Rogers-Lowell Area News

Man v. Food takes the Goliath Challenge at Kirby’s Kupcakes

You have to be more than just a little hungry, or maybe just crazy, to take on the Goliath Challenge at Kirby’s Kupcakes in Downtown Rogers. This sugar-lover’s-dream challenge caught the attention of a nationally broadcast television show, Man v. Food, one of the most popular series on Travel Channel. The results of the competition will be broadcast Monday, Jan. 29 at 8 p.m. central and a television watch party is scheduled in Downtown Rogers at a neighboring restaurant with three television screens, Hapa’s Hawaiian Bar & Grill, 105 S. 3rd Street beginning at 7 p.m. Monday evening. 

The challenge consists of one person eating a giant cupcake in 30 minutes or less followed by a 5 minute waiting period “to make sure it stays down.” Appropriately named “Goliath”—and equal to 22 of Kirby’s regular cupcakes—The Goliath Challenge has been attempted 60 times since Kirby’s Kupcakes opened in November 2010. Only 15 challengers have conquered the frosting-laden beast. Monday night Travel Channel viewers will learn whether Man v. Food host, Casey Webb, gets a free t-shirt, free Goliath Cupcake and his photo on the Wall of Fame or if he crumbles, pays the $45 tab and is added to the Wall of Shame. Webb is a high-energy New Yorker with a personality as big as his appetite. He is also a food lover, actor and restaurant business veteran and host of a show that seeks to find and conquer America’s most delicious, and sometimes seemingly insurmountable, eating challenges.

The Goliath Challenge has shown up in numerous food challenge lists, but bakery owner Lisa Hastings was surprised when a national television network contacted her last summer. Travel Channel producers reached out to Hastings feature her business and community in their season premiere episode to be shot in the Ozark Mountains. They scheduled the 8-hour long shoot on December 4 and Lisa Hastings, with her mom, Kirby Hamby, compiled a guest list of friends and family to participate in the taping. The production crew, based out of New York City, consisted of nine people who captured the flavor and personality of the community as well as Hastings and her sweet treats.

When asked why she wanted to invite the television show to Downtown Rogers, Hastings replied, “We were interested because we wanted to showcase our little shop to as many people as possible, and also share our part of the world with the rest of the world.” She continued, “Downtown Rogers and Northwest Arkansas are full of unique and interesting destinations, locally-owned restaurants and shops and memory-making experiences. I wanted to help share all we have to offer.”

About Kirby’s Kupcakes:
Kirby’s Kupcakes was founded by Kirby Hamby and her daughter, Lisa Hastings in 2010 in Downtown Rogers. This mother/daughter team had a dream to provide the best cupcakes in Northwest Arkansas. After years of brainstorming and planning, Kirby and Lisa opened the shop of their dreams. They have served thousands of cupcakes since their founding. Kirby retired in 2017, but continues to bring her personality and talent to the bakery during busy days and special events. Each day they feature 10 flavors made from the freshest ingredients including real butter, cream and eggs. The Chazberry, the most talked about flavor, is a chocolate cupcake with a chocolate chip cheesecake baked inside. Several other gourmet options are available for special orders.

Website: http://www.kirbyskupcakes.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kirbyskupcakes/  
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Kirbyskupcakes  
Email: kirbyskupcakes@yahoo.com  


About Man v. Food
http://www.travelchannel.com/shows/man-v-food-1  
Armed with a serious love of food and years of experience in the restaurant business, Casey Webb travels the country in search of America's most delicious dishes and ultimate eating challenges. From a hulking four-pound Reuben sandwich in Milwaukee to a monstrous gallon-sized ice cream sundae in New Orleans, Casey steps up to the table with gusto. New man, new food — same epic battle.

About Man v. Food Host Casey Webb
http://www.travelchannel.com/profiles/talent/casey-webb  
Casey Webb is a food lover, actor and restaurant business veteran. Since the age of 15, Webb has worked in kitchens, tended bar and managed restaurants on the Jersey Shore. His culinary interests have now led him on his greatest adventure yet, becoming the new host of Man v. Food. In the popular Travel Channel series, Webb continues the quest to find America’s most delicious, unique eats – taking on legendary eating challenges. Webb is on the road in search of hometown hotspots with the spiciest, largest and most amazing dishes on their menus.

Webb grew up in Little Silver, NJ and then moved to New York where he works as an actor and comedian. His acting and voiceover work have been featured in several national commercials and series including Boardwalk Empire and Inside Amy Schumer. Webb is also a proud member of The Collective and The Actors Theater of New York and resides in Brooklyn, N.Y.