UT Students Rally Around Man Eating Entire Rotisserie Chicken

By Nicholas Pantaleoni

Reporting Texas

Gregory Fossati poses as he eats an entire rotisserie chicken. Nicholas Pantaleoni/Reporting Texas

University of Texas Students gathered to watch one student, Gregory Fossati, take on a single H-E-B rotisserie chicken in one sitting on April 5. 

What began as an inside joke among friends turned into an inspirational spectacle on the South Lawn. Event organizer Taryn Jones, who has a tradition of posting humorous flyers every April Fool’s Day, wanted this one to be special because Fossati will graduate this May. 

“For the past three years, I’ve always hung up posters relating to this guy,’ Jones said. “It’s always been things, like funny polls, this guy will fight a pigeon, or looking for a goth girlfriend. But this year… I knew this one had to be big, which led to the formation of the rotisserie chicken event.”

Fossati didn’t know about Jones’ plan until posters  popped up around campus and spread through Instagram. 

“I thought there might be like, one person,” Fossati said, adding, “[I thought] if people did come, they’d be walking by on their way to other stuff, and maybe stop for a second… It was a very awe inspiring moment.”

Fossati embraced the joke and finished the entire chicken in one sitting, surrounded by cheering students, cameras and the Texas spirit.

“The crowd was unbeatable,’ student Corey Tracey said. “Gregory really brought the energy… I think it was great.”

Despite a small hiccup midway through, Fossati powered through the entire rotisserie chicken in a shocking 28-minute ordeal. Each bite was harder than the last, but he maintained his momentum by shouting inspirational quotes and engaging with the audience. It’s unclear whether another event will be planned in the future.

“Not anytime soon. Right now, just the thought of chicken doesn’t feel great.” Fossati said. “I made a lot of mistakes. If I were to do this again, I’d definitely change my approach.”

Fossati said the inspirational quotes he shouted during the event were meant to inspire UT students. 

“I genuinely do hope that if anything I said touched someone or had an impact [then that would be] amazing,” Fossati said. “Even if it’s just one person.” 

Before leaving, he left the crowd with a final message.

“You are stronger than you know,” Fossati said. “You can do more things than you realize, so when hard stuff comes your way, just take it one bite at a time.”