Geoffrey Esper Downs 17 lbs of Strawberry Shortcake to Win Mattituck Lions Club Event!

Geoffrey Esper stood firm as powerful winds blew in from Long Island Sound over the Mattituck strawberry fields. Tents ripped from the ground, hats flew and audience members sought shelter behind flatbed trucks stacked high with strawberries. In addition to the onslaught from the wind, the number-three-ranked Esper knew he would face a major challenge from Darron Breeden, the number-five-ranked eater in the world.

While the Mattituck Lions Club World Strawberry Shortcake Eating Championship presented by Peconic Bay Medical Center/Northwell Health sounds like a delightful festival of dessert, it is in fact an epic battle. The strawberries are enormous, the shortcake is robust, and the cream covers everything.

Esper and Breeden began the eight-minute contest in synch and remained even for two minutes before Breeden appeared to take the upper hand. However, Esper, the stalwart body builder and multi-title champion of the world, dug deep, increasing his speed and downing 17.5 pounds of strawberry shortcake to Breeden’s 14 pounds to win the title of World Strawberry Shortcake- Eating Champion.

Third place went to Darrien Thomas, with 11 pounds; fourth to Adam Moran with 10.75 pounds; fifth Wayne Aljeno 10.75 pounds; sixth Ronnie Hartman 10.5 pounds, and seventh George Chiger with 9.75 pounds.

The Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Festival celebrated its 65th anniversary in grand style through Esper’s victory.