In this photo provided by the International Federation of Competitive Eating, Sonya Thomas, winner of the World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship poses with her trophy Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006, at a Planet Hollywood restaurant in Times Square, New York. Thomas, who is known as the "Black Widow" on the competitive circuit, ate 26 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes. (AP Photo/International Federation of Competitive Eating, Kate Westfall)
Woman Eats 26 Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Thursday, February 2, 2006 3:32 PM EST
The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — A 100-pound woman ate 26 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes Wednesday at a New York restaurant, winning the World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship.
Sonya Thomas won $8,000 for the contest at the Planet Hollywood restaurant in Times Square but said she was disappointed in her performance.
"I could have done better," she said, adding that she was aiming for 30 sandwiches.
Thomas, of Alexandria, Va., said she had to catch a train shortly after the contest to make her shift at a Burger King on Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, where she is a manager.
She said she has a naturally big stomach capacity and heavily soaked her sandwiches in water to make them easier to swallow. She said to train she drinks large amounts of water to expand her stomach capacity and practices relaxing her throat.
Thomas, whose normal weight is about 100 pounds, estimated she gained 10 pounds during Wednesday's contest.
It was a close win. Her nearest competitor, Joey Chestnut, ate 25 1/2 sandwiches.
On the eating contest circuit, Thomas is known as the "Black Widow," apparently because she has defeated so many larger men.
She holds numerous world eating records, including 46 dozen oysters in 10 minutes, 11 pounds of cheesecake in 9 minutes, 48 chicken tacos in 11 minutes, 37 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes and 56 hamburgers in 8 minutes.
The event was organized by GoldenPalace.com, an Internet casino and poker room.
