Crime & Safety

Police, Firefighters Battle in Rib-Eating Contest

Alameda County firefighters out-chew UCPD in rib-eating competition fundraiser.

It was tough for Union City Police Chief Greg Stewart to stomach as he witnessed members of his police force fall to the barbecue sauce-covered hands of the Alameda County Fire Department.

“They brought in ringers!” Stewart joked during a rib-eating contest held Monday at .

During the contest, three members from each agency chomped through a full rack of ribs each, with firefighters Nathan Mar, D’marcus Cooper and Ramsey Ismail literally chewing the competition. But though the firefighters were the victors, the real winners were the students of the .

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The competition, sponsored by and held at Texas Roadhouse, capped a two-week fundraising drive for the New Haven Boosters Association. For two weeks, the restaurant sold $10 cards good for three appetizers or desserts, with all proceeds given to the Boosters Association to fund extra-curricular programs at NHUSD campuses next school year.

The restaurant raised about $1,300, said Lindsay Anderson, marketing agent for the Texas Roadhouse Union City branch.

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Monday’s battle between the public safety agencies was also the first Texas Roadhouse rib-eating contest in California, according to Anderson. Typically, the events are held in the Midwest during their June “Rib Fest” promotion, she said. But when asked by members of the Boosters Association to participate in their Race to Save Student Activities, Anderson decided a contest would be the best way to gain exposure for the cause.

Held in a relay fashion, team members were not allowed to start eating until the person in front of them finished their ribs. Anderson quickly inspected the bones to ensure all the meat was indeed eaten before the next team member began.

UCPD began with a slow start.

By the time starter Officer Ryan Seto finished his ribs, Cooper, the second firefighter on the ACFD team, was nearly done with his slab.

“Seto hasn’t eaten this much in the last six months combined,” one police heckler shouted.

Officers John Persinger and Bob Kensic picked up the pace, trying to make a comeback for the team, but it wasn’t enough to get the job done. The police were defeated, with Kensic only halfway finished by the time Ismail cleaned his plate and knocked backed a bowl of applesauce.

It was all in good fun for a good cause, Anderson said.

After the competition, members of both departments cleaned up, shook hands and took photos together.

See some of the highlights in the accompanying photo gallery.


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