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American Morning

Interview with Eric "Badlands" Booker

Aired July 04, 2002 - 08:41   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: In the rarefied world of competitive eating, the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest could be considered the Superbowl, and the Masters all in one bun. The field for today's event, the 87th annual, features 20 consumers from all over the world, vying for the coveted Mustard Yellow International Belt.

So who has the right stuffing? Well, last year's winner doubled the previous world record by downing 50 dogs and buns in just 12 minutes. And from Coney Island, one of today's contestants, a veteran of the eating circuit, Eric "Badlands" Booker -- how are you doing, Eric?

ERIC "BADLANDS" BOOKER, COMPETITIVE EATER: Hey, how are you doing? I'm good.

ZAHN: Good morning. I understand that when you go into this contest, there's a very specific kind of strategy you use. What is this cabbage and water routine you've done in the past?

BOOKER: Well, basically, I eat a lot of cabbage, you know, to expand the stomach. What it does is that, you know, it stays in the stomach a good while. It's not fattening, everything, and then, you know, it just -- it gives a nice stretch. You know, I eat about -- about eight to nine pounds of it, up leading to a contest.

ZAHN: What? Eight to nine pounds of it?

BOOKER: Oh, yes.

ZAHN: I don't know even what eight to nine pounds of cabbage looks like. What are you talking about here?

BOOKER: It's about three heads, three nice sized heads.

ZAHN: Oh, that sounds awful. But I guess you have learned to love it, haven't you?

BOOKER: Oh, yes.

ZAHN: Now, Eric, I know you all use different techniques to work your way through these dozens of dogs. Describe to us the Solomon technique that we are going to show on the screen as you talk us through it. BOOKER: OK. Well, the Solomon method is basically just -- OK. It is basically just, you know, splitting the dogs in half, you know. You see how Kobayashi is just splitting the dogs in half?

ZAHN: Yes. Now, Kobayashi, we should say, is the guy that won last year, who is about half your size, by the way, right?

BOOKER: Yes, yes. He is about half my size. He is grabbing -- you see who is he is splitting those in half and eating them right now? You want to watch him split the bun in half, dunk it in the water -- well, he had not finished the dog yet -- but watch him split him, dunk it in the water, and just inhale it. One, two, three, it's gone.

When he does it like that, he's getting the stuff down. And it's just -- you know, he does it in repeat fashion. You know, chew, chew, chew, chew, chew, grab the -- grab the thing, split it in half. And just -- watch this -- one, two, three, gulp.

(LAUGHTER)

ZAHN: And you're standing next to him. What are you doing there?

BOOKER: I'm like -- flabbergasted. I'm like, How is this guy doing it? He is so small, and he is eating so much. I mean, his -- the Solomon method is real sound, it is like one of the most sound techniques in competitive eating, as far as hotdogs.

ZAHN: But what are you going to do differently this year? We are going to stay on this picture of you.

BOOKER: What I will do differently is I have a style that's called Double Japanesing (ph), I nicknamed it. You know, what I do, instead of splitting the hot dogs in half, I take two hot dogs and just, you know, dip it in water, and just eat them, like, just at the same time. Take two buns, dip the buns in water, and just eat them at the same time. I mean, the method is a little bit faster than Solomon, and because, you know, while he's doing one, I'm doing two.

ZAHN: So that's the only thing that gets it down faster then, is the two at the one time?

BOOKER: Right. You know...

ZAHN: But you're not separating the hot dog from the bun like the previous winner did?

BOOKER: Oh, yes, yes.

ZAHN: Oh, you are?

BOOKER: Yes, I am. Because, you know, it is like I have learned from last year's mistakes, just eating it just regular like that. I mean -- I mean, it is like you need more speed. It is -- technique is everything in this sport. You know, technique and dedication and speed and stamina, also.

ZAHN: Yes, but you're all coming back to win the same thing. And last year's winner said he is going to best his personal best. What is your goal today? How many dogs are you going to make it through?

BOOKER: Well, my goal is to eat one hot dog for every state in the USA. That's 52 hot dogs. That's my goal. I'm shooting for it. I am shooting for the stars. My step (ph) has been ordered to bring the belt back, and that's what I plan to do. USA all the way!

ZAHN: Are you adding some states? You have got 52 here.

BOOKER: Yes. Oh, oh. I'm sorry. Fifty, 51, 52.

ZAHN: It doesn't matter, as long as you get over 50, you've won, probably.

BOOKER: Exactly. Exactly.

ZAHN: How do you feel, hours later, Eric?

BOOKER: Oh, I feel great. I mean, I can eat a whole lot more. I mean, I have been doing this for six years, you know. I don't get queasy. I remember when I first started, I used to get a little queasy and stuff. But now, I'm so used to it, you know, just bring it on. I can go to another contest tonight. It's all good.

ZAHN: What do you normally eat at home?

BOOKER: Oh, I eat a normal sized meal. I mean, off season, I might have, you know, I have a dinner, may go back for seconds. A sandwich or two, maybe a value meal from McDonald's. I mean, I eat pretty normal. But when it comes down to contest time, I increase my meals, I stay with the cabbage, I drink a gallon of water at a time. I can drink one gallon, one whole gallon, in three minutes. That's eight pounds of capacity, you know.

ZAHN: You got it down to the last scientific detail here.

BOOKER: Oh, yes. I mean, I've learned the sweet science of competitive eating.

ZAHN: How is the heat going to affect you?

BOOKER: Oh, the heat is no problem. I am a New York City Transit worker. I work on the Subway. I'm a conductor on the No. 7 line -- hi, everybody on the 7 -- the thing about it is that I work in the Subway eight hours a day, and this is nothing.

ZAHN: You have got a distinct advantage going here, especially with your strategy going in, and certainly used to that heat and humidity. Well, what would happen if you actually win the Mustard Yellow International Belt? What would that mean to you?

BOOKER: Oh, man. It would be the greatest thing. It would be -- wow, it would be like Michael Jordan had the trophy, and he just kissed it. It will be a great day for all Americans if I win. I'll be the number one eater in the world according to the International Federation of Competitive Eating. I mean, it will just be a great day.

ZAHN: Well, you go for broke. I know we're not supposed to pick sides here, but I think our whole audience has fallen in love with you here this morning. We'll are going to come check out your train some day, we want to watch you eat.

BOOKER: All right.

ZAHN: Stay hydrated, and maybe you'll teach the rest of us to love cabbage.

BOOKER: Definitely.

ZAHN: You can't really tell me you love cabbage.

BOOKER: No, I do love cabbage. So many ways to make it, you know. I had to learn to love it.

ZAHN: Well, Eric "badlands" Booker, keep yourself hydrated. We are going to watch that two for one technique, and see if it bests last year's winner.

BOOKER: OK.

ZAHN: Take care, and thanks for your time this morning. Appreciate it.

BOOKER: Thanks for having me. Bye bye.

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