Most visitors to one of Din Tai Fung’s CBD eateries would be familiar with the urge to reach across the table for just one more dumpling, despite being well past the point of feeling full.
But a group of competitive eaters and ambitious amateurs are set to push the boundaries of their stomach to the absolute limit in a bid to be crowned the world’s speediest dumpling eater.
The Cure Brain Cancer Foundation has teamed up with Din Tai Fung and CompetitiveEating.com.au for the Australian Dumpling Eating Championships, to be held as part of Sydney’s Chinese New Year celebrations in Pitt Street Mall on Thursday 2 February.
Representatives from the Guinness World Records will be there to witness a who’s who of the competitive eating world battle it out for global glory.
And in the competitive eating world, there aren’t many bigger names or appetites than that of Isaac ‘Sir Eats-a-lot’ Martin (pictured), who is hoping to taste victory alongside a few dozen dumplings.
“This will actually be my first dumpling eating competition, but I have completed a dumpling challenge before. I had to beat the previous record of 108 dumplings and I was successful,” Mr Martin said.
A chef, food blogger and general food enthusiast, Mr Martin said he can go 14 hours without eating much more than a small tub of yoghurt. On other days, he squeezes in six full lunches in the space of a few hours.
“When I’m out trying different food for my blog, I do end up eating everything that’s put in front of me. My strength lies more in the fact that I can eat a lot. I’ve had to train myself to eat quickly.
“In preparation for a competition, I’ll stretch my stomach by consuming huge amounts of water, but eat fairly regularly after that, without overeating or starving myself.”
His main challenger on the day will be 20-year-old Isaac Harding Davis, a speed eater who is confident he will well and truly smash the current record of 18 dumplings in two minutes.
“Speed is definitely my forte and I don’t see why I can’t eat more than 50 dumplings,” Mr Harding Davis said.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City was proud to have the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation on board as a charity partner for Sydney’s Chinese New Year celebrations.
“Cure Brain Cancer is on a mission to improve brain cancer survival rates, and I’m proud they are included in our Chinese New Year celebrations,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Their founder Dr Charlie Teo is one of the many Australians of Chinese heritage doing wonderful work in our community. I look forward to their activation of Pitt Street Mall throughout February.”
2 February, 12.30pm – 1.30pm: The Australian National Dumpling Eating Championship
Cure Brain Cancer and dumpling experts Din Tai Fung will attempt to break the official Guinness World Records title for the most number of dumplings consumed in two minutes at Pitt Street Mall. The current record stands at 18, and CompetitiveEating.com.au competitors will attempt to crack the record, alongside MC and former MasterChef favourite Jimmy Wong.
Visit http://curebraincancer-org-au-2713597.hs-sites.com/dumplings to register
3 February, 6.30pm: Movies in the Mall – Mulan screening
Cure Brain Cancer will host a unique screening of Disney epic Mulan in Pitt Street Mall. Seats are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Noodle boxes and other delicious snacks from New Shanghai will be available to purchase throughout the screening.
8 February, 8.15am: Sunrise yoga with Lola Berry
Yoga sensation Lola Berry will host a yoga session with a difference, under the lanterns at Pitt Street Mall. Lola is known around the world for her unique approach to yoga, and this class will be suitable for yoga practitioners of all abilities. Just bring your yoga mat and Lola will help with the rest.
8 February, 12 noon: Lunchtime workout with the Waratahs
Join David Horwitz and his Waratahs teammates for a short workout in the mall over your lunch hour. The Tahs will put visitors through their paces while outlining fitness tips and basic exercises to help keep those New Year’s resolutions.
9 February, 4pm – 9pm: Brainlight art installation
Cure Brain Cancer and artist Laura Hindes will be installing the incredible Brainlight artwork in Pitt Street Mall. Brainlight is a unique sensory entertainment experience that turns your brainwaves into art, mimicking each individual’s brainwaves on a lifelike cranium. Visitors can drop in at any time to create their own Brainlight artworks.
For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Advisor Alex Cauchi.
Phone 0467 803 815 or email acauchi@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Paul Mackay.
Phone 0432 182 647or email pmackay@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au