Ribmania Chicago.
Ribfest Chicago ribs eating contest.
Photography has always been my crutch. In high school I learned that if I picked up a camera I could participate in anything without really having to participate: a way to be social without having to be social. I could document parties without having to interact. I could watch concerts even if I didn’t understand the music. I could sit comfortably on the outside looking in.
Photography is still my way to participate without participating. Though, it’s no longer always a combatant to social anxiety. As I recently said: I make a better competitive eating photographer than I do a competitive eater.
And so I had no qualms watching Ribmania — the annual ribs eating contest at Ribfest Chicago — from the crowd. I had no problem watching Miki Sudo tear into 4.8 pounds of ribs in 8 minutes while I noshed on a three-rib sampler at a leisurely pace.
The emcee announces Ribmania Ribs Eating Contest at Ribfest Chicago.
Amateur eating contest winner Sean Nichols.
Competitive eater Andrew Kogutkiewicz.
Juan “More Bite” Rodriguez.
Erik “The Red” Denmark.
Sibling eaters Juan and Nikki Rodriguez.
Defending ribs eating champion Miki Sudo.
Eaters prepare their drinks.
Michelle Lesco.
Jeff Butler.
Miki Sudo in the last moments of the competition.
Competitive eaters after the 8-minute ribs eating contest.
The owner of Uncle Bub’s BBQ, who provided the ribs.
Erik Denmark comes in third place with 3.37 pounds of ribs.
Michelle Lesco comes in second with 4.18 pounds of ribs.
Miki Sudo wins Ribmania Chicago with 4.8 pounds of ribs.
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