Stephanie Torres' total of 3.25 pounds of cheese fries in 8 minutes was claimed to be a national record. Takeru Kobayashi ate five pounds of cheese fries in five minutes in the first round of the US Open of Competitive Eating in 2005. (The only other US Open cheese fries result I could find was Carlene LeFevre's total of 3 lb. 3 oz).

March 29, 2012 at 12:15 pm by ojrifkin · More posts about:Records | Permalink * Comments (38)

38 Comments »

  1. Wasn't even close said

    March 29, 2012 @ 12:49 pm

    Sonya ate over 8 pounds at the Queen Mary Chili Cheese Fries Championship in 2006.

    http://eatfeats.com/query.php?_table=contests&id=64

  2. Wasn't even close said

    March 29, 2012 @ 12:52 pm

    Ok, cheese fries versus chili cheese fries – may make a difference.

  3. Whaa? said

    March 29, 2012 @ 1:07 pm

    Okay, I was starting to buy into this whole idea of having multiple organizations. But, this whole APE thing is quickly devolving into Booneyland. Naader, Dax, MOTIFF, I don’t know how you can defend this crap. Salute what Stephanie did, but don’t make things up. You will eventually ruin any of APE’s credibility, Stephanie’s credibility, and in the long run, competitive eating’s credibility as a whole when you make up things that can easily be fact checked. You better enjoy the short term benefits of being an unreliable source to the media because in the long term reporters will discover you lied. Then when the press stops taking you seriously, you’re done getting any attention to future contests and that’s what attracts eateries to sponsor eating contests — free media attention. Just ask, Suzanne (where is she now?) French, Grace (20 hot dogs) Lee, and Dale (I can only eat in India) Boone. By the way Stephanie fans, I hope softspoken Stephanie would discourage you padding her abilities and making up claims about her abillities (best woman eater in the world even though she repeatedly got her butt kicked by Sonya). You may not see it it, but everyone else does and it makes you guys look like asses to everyone outside your little circle. Promotion’s fine, lying isn’t.

  4. Anonymous said

    March 29, 2012 @ 1:25 pm

    This is all very funny… Look through other “records” and I think you’ll find some interesting “claims”. Although it may hurt, try being unbiased… As an example, I think there are about 100+ people who have beaten Crazy Legs’ “Buffet Food” record and that’s just the start…

  5. MOTIF said (Registered September 3, 2011)

    March 29, 2012 @ 1:40 pm

    I hope I havn’t been putting around the message that I’m pro-APE, because I’m not……
    I respect the eaters who don’t believe a contract is right for them, but people visibly trying to put down the leauge, and make unjustified claims suchs as world records etc etc should get ther egos checked.
    MLE isn’t perfect, but definitly alot better an organization the APE. Having both around just ruins the integrity and cedibility of Competitive Eating.

  6. Queen Mary said

    March 29, 2012 @ 1:44 pm

    Juliet Lee ate over 4.5 pounds of Chili Cheese Fries in 2007 and that was only good enough to finish in the top five. Sonya took third with almost 5.3 lbs. according to the database. This 3.25 pounds must some sort of amateur (or simply b.s.) record.

  7. Anonymous said

    March 29, 2012 @ 1:46 pm

    @1:40 I totally agree! It’s kind of like having rugby sevens, rugby tens and “regular” rugby around just ruins the integrity and credibility of Rugby! Off with their heads!!!

  8. Whaa? said

    March 29, 2012 @ 2:08 pm

    Anony 1:25: Fact: Kobi ate 5 lbs. of cheese fried in five minutes. You can’t question THAT record it was on ESPN. Forget “claims” by MLE, is ESPN also lying? The world saw Kobi do it on television. Stephanie could only eat 3.25 lbs. and it took her eight minutes. Yet, unfortunately we have only APE’s word about Stephanie’s amounts which is now in question because they lied that it was a “national record.” You’re the one who needs to be unbiased towards APE and try to change the subject with other records you deem questionable. The other-people-do-it defense won’t work here because it’s cheese fries we’re talking about and APE has been caught lying red handed. That’s a fact, and I hope Stephanie would distance herself from these APE people who are so selfishly desparate to gain attention to their organization that they would distort her talent and achievements.

