'Gentleman Joe' Shells the Competition

As "Gentleman" Joe Menchetti stuffed a 13th lobster roll into his mouth Saturday, two different kinds of satisfaction brushed his pallet.

The Cheshire, Conn., man knew he had already claimed victory in the 2011 Hampton Beach Seafood Festival Lobstah Roll Eatin' Competition after downing roll No. 12 with seconds to spare on the clock, so No. 13 was more about the flavor as well as the joy of knowing he wouldn't have to push himself further.

Menchetti, a semi-professional eater, said he was grateful he didn't have to top last year's record of 23 1/2 rolls, as he said it meant he wasn't "stuffed to the gills" and could actually enjoy some of the other treats at on Saturday.

"It would be irresponsible for someone of my size to continue eating," joked Menchetti, who is listed at six feet, one inch and 285 pounds on EatFeats.com. "It's a lot of work to stay only this size."

Menchetti, who turned 42 on Sept. 4, took home $600, bragging rights and automatic entry into next year's competition with his win on Saturday, which was the second-ever lobster roll eating competition as a part of .

Thousands crowded around the temporary Seashell Stage Saturday to watch Menchetti and nine other contestants, including Hampton's own Craig Hansen, feast on as many rolls as possible in seven minutes.

Sao Young, of Lowell, Mass., placed second and won $250, while Craig Hooper, 21, a St. Anselm College student from Malden, Mass., placed third and won $150 after finishing nine rolls.

Last year's winner, a 120-pound teen named Matthew Stonie, wasn't able to participate this year, which Menchetti and others said was a good thing because it allowed them to save their belts from a little extra trauma.

"You know, the texture after a while is just unbearable," said Hooper, who said the rolls' "slimy" nature would've prevented him from even coming close to Stonie's 23 1/2-roll record. "I used to like lobster, but now I think it'll be a long time before I have it again."

Regardless of how far off the record each contestant was, many audience members said the totals were impressive and far more than they could eat.

"I'd probably only be able to eat one," said 16-year-old Leanna Psaros, a Salem resident who was cheering on Hooper. "I have a really small stomach."

Mike Arundel, 51, of Hampton, said he was surprised Menchetti "only finished 12," although he admitted that number was still impressive.

"I just had one and I'm full," said Arundel. "Twelve in seven minutes? No way. Are you crazy?"

Each contestant had to qualify for the competition through a series of hot dog eating contests earlier this summer. Menchetti finished 30 hot dogs in the qualifiers, more than any other competitor.

This year's competition also featured three guest contestants -- Joe Higgins of The Old Salt, a representative from the Cascade Café, and Desi Lanio, the owner of the 401 Tavern, which sponsored the event along with the Pat Whitley Restaurant Show.

Lanio unofficially won the guest contestant bragging rights, although the main reason why he went through the most lobster rolls is because he spent his seven minutes throwing them to the crowd -- not eating them.

Ginni McNamara, the vice chair of Seafood Fest, said this year's competition was another impressive showing and was well received by the crowd, which she said should go a long way in growing the already wildly-popular event.

"I think it'll get better and better," said McNamara. "People love it. It's kind of fascinating, and maybe it'll eventually beat out the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest one day."