Pie eating world champion declares ‘it went down in the end – that’s all that matters’
What can you do in 62 seconds? Brew a disappointing cup of tea, doom scroll on TikTok or achieve global infamy by being crowned a world champion pie-eating sensation.
One man from Blackpool, did the latter managing to scoff down a meat and potato filled pastry in just over a minute on his first entry to the World Pie Eating Championships.
Care home worker, Tom O’Neil, 24, gobbled his way to the trophy in the annual contest held at Harry’s Bar in Wigan, Greater Manchester.
The World Pie Eating Championships have been held at the bar for more than 30 years, but this year, they had to heighten security after owner Tony Callaghan was tipped off about suspected foul play.
Extra security staff were drafted in after a warning that one competitor was planning to cheat by smuggling a B&Q funnel in a coat to divert the pie spillage into the front of his trousers.
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(Picture: Phil Taylor / SWNS)
There was no foul play involved in Mr O’Neil’s win, just pure skill and absolutely no preparation.
He said: ‘I’m over the moon.
‘I just turned up on the day and got it over the line.’
Describing the pie, Mr O’Neil said: ‘The pie was quite thick – but it went down in the end, and that’s all that matters.’
He added: ‘I’ve taken part in pie eating competitions before, so I wanted to give this a try.
‘Whenever there’s anything to do with speed eating, I’ll put my name forward.’
About two years ago, he had ate a pie in just under 20 seconds for a local competition.
Even outside of contesting, Mr O’Neil eats ridiculously quick, with is parents always telling him to ‘stop inhaling’ his food.
His mum, Michelle O’Neil, told Wigan Today: ‘I’m really proud of him.
‘No surprise with how quick he eats his meals at home so I’m glad he’s put it to good use.’
This year’s pies were cooked to golden perfection by Galloway Bakers in Wigan but, following strict regulations.
The pies had to have a specific diameter of 12cm, a depth of 3.5cm and a pie wall angle from base to top of between zero and 15 degrees – who knew pie making involved maths?
Last year’s competition saw builder Michael Chant crowned as world champion after demolishing a pie in just 17 seconds.
Could you beat Tom O'Neil's time?
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As easy as pie
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Not my slice of pie
Previous World Pie Eating Championship winners
- 1992 – Dave Smyth, a painter from Hindley won after eating four pies in three minutes
- 1995 – Dave Williams from Preston, Lancashire
- 1998 – Scott Ormrod from Aspull, Wigan in Greater Manchester after eating eleven pies in 30 minutes
- 2005 – Anthony ‘The Anaconda’ Danson, a weight trainer from Lancashire, managed to eat seven pies in three minutes, setting a new record
- 2006 – Matt Dunning
- 2007 – Adrian Frost from Wigan who downed his pie in a record-breaking 35.86 seconds
- 2008 – Fred Wyatt, a 61-year-old warehouse packer
- 2009 – Barry Rigby, a warehouseman, won after eating a pie in 45 seconds
- 2010 – Neil Collier, 42, set a record of 23.91 seconds
- 2012 – Martin Clare won with a new record time of 22.53 seconds
- 2013 – Ian Coulton from Wigan took the title, with the slowest winning time ever of one minute and 6.61 seconds
- 2014 – Former champion Barry Rigby won again
- 2015 – Martin Clare regains his title
- 2016 – Reigning champion Martin Clare won again
- 2017 – Another win for Martin Clare
- 2018 – You guessed it, Martin Clare again
- 2019 – Ian Gerrard with a time of 34.5 seconds
- 2022 – Barry Rigby
- 2023 – Ian Coulton
- 2024 – Michael Chant from near Bury, won with a record time of 17 seconds
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