  9. Anonymous said

    March 29, 2012 @ 2:32 pm

    @2:08 – Since you obviously take this very seriously and saw Kobi eat those cheese fries, I am sure you can absolutely say that they were the EXACT same cheese fries that are eaten at every contest and were eaten following the EXACT same rules at every contest, right? Your “other people do it defense won’t work here” arguement alone discredits a lot of what you are saying. Take a look at that MLE chicken wings-long form record. Every single thing that you used in your post applies to that “record” as being a completely false record and it shouldn’t be listed, right? Fact: that record has been beaten. You can’t question THAT! I am unbiased – just trying to to show that an eating “record” is indeed completely in the eye of the beholder. I don’t really think there is any lying, because if there is, then every CE group is guilty. You feel otherwise and life goes on…

  10. MOTIF said (Registered September 3, 2011)

    March 29, 2012 @ 3:21 pm

    @2:32 – I see what your saying, but you must realize, every single record on this planet is subject to margin of allowable error. 100-yard sprinter have new, lighter, gear then they did 10 years ago, but when the records beat its beat. In tennis, the fastest serve recorded keeps going up. Sure, 10 years ago the rackets were crap compared to now, but its considered an acceptable amount of error in the recording. WIth Competitive eating, i feel like the records are subject only to distinct differences. The body that is suppose to identify any changed in food and either accept it is the governing officals. This is why Guinness records, MLE records, and resturant records can and will never be assosiated with one another, nor should they. Just look at how our baseball records here in American differ from that in China, different leauges.

  11. Anonymous said

    March 29, 2012 @ 3:35 pm

    @3:21 – Well said. Very well said! My last comments on this is to stress what you said perfectly – “will never be associated with one another, nor should they.” Different leagues, different groups, different “records” – doesn’t matter the sport, it simply isn’t apples-to-apples. Great discussion by all. Maybe we can all have an olive branch eating contest someday! 🙂

  12. In Awe! said

    March 29, 2012 @ 3:51 pm

    With so many great female eaters these days, who can really say who’s the best. APE has Steph, WLOCE has Suzanne, Japan has Sugawara and Gal Sone, MLE has Juliet and Sonya. It’s anyone’s guess.

  13. Whaa? said

    March 29, 2012 @ 4:11 pm

    2:32: Of course they weren’t the EXACT same cheese fries. But, Kobi certainly ate two more pounds of a food product called cheese fries eaten in three minutes less time than Stephanie’s so called “national record.” How is saying what she did as a “national record” not lying and a complete falsehood? There’s no “eye of the beholder” when it comes to weight and time. The laws of physics pretty much proved that mass and time are constant, unless of course APE’s figured out how to approach the speed of light. Now that truly would be a national achievement.

  14. DaxtheGinger said (Registered April 23, 2011)

    March 29, 2012 @ 4:48 pm

    Defend? the only thing I defend is a left jab.

  15. BigWillTheChamp said (Registered February 1, 2009)

    March 29, 2012 @ 5:45 pm

    As an MMA fan. And someone who thinks Pro Eating should be more like the pro wrestling (without the pre-determined outcomes of course) model, there are many organizations that recognize their own champions and their own records. WWE had their world champ, WCW had theirs. UFC, who’s the biggest MMA company has their champ, and while they’re more widely recognized and have a higher budget then say Strike Force or Bellator, each of those organizations have their own champions and records.
    And we’re going to give the ridiculousness of competitive eating more importance?
    Ultimately, that is what waters down and takes away from the “sport”, the people within that are trying to make things bigger. Some of you guys are going to contests, paying your own expenses, winning no money and then fighting over who holds a dumb record.
    Let’s all get over ourselves just a little bit…

  16. anonymous said

    March 29, 2012 @ 8:33 pm

    Poor poor little girl, she has to create a record’ Check the Alka Seltza US Open some years back, lets see”Joey , Koby, Hal, Erik, Rich, Carlene, Sonya, Tim, Booker, and the Optic had more than the little girl..What national record?

  17. anonymous said

    March 29, 2012 @ 8:41 pm

    Do you realize Stephanie is probably loving every minute of this attention you are giving her and those jokes at APE. By the way APE rarely reqruits home grown talent ..Most of the time they pick up the discarded leftovers that used to compete with MLE

  18. Mr. Guiness said

    March 30, 2012 @ 6:57 am

    So is it safe to say that beautiful brian seiken is still the record holder and champ in pickles?

