Reigning paczki-eating champ “Gentleman” Joe Menchetti won the Eddy’s Bake Shop pazcki-eating contest Tuesday morning.
He finished 10 paczki in five minutes. (See video below)
About a dozen people braved the weather to scarf the delectable Polish treat and compete for the chance to win $200.
Here are a few of their stories.
Name: Marcus Bartone
Hometown: Derby
Paczki Consumed: 7
Driving Force: Bartone’s 7‑year-old daughter Sydney died three years ago from a rare form of cancer called Neuroblastoma. For the past four years, Bartone and a crew of friends and family have competed in the paczki-eating contest to raise awareness for the cancer.
Quote: “We kick off the campaign with a paczki-eating contest to make a fool of ourselves. You know, what better way of making awareness than making a fool of yourself.”
Name: Mike Crockett
Hometown: Ansonia
Paczki Consumed: 5 1/2
Driving Force: Crockett said some coworkers told him about the contest in years past, and this is the first time he got to attend.
Training Technique: Crockett ate 25 stuffed shells the night before.
Quote: (After competition) “I feel fine. I’m ready for breakfast.”
Name: Joe Menchetti
Hometown: Wallingford
Paczki Consumed: 10
Driving Force: Menchetti wouldn’t consider himself a professional eater because he doesn’t make a living off of the contests he enters, but called himself “world class.”
He has entered and won various contests, including dumpling, pizza, chicken wings and cicada, a flying insect.
Quote: “I’m happy to win by a bite.”
Name: Judy Rodger
Hometown: Ansonia
Paczki Consumed: 1 (with one taken home for later)
Driving Force: She wanted to eat the paczki.
Training Technique: None.
Quote: “I don’t want to get sick.”
Name: Kasey Matusovich
Hometown: Ansonia
Paczki Consumed: 4
Driving Force: Redemption. Last year Matusovich choked on the first bite and didn’t end up finishing the contest. This year, he was back and ready to prove himself.
Training Technique: Matusovich ate 30 buffalo wings at Buffalo Wild Wings the night before.
Quote: “Kasey ‘Case-Closed’ Matusovich is back baby.”
