Location: Stockton, CA
JOEY REGAINS ASPARAGUS CROWN, SETS STAGGERING NEW RECORD IN NAIL-BITER!
Well, that was something, wasn't it? Those who were present will know that, yes, there were 10 other eaters in The 2014 Stockton Asparagus Festival World Deep Fried Asparagus Eating Competition. But they know that this day belonged to two men and two men only. Joey and Matt. Jaws and The Megatoad. Number 1 and number 2. San Jose represent.
The existing WR of 9lb 5.2oz was crushed at the six-and-a-half-minute mark. The only question was how plump and juicy would this new record be? And who, with Joey and Matt going bite for bite, would prevail?
In keeping with his usual strategy vs The Great One, Stonie leaped out early, setting a furious pace—by the four-minute mark he was up by a full pound. But then Joey did what Joey does: he found a groove and blocked out the world. Not even the constant advice/haranguing from fellow competitive eater and front-row presence "Sweet" Neslie Ricasa could penetrate his thoughts. I am not losing. I will not lose. Lose? No way. Ugh. Ugh. If you could listen to Joey's brain, it probably would have said something like that.
And 3, 2, 1—STOP EATING. The combatants wore weary grins, for each knew they had achieved greatness. But who won? And what was the score? Plates were weighed. Math was done by people versed in numbers. And the numbers read: 12 lb, 8.75oz od San Joaquin Valley Deep Fried Asparagus now sat in the belly of Chestnut. Stonie was pipped by just 2.75oz. It may as well have been 2.75lb, such is the emotional distance between first and second. Oh, and $750, too. There's that.
In 2013, it was Stonie who won. This year, it was Chestnut. The season ahead looks bright. It appears to be a season that will be written by two men. We hope that their penmanship is up to the task.
Miki Sudo ate 7lb, 4oz. Steve Hendry, who says very little, ate 5lb. Soul Asylum followed MLE on the main stage. They went early on the hits, opening with "Shove."
FULL RESULTS! 1) Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, 12lb 8.75oz 2) Matthew “The Megatoad” Stonie, 12lb 6oz 3) Miki Sudo, 7lb 4oz 4) Steve Hendry, 5lb 4oz 5) Chad Cole, 2lb 8oz 6) Jonathan Vincent, 2lb 4oz 6) Cameron Sharp, 2lb 4oz 8) Cameron Bidwell, 2lb 8) Jon Davis, 2lb 10) Muhammad Mahmoud, 1lb 12oz 11) Daniel Osuna, 1lb 4oz 12) Felicia Lopez, who is charming, 1lb
This contest* took place at Noon Pacific on Saturday April 26, 2014 on the Main Stage at The Weber Point Events Center, 221 North Center St, Stockton, CA
NOTE: This contest is open to athletes 18 years of age and up only.
ABOUT THE 2014 STOCKTON ASPARAGUS FESTIVAL! The 2014 Stockton Asparagus Festival, called the Best of the West Food Fest by Sunset magazine, is a three-day, multi-event, food and entertainment festival that celebrates asparagus. The festival, held April 25-27, features three performance stages, an Asparagus Alley with delicious deep-fried asparagus, a celebrity chef cooking demonstration kitchen, a fabulous Spear-Its of the Valley wine and beer pavilion, and exhibits by more than hundreds of food purveyors and 100 specialty merchandise vendors. The festival is one of the largest charitable food festivals in California. Over 5,000 volunteers representing over 100 non-profit organizations work to make it a huge success. To date, over $5.8 million has been donated to local charities.
CLICK HERE for more information about The 2014 Stockton Asparagus Festival.
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*All applicants must be 18 years of age or older and fully acknowledge and understand the inherent dangers and risks associated with participating in an eating contest. The applicant further acknowledges and understands that the MLE/IFOCE coordinates with event sponsor(s) to select and approve eligible participants, and that the MLE/IFOCE shall decide, at its sole discretion, whether an applicant is eligible to participate in any eating event, and/or related activities. The MLE/IFOCE may revoke an applicant's eligibility to participate in the eating contest, or related activities, at any time, for any reason, at its sole discretion. The MLE/IFOCE and the event sponsors reserve the right, at any time, to change any and all details concerning the event, including, e.g., time, duration, location and prize structure.