World record food challenge this weekend in memory of tragic dad Stuart Di Tanna

WHAT would you do to become a world record holder? 

Five food lovers are in training to getting their teeth into a food-based charity challenge in memory of a lost loved one.

Dan Tupling has organised the unusual feast at The Chequers in Whiston on Saturday in memory of his brother-in-law Stuart Di Tanna, who died six years ago this December.

And he’s putting his own eating ability to the test by attempting to polish off a slice of bread in under 9.82 seconds to break the world record.

Dan said he was more than a little nervous about his own challenge and may have bitten off more than he could chew, admitting: “It’s a nightmare — a single slice of bread seems really doable but as soon as you try to chew it you’ve got no chance.”

Stuart’s cousin Dave Spittlehouse will try to eat 18 Jaffa Cakes and in under a minute to break the current benchmark, while another cousin, Ryan Spittlehouse, will be out to scoff at least eight Ferrero Rochers in double-quick time.

Other obscure one-minute eating records under threat include bananas (eight) and pickled onions (68).

“We have five world record attempts going on and we’re doing it all properly — we will have an official adjudicator and we have to video it all,” said Dan.

“Last year, we did Bushtucker Trial challenges with everything from chilli sauce up to sheep’s testicles.

“People really get behind it — we had them egging each other on to eat a bit of sheep’s testicle!”

Dan, of Broom, has been organising charity nights in memory of Stuart, of Brecks, for the past six years.

He said Stuart, who died from sudden adult death syndrome (SADS), had been “a good guy, a healthy guy”, who left a partner of ten years, Emily, and a young daughter, Alice.

“It was a huge shock for everyone when he died,” said Dan.

“We lost Stuart around this time of year and it’s nice to get together to have a bit of fun and keep his memory alive.”

The fun starts at The Chequers at 7.30pm on Saturday, with free admission.

All proceeds from the event, which will also include gameshow-style contests, an auction and a raffle, will go to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.