Eat your roughage! It's the world's first kale-eating contest
It's the health nut's green du jour, and on Saturday, ten contestants will be chowing down on the stuff in front of jurors — Major League Eating jurors, in the world's first kale eating competition.
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As It Happens4:55Eat your roughage! Major League Eating hosts world's first kale-eating contest
Carrie Meyer is the executive director of the Independent Health Foundation and one of the organizers of the contest. (Carrie Meyer) "We're real excited about it," Carrie Meyer tells As It Happens guest host Susan Bonner. "Kale is up and coming and very trendy — I think people are intrigued by it."
Meyer is the executive director at the Independent Health Foundation and one of the contest organizers. The leafy greens are widely hailed as a miracle superfood rich in vitamins and minerals. Meyer says in a city known for chicken wings and beef on weck sandwiches, the timing is right to feature a healthier option — even if it's on the competitive eating stage.
The Kale Cup and a total prize purse of $4,000 dollars (US) is at stake at Kale Yeah!—The World’s Healthiest Eating Championship. (healthyoptionsbuffalo.com) "We known that portion control is everything," Meyer admits. "I mean, we're trying to do a unique fun spin on it to showcase the irony of even eating too much kale could be too much. We're saying the healthy way is a cup of kale a day — the championship might be 10 pounds!"
Meyer says kale is the healthiest (and hardest to digest) when consumed raw so the preparation will be minimal.
"We [will] de-stem the kale and prepare it with olive oil and vinegar and salt and pepper," Meyers explains.
(healthyoptionsbuffalo.com) The roster of contestants includes some of the world's top ranked competitive eaters. They're known to scarf back unthinkable amounts of hot dogs, donuts and chicken wings but since kale is a first, Meyers says the stakes are even higher.
Ranked #45 in the world by Major League Eating Association, Ben Do will be representing Canada at the kale eating contest. (healthyoptionsbuffalo.com) "They want to proclaim themselves as the healthiest competitive eater on the planet!" Meyers insists.
Ben Do, ranked 45 in the world, will be making the two-hour journey south from his home in Kitchener, Ontario to represent Canada in the event. Do honed his chops at the first-ever World Poutine Eating Championship in 2011, where he won first place. He spoke with As It Happens about his competitive eating strategy. Take a listen:
As It Happens0:49Competitive eater Ben Do on representing Canada at world's first kale eating competition
It's the health nut's green du jour, but on Saturday, 10 contestants will be chowing down on the stuff in front of jurors -- Major League Eating jurors, in the world's first kale eating competition.
Kale Yeah! The World's Healthiest Eating Championship will take place at 2 p.m. July 9 on the steps of Buffalo's City Hall.
