Fall River Restaurant Hosts First Gluten-Free Food Challenge

Gluten-free foodies, your moment has finally arrived.

Fall River’s Duke’s Bakery is about to make food challenge history – gluten-free history, to be exact.

On Friday, August 9 at 11 a.m., competitive eaters and adventurous foodies will take on the first-of-its-kind gluten-free food challenge, testing just how much chicken and waffles one person can handle. The challenge, dubbed “The King of the Gauntlet,” features a feast fit for royalty, or anyone brave enough to attempt it.

Competitors will face:

• Four full waffle sets: a Baja, Buffalo, Classic Maple and BLT, each with its own toppings
• One pound of tater tots
• One pound of hand-cut fries
• Half a pound of meat (choice of chicken or other available options)

The $50 entry fee comes with a shot at glory. Winners will not only score a Duke’s gift certificate, a crown, and their name on the wall, but they’ll also set the official time to beat for future challengers. There’s no set time limit, and the first person to finish will determine the benchmark for everyone who tries after them.

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How the Challenge Was Born

Owner Christine “Chris” Holden has dreamed of hosting a food challenge for years but never had the right opportunity, until a TikToker from Beverly named Faye, known online as "Feed Me Faye," reached out.

“He messaged 40 restaurants asking if anyone would host a gluten-free food challenge because he’s gluten-and dairy-free but always wanted to be a competitive eater,” Holden said. “We were the only ones who said yes, and he was so excited. He even came down to try the chicken and waffles ahead of time so he’d know exactly what he was getting into."

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Faye, who chronicles his eating adventures online, will be among the first to attempt the challenge on August 9.

The First Bite Into Food Challenge Fame

This event is not only a big deal for SouthCoast food lovers, but also for gluten-free eaters who rarely get to participate in such contests. That includes me, as someone who no longer can endure such stomach pains that come with other glutenous expeditions. Holden hopes this will spark a new wave of food challenges that cater to everyone.

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“This is something fun for the community, and it gives people who normally can’t do challenges a chance to try,” she said. “We’re brunch-focused and chicken-and-waffles obsessed, so this is perfect.”

Again, the inaugural competition kicks off at Duke’s Bakery, 480 Bedford Street in Fall River, at 11 a.m. on August 9.

Think you can handle the gauntlet? Sign-ups are open now at Duke’s Bakery.