Big Mac Challenge

Sometimes you need to experience the bad in life, to appreciate the good. The saying is never more true than in the food world. Whether it be an encounter with bad chinese food, pizza, seafood (oh man), etc. - the moment you can erase those memories with a bite of good food is freeing. The good experiences (in food and in life) are what keep you coming back, and the bad experiences make you cherish the good.

I give you the Big Mac Challenge. My younger brother, a few months out of college, is working for a finance firm downtown - and sits on a trading floor. The transition of a competitive college drinker to a trading desk is smooth to say the least - most of the guys he sits with relish the chance to take him out for drinks, and of course he never says no. A few weeks ago, on thanksgiving eve - the office was quiet, too quiet for the guys he works with. So, naturally - an eating contest was arranged. 5 of the young guns would be competing and there would be a cash prize (of $600). That's big money to someone fresh out of college with a sizable monthly Manhattan rent payment. They were chomping at the bits.

5 Big Mac's, 1 Large Shake - 45 minutes. (its painful to type about - let alone do). Each contestant was given 5 big macs, and a large shake to inhale in 45 minutes - the pot of cash awaiting them at the end of the onion and special sauce rainbow. The players started off strong, and my brother said he was able to polish off 3 of the burgers easily (hey he's a growing boy), but once the 4th started it was hard going. He pushed on, while some of the contestants iron stomachs threw in (or up) the towel. According to his coworkers he was green in the face trying to eat the last burger - but he prevailed. He finished it, drank the shake and held it all down for 25 minutes (not a second longer) along with one other contestant and was able to split the $600. 5 big macs, 1 shake, 30 minutes of hell, and $300 dollars later the office was no longer too quiet.

After this feat he couldnt discuss food - nor did he touch anything at our annual Thanksgiving eve Steak Night dinner with our cousins. The big mac challenge had taken him to the ropes, but he was able to survive- barely. His stomach was hurting on Thanksgiving, and that challenge may have tarnished his meal a bit - but speaking to him now he will tell you just how incredible the next good meal he had was.

A week after the incident he went to PJ Clarkes with his friends from college. They all sat down and of course ordered burgers. He went with the Cadillac, a favorite of mine, and ate it as though it was his first bite of kobe beef. He described the burger when he got home in such great detail that I thought I had just eaten it. The level of enjoyment could only be explained by his earlier run-in with the Big Mac challenge. So, although you may be bummed about that turkey sandwich or salad you got for lunch - just think about it as the foundation for the appreciation for all the great meals that you have yet to enjoy.

-grub