THUNDER BAY – Thomas Currie had to wait three years to defend his Persian eating contest title.
While he wasn’t able to down all 10 of the Thunder Bay delicacies in the allotted 10-minute time, the 30-year-old, who joked he’s been training since he was a kid, did manage to eat about nine of them on Thursday afternoon, winning the crown for a third time.
“I’ve loved Persians since I was a little kid, and when I saw this contest I was like, ‘Oh yeah, sign me up,” Currie said, helping to kick off Canada Day festivities at the Red Lion Smokehouse.
Currie had a strategy down pat.
While other contestants chose the slow and steady route, eating one at a time, Currie got down and dirty – and a little sticky – doubling up to save time.
“I have finished all 10 in the past. My strategy is to do a sandwich cram. I basically take two of the Persians, I squish them together and I crush them, to make them easier to swallow,” he said.
“Then I just eat two at a time.”
Currie said he felt great after his latest caloric crunch.
“Once I burp and let the air out of my system, I’m perfectly fine,” he said.
Currie edged Stan Alto, a two-time winner of the contest, by about a single Persian.
The 51-year-old, who said he’s contemplating retirement from the contest, said it’s been a fun run while it lasted.
“It’s kind of fun to think that the only two winners of the even have been me and Thomas in the five years they’ve held it. Thomas deserves it. That guy can really pack it away,” said Alto, who had his three children and his partner cheering him on as time rapidly ticked down.
“He really does have a good technique. I was behind early and he was using his sandwich technique. He got ahead at the start and was up by four, but when they said three or four minutes to go, I said I’ve got to try this just to see if it works.”
Alto did catch up, but the clock ran out, as he paused between bites to wash the Persians down with a sip of water.
“I was only down by half a Persian at the end.”
