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Virgilio's Hugilio pizza takes center stage on the Food Network tonight

In January of 2010, Virgilio Urbano, the pizza slinger -- and owner -- of his namesake pie palace, issued a humongous challenge: In two hours or less, stuff your gullet with eleven pounds of pizza without puking, taking a bathroom break or falling over dead, and your success (or stupidity,...
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In January of 2010, Virgilio Urbano, the pizza slinger -- and owner -- of his namesake pie palace, issued a humongous challenge: In two hours or less, stuff your gullet with eleven pounds of pizza without puking, taking a bathroom break or falling over dead, and your success (or stupidity, depending upon how you look at it) would be rewarded with $1,000 in cash. Of the twenty food warriors who have attempted the challenge, only one has managed to prevail: Stephanie Torres, a 110-pound female who polished off the aptly named Hugilio in one hour and 52 minutes.

Earlier this year, Tom Pizzica, the host of Outrageous Food on the Food Network (and whose last name is precariously close to the word "pizza') got wind of the Hugilio, and in February, a troop of film producers trotted into town, where they spent two and a half days shooting the Hugilio for a future episode, which airs tonight at 8 p.m. on the Food Network -- and Virgilio's Pizzeria and Wine Bar, 10025 West San Juan Way, is hosting a viewing party, along with several food and drink specials to celebrate. "We've rolled out the red carpet -- literally -- for our customers, and we've got ten TVs, all of which will be tuned to the show," says Virgilio, adding that he's also offering $2 glasses of champagne, $5 martinis, and $2 Hugilio cheese pizza slices (which, in case you were wondering, is the equivalent of three regular slices -- at least).

And if that doesn't fill your belly, general manager Krista Kaasvig has spent the past two days creating and assembling a Hugilio cake -- sixty pounds of fondant and sugar mimicking pepperoni, onions, black olives, green peppers, cheese (white chocolate) and sauce (a cherry almond glaze).

The party kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

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