Strawberry Shortcake Eating Contest Draws Crowd On North Fork

MATTITUCK, NY — Under sunny skies, a lineup of professional eaters vied for the title of Strawberry Eating Contest Champion Saturday —the event presented by by Major League Eating, delighted a large crowd at the 65th Annual Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Festival.

After eight minutes of frenzied strawberry shortcake eating, Geoffrey Esper, #3-ranked competitive eater in the world, took the lead spot, consuming 17.5 lbs. in eight minutes, followed by Darron Breedan, of Orange, VA and #5 competitive eater in the world, with 14 lbs.; and Darrien Thomas, with 11 lbs.

The competitors vied for $3,500 in prize money.

Each had eight minutes to consume as many individual strawberry shortcakes as possible; Esper earned the title of World Strawberry Shortcake-Eating Champion.

(Video by Lisa Finn)

At last year's championship, No. 2-ranked, Carmen Cincotti of Mays Landing, NJ took the title of Strawberry Shortcake-Eating Champion after eating a World Record of 22 lbs. of strawberry shortcake in eight minutes of sanctioned competition time.

Last year Esper came in second place, eating 20 lbs. of strawberry shortcake.

"In the world of Major League Eating, strawberry shortcake marks a significant time in the league.
Not only is it one of our sweetest competitions, but it also marks the peak of summer," said Sam
Barclay, emcee at Major League Eating. "At last year's championship, we saw record-breaking
results; this year, our competitive eaters proudly set out to push that limit further."

After the competition, Esper said this year's competition was a bit harder; the shortcake, he said, had less time to settle so the cake was firmer and the strawberries larger, while last year, the consistency was a bit soupier and easier to consume quickly.

No matter the winner, Esper said, the competitors are all friends, supporting one another and enjoying the event.

But make no mistake: Competitive eating is serious business. The world of competitive eating was rocked on its proverbial axis when Takeru Kobayashi, of Japan, made headlines on July 4, 2001, eating 50 hot dogs in 12 minutes at the Nathan's Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest and shattering the previous record of 25.

The event was another sweet moment in a North Fork festival marked by tradition and deep ties to the community.

"Attendees come back year after year to enjoy strawberries grown right here on Long Island, and have fun that the whole family can enjoy," said Steve Ammirati, festival chairman and first vice president of the Mattituck Lions Club. "We're very proud that this has become a signature event for our local community, and a family weekend that attracts our neighbors from all across Long Island."

The festival wraps up on Sunday with Father's Day specials; dads get free admission and ride free with a paid child. The winner of the Big Bucks Raffle will be announced at 4 p.m.

For additional Strawberry Festival information, click here.