The 12th Eater: Step Up To The Big Leagues At Krystal Square Off V

Amateur eaters have always played a major role in the Krystal Square Off and this year one will be picked on the spot to compete against the pros for a share of the $50,000 cash purse.

What’s better than two minutes of fame? Howabout eight minutes competing against the world’s best competitive eaters live on FSN South?

Oh, and on top of that, pocketing a cool $500 or more.

Well, this Sunday, Sept. 28 at the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship, one lucky person from the crowd will go from spectator to major league gurgitator when Krystal picks “The 12th Eater” to compete in the championship event alongside Joey Chestnut, Takeru Kobayashi, Pat Bertoletti and eight other top gustatory athletes. A total combined cash purse of $50,000 will be awarded to the finalist on Sunday, including $500 for 12th place.

Registration for The 12th Eater will be held from noon to 1:00 p.m. this Sunday on the green space located above the Ross’s Landing amphitheater on the 21st Century Waterfront in Downtown Chattanooga.  Registrants must be 18 and over and willing to sign a waiver to appear live on television. The individual will be selected from the audience immediately before the contest begins at 2:00 p.m.

While the Krystal Square Off has been a battleground for some of the biggest bouts in competitive eating, Krystal has always made local amateurs a major part of the event ever since the first Krystal Square Off in 2004 when thousands competed in qualifiers around the South and amateurs Matt Ward and Sam “Big Country” Vise moved up the ranks to make the finals in Chattanooga. In 2005, amateur hopeful Claudine Ko, a journalist, was invited to compete in the finals, which she chronicled in Jane Magazine, and over the years thousands more have gone on to compete at local events. During the qualifying tour this year, each regional event featured five amateurs chosen on the spot to go up against competitive eating pros.

The history of Krystal eating competitions dates back to the company’s opening in 1932. According to Krystal legend, the Sackful was invented after the company’s second customer, Roy Ward, claimed he could he twice as many Krystal hamburgers as French Jenkins, the chain’s first customer.  Ward did just that by eating 12 Krystal hamburgers and thus the Sackful was born.