Eatery contest: Max from 'Max vs Food' triumphs in culinary challenges at Manayunk watering hole
Max Stanford, also known as "Max vs Food," is a 37-year-old competitive eater from London, England, who has made a significant impact on the international competitive eating scene. His journey into the world of competitive eating began with a restaurant challenge, which eventually led him to compete against some of the best eaters in the world.
Stanford's rise to fame includes setting a new European record by consuming 37 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes at a qualifier event in Cleveland, Ohio, in June 2025. This achievement placed him among the top competitive eaters globally, and he has since competed in prestigious events such as the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest held at Coney Island. In 2025, he ranked 16th in the men’s division, competing against elite eaters like Joey Chestnut and Patrick Bertoletti.
Stanford's versatility as a competitive eater was showcased at the 2025 Mattituck Lions Club World Strawberry Shortcake Eating Championship, where he finished 4th by eating 14.33 lbs of strawberry shortcake in eight minutes.
Despite the challenging nature of competitive eating, Stanford maintains a disciplined approach to his training. He runs about 10K a day, does about 17 or 18,000 steps, and spends about two hours a day at the gym. He also practices intermittent fasting, eating one big meal a day and working up to being hungry throughout the day.
During non-competitive challenges, Stanford considers the presentation and sound quality of his eating for the camera. However, during competitions, his mindset is focused on getting food down as fast as possible, pushing thoughts of feeling full aside. He mentions that before a contest, he would be hungry.
Recently, Stanford visited the U.S. ahead of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island on July 4. He successfully completed two food challenges at Bar Jawn in less than 28 minutes, earning himself a spot on the Wall of Fame, two T-shirts, and not having to pay for the food. Stanford found enjoyment in the challenges due to the interaction with staff and spectators.
It is worth noting that Stanford avoids food that is too spicy and found the cheese on the burger to be excessive. He also mentions that he did not bite his tongue or fingers during the challenges. After the challenges, Stanford did not eat again for about 24 hours.
In conclusion, Max Stanford's journey as a competitive eater has been marked by record-breaking performances and participation in top-tier contests. His dedication, skill, and versatility have earned him recognition as one of the rising international talents in Major League Eating competitions, representing Europe on the global stage.
Max Stanford showcases his skills in various genres of competitive eating, such as food-and-drink challenges and dessert contests, as demonstrated by his fourth place finish at the 2025 Mattituck Lions Club World Strawberry Shortcake Eating Championship. In addition to this, he also enjoys participating in lifestyle events, including sports, as evidenced by his successful completion of two food challenges at Bar Jawn in the United States, which included a sports-themed menu.