Watch Food Battle

Food Battle is a comedic online series produced by DEFY Media and starring Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox, the duo behind the popular YouTube channel Smosh. The premise of the show is simple yet absurd: each year, Padilla and Hecox engage in a battle to determine which food item is the best. The criteria for this competition are intentionally vague and subjective, ranging from taste to texture to cultural significance.

The show debuted in 2006 and quickly became a fan favorite among Smosh's millions of subscribers. Over the years, the format of the show has evolved, with each new installment introducing new foods and new challenges. However, the basic structure of the show has remained the same: Padilla and Hecox each select a food item (usually something unhealthy and/or ridiculous, such as a deep-fried burrito or a bacon-wrapped unicorn horn) and then compete in a series of challenges to determine whose food reigns supreme.

The challenges vary from year to year, but typically involve some combination of taste tests, physical challenges, and trivia questions. For example, in one episode, Padilla and Hecox compete to see who can eat the most slices of pizza, while in another they have to identify the ingredients in various fast food items by taste alone. These challenges are often absurdly difficult and have little to do with the actual food being tasted, but they add to the overall comedic tone of the show.

What sets Food Battle apart from other food-based shows is its irreverent and self-aware humor. Padilla and Hecox are not afraid to poke fun at themselves or the absurdity of the competition they have created. For example, in one episode, they reveal that they have been secretly cheating by using their own personal chefs to prepare their meals. In another, they admit that the whole show is just a way for them to indulge their love of junk food while still being able to call it work.

Another hallmark of the show is its unabashed love of all things unhealthy. Padilla and Hecox are not shy about their love of fast food, sugary snacks, and other guilty pleasures. In fact, many of the foods they choose for the competition are things that most people would never dream of eating, let alone considering as a serious contender for "best food". Yet despite this, the show manages to make even the most ridiculous food items seem appealing, if only for their sheer audacity.

Despite its lighthearted tone, Food Battle does occasionally touch on more serious topics. One episode, for example, was dedicated to raising awareness about childhood obesity and featured interviews with experts on healthy eating habits. However, even when dealing with weighty issues, the show never loses its sense of humor or its commitment to entertaining its viewers.

In addition to its original online run, Food Battle has also spawned a line of merchandise, including T-shirts and keychains, as well as several spin-off series. These include Food Battle: The Game, a mobile app that lets players compete in their own virtual food battles, and Food Battle X, a tenth-anniversary special that featured a compilation of the best moments from the show's history.

Overall, Food Battle is a fun and irreverent show that celebrates the joys of junk food and the absurdity of competition. Whether you're a die-hard fan of Smosh or just looking for a good laugh, this series is sure to entertain.