The Valley has a new pizza-eating champion: Chiun “Jimmy” Peng of Scottsdale wolfed down a record 13 slices in 15 minutes Sunday to win Flancer’s ninth annual charity pizza-eating contest. That’s the equivalent of more than one and a half 18-inch pies and breaks the previous record of 12 and a half slices set by 2008 champion Tray Mead.

Sunday’sevent drew a large crowd to the Gilbert restaurant’s patio. The contestants paid $30 to enter, which included a free t-shirt. The contest was part of Flancer’s week-long fund-raising efforts for the Wounded Warrior Project.

Owner Jeff Flancer (pictured on left) introduced an official from the Wounded Warrior Project, which offers sports programs for wounded U.S. soldiers. In addition to the pizza contest, Flancer’s hosted two cigar and port events and several raffles and silent auctions to raise more than $20,000 this year.

Each competitor received his own 18-inch cheese pizza cut into eight slices. Several of them doubled over the slices while they were waiting to begin.

Flancer’s Myke Jones introduced the 23 competitors to the crowd. Then the 15-minute clock started. This year’s field was:

Matt Heistandt, the 2004 champ, of Scottsdale (left); John Dadelow of Gilbert (center); Jay Elliot from Canada;

Russell Blackwell of Tempe (left); Nick Catona of Phoenix;

Juan Lopez of Mesa (left); Tim Stutz of Chandler (center); Ryan Binder of Phoenix;

Daniel Cathcart of Gilbert (left), who’s Jeff Flancer’s trainer; Justin Finkerstein of Tempe;

Jimmy May of Orange County, Calif. (left); Will Veras of Mesa (center); Matt Jones of Tempe;

Steve Korn of Chandler (left); Paul McCurtain of Gilbert;

Brett Palmer of Gilbert (left); Tom Pullins of Gilbert (center); Will Kerwin of Gilbert;

Cody Morain of Gilbert (left); Steven Ditzel of Casa Grande;

Paul Rysavy of Apache Junction (left); Jason Perkins of Gilbert (center) and Peng.

When the buzzer sounded, Peng had eaten 13 slices (including the crust). He was crowned by Miss Arizona Erin Nurss. Palmer finished a close second with 12 slices, and Blackwell was third with 10 slices.

For his victory, Peng received a $500 check. Asked his strategy, the first-time eating-contest entrant  said, “Just to keep going.” Amazingly, Peng was still hungry so he and his family stayed for lunch at Flancer’s.

Posted in: Gilbert • Flancer's |

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