Original Hooters to Host Wing-Eating Contest

Some of the world's biggest eaters will be chowing down in Clearwater this week at the Hooters Wing-Eating Championship.

Hooters and Major League Eating (MLE) have teamed up for a circuit of wing-eating contests across the country, and the finale takes place Thursday night, July 26, at the , 2800 Gulf to Bay Blvd.

The party starts at 6 p.m. in the parking lot with music by The Black Honkeys, with the contest to follow at 7.

Thursday's chowdown will include a showdown between Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas — who at 100 pounds is the world's top-ranked female eater and current five-time National Buffalo Wing-Eating Champion — and Joey "Jaws" Chestnut, the reigning Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest champ.

Prizes of $15,000, including $7,500 for first place, will be awarded to whoever can gobble up the most chicken wings.

For more info, visit Hooters.com, the MLE Facebook Page or follow @eatingcontest on Twitter. You can also watch the competition live at facebook.com/hooters.