Fantasy science-fiction artist Tray Mead usually has a salad when he eats at Flancer’s in Gilbert. On occasion, though, he’ll have pizza — a lot of pizza.
Mead devoured 12-and-a-half slices of pizza in just 15 minutes Sunday to successfully defend his title at Flancer’s eighth annual pizza-eating contest.
“I don’t think I’m going to have to eat for three or four days,” said the 58-year-old Gilbert resident, who won $500 and was crowned (pictured above) by Miss Arizona Nicole Turner.
The contest, which began on Flancer’s one-year anniversary with just five contestants, reached its limit 25 competitors this year and had several people on a waiting list.
“I think about half are regular customers,” said restaurant owner Jeff Flancer, adding that all proceeds from the event go to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Entrants paid $30 apiece to consume slices — including the crust — that were one-eighth of a large cheese pizza. A crowd of nearly 100 watched the midday competition.
Tim Leonard, a 27-year-old massage therapist from Phoenix (pictured at right), ate 11-and-a-half slices to finish second in his contest debut.
“It’s OK once you get it in — it’s just eating it that fast,” he said, adding he “most likely” would compete again next year.
Arizona State University student Matthew Jones placed third with nine-and-a-half slices.
In all, this year’s contestants consumed 190 slices, the equivalent of nearly 24 large pizzas.
Flancer said next year’s event likely would be expanded, especially with next month’s opening of a second Flancer’s at Higley and McKellips roads in northeast Mesa.
Click on any of the photos below to enlarge
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