Alexander Tominsky never guessed he would achieve fame in one of the most unlikely of ways. Over the course of 40 consistent days, he challenged himself to consume a whole rotisserie chicken each day.
His feat would transform him from a local restaurant server into “The Philadelphia Chicken Man,” completing his 40th rotisserie chicken to the cheers of fellow Philadelphians. According to the NYTimes, following the achievement Tominsky had these simple words, “I’m happy that it’s over. My body is ready to repair.”
The origin of the challenge was personal, one day Tominsky had an overwhelming sadness about the state of the world. Its painful state inspired him to do something that brought him pain in order to make others smile.
30 consecutive days eating an entire rotisserie chicken #chicken pic.twitter.com/cR2GP0lAE2
— smooth recess (@AlexiconTom) October 27, 2022
“Sounds weird,” he said. “But I just felt like I was doing this for a very important reason.”
His initial goal was 30 rotisserie chickens in 30 days, but after feeling he had not gone far enough, he added 10 more days.
In the beginning, he’d finish up a whole chicken in a mere 20 minutes, almost with ease. Things started to change after a couple of weeks. Experiencing cramps and intense bloating, he swore he could “feel the pulse of my heart in my stomach.” 20 minutes soon grew to two hours.
I would like to Invite you all on a journey that I am on. I am eating a rotisserie chicken every day for 30 days. Today is day 11. I will keep you all updated as I get closer to my goal. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/HlFYrzGQIN
— smooth recess (@AlexiconTom) October 8, 2022
On Day 11 he decided to share his first post about his self-imposed challenge. As the days passed, a look of confident determination would soon fade to quiet concern. Yet, with each post, his following grew more and more.
At the time Tominsky recalled thinking, “This is just a little bit of an inconvenience and a sacrifice for the joy that it seems to be bringing people.”
After he completed his 30th day, he posted an invite to watch him eat his 40th and final consecutive rotisserie chicken. Trudging along, the big day finally arrived.
— smooth recess (@AlexiconTom) October 27, 2022
For the event, his 40th chicken sat on a table awaiting at the end of a red carpet. The city of Philly showed up in support to cheer Tominsky on, bite for bite. Once he swallowed his last bite he grabbed the empty plate and held it high as bystanders snapped photos and crowned him “The Philadelphia Chicken Man.”
For Tominsky, the experience was worthwhile, stating that it all felt “microscopic in comparison to what the world lives with and sees every day.”
“This is going to sound strange, but if I happened to, for some silly reason, pass away from this,” he said, “I would have been OK with the sacrifice.”
40 consecutive days eating an entire rotisserie chicken #chicken pic.twitter.com/a4AoNWDLTa
— smooth recess (@AlexiconTom) November 6, 2022
On November 6th, 2022, Alexander Tominsky was forever inducted into Philadelphia history for his achievement.
