Glory and pain as duo wins pizza challenge
Spencer Kittle, left, and Wilson Hidy, center, conquered the 45-minute, 29-inch “Beast” Pizza Challenge at St. Ignatius Simple Simon’s. Owner Joe Culp, right, presented each with a $250 prize for the first time he’d ever seen it accomplished at one of his restaurants.
Until last weekend, Joe Culp had never had anyone successfully complete the “Tame the Beast” pizza eating challenge at a Simple Simon’s Pizza that he owned.
To win, a team of two must eat a complete 29” pizza in 45 minutes. Usually, the prize is $100 each, plus the pizza price refunded.
Recently, Joe upped the ante. News went out on Facebook that he would give $250 each for the first team who accomplished the massive feat.
Spencer Kittle had tried this before. The 24-year-old Ronan man teamed up with his father, Jess, for an August attempt shortly after the St. Ignatius store first opened. It was Jess who called it off, reaching his limit after about 15 minutes.
This time, when the increased prize money was announced, Spencer texted his buddy Wilson Hidy (18). The two strategized an approach. Spencer put himself in training, eating three Giant-sized (20”) pizzas, with many toppings, in the week before the contest. He made a spreadsheet to help calculate the rate at which pieces would have to disappear. “He came to win,” says Joe.
Wilson didn’t train but felt he could handle his half with sheer will.
Saturday, November 9, the team made history. After fifteen minutes, they had consumed two-thirds of The Beast. With thirty minutes to go, each eating another ten squares seemed to onlookers like a simple thing. It was not.
The two got very quiet, concentrating to keep it down. Their faces reddened. Jess sweetened the pot with $20 more for each when the pace appeared to slow near the end. Joe flashed the $500 to encourage them.
But at that point, says Wilson, it ceased to be about the money. As miserable as he was, “I just knew I couldn’t let Spencer down.”
Then, with ten seconds left, as Wilson picked up his crumbs, Spencer chewed and swallowed the last piece. Joe Culp called it a win.
“I know a restaurant in Arkansas that has had 38 teams attempt it. They are up to $1000 prize, and nobody’s succeeded. What these boys did was impressive.” Another team in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, recently won as well. The $100 each is still available for all comers.
“That is a LOT of pizza,” says Wilson.
“Don’t tell Mom,” says Spencer.