  19. anonymous said

    March 30, 2012 @ 8:47 am

    Ed Jarvis holds the sour garlic pickle record 2.97 lbs in 5 min in 2004. According to IFOCE.com Seiken holds the 6 min record for vinegar dills with 2.7lbs

  20. Whaa? said

    March 30, 2012 @ 11:01 am

    8:41: Actually, Stephanie has always been very soft spoken and kind of shy when it comes to attention. I’d probably say she is not too happy with APE because she’s the one who is going to have to defend this phoney record. In APE’s selfish desire to gain attention to their organization they’re actually throwing Stephanie under the bus if she ever gets a question from a reporter questioning her so called record. One simple Google search by a reporter on cheese fries will show that it’s a made up record. She’s the one who ultimately end up with a credibility problem. APE as an amorphous organization has no individual whose reputation will be tarnished. Heck to this day no one can even explain how their ranking system works. I wouldn’t be surprised a la Boone that it’s just one individual throwing darts at pictures on the wall. At least with MLE we know it’s the Shea brothers making their rankings as recognized experts in competitive eating, heavily weighing the outcome of the Nathan’s finals. If I were Stephanie I’d keep my distance from those APE folks, they clearly don’t have her best intentions in mind.

  21. Anonymous said

    March 30, 2012 @ 11:46 am

    @11:01 – What is the chicken wing eating record? I already know your answer so here is another question – can there not be different records with the same food? If not, then I suggest you take your arguement to both sides and start slamming MLE for their ability to throw people under the bus and don’t have their eaters best intentions in mind (if you didn’t notice, there are three, yes three, chicken wing records on the MLE site. Once you start trying to explain that, all of your above arguements and comments get thrown right out the window). What if the 5 minute record for cheese fries is Kobi’s and the 8 minute record is Stephanie’s? Doesn’t matter the amount… (again, just like the numerous records for the same food with MLE). You are clearly showing your true colors and quickly discrediting yourself as someone who can see “both sides” of any discussion! Take off those MLE blinders for a minute if possible! With your ridiculous comments and “logic”, I guess if you were to swim the 100 meter freestyle at an organzied swimming event in “non-typical swimming pool water” in 45 seconds it wouldn’t/couldn’t be any type of record, right? Or would it? I see Stephanie winning plenty of money at any event APE event she does in the future…

  22. anonymous said

    March 30, 2012 @ 11:52 am

    It doesn’t matter who is running the APE show now. As long as George Steinbrenner is alive and well he will call the shots from the a distance which means the selfish desire to gain attention to their organization will always exist Get my point.? Hell there were times they never had EMT present at the contests so what does that tell you ? Using eaters , especially quality femaile eaters like Stephanie to bring attention by inflating her totals is nothing new with them

  23. Whaa? said

    March 30, 2012 @ 12:27 pm

    11:46 — I’m supporting Kobi’s record, not MLE’s record. Which is also a problem since not only does the APE phoney record discredit APE as an organization and Stephanie, I’m sure Kobi’s not too pleased with it since that’s one of the records that he and his people lists as his own. Notice how MLE doesn’t have it as a record because of the Kobi/MLE feud? So good luck getting the top independent eater to an APE event with that phoney record discrediting Kobayashi. I don’t care about MLE records. Quit trying to change the subject. I don’t know how to get this through your head, but Kobi ate five pounds of cheese fries in five minutes. Stephanie ate a way lesser amount in eight minutes. It’s math. Nobody supports your position, and if you are APE related you’re digging that hole deeper for your organization by trying to defend the ridiculous. It was wrong to list it as a record, so leave Stephanie with some dignity and take down that record reference and allow her achievement to stand on its own.

  24. Whaa? said

    March 30, 2012 @ 12:39 pm

    11:46 — I just ate a half pound of cheese fries in 10 minutes. APE please list me as the record holder for a half pound of cheese in 10 minutes. Your logic is inane.

