(SEAN MOTT / iNFOnews.ca)
May 12, 2019 - 2:32 PM
KELOWNA - The smell of gravy and cheese curds filled the air on Bernard Avenue last evening. Dozens of people crowded the sidewalk in front of Smoke's Poutinerie in downtown Kelowna, many armed with their cellphones as they prepared to capture the mayhem on camera.
Six small boxes sat on a table in front of six competitors. The boxes were filled with poutine, that winning recipe combining French fries, gravy, and cheese curds into one delicious dish. An assortment of mascots and onlookers cheered for and supported their favourite entrants. The crowd fell silent as they waited for the competition to begin. With a quick signal, the feeding frenzy commenced.
The competitors bent down and shoveled the poutine into their faces, smearing gravy across their mouths. The crowd clapped and cheered, encouraging the competitors to eat faster. The eaters started fast, but as they dug deeper into the boxes, they had to pace themselves. They made liberal use of water bottles to help the poutine travel down their throats. Some took breaks to burp, wipe their faces, or simply breathe. A few even walked away from the table, unable to finish.
(SEAN MOTT / iNFOnews.ca)
Within a matter of minutes, the six boxes were empty, stray French fries left lying on the table. The fastest times were recorded and a new batch of competitors stepped up to the plates.
That was the scene on May 11 as dozens of people competed in the Great Okanagan Poutine Eating Challenge outside the Smoke's Poutinerie on 269 Bernard Avenue. The person who ate the meal-sized box of poutine fastest walked away with bragging rights, a trophy, and, of course, poutine.
(SEAN MOTT / iNFOnews.ca)
(SEAN MOTT / iNFOnews.ca)
(SEAN MOTT / iNFOnews.ca)
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