La Costeña Jalapeño Eating Contest in Laredo, TX

The Washington's Birthday Celebration Association (WBCA) Jalapeno Festival was celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year. For the first time this long-standing contest was be part of the IFOCE circuit. Major League Eaters were be able to take a stab at the local record that has not been broken since 1991. 141 peppers in 15 minutes was the number to beat, Pat Bertoletti made quick work of it.

Results:

1. Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti - 266 jalapenos, $3,000 prize ( new record, almost doubled previous record of 141 by Braulio Martinez (1991)

2. Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas - 170, $1,500 prize (believes swallowing stems reduced her count)

3. Erik "The Red" Denmark - 147, $500 prize

4. Pat Bruss - 85

5. Graham "Cool Hand" Duke - 70

To learn more about the WBCA Jalapeno Festival, visit www.wbcalaredo.org