Extreme Eating, vol. 1: French Songbird

An old episode of This American Life recounts the story of writer Michael Paterniti eating one of the world's most extreme foods: ortolan, a tiny endangered songbird native to France. Because this bird represents the "soul" of France, it is actually illegal to eat. Paterniti describes the process of finding a chef who would actually make it for him, and then its consumption. The experience, all done with a napkin over one's head, goes from tantalizingly delicious to "excruciating"--the bird is eaten whole. Listen to the 11-minute story here (but not at work, because Manos will hunt you down).

This American Life, Episode 343: Poultry Slam '07
Start listening at 11:45.

Story is introduced with a bit about eating prawn. Alive.