Kimmy's Eating Contest - Part 4

 “Hello contestants, the time has finally come. In a minute you'll make your way out to the stage where you will find your name at one of the stations. The rounds will work like this. The first group of people to finish everything on their plate will move on to the next round. We are going to have six rounds total, unless a winner is deemed before that. Anyone have any questions?” The group was silent. Kimmy felt like she was a ball of questions, but felt this wasn't an appropriate time for them. Also she was way too nervous to speak.

The speaker motioned for folks to start joining her on stage and Kimmy and Veronica stood up from where they sat. “Well, this is it.” Veronica looking into her friends eyes. “Knock em dead.” She said giving Kimmy one last bout of encouragement.

The two girls hugged, and Veronica found her way out front to a seat. Kimmy joined the stream of people heading for the stage. As she passed through the curtains, the cheering and clapping she had faintly heard while backstage, was now booming. 

Kimmy smiled and waved to the crowd, as it seemed this is what some of the other contestants we're doing. Kimmy found a seat at the table between two people she didn’t know. She really didn’t know anyone, but at least she has been met Quinn and Toni.

“Welcome everybody to the Plainsville Fair!” The announcer broadcasted with a microphone from one side of the stage. “Thank for you for joining us for our main event.” The crowd was still showing their excitement by either cheering or hollering. The announcer captured the attention of the crowd as he now stood center stage and explained more about what was going to happen. 

“I need to thank our sponsor for this special event, and that is Smokey’s BBQ on route 16. Best Barbecue around, and don’t miss their Labor Day specials coming up in just a few weeks. They have helped in supplying the food today. So starting with round one, we have pulled pork and beans. This pulled pork has been slow roasting for…”

Kimmy mind drifted as the announcer went on about details about the pork. This was finally the moment. Kimmy hadn’t really trained on food this good before, since she was always trying to be budget conscious. But she had done a round of sloppy joes, and this seemed comparable, so she would try and use that experience to her advantage. 

“The first 10 contestants to finish will move on to the next round.” Kimmy snapped back to reality, as the food started to be placed in front of them. Kimmy counted about 15 people on the bench with her, so she only had to beat out a few of them in order to make it to the next round. She was reminded that she need to pace herself if she wanted any shot of winning this thing. She stood still, eager for the starting whistle. And once it was heard the whole table flew into motion. 

Kimmy grabbed her spoon and started shoving heaping spoonfuls of beans into her mouth. Once the beans had disappeared she moved on to the pork. Using her fork in one hand and the spoon in the other, she perfectly stacked up mouthfuls of BBQ covered pork. Her lips were covered with BBQ sauce until she was able to finally call the judge over to prove she had finished. And with a thumbs up approval, she finally grabbed her napkin to wipe off her mouth. 

With about half of the contestants still going, Kimmy took a minute to scope out her competition. The first thing she noticed though was Quinn and Tori being all smiles on the other end of the table, seemingly finishing well before her. There were a few other guys and gals who were done, and out of the rest still going only a few were pushing hard, while the others were surely going to be the first ones cut.

“And there we have it, lucky number 10, Shelly Johnson from Central Falls. Thank you everybody else, but better luck next time.” The announcer chimed. Kimmy’s first thought was that there would not be a next time for those so easily eliminated. They probably only signed up for fun, or a free meal. This competition would quickly weed out those who were just here for those reasons, and those who came to really compete. 

“Is everyone ready for round two?” The announcer beckoned from the crowd. Their audible cheers and applause were enough for them to continue. “Alright then, lets have it. Round two! Round two will consist of Smokey’s famous home style mac and cheese, and the first 7 contestants to finish will move on.” 

The pressure was on now, Kimmy had to finish in the top 7, which she surmised was about where she finished last round. But this time it was mac and cheese, one of her classics. It was going to be not cheap box brand though, this was the real deal. Still her confidence level was high, and as soon as the whistle blew she was right on those cheesy noodles.

It took her back to when she originally started this quest. This whole experience had really opened her eyes, opened them to a world of taste and flavor. In the past Kimmy used to just eat, or over eat, because she was bored. Now she found there was a world of flavor to enjoy, and some excitement that came from eating as much as she did. 

Snapping back to reality though, Kimmy noticed she was nearing the end of her plate. She picked up the pace, as she didn’t want to get ejected this early. She didn’t want to get ejected at all, she was here to win. Scooping up the last of the noodles, she called the judge over and got the all clear. She had placed sixth, enough to get her in the next round.

Kimmy was starting to get worried that she didn’t have what it takes win this thing. Quinn and Tori were professionals, and they had finished both rounds before her. Maybe it was time that she admit to herself that it would be ok to not win, that she tried her best and that was all she could do. But then she spied Vee out in the crowd. She couldn’t let her coach down like that. They had trained hard for this, they had a strategy, steady progress would win this thing. She was the endless Kimmy after all.