, who stages the event at Harry's Bar, Wigan, Greater Manchester, says he has changed the rules in response to the Government's healthy eating campaign.

"I realise it may be controversial, but this is the way forward for pie-eating at this level.

"It will make for an exciting sporting spectacle, whilst also doffing its cap to Government guidelines on obesity.

"We have also bowed to relentless pressure from the Vegetarian Society and agreed to introduce a vegetarian option."

He confirmed that vegetarian competitors would be required to eat a slightly smaller pie "because of its rather more glutinous content."

Mr Callaghan added: "We will not stop competitors from entering both championships, so there is every possibility we will have a double world champion for the first time."

The rule changes have angered some previous champions. Dave Smyth, who won the first competition in 1992, said: "This contest has always been about savouring as many pies as possible over a three-minute period, not sprinting through a few mouthfuls of a single pie."

He also finds the vegetarian option unpalatable. "Pies are supposed to be meat and potato – anything else just isn't normal."

Mr Hindley, 48, a painter from Hindley, near Wigan, intends to lobby the organising committee on the changes. "I'm not going to rest until I've got answers," he said.

Wiganers are seemingly proud to be called pie-eaters, even though the nickname has nothing to do with the local affection for pastry.

The name is said to date from the 1926 General Strike when local miners returned to work before their counterparts in surrounding towns. As a consequence they were forced to eat "humble pie".

[Mrs Ivan]

I find it bizarre that anything involving a meat and potatoe pie, or a cheese and onion one, for that mattter can include concessions to the Government's healthy eating campaign.

[Citizen Soldier]

Personally, I like sticky toffee pudding the best!

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

At least in this part of the United States (California) the concept or a pie-eating contest with meat and potato pies (already rare as it is--and called shepherd's pie) is disgusting. It is usually apple or pumpkin for this season; a cream pie otherwise.

[NormsRevenge]

what next? Quiche? :-}

HaPPy Thanksgiving!

Participants at a Los Angeles pie-eating contest in October 2006. One of Britain's quirkiest events, the World Pie Eating Championship, has fallen foul of the healthy eating lobby, with organisers changing the rules and even including a vegetarian option.(AFP/File/Gabriel Bouys)

[DemforBush]

Oh man...sticky toffee pudding....*droooool*