Cookie and Gentleman Joe walking and getting mentally prepared prior to the main event.

Gentleman Joe, me, and Cookie before the event.

Again, Gentleman Joe, me, and Cookie before the event.

The scene at Smokin' at the Ocean

Cookie sitting in the shade getting some rest before the contest begins...

The main stage where the World Rib-Eating Championships would be held.

The ribs that were consumed.  They were pork spare ribs and were measured off into six pound portions for the eaters.  If they went through the six pounds, they were given more in two pound intervals (only Cookie Jarvis would go through additional ribs).

The chef and the official scorekeeper weigh six pound portions.

The ribs waiting for the eaters.

IFOCE Co-Founder George Shea kicks off the festivities.

The official scorekeeper swears in additional helpers.

Tom Jones, amateur eater, approaches the stage.

Levi "The Mountain" Oliver, amateur eater and Starbucks barista, approaches the stage.

Dale Boone, the 9th descendent of Daniel Boone, approaches the stage.

Dale Boone continues to pose for the crowd.

Gentleman Joe Menchetti 

Scott "The Pork Slayer" Sayer, amateur eater and crowd favorite, approaches the stage.

Ed "Cookie" Jarvis mentally prepares himself for the event.  Others look on (from left to right, Scott Sayer, Coookie, Ray Meduna, and Levi Oliver.

The left hand side of the table prepare themselves (left to right, I forgot the guy on the lefts name, Gentleman Joe, Dale Boone, Scott Sayer).

Gentleman Joe and Dale Boone tear into the ribs.

The right side of the table goes at it...

Cookie, "the man", tears into his 10th pound of ribs as George Shea watches on...

The scene in the crowd, all are enamored with Cookie's greatness...