Carnivorous power on show at Highway Meat’s ‘Man vs Meat Challenge’
Five contestants test their jaws and stomachs to the limit
Once in a generation comes a man who stares the beast in the eyes and devours it whole.
Five famished fellows accepted the ‘Man vs Meat Challenge’ at renowned family butchers, Highway Meat on November 27. For the second year, Highway Meat celebrated their birthday by celebrating the things they look after the best – beautifully cut carnivorous creations and the stomachs of their customers. Standing between contestants and a R1 000 meat voucher was a mountain of the finest cut steak.
Bigger is better and every annual celebration demands setting a higher benchmark than before. “This year we upped it to a 1,8kg Tomahawk with a side of pap. We didn’t want to punish them with the beer though so they get water to wash it down. We are upping the stakes and it is time for them to put their mouths where our meat is,” said Highway Meats owner, Lenny Jardim.
Making up the five contestants were Danny Willemse, Highway Meat employee Blessing Dube, Help24 Secure’s Rudi Harmse and Olympic shot putter, Kyle Blignaut. “I am a competitive person so I’m going to try win it. I have eaten big meals but nothing this size,” laughed Kyle. Rounding out the big five was last year’s champion, the smasher of sirloin, the ravisher of rump, the pounder of porterhouse … eating machine, Jaco Brits.
Last year, Jaco ate a 1,3kg Tomahawk steak with a side of chips in a fraction under 12 minutes, swallowing an impressive 120g per minute. This year, Jaco would leave the crowd in awe, as he raced through his 1,8kg red mound of dripping, flame-grilled greatness in 11 minutes and 24 seconds, a gargantuan rate of 160g per minute. Left almost unable to speak in the aftermath, he simply nodded and gave a reassuring thumbs up.
His competition would not be embarrassed however, as all men would clear their plates in just under 24 minutes, with Rudi Harmse getting second place. “We are a nation that loves its meat. Nowhere in the world can you get the variety and quality that South Africa can. We really want to thank all of our customers, they have been outstanding this last year despite things being so tough,” said an appreciative Lenny.
That’s two in a row for Jaco, leaving Lenny to wonder what he must do to stop a third.
