WILLIAMSBURG — Major League Eating recently announced it will sanction Williamsburg’s first-ever World Pancake Eating Championship during the Williamsburg Pancake Festival Sept. 27.
The contest, scheduled for 11 a.m. in Merchants Square on West Duke of Gloucester Street, will bring together top-ranked professional eaters and local hopefuls for a 10-minute, all-you-can-eat battle, featuring pancakes sponsored by Colonial Williamsburg Resorts. With $5,000 in total prizes at stake, competitors will race against time and each other to claim the inaugural title of World Pancake Eating Champion.
The contest is free to watch and open to the public.
The field features an impressive roster of ranked eaters such as No. 5-ranked Miki Sudo (who is the No. 1-ranked female eater in the world and a 10-time hot dog eating champion), No. 6-ranked Nick Wehry and local favorite Jacob Bales from Virginia.
The contest will feature a $5,000 prize purse presented by the Williamsburg Hotel & Motel Association, with $2,500 awarded to the champion, $1,200 for second place, $650 for third, $400 for fourth and $250 for fifth.
“The World Pancake Eating Championship marks the dawn of a new tradition in one of America’s most historic towns,” said George Shea, Chair of Major League Eating. “On Duke of Gloucester Street, where history has long been written, the world’s greatest eaters will demonstrate their skills in pursuit of glory.”
The event is presented in partnership with Visit Williamsburg. Williamsburg, often called the Pancake Capital of the World, is home to more pancake houses per capita than anywhere else in the United States.
With the debut of this championship, Williamsburg secures its place on the global competitive eating map.
The day will also feature a Weiner dog race and children’s book readings.
For more information, visit visitwilliamsburg.com.