Man vs. Food’s Adam Richman showed off his new svelte figure last week after dropping a whopping four stone since the show ended in 2012.
In an interview with People magazine he explained he retired from the cult show after catching himself in the mirror and described his body as ‘the size of a Smart car’.
For those of you with a slightly more relaxed approach to your waistline, and in homage to his previous job, we’ve put together a gut-busting top five monster food challenges.
We do however take no responsibility if your stomach explodes…
5. 50 Chicken Wing Challenge: The Oxford, Oxford Road
The Oxford’s manager Amy Owen reckons this challenge looks a lot easier than it actually is. How eating 50 chicken wings in 15 minutes could appear easy, we’re not too sure.
However Amy says the best chance is to have a game plan.
She said: “There are those that prepare for it and book the challenge in for breakfast to ensure maximum stomach space.
“They really go for it and generally get it all down the hatch within the 15 minutes!”
No matter what the strategy, we can’t imagine eating 50 wings in place of a bowl of Weetabix.
Amy describes the spicy wing option as a ‘painful’ experience.
Costing £8.95 this is the cheapest on the list but, if you do manage to complete this challenge, they will bin the bill.
4. Monster Mashup: TV21 Café Bar, Northern Quarter
TV21’s Challenge Burger has had a bit of a re-brand for Halloween, which is fitting as it must be the scariest amount of food on this list.
Four half pound beef patties, bacon, eggs, hash browns, salad, mayo accompanied by a side of fries topped with red chilli must be demolished within 30 minutes.
The sheer size of food that confronts the challenger makes it even more impressive that nine people since it began at the start of this year have managed to devour it within the allotted time.
But if you’re not a meat eater fear not as they also do a vegetarian version of the plus-sized platter, so there really is no reason not to give this a go!
Ring ahead to avoid the inevitable long cooking time, but if you complete the challenge you will be refunded your £29.99 and receive a free t-shirt as well.
3. Big Breakfast Challenge: Mario’s Café, Bolton
This gargantuan feast has featured in The Daily Mail and FHM and only been conquered once, out of more than 1500 attempts in five years!
If that wasn’t impressive enough, the sole victor only needed a mere eight minutes and 45 seconds to be completed.
If you fancy adding your name to that incredibly short list, owner Mario Frappola will serve you up (deep breath now) 10 sausages, 10 bacon rashers, 10 eggs, 10 pieces of fried black pudding, 10 pieces of toast, mushrooms, tomatoes and beans.
At just £10.95 this mountain of food is ridiculously cheap (though doesn’t include the seemingly inevitable doctor’s bills) and if you manage to eat it all in 20 minutes you get your money back.
=1. Man vs. YOLO: YOLO Burger & Milkshake Bar, Oldham
In joint top spot is one of the yet-to-be-conquered meals – a burger and milkshake challenge.
Two 8oz beef patties, two chicken breasts, two muffins, a relish of your choice, ten onion rings, a portion of fries, six spicy chicken wings and a large milkshake stand between the challenger and glory.
For your chance at immortality and a place alongside boxer Amir Khan on the wall of fame (he hasn’t actually tried the challenge) it all has to be finished in just 30 minutes.
It comes as no surprise then that nobody has completed it yet, with owner Adnan Farzand confirming the closest anybody has come is within two minutes.
This will set you back £14.99 which will be refunded if you’re victorious.
=1. The Big Dogs Challenge: The Blue Bell Pub, Bury
Also scooping the top spot is The Big Dogs Challenge.
Competitors taking on this challenge must take on eight hot dogs in buns, topped with fried onions, sauerkraut, ketchup and mustard, as well as a portion of chips.
Since it started two months ago, 17 people have attempted it but none have succeeded.
The prize on offer is a place in the hall of fame, a t-shirt and a gallon of beer (surely worth the price of £13.99 alone?!)
You must ring ahead to give co-managers Lee Pouncey and Sally Murray a chance to fire up the stoves and prepare this feast.
If you’re feeling peckish this week and fancy a challenge, why not sink your teeth into one of these challenges?
Go forth and gorge!
Pictures courtesy of YOLO, The Oxford and The Blue Bell Pub, with thanks
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