Steak-eating challenge at The Oaks Hotel pits man v woman in ultimate battle of digestion

IT WAS the ultimate battle of the sexes as Mosman Daily reporters Adam Bell and Rosie King put their appetites to the test in a 2kg Tomahawk steak.

THE rules were clear, their bellies were eager but the sheer size of the challenge didn’t hit until the plate landed on their table.

Mosman Daily reporters and self-confessed meat maulers Adam Bell and Rosie King this week bravely took on The Oaks Hotel’s Tomahawk challenge, which boasts 1.7kg of Australian rib eye, half a kilogram of twice-fried potatoes and a generous helping of crisp green beans.

Chef Pravin Basnet didn’t think either Rosie or Adam would finish their meal.

The steak was cooked to perfection, the potatoes were heavenly and the beans added a much-needed burst of freshness.

Neither of them had taken on a food challenge of such proportions before and both were confident they would come out on top.

The rules were simple.

One man. One woman. One hour and two eye-popping, mouth-watering slabs of beef.

After 60 minutes, whoever had the least amount of food on their plate as judged by the hotel’s manager Heath Petzold was declared the ultimate champion.

Adam and Rosie went into the challenge with eyes much bigger than their bellies.

The Preparation

Adam: “I was calm, confident and I had a plan. I am a man, I exercise and I eat red meat. How could I lose?

“The morning of the challenge started well. I woke early and went for a run. I made a banana smoothie for breakfast and hopped on my bike to ride to work.

“From then on it was ‘nil by mouth’ except for green tea.”

Rosie: “I had grand plans of an early morning jog to get the appetite racing but a back injury saw that fall to pieces.

“So I had to be very strategic in the hours before the challenge. It was strictly liquids — a green smoothie for breakfast and then a cup of green tea to aid my digestion.

“I wouldn’t say I was confident going in, but I was definitely ready to stuff my face and I really wanted to see Adam beaten by a girl.”

The first few bites were pure food bliss.

It was an impressive plate of food and enough to feed at least two people.

Start time 12.20pm

Adam: “As our plates are carried to the table, a hush falls over the dining room and heads turn. I know that finishing this plate will be quite a feat.”

Rosie: “You couldn’t even call it a plate. It’s more of a platter and it’s big enough to fit your mum’s Christmas turkey on.

But far out, it looks and smells delectable. And I can see Adam quivering with fear out of the corner of my eye, which instantly puts me at ease.”

It was all smiles for the reporters — for about the first half an hour.

12.25pm

Adam: “The meat is surprisingly juicy and tender for a cut of its gargantuan proportions and has a flavour as good as its much smaller cousins.

A few bites in and I’m growing in confidence. Sure I’ll be as full as a bull but how could I leave something this delicious on the plate?”

Rosie: “I’ve all but forgotten about Adam as I reach food heaven.

The steak is perfectly cooked, seasoned beautifully and a delight to swallow.

I eye my potatoes and beans wearily for now, but I know their time will have to come eventually.”

It took a while for Adam to ease into the challenge, he was too busy trying to make sure his cap didn’t make his head look big.

12.35:

Adam: “This still tastes great. I mean it, the meat is juicy and tender. Y’know, I think I am gonna do this.”

Rosie: “I’m just starting to feel full and quite warm but quietly confident that I can do this.

If not finish the whole thing, at least scoff down more than my so-called competitor.

But there is no way I’m taking a sip of water, I made that decision early this morning and I’m sticking to it.”

This was the exact moment Adam and Rosie started the downward spiral into “meat delirium”.

12.50

Adam: “Oh, I just felt it hit my stomach [as I lean back and breath heavily].

I can feel the heat now. I may need some water to help me digest. I take two sips.”

Rosie: “The sweats have well and truly kicked in but I’ve definitely made a dent in the beast and I’m still enjoying every mouthful.

I’m relishing the potatoes, I was supposed to resist them but I just couldn’t. They are crispy and salty on the outside and like a heartwarming cloud on the inside.

My beans are still untouched and my waterglass is still full to the brim.”

Adam had to put on a brave face but deep down he knew defeat was likely.

Rosie was so determined to win, she wouldn’t even take a break to smile for the camera.

1.05

Adam: “Not sure that I should admit this but I’m getting a little meat delirium coming on.

This is usually a warm fuzzy glow but, seeing there is about a kilo to go, this is not good.

I have to peel a layer off so say goodbye to my jacket.”

Rosie: “Woah, skinny jeans were a bad move. The top button is digging in and I feel as though I need to breathe really heavily to get any oxygen in.

The meat bliss has stopped. I can taste nothing, but I’m still piling it in.

I’ve started tucking into the beans, they are surprisingly refreshing.”

Adam knew he needed to speed things up if he was going to recover some lost ground.

1.10

Adam: “The sweats start. I have to get up and do a lap of the room.

My belt buckle pleads with me to loosen it so I give in ease the pressure.

This just got real.”

Rosie: “I know there isn’t much time left and I’m already ahead of Adam. I am struggling but not as much as he is.

Even if I keep up a steady pace, there is no way he can catch me. He has barely touched his potatoes and I know he is regretting the water. What was he thinking? Twit.”

Adam’s pain is written all over his face.

Too much protein seems to have made Rosie’s eyes a little wonky.

The pair had different strategies for overcoming the insane levels of fullness.

1.15

Adam: “Seriously, how many roast potatoes did he put on this plate?

It’s gotta be a kilo by itself.”

Rosie: “Victory is so close and I’m sure I would be able to taste it if my tastebuds hadn’t all but given up.

We’ve both managed to wrangle most of the meat from the bone so it all comes down to the potatoes.

I keep shoving them into my mouth as though my life depends on it.

At that moment I know, I’ve got this in the bag.”

Things get serious, as they each eye their competition.

Adam tries to scare Rosie into submission, but she powers on with a smile from ear to ear.

1.20

Adam: “Noooooooooooo! Say it ain’t so.”

Rosie: “I burst into the air with as much enthusiasm as I can muster after more than 2kg of food.

I could be violently ill but I know that would ruin the moment.”

The aftermath

Mr Petzold commends Rosie on her efforts, as Adam pathetically claims to have let his prettier, lighter and better-mannered counterpart win.

“Rosie did incredibly well,” Mr Petzold said.

“She did better than I did when I had a crack at the challenge.

“Slow and steady is the way to go and to give yourself a bit of variety. You have to mix it up with the steak, beans and the potatoes, that’s what keeps you in the game.”

Take the challenge

WHERE: The Oaks Hotel, 118 Military Rd in Neutral Bay
COST: 1.6kg is $75, 1.7kg is $85 and 1.8kg is $95
DETAILS: 9953 5515