For the 12th year, Flancer’s restaurants, in Mesa and Gilbert, have organized their Pizza-Eating Contest and Raising the Fun Fund-raising events to benefit the nonprofit organization, which helps the war-injured participate in sports-related rehabilitation programs.
“Thanks to all the folks, who supported the events, raffles and auctions,” said Jeff Flancer, owner of Flancer’s Incredible Sandwiches and Pizzeria. “We will be sending a check for $28,000 to Warfighter Sports/Disabled Sports USA.”
Among the fund-raising events were Smokes and Barrels—Microbrew and Cigar pairing; Spill the Wine, Eat That Cheese—Wine and Cheese tasting; a bowling tournament; big-prize raffles; and the ever-popular Pizza-Eating Contest.
For the third year in a row, Chuin Jimmy Peng of Scottsdale won the April 22 event, besting his 2011 record by downing 18.5 large slices in 15 minutes. When asked his secret to success, Jimmy replied, “Eat a lot of pizza.” He won $500 donated by Meridian Bank, as well as a trophy presented by Miss Arizona 2011 Jennifer Sedler, and City of Gilbert Mayor John Lewis.
Second place winner, and just a slice behind, was Gus Beisel, of Mesa. Gus also placed second last year. Third place went to Matt Heistand, of Tempe, who consumed 10 slices. The youngest participant was 7-year-old Brandon, from Mesa, who joined his dad, Richard, for the contest. Brandon didn’t fall too far behind the winners, eating one slice for each year of his age.
Raffle prizes were won by Mike Lambard, $1,000 cash from Villa Siena; Kim, $1,000 in furniture at Norwood Furniture; Lance Olson, eight-hour Sky Mountain Limousine adventure; Andrew Young, two round-trip Southwest Airline tickets; Ron Laursen, $1,200 one-year pool service, from Maddy’s Pool Supply and Service; and Sean Butter Madigan, $1,000 in dining certificates for Seafood Market, Texas Road House, Carrabba’s, Charleston’s, Red White and Brew, Vito’s, Four Peaks Brewery, Nando’s, Flemings and Smashburger.
“A special thank you goes to our sponsors—all the local businesses that make these fund-raisers a success,” said Jeff. “Many are major participants year after year, such as Ben Franklin Plumbing, Shamrock Foods, Alliance Beverage, Tap and Sons Electric and others.”
Additional sponsors this year were Brunswick Zone, in Gilbert; Gilbert Insurance Group; BC Bricomp Computers; JN Farms; Fox Cigar Bar Patio, in Gilbert; Perdomo; Four Peaks Brewery; Trader Joe’s; Maddy’s Pool Supply and Service; Valpak, of East Mesa/Valley; Money Mailer; Surf and Ski; Global Bikes; UniFirst; Nearby News; UpClose Publications; Print USA, of Arizona; Chandler Sign-A-Rama; A2Z Trophy; Wasabi Web Pros; Kokopelli Golf Club; Air Kirks; My Garage Guys; Two Amigos Landscaping; ARA; and Sam’s Club.
For more information, visit Flancer’s in Mesa, or call (480) 396-0077. You also can visit the Flancer’s in Gilbert, or call (480) 926-9077. Check out the Web site at visitflancers.com. For more information on the Warfighters Project, go to www.dsusa.org.