pie!

contestants in the world championship of pie-eating in Wigan -- "one of Britain's main contributions to international competitive eating" -- were faced with a crusty dilemma when the traditional Wigan pies, which are small and soft, were substituted with larger, crisper Adlington pies.

these pies "tasted wonderful", but were slower to eat and not what the Wigan favourites had practised eating. should they boycott the wonderful pies, or risk defeat? Julie Walsh, the budding promise of female victory, "walked out when she realised the pies were not from Wigan."

in the end it was newcomer to the contest, Barry Rigby, who took the title of pie-eating champion, after a stunning performance which took only 45 seconds. he celebrated his win with three more pies, using the silver winner's cup as his dish.

despite the foreignness of the pie, however, Rigby is a pie-eater from Wigan.


sources: manchestereveningnews and
guardian