For the first time in seven years, TJ’s Pizza in Melfort will host their Pizza Eating Contest fundraiser for Telemiracle.
Garth Turner won the last contest in 2019. TJ’s Pizza co-owner Lloyd Muntain said it’s great to have the event back after such a long hiatus.
“It has been a bit,” Muntain said. “(Not since) before COVID. But the big thing is now that there’s some normalcy back in our lifestyles and all that this is something that we have got to get back into. And, you know, It’s a free event.
The Eighth Annual TJ’s Telemiracle Pizza Eating Contest in 2019 saw both a three time champion and a new record for funds raised.
Turner, representing the Salvation Army, shattered his own record as the event raised more than $14,000 for Telemiracle 43. Muntain said the event is free, and still draws plenty of community interest, despite being away for so many years.
“I am actually surprised,” he said. “We haven’t done that much advertising and word of mouth going around the city of Melfort is very overwhelming. In fact, we’ve got a father-son team from Prince Albert that heard about it and want to come down and compete, so that’s sweet.”
TJ’s Pizza in Melfort originally hosted the event from 2011 to 2019.
“TJ’s Pizza is hooked up with the Kinsmen and Kinettes here in Melfort and this is basically the start of Telemiracle donations in our community ” Muntain explained.
The rules of the contest are simple, Muntain said. TJ’s supplies all the pizza and prizes, and the contestants do the rest.
“What we’re looking for are contestants to try to mow down an extra large pizza in 10 minutes or less which it has been done three times I believe in the past,” he explained. “All proceeds raised for this are going straight to Telemiracle.”
In 2019, Turner ate an entire extra-large cheese pizza in five minutes and 55 seconds. Second place finisher Tyson Waldner finished the pizza in eight minutes and 35 seconds.
The Pizza Eating Contest is returning to the Melfort Legion Branch on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. Members of the Kinsmen and Kinettes will be judges. Larry Falk is returning as the official timekeeper
“He’s done a very wonderful job at that,” Muntain said. “The Legion has graciously helped us out with supplying us with the hall, JBN Promotions is doing up the prizes for us.”
Muntain said the top prize will be TJ’s Pizza gift cards but they are still finalizing other prizes for the event.
Multiple time entrant Darren Flaata has already begun campaigning around entering the contest
“Darren has not missed a competition in the past eight years,” Muntain said. “He was sick the one year and his wife filled in for him, which I found very heart-warming. Darren cannot miss a pizza eating contest.”
The Muntain family likes to support the Telemiracle Foundation any way they can. The family received assistance from the Foundation when their youngest daughter was born.
Telemiracle 50 is at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon from Feb. 28 to March 1. This year the pizza will be selected after a survey of contestants ahead of the event.
“We’ll see. It’s always a surprise,” Muntain said.
Muntain encouraged everyone to come out and support the event and Telemiracle 50.
“(It’s) a great event, great fundraiser, good times. Just come out and cheer on for your contestants. Support your contestants and let’s make Telemiracle 50 the greatest success,” Muntain said.
-with Melfort Journal files
