Cane & Grain, the Northern Quarter’s home for rum, ribs, bourbon and beer, has laid down the gauntlet to the big eaters of the world with a Man V Food style ribs eating time challenge.
lucky challengers have to eat the Meat Feast, a menu item usually shared between four or more people in a set time.
The dish is made up of a whole slab of baby back ribs, a whole slab of Memphis ribs, beef short ribs, a whole dino rib, three sauces, fries, slaw, pickles and grilled corn – and plucky eaters must conquer it in less than 45 minutes.
Those that succeed will win their food for free, a bespoke Man V Ribs t-shirt and their photo on the Wall of Fame. Those who lose the challenge will need to pay for their meal and will have their face forever displayed on the Wall of Shame.
Mark Garner, aka Gordo of Manchester Confidential fame, was the first person to step up to the plate and try the Man V Ribs challenge, but tapped out at 42 minutes after hitting the infamous Food Wall – he managed to demolish all the ribs, but was floored by the sides.
Lyndon Higginson of Cane & Grain says: “The Meat Feast is a full six kilos of meat from our house smoked ribs, plus homemade sides. It’s a massive challenge, but it’s one we know is doable – we’re just waiting for the right lady or man to put themselves forward. We want those with the biggest appetites to come and prove to everyone that they truly are Master of the Meat!
“Unlike some other food eating competitions, we’re not slathering our ribs with extremely hot sauces or adding anything unsavoury, this is just a dish off our menu which normally feeds four or more! We want challengers to enjoy the food they’re eating and the challenge they’re undertaking.”
If anyone thinks they can attempt this meaty feat they need to give the bar 24 hours notice by emailing andrea@caneandgrain.co.uk or by calling the bar on 0161 839 7033 (entrants need to receive confirmation from the bar before undertaking the challenge).
Challengers must adhere to the rules of the challenge: no toilets visits, no one else is to touch or eat the food other than the competitor and all visible meat and food must be eaten within the 45 minutes time frame. The contestant is allowed to drink whilst eating, tap water is provided, but they are welcome to buy something stronger if that helps.
Cane and Grain opened on 11 July this year. The venue is spread over three floors to make best use of the space, with each floor having a distinct personality.
The Tap Room and Rib Joint on the ground floor is an homage to the 80s skate scene and concentrates on the venue’s mantra of rum, ribs, bourbon and beer. The First Floor Bar with its wood paneling, cocktail led drinks menu and the largest Chesterfield in the world is more than a nod to the speakeasy scene. The Liars Lounge on the top floor is the little sister (with a big attitude) of tiki-dive bar The Liars Club.
The call has gone out, the challenge has been set – who dares tackle the mighty Meat Feast?
