1. Establish the rules clearly.

Make sure that your rules are clear for competitors. For starters, you should establish whether participants are trying to eat the largest amount of food in a specific time or trying to finish a set amount of food quickly. You will also want to address the nitpickier aspects of food contest rules, such as whether dunking, the act of dipping food into a liquid such as water before eating it, is allowed.

Speed eating contests can be risky due to the choking hazards. So you may want to consider other options like:

• Multiple rounds of 1-2 minutes – Eating small quantities of progressively spicier foods. If a contestant is successful, they can advance to the next round.
• Multiple rounds of 1-2 minute – One donut (or other food item per minute). It allows for enough time for a contestant to safely eat an item, but the quantity builds up over time.  If a contestant is successful, they can advance to the next round.

By spreading out the contest over time, you can make it more enjoyable and fun for those attending. Plus it builds suspense!

Make sure to talk to a doctor and get their approval before creating your event to ensure it’s safe for participants.

2. Select a suitable venue.

You’ll want a venue that has space for contestants to eat and spectators to watch them. Depending on how many contestants and how many spectators you anticipate, the size of the space will vary. If you expect a large turnout, you might want a venue large enough for a stage area so that contestants are easily visible to spectators.

3. Have a convenient and easy registration and ticket purchase process.

To encourage people to spectate and participate, make sure that your registration and ticket purchase process is convenient. Ideally, optimize your registration page for mobile so that your supporters can register from wherever they are. Additionally, include a link to your registration page when you promote your event through your marketing channels.

4. Enlist volunteers to help with the event.

If your competition has multiple heats or features multiple contests, you’ll want some help to keep things organized and keep the event on track. Recruit volunteers to usher contestants to the correct places, bring food out, time the contestants, and otherwise keep the event running smoothly.

5. Hire a cleanup crew.

Eating contests can get very messy—you’ll need a dedicated plan for cleanup after the event is over. A professional cleaning crew will be able to efficiently and thoroughly clean the venue and save your staff some hassle.