  25. I hate everyone said

    March 30, 2012 @ 12:53 pm

    Whaa? ,,, you’re a moron who is one sided and biased. I Did some checking and it seems Steph is just fine. It seems mle has no recognized record for cheese fries; they do have a record for CHILI cheese fries. I also googled it as suggested and I found a page with all but one reference to Steph. So by your own accordance the record is a valid record. Even though there have been contests with that particular food NONE have claimed a record. Just like what has been said here on this thread mle has plenty of “records” which are pure bullshit, so I say CONGRATS Steph on YOUR new world record. Lastly All Pro will do just fine whatever you douchbags have to say

  26. BigWillTheChamp said (Registered February 1, 2009)

    March 30, 2012 @ 1:25 pm

    Yeah, there’s no bias in MLE rankings at all. Good call on that one Whaa? The Shea’s have NO marketing intentions at all in regarding the rankings. It’s not arbitrary at all…

  27. MOTIF said (Registered September 3, 2011)

    March 30, 2012 @ 1:51 pm

    @11:46, your highly misleaded in your assumption of the chicken wing record. There are two components to a record, the amount, and the time. Change up either of those and you have a new record, theoretically. Its not logical to hold records for every single mintue difference, but if one sponcer ones to hold a normal form wing contest, thats 12 minutes, short, thats 5 minutes, and of course the wing bowl record at 30mins is way in its own leauge. I believe that allowing short, normal, and long form of records is foods that are very widely used seems fine. If they decided to do short form and long for moon-pies, thats a different story. But if say a sponcer wanted to hold a 10 minute wing contest, I’m sure MLE would require them to bump it up to 12 minutes for sake of keeping the record.

    Also @Will, I really don’t feel that the Shea’s or MLE are anymore bias in the ranking then any other organization out there. Larger events have larger pulls in EVERY sports ranking, hence why Nathan’s is a large determiner. If you can, prove me wrong and name one eater who is vastly off-ranked. If you mention Ben Monson, you must remeber, his contract started in late 09′, so therefore with him records, the MLE has no choice but to include him in the rankings.

  28. BigWillTheChamp said (Registered February 1, 2009)

    March 30, 2012 @ 2:13 pm

    I’m not saying it’s VASTLY biased. But I am saying that it is mostly abitrary. From 3-12, the rankings could be jumbled up any which way and be called fair. The part that I’m focusing on is this: “I really don’t feel that the Shea’s or MLE are anymore bias in the ranking then any other organization out there.” If that’s the case, then give credit where it’s due. You’re discrediting the rankings but saying that “other organizations” are doing just about the same in regard to how they rank.
    At the end of the day, the only ones that care about the rankings and records are the eaters themselves. The organizers don’t really care, the sponser’s don’t really care and the “fans” or spectators don’t really care. For the most part they’re looking for entertainment.

  29. Whaa? said

    March 30, 2012 @ 2:16 pm

    Will: Yes, there’s plenty of bias at MLE when it coms to rankings. However, for MLE, top five, top 10, check the record, it is basically where you end up at Nathan’s with other contests as tie breakers, etc. Beyond top 10 or 15 it’s basically a beauty contest for the Sheas on who can be used for media promotion purposes and given a high ranking for added cachet. The only reason there are leagues is for marketing intentions. The only reason there is an NFL, MLB, NBA, etc. is for marketing intentions — to make money as an entertainment venue. For competitive eating, MLE just does it better than others, proven by today’s discussion. When a reporter comes to a top MLE eater, they’ve got the credibility of MLE backing them up. Not pure as the driven snow in credibility, but head over heels over APE, WLOCE, and any of the other neophytes with the public and reporters. With the backing of MLE the organization will professionally set up, and handle media for the eater. APE hacks will leave you out in the cold to fend for yourself as they will with Stephanie, clumsily assigning her a record that any reporter would tear apart when it comes to any semblence of credibility. Heck, APE can’t even defend it here on EATFEATS no less a good reporter.

  30. Anonymous said

    March 30, 2012 @ 3:17 pm

    @2:16 – You’re only helping me make my point… The MLE blinders are on secure and tight, aren’t they? “So don’t be afraid to let them show. Your true colors – True colors are beautiful, Like a rainbow…”. Let’s throw out every possible record that is non-MLE because it simply doesn’t count, right? Tell that to every single restaurant – their records don’t count! Tell that to every other eating contest – they simply don’t have a right to any “records” do they? You’ve made your point loud and clear – if it isn’t MLE than it simply doesn’t matter. We get it. We all also get your “connection”. If you ate 1/2 pound of cheese frys in a 10 minute contest I am all for the organiser of that contest saying it’s their National record. Don’t care who it is – I’m all for it! As @12:53 said, where exactly is the established national record for cheese frys? It isn’t with MLE or on their site, so where is it? No matter what your answer is, I’ll then give you a shovel so you can dig your hole deeper. Either way, whatever answer you give, you will only discredit everything you have previously said… I can’t disagree with your statement about MLE’s size and credibility – it is definitely there. Probably the one thing we can agree on… I think either Stephanie or APE would easily handle a question on the new APE cheese frys record…

