Eating competition fans might recognize the name Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas. She's the reigning female champion of the Nathan's hot dog eating contest and she's in Clearwater to compete in the first Hooters World Wing-Eating Championship tonight.
To preview the event, Sonya joined us on The Morning Show Thursday, trying to teach morning meteorologist Bobby Deskins the art of scarfing down chicken wings. He only had a few seconds, but managed to at least get a couple down. The scene included two Hooters girls of course, but there were also two paramedics just in case something went wrong.
We are happy to report that Bobby is doing just fine - he only had two wings!
The first ever Hooters World Wing-Eating Championship is Thursday night, July 26, at 7 p.m. at the Original Hooters, 2800 Gulf to Bay Blvd., in Clearwater, Florida, in partnership with Major League Eating.
The public is invited to this free event, which is the grand finale of the 10-city Hooters World Wing-Eating Tour that kicked off in Augusta, Ga., in April. The party in the parking lot starts at 6 p.m. with live music by The Black Honkeys.
The professional eaters, all of whom were winners in a prior regional contest, are expected to down an average of 200 wings in 10 minutes. Some of those who will face off in Clearwater include Joey "Jaws" Chestnut, Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas, Patrick "Deep Dish" Bertoletti, Crazy Legs Conti, and Micah "Wing Kong" Collins.
The crowning of the Wing-Eating World Champion begins a weekend-long celebration leading up to National Chicken Wing Day on Sunday, July 29. On Sunday, participating Hooters locations nationwide will offer "buy 10 wings, get 10 wings free" for dine-in guests.