Tim “Eater X” Janus set a world record Saturday afternoon at the Nebraska State Fair. He ate 31 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes. The former record was 25.

“It’s exciting,” the thin, soft-spoken New Yorker said after the event.

He won the competition easily — along with the $1,500 first-place cash prize.

Janus, who is ranked seventh in the International Federation of Competitive Eating, was one of 12 contestants participating in the event, which was an official stop on the GoldenPalace.com World Grilled Cheese-Eating Championship circuit.

The 28-year-old had it down to a science.

He soaked the sandwiches in Key Lime carbonated water before folding them — sometimes two at a time — down his throat. Then he chased them with cranberry juice or lemonade.

“As you fill up, your body tells your throat to reject it, and you have to overcome that,” he explained.

None of the other competitors were professional eaters.

“I’m never eating grilled cheese again,” said Nikki Sanders, 18, of Omaha.

She felt “full, and a little sick” after gobbling down nine sandwiches.

Alicia Garcia, 39, of Omaha, felt about the same after eating 10.

Rides on the midway were out of the question.

“I’d be sick,” she said.

Mike Natziger of Fremont ate 14 sandwiches to earn second place and $500.

Jason Smith, 24, of Bellevue, ate 13½ for third and $250.

You couldn’t pay Jim Anderson enough to compete.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Anderson, a spectator from Lincoln. “I like grilled cheese, but not eight or 10. Twenty-five would last me for a few months.”

After 31, Janus was full, but not uncomfortable.

He has experience eating a variety of foods competitively, including tiramisu.

“I try to be well-rounded,” said Janus, sporting black and red face paint in tribute to wrestler Ultimate Warrior.

Third-place winner Smith had experience eating pork competitively.

“You wouldn’t think eating is hard work, but it is,” he said. “You just start sweating all over yourself.”

Asked about his afternoon plans at the State Fair, Smith said:

“Maybe get some ice cream.

“There’s always room for dessert.”

Reach Josh Swartzlander at 473-7120 or jswartzlander@journalstar.com.

If you go

What: Nebraska State Fair

When: Through Sept. 5.

Commercial exhibit buildings open 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Midway open Monday-Friday, 1 p.m.-close; Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day, 11 a.m.-close.

Where: State Fair Park. Parking available through the 27th Street park entrance.

Admission: Adults: $5 Monday through Thursday; $7 Fridays through Sundays. Children 6 to 12: $2; younger than 5: free.

Parking: $3

Results and more information: www.statefair.org

Free concerts, 7 p.m.

Sunday: Sawyer Brown

Monday: John Michael Montgomery

Tuesday: Foreigner

Wednesday: Newsboys

Thursday: Jo Dee Messina

Monday, Sept. 5: Styx

Worth noting

Ethnic Festival: Sunday

Extreme Monster Truck Nationals: Sunday, 2 p.m., kids 3-12 ($10), adults ($17)

Older Nebraskans Festival: Monday, $3 gate admission for seniors 60 and older; Lonney Lynn Orchestra.

Bull Riding Spectacular: Wednesday, grandstand, 7 p.m., ages 5 and younger (free), kids 6-12 ($4), adults ($9)

Nebraska’s Largest Classroom: Wednesday-Thursday. More than 5,000 students and teachers are registered.

Nebraska Idol competition: Friday. Contestants who have pre-qualified will compete for a guaranteed audition in front of the national “American Idol” producers.

Veteran’s Day: Friday. $3 gate admission for veterans.

Edge of Your Seat Car Racing: Friday, grandstand, 7 p.m., $9 and $13

Tractor pulls: Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 3-4, grandstand, 6 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday; ages 5 and younger (free); kids 6-12 ($4), adults ($8); Clubhouse ($10)

Sheltered Reality: Sept. 4-5. A percussion group of more than 200 youth 8 to 18 will perform.

Demolition Derby: Sept. 5, 1 p.m., grandstand, ages 5 and younger (free), kids 6-12 ($3), adults ($6); Clubhouse ($8)

Labor Day: Sept. 5, gate admission and vehicle parking is free after 8 p.m.