  31. Whaa? said

    March 30, 2012 @ 5:00 pm

    So, what have we learned about APE from this thread? 1. APE will clumsily fabricate lame records (i.e., 3.2 lbs of cheese fries in 8 minutes) for organizational attention at the expense of APE’s own eater’s reputation. 2. APE will jealously blame any questioner of their practices as MLE “morons”, even if those questioning them are defending a non, actually anti-MLE eater. 3. APE has no explainable way to define how their vague ranking system works. 4. If you don’t actually claim a record, than APE desperately will, even if their APE eater eats less food in a longer period time. 5. APE does not support their own eaters (i.e, no EMTs, poor media-relation practices). 7. APE sadly will discredit non-APE eaters for short-term attention, even when that eater is a pillar of competitive eating (i.e, Takeru Kobayashi). 6. For all the above, non-disputable reasons APE has no credibility.

    Have a great weekend.

  32. I hate everyone said

    March 30, 2012 @ 5:03 pm

    @ 3:17 I stated that mle has no record for cheese fries but there is a record for CHILI CHEESE FRIES and for records sake these are two different things
    this is from the mle site on the records tab

    Chili Cheese Fries
    8 lbs, 2 oz Wienerschnitzel Chili Cheese Fries at the Queen Mary
    10 minutes/February 11, 2006
    Sonya Thomas

    but I have to agree with ” The only reason there are leagues is for marketing intentions.”
    finally someone get it !

  33. BigWillTheChamp said (Registered February 1, 2009)

    March 30, 2012 @ 5:35 pm

    @Whaa? – Look, here’s what I’ll tell ya. Maybe the whole thing with APE was somewhat true in the past. When they wanted to institute the contract, I read it over and I didn’t sign because I didn’t trust the situation. I got the point of what they wanted to do, but it just didn’t work for me. I’ve said that over the years. But I have to tell you, this thing with APE is headed in a totally knew direction. Where I wouldn’t feel good about signing before, I would totally do so now if asked. After talking with these guys and spending a the weekend with these guys, I totally trust what Todd and Coondog are doing. And at the end of the day, they still have the eaters interests at heart while also running a good business model. With all the changes that has happened over the last year with them, you can’t base your opinion off of the past. Last year was getting things off the ground, and I think that they’re only going to get bigger. But I guess it’s going to take time to see if that happens before we can shut people up. That said, there are some people that are always going to cry no matter how much better something gets. I can definitely tell you, that after my experience with the cheese fry contest, there is NOTHING hack about these guys. It’s just the difference between McDonalds and Five Guys. McDonalds is deeply established in the cultural paradigm. But there is a place for a Five Guys burger and they’re only getting bigger. There is a place where two similar things can exist and not be the same exact thing.

  34. Anonymous said

    March 30, 2012 @ 6:01 pm

    @5:00 – Have a great weekend, too! Nice work trying to collect yourself from the downward spiral you jumped into. Your last comments, which a lot of are completely false, provide a great summary of who you are to the core. What have we learned about you in this thread? A hint of envy mixed with a lot of unbridled ignorance, quite a bit of malice and a strong smell of fascism. BTW – you never defended Kobi – in your words, you threw him under the bus which ultimately bit you on the behind. See how easy it is to absolutely tear apart everything you are posting? For what it’s worth, I haven’t seen APE desperately defend anything but you obviously know more than everyone else…

  35. anonymous said

    March 30, 2012 @ 6:26 pm

    1152 tells it all if OJ even posted it

  36. The Name said

    March 30, 2012 @ 6:52 pm

    OVER RANKED IN THE MLE? EASY, CRAZY LEGS CONTI. HAS BEEN BEATIN OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS BY MANY LOWER RANKED EATERS YET STILL REMAINED IN THE TOP 20. CHECK THE NUMBERS AND YOU WILL SEE FOR YOURSELF. SEEMS LIKE A GREAT GUY BUT OVERRATED.

  37. anonymous said

    March 30, 2012 @ 10:21 pm

    The last 3yrs? try 2004 -present

  38. DaxtheGinger said (Registered April 23, 2011)

    March 31, 2012 @ 12:27 am

    Some mens swagger is worth more than their capacity,

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