The Colonel’s Retreat is hosting a monthly Man vs. Food competition this semester that will bring excitement to all students who have a competitive appetite.

People may be familiar with or have seen the television show Man vs. Food on The Travel Channel. The food reality television show involves actor and food enthusiast Adam Richman who travels around to different American cities to famous restaurants. While in each city, Richman would then participate in a face-off against one of the local restaurant’s pre-existing eating challenges.

Markos Picou, the Food and Advisory Association president, believes the event is very entertaining and one of his goals going forward is to make the competition bigger and better.

“The Man vs. Food competition began in Spring 2011, and as president, one of my goals is make to the event bigger than its current status,” Picou said. “Previously we’ve have had signups for the event the day of the event, but this semester I am pushing to do signup at least two weeks prior.”

Many students that have heard of the eating competition believe it is very intriguing. The popularity from the television show has brought a sense of rivalry and want for bragging rights. Darrell Casmier, a senior multinational business administration major, was asked to participate in the first contest of the semester.

“I eat in the Colonel’s Retreat about once a week, and I was informed about the Man. Vs. Food competition through a good friend,” Casmier said. “It’s a event that could really grow and I would tell a friend about it.”

The event consists of five contestants and all competitors will be chosen in a first come, first serve selection. All Man vs. Food events are provided through Food Advisory Association and Sodexo. The event is held three times throughout each semester, and the next challenge will be held Feb. 25 at 2:30 p.m. in the Colonel Retreat. The next Man vs. Food competition will feature a meatball sub challenge.

Other students that have heard about the competition feel the competition will bring a crowd of supporters once the word gets out about the event. Jasmine Boothe, freshman computer information systems major, believes the event should bring about more than just bragging rights.

“I see the signs about the competition around the retreat and the cafeteria,” Booth said.
Flyers for the event will be posted around campus to further the exposure of the monthly occasion.

“The only thing better than the bragging rights from winning the competition is wining prize money,” Booth said.

The competitors will be timed while eating a sizeable amount of the selected dish. After time has expired, each contestant will weigh in their food, and the person with the least amount of food left on their plate will be crowned the winner. There are no requirements to enter the event and students can go to the Colonel’s Retreat to sign up. The following event will be held March 25, which will feature a burrito challenge, and the last competition of the semester will be held April 22, featuring an ice cream challenge.