The man who downed 58 Krystal hamburgers in eight minutes is a vegetarian most of the time, only consuming meat when he’s on the competitive eating circuit.

Bob Shoudt, a 40-year-old middle school teacher from Royersford, Pa., who placed second in last year’s Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship, walked away with the first-place prize from the first leg of the seven-city qualifying tour Saturday.

Coming in second was Larry McNeal of Newnan, Ga., with 28 burgers; followed by Chattanooga restaurant manager Rick Petralia who downed 20 Krystals.

Only Mr. Shoudt, who goes by “Humble Bob,” is guaranteed a place at the Sept. 28 world finals in Chattanooga. Mr. Petralia and Mr. McNeal may be offered wild card spots if no else beats their eating numbers at future trials. They have the chance to compete in two other trials to improve their records.

Mr. Shoudt ate 95 of the Krystals at last year’s contest. He was bested when Joey “Jaws” Chestnut set a world record by eating 103 of the burgers in the same amount of time.

The Square Off was held on the Chattanooga waterfront inside the Southern Brewers Festival. More than 20 brewers from around the country were present for that festival. A few festivalgoers participated in the Square Off. Five spots were offered to those who had not preregistered online.

Mr. Shoudt, though he crushed his competitors Saturday, said he was disappointed with his showing.

“I didn’t eat for three solid days, and that was a crucial mistake,” Mr. Shoudt said. “I’m just way too light-headed right now. I totally messed myself up, but I will be ready for the finals.”

Mr. Petralia had competed in last year’s Square Off. That was his first competitive eating contest, and it’s sparked a new passion, though he doesn’t imagine himself every giving Mr. Shoudt or Mr. Chestnut any real competition.

“This is my eighth competition, but I started here last year,” Mr. Petralia said. “I just walked up, and that’s how I got into it.”

Since then he’s competed in Nathan's International July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest and the Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Beach, S.C., eating contest that includes five foods back to back.

“I just drink a lot of water, a lot of fluids to expand my stomach,” Mr. Petralia, who poured himself grape juice to drink while eating the burgers rather than the standard water provided to everyone else.

After this first Chattanooga competition, Krystal will head to Jacksonville, Fla., on Sept. 1, then to Atlanta, Nashville, Knoxville, Birmingham and Memphis, lining up qualifiers for the final competition.

The competitive eaters are vying for a $50,000 cash purse. Organizers say that’s the largest cash prize in competitive eating. The first-place winner will receive $20,000 in cash. The runner-up will take home a paycheck of $10,000, while third place will leave Chattanooga $5,000 richer. The rest of the cash will be split among the nine remaining contestants.

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