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.

The Flancer’s pizza-eating title is up for grabs this year: Two-time defending champion Tray Mead (pictured below) won’t be trying for a three-peat at the Gilbert restaurant Sunday.

“He won’t be competing this year,” says Flancer’s assistant general manager Myke Jones, adding with a laugh, “but he says if someone breaks his record, he’ll come out of retirement next year.”

The 59-year-
old Gilbert sci-fi artist’s record stands at 12 and a half cheese slices — the equivalent of one and a half 18-inch pizzas — all eaten in just 15 minutes (see last year’s recap).

This year’s field again is limited to 25 competitors, and there’s a waiting list in case there are any last-minute dropouts.

“We have last year’s third-place finisher back again this year,” Jones says. “There’s also a former champion from a few years ago.”

The contest, which costs $30 to enter, started nine years ago with just five contestants. The winner gets $500 and will be crowned by Miss Arizona.

Nearly 100 people showed up to watch last year’s patio contest. All proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project, which runs sports programs for wounded U.S. soldiers.

Restaurant owner Jeff Flancer hopes to raise $20,000 for the project this year. In addition to the pizza contest, the restaurant hosted a pair of cigar and port events last week.

Several businesses have donated $1,000 raffle packages ranging from a trip to Las Vegas to a 50/50 raffle matched by Meridian Bank. Raffle tickets are $5 apiece or five for $20.

There also are several prizes available through silent auctions, including Diamondbacks baseball tickets, golf packages and gift baskets.

People can buy raffle tickets or bid on auction items anytime until the restaurant closes Sunday evening. Winners will be announced Monday.

“Our goal is $20,000,” Jones says. “We’re feeling pretty confident we’re going to get it.”

Flancer’s, 610 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, will hold its ninth annual pizza-eating contest at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Free to watch. Info: (480) 926-9077 or flancers.com.

Flancer’s will hold its third annual Cigar and Port Wine Tasting from 6 to 8 p.m. April 21. The $45 price includes cigars, port wines and appetizers.

Proceeds from the event, held at the restaurant’s Gilbert location, go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

The tasting has sold out quickly in the past, so reservations are required. Call (480) 926-9077.