Tulsa Firefighter Defeats 'Man V. Food Nation' Challenge

Craig Day, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma --  Tulsa was in the national spotlight as The Travel Channel's popular show "Man V. Food Nation"recently visited several Tulsa restaurants. Host Adam Richman follows local food challenges across the nation.

The show featuring the tastes of Tulsa aired Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Joe Momma's Pizza in downtown Tulsa has more than 20 different specialty pizzas, but one in particular got the attention of Man V. Food Nation.

Tulsa Firefighter Kyle Younger was picked to take on the "Incinerator Challenge" for the show.

"They got a hold of our union and asked for somebody that was dumb enough, probably, to take on this challenge," said Kyle Younger of the Tulsa Fire Department.

The Incinerator includes the brutal combination of Wasabi red sauce, sliced hot links, diced jalapeno's, sliced habaneros, ghost peppers and more.

"I like spicy food but that's jet fuel, and it's pretty tough to handle," Younger said.

Anyone brave or crazy enough, has to eat the large pizza in one hour, without anything to drink or bathroom breaks.

"Now when the tough guys come in, we send them out crying most of the time. It's good," said Joe Momma's owner Blake Ewing.

Kyle's fellow firefighters helped fan the flames of victory. He took down the challenge no sweat. Well, maybe a little sweat.

Man V. Food Nation host Adam Richman also visited several other Tulsa restaurants, Bill's Jumbo Burger, Anne's Bakery, The Spudder and Elote.

"I think it makes our city look good. We have good food in Tulsa, and why not show that off to everybody," Ewing said.

Joe Momma's owner Blake Ewing and firefighter Kyle Younger both say being part of the show was a great experience.

The Incinerator pizza: not so great.

"I don't care how much heart you have, your body is telling you - you're not supposed to be doing this, and it wants to come out of your body," Younger said.

As for Kyle Younger, he's had enough of the furnace of a pizza.

"The next day was really where the challenge was," he said.