Peggy Loh ~ My Johor Stories: Tony Roma's JB crowns rib-eating champs!

Tony Roma’s Johor Baru recently crowned the champions of it's first Rib-Eating contest here and rewarded each with a year of free meals at Tony Roma’s worth RM2,400.

Dickson Low [Centre] flanked by Tony Roma's rib-eating
champs, Aalia Zaafira [Left] and Abd Halim Afandi [Right]

Eight female and eight male contenders bravely faced-off in this gastronomical feat in the finale of Tony Roma’s Rib-Eating Contest 2015 held in the concourse of Komtar JBCC.

Tony Roma’s Malaysia has been hosting Rib-Eating contests in the Klang Valley for the past two years and this year was their third edition held at two selected outlets, Damansara Ara in Selangor and at Komtar JBCC for the first time.

Contenders were picked to participate in the contest from diners at Tony Roma’s JB who submitted their entries for the Rib-Eating contest in the past few months.

The eight ladies were challenged to eat Tony Roma’s Indulgent Beef Three, made up of three signature barbecued ribs, while the men competed with eating the heavyweight portion of Beef Ten, in the shortest possible time.

Aalia Zaafira [2nd from Right] eating her way to win!

Twelve-year old Aalia Zaafira, made a surprising win when she finished eating three Tony Roma’s ribs in a record 3 min 17 sec.

This young, first-time contender said she prepared herself a day ahead and even worked out before coming for the contest.

She was followed closely by Surinah Ahamd, 37, who completed eating her portion just 5 seconds later.

Abd Halim Afandi, 43, emerged the ultimate rib-eating champion when he polished off his platter of Tony Roma’s Bountiful Beef Ribs – ten signature barbecued ribs – in just 13 min 31 sec!

Abd Halim Afandi [Right] is the ultimate
rib-eating champion in the face-off!

Since Tony Roma’s opened in Komtar JBCC, he and his family have been dining here regularly because the delicious beef ribs are a firm family favourite.

Tito Tovar, who hails from California USA, finished eating his portion of ten ribs in second place, just 10 secs later.

“After receiving countless comments and requests about opening Tony Roma’s in JB, we are glad to see that this outlet in Komtar JBCC has a regular clientele who simply enjoy our food,” said Revenue Valley, franchise owner of Tony Roma’s, chief operating officer, Dickson Low, after presenting the prizes to the rib-eating champions.

Tony Roma’s is not only renowned for their signature beef ribs but also for an extensive menu of seafood, steaks, chicken, lamb, salad, sandwiches and burger entrees with unique appetizers and mini dessert servings.

“Our JB outlet is the ninth in the Tony Roma’s chain of restaurants and we have plans to open the second outlet here soon,” said Tony Roma’s marketing manager, Johnny Pan, who was clearly delighted with the enthusiastic response to the rib-eating contest in JB.

A version of this was published in The Malaysian Insider on 29 Nov 2015