PORTAGE | Many have tried, but few have succeeded.

Add Ben Williams' name to the short list of those who have conquered the 6-pound challenge at Kelsey's Steakhouse in Portage.

Williams, of Bloomington, Ind., accomplished the feat Wednesday. In 52 minutes, he devoured 96 ounces of top sirloin steak, a salad, baked potato and bread.

He didn't even need any Alka Seltzer to wash down the feast.

"It was cut and chew, cut and chew, cut and chew," said Williams, 27, a pawn shop manager in Bloomington.

A fan of "Man v. Food," Williams girlfriend, Kylene Parobek talked him into the challenge. The show features a host who tackles an impossible meal each episode.

"I never tried to do anything like it before. I'm not a massive eater," said Williams, who's 6-feet, 5-inches tall and weighs in at 240 pounds.

"I figured I'd give it a shot. If I do it, I do it. If not, I'll take the rest home for tomorrow night's dinner," he said.

Williams didn't do anything special before the big meal. He had a banana for breakfast and hot dog for lunch. A few days prior he did consume 3.5 pounds of steak, just to see what it might be like.

"It wasn't that bad. I was full, but it wasn't that bad. It wasn't like I expected," he said.

"I was impressed. I had a 32-ounce steak and I couldn't finish it all," said Kylene's father, Brian, who had joined the couple during the meal.

Williams is the fifth customer in 23 years to conquer the Kelsey's 6-pound challenge, said restaurant owner Ken Blaney Jr. About 10 people a year try the challenge.

With his victory over the meal, Williams got it free -- it's $42.95 if you try and fail -- and bragging rights.

"We just explain the rules, that he has one hour to eat the meal. We inform as many people as possible to make it as exciting as possible," said Blaney, adding two Valparaiso University students tried and failed to meet the challenge last year and captured the event on a video entitled "Food Frenzy," which can be seen on You Tube.

"I've never done it, I've never tried. I'm about a 15-ounce person myself," Blaney said.