For years, the defining challenge of the Big Ten Fan Fest eating contest was the fiery, nose-tingling punch of St. Elmo’s shrimp cocktail. This year, the competition is undergoing a seismic — and saucier — shift. The event is trading shrimp for wings, pivoting to a showdown over Ale Emporium’s world-famous Hermanaki wings.
The change marks a new chapter for one of the weekend’s most anticipated fan attractions. Accordingly, the world’s top-ranked competitive eater, Indiana’s own Joey Chestnut, is refining his legendary strategy.
“Wings are a technique food,” Chestnut said in an interview with the Indianapolis Recorder. “For cocktail sauce, I kind of close my eyes and just grab and swallow. For this one, I have to keep my eyes open and strategize.”
From fiery pain to technical savvy
The shift from a “capacity contest” to a technical one alters everything. The legendary Hermanaki sauce — a sweet, savory and garlicky glaze born in Indianapolis in 1982 — replaces St. Elmo’s eye-watering cocktail sauce.
“The wings taste better,” Chestnut said. “It’s easier, but harder at the same time … It’s going to be a wild contest altogether.”
Consequently, Chestnut’s preparation is adapting. His pre-contest fast will be shorter. His focus, however, will be more acute.
“I need to make sure I just have crazy intensity,” Chestnut said. “Don’t waste any time and eat with urgency.” His goal is simple: avoid looking at his competitors. “If I look to the side at all, that means I’m not grabbing another wing.”
Chestnut set a new world record during last year’s shrimp-centric competition, devouring 21 pounds of St. Elmo’s shrimp in approximately eight minutes.
Warmer stage for a hotter showdown
The contest is moving indoors for the first time. It will be housed inside the Indiana Convention Center as part of an expanded Big Ten Fan Fest. Chestnut views this as a significant advantage.
“It will make it so the wings stay warm a little longer making things a little easier,” Chestnut said. “When the food cools off, it is always harder.”
Furthermore, the controlled environment aids the athlete’s physiology.
“It’s hard to eat when it’s cold … Nobody really has an appetite when they’re cold,” Chestnut said. “It’s nice that we will be indoors. It will be easy for me to start sweating and get loose.”
A star-studded showcase
This year, Chestnut faces formidable competition. The field includes #5-ranked Miki Sudo, the world’s top-ranked female eater and #6-ranked Nick Wehry. Chestnut respects the challenge, especially with this food.
“The only contest I lost this year was a wing contest,” Chestnut said. “I’m hoping I can just get a win.”
The event, therefore, becomes a high-stakes fusion of sport, culture, and local pride. The PR team pitched it as “uniquely, deliciously Indianapolis.” Ultimately, Chestnut sees the greater meaning.
“There’s two things that bring people together really, really well,” he reflected. “There’s food and then there’s sports. College [sports] is one of the most electric things in our culture. It really brings happy people together. I’m happy that you guys are being a part of it.”
Chestnut said that no matter how the competition goes, he will be sure to catch the Big Ten Championship game between Ohio State and Indiana University at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“There are two things that bring people together really well: sports and food. College football and wings,” Chestnut said.
Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Parham is the owner of @HorsemenSportsMedia. For more news, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver. He is also the owner and founder of Horsemen Sports Media.
