This Potterville Man Eats Challenges Like They’re Snacks

"Kyle Can Eat" from Potterville, Michigan, is quickly making a name for himself in the world of food challenges.

Kyle started his journey just over a year ago, and has already become a social media favorite for fans of fantastic food feats.

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A Vacation That Sparked a Passion

Kyle's first taste of competitive eating came on a vacation to Nashville, Tennessee.

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"There was a restaurant called Jack Brown's. They have a deep-fried Oreo challenge," he recalls. "I was in party mode, and I said, well, I can do that!"

Not only did he complete the challenge - he set the record at that time. That win sparked what would be become a regular hobby and an unexpected talent.

Discovering a Strange (But Impressive) Skill

Soon after Nashville, Kyle tackled a 5-pound cookie dough and ice cream challenge in Fort Myers, Florida.

“It was a pound of cookie dough, three and a half pounds of ice cream, and half a pound of toppings,” Kyle says. “I did that one in about 17 minutes. That’s when I realized I might actually have a skill here - a very strange, useless skill, but a skill nonetheless.”

Since then he's averaged about one challenge a week.

Managing the Calories

Despite what many might expect, Kyle doesn't fit the stereotype of a competitive eater. At 5'7" and around 155 pounds, he says the secret isn't genetics.

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“It really comes down to just simple math," Kyle says. "I have to just take the challenge into account. So does that mean the days leading up to a challenge, I'm eating a little less? Yes. Same with the days after.”

It's all about balance, and Kyle's clearly found his.

Taking On Michigan's Toughest Plates

Kyle's favorite part of the journey? Supporting local restaurants.

“That's actually my main goal - to really highlight the Mid-Michigan restaurants,” he says.

Some notable challenges include the 3-stack pancake challenge at Sparty’s Coney Island and the Boss Logg carnivore platter at Meat BBQ (which he admits defeated him) both in Lansing, and a massive five-pound burrito at Crave Shack in St. John’s.

Kyle recently completed the “Dare to Be Great” ultimate feast at The Parlour of Jackson, which includes a giant burger, a pound of fries, and ten scoops of ice cream.

What's Next for Kyle Can Eat?

Up next: a 6-pound Chicago-style stuffed pizza challenge at Vizzy’s Pizza Palace in Westland. And in June, he’s taking a leap into the world of formal competition.

“I am actually signed up for my first eating contest—a hot dog eating contest down in Jackson, Michigan. It’s for charity, benefiting the Jackson Animal Shelter.”

You can follow Kyle’s food adventures on Facebook at Kyle Can Eat, and if you think you’ve got what it takes to beat his Peeps record (140 in under an hour), he welcomes the competition - next Easter.