News - Local News

POSTED: Sunday, Nov. 08, 2009

Bellingham man conquers Sumas burger challenge

For Bellingham resident Forrest Doan, glory was in his gut Saturday, Nov. 7.

Doan, 35, and Maple Falls resident Rick Banel, 52, took the Burger Challenge at the new Anker Diner in Sumas Saturday afternoon.

The gastro-gladiators had 30 minutes to eat a monster cheeseburger that consisted of seven one-third pound patties, several strips of bacon, fries and a milkshake.

Doan polished off his last fork-full of fries right before time expired, while Banel missed victory by leaving several fries on his plate.

For their efforts, both men earned T-shirts.

Doan said the thick, cold milkshake was the biggest hurdle to complete throughout the challenge, while Banel said he hit a wall midway through that cost him a minute and the time he need to finish the fries.

"There wasn't anything to it," Doan said. "I just like to eat."

Doan's wife, Mara, cheered him on throughout the challenge.

"I really didn't doubt him too much," she said. "I've been trying to feed him the last three years."

Anker Diner co-owner Tim Anker said he got the idea for the challenge from watching eating competitions on television. He said it was also a good way to draw people to the restaurant, which opened Oct. 22.

"You see it on TV - it's fun," Anker said. "We didn't want it to be out of reach."

For Banel, the challenge was the first eating competition he had participated in since he was 19, when he polished off a 64-ounce steak in an hour.

He said he wanted to participate to help the fledgling restaurant get up and running.

"I think this is a great promotion for Sumas," Banel said. "It's a time to help this town bounce back. I wish these guys the best of luck."