Students get into the spirit

JONATHAN CAMERON/Manawatu Standard

Winning chomp: Pie-eating winner Josh Carwell-Cooke shoves his pie down in less than 20 seconds at a Massey University Orientation event.

Relevant offers

Cholesterol levels skyrocketed at Massey University yesterday during a record-breaking pie eating competition.

Josh Carwell-Cooke claimed the pie eating champion title, chomping through a pie in just 18 seconds.

The top time at the World Pie Eating competition in Britain is 35.86 seconds.

Mr Carwell-Cooke credited his staple diet of pies and 105 kilogram solid-build for the win.

Competitors faced off in five-person heats. The fastest pie-eater went to a double-pie showdown.

The heat of the pies fired up competition.

Musa president Karl Pearce scoffed his pie with water. "I thought that would cool the pie but [the second half] was scalding hot."

Other strategies included rapid bites or sucking out the mince before devouring the pastry.

Third-year student Ashleigh Lambert lagged behind by almost five minutes.

"I thought to myself these guys are big and they're going to win. I might as well enjoy it."

Although she prefers a good Maharajah pie, she rated the Jesters Pie 8.73 out of 10.

Mr Carwell-Cooke received a voucher for 16 frozen pies.

"I think I'll delay redeeming the voucher," he said. "I'm full."

Massey Orientation continues all week. The MuBar Bizarre Ball, featuring Gin Wigmore, Thomas Oliver Band, and Ruski, kicks off at 7pm at the Events Centre tonight.

- © Fairfax NZ News