10 Questions for the 'Rooster' on Wing Bowl 20

By now, most people know that competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi took the win Friday in Wing Bowl 20, an annual chicken wing-eating event in Philadelphia that is part contest, part spectacle. 

, of South Whitehall, who got to check off one item on his "Life List" of things to do. Russo downed about 81 wings in 14 minutes, in the first round of SportsRadio 94 WIP's competition. 

Patch caught up with Russo, a business development director at Morey, Nee, Buck & Oswald in Bethlehem Township, to talk about the competition -- and the experience -- before 20,000 spectators at Wells Fargo Center.

Q. How would you describe the experience?

A. The best description is that it was Felliniesque.  Although it was very real, it seemed like a dream.  The crowd, the personalities, the media coverage -- everything about the entire event was surreal, over-the-top, and something that my friends and I will always remember. 

Q. You ate at least 81 wings in 14 minutes. How did you not get sick?

A. I'd like to say it was because I practice eating, but I really don't. I'm just lucky enough to possess a "cast iron stomach."  In fact, I've never become "sick" from anything I've ever eaten.   

Q. You’re a health-conscious guy who does yoga. Why did you want to participate in the Wing Bowl of all things?

A. A few years ago I starting putting together a "life list" of things I wanted to accomplish. Some people call it a bucket list, but I think life list is much more positive. You can begin your life list at any time.  

When people think of a bucket list, they think of things to do before you die, while a life list is about things you can do anytime in your life --  20s, 30s, 40s, whenever.  

Bringing yoga into the equation just helps me stay healthy to be able to enjoy my life list. The vinyasa-style yoga I practice at involves strength, breathing, endurance, focus, flexibility, and an overall relaxation of the mind and body -- all important to eating and other "competitions" you may face in life.   

Q. How much preparation – and money - went into this?

A. Much more preparation than I ever imagined -- well over 500 hours of total man time (and woman time with my wife Mary). From planning out and building a "wing worthy float" to the costumes for my entourage, to working with a good friend in Stacey Ballard in creating my attire, to working with Big World Enterprises in designing and selling the logo for the Rooster T-shirts to raise the money needed to do all this.  

I'm still adding up the costs, but let's just say it wasn't cheap.  

Q. How did you come up with the concept for the float and costumes?

A. I went through several iterations of ideas with the builder of the float, Tim Powell, before we settled on the henhouse concept. Rooster...henhouse, it makes sense. The trick was designing a henhouse and barnyard in a 7-by-7 space. He did a great job.

As for the Rooster costume, that's a whole different story. Went from dressing up as a rooster to going way over the top. My "seamstress" made a shiny gold robe with red feathers, and a huge red hat with a rooster comb, and gold painted sneakers. It was quite the spectacle!     

Q. Who made the float, costumes?

A. See above

Q. What did you enjoy most about the experience, least?

A. I really enjoyed everything, but what I enjoyed most was that many of my friends were able to enjoy this event with me. We sold almost 150 Rooster shirts to friends and family. The shirts included logos from 15 sponsors, also mainly from family and friends. I even gave weekly Wing Bowl updates on my Facebook page. It was great to see so many people following me and enjoying the process from beginning to end.

Q. Any regrets?

A. I wish my son Tim could have made it in from Chicago to be part of the event. But he has a very important improvisational acting show that's opening next week that needs his full attention.    

Q. You’ve said you likely won’t do another wing-eating contest. Any advice for the next person who wants to try it?

A. The only advice I have is this: If you really want to do something in life, whether it's an eating contest or something else, then go out and do it.  You don't want to get to the point in life when you're too old or physically unable to accomplish something on YOUR life list. 

Q. Rooster, what’s your next act?

A. The next thing is to be the father-of-the-bride. My daughter Marykate is getting married in September, so now the focus is completely on her day.  After that who knows. I had so much fun with my friends that maybe I'll put up a poll on Facebook and get my friends to help me pick the next item on my life list.