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Jamaican Patty Eating championship

Published:Tuesday | June 14, 2016 | 6:10 PM
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Contributed
Contributed Photo In a past championship, professional patty eaters get to work, devouring as many freshly baked patties as possible
Contributed
Contributed Photo The Jamaican beef patty is now celebrated worldwide and in some parts of the United States, the patty is now the grab-and-go meal of choice.
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Hot patty!

The Jamaican beef patty is a fast-food staple that is now celebrated and available worldwide. In parts of the United States, patties have increased so much in popularity since they were first introduced in the 1960s that in some areas they are now overtaking hot dogs, pizza and hamburgers as the grab-and-go meal of choice.

On Saturday, June 26, the scorching hot beef patty will be on show at Groovin In The Park in New York. There eight professional patty eaters will compete in the Caribbean Food Delights World Jamaica Beef Patty Eating Championship, with US$10,000 to be awarded to the first-prize winner, US$5000 to second place and an additional US$5000 split among the third, fourth and fifth place runners-up.

The Jamaican patty-eating championship is actually in its 15th year, but this year will be the first time that the scorcher has been moved to the main stage at Groovin In The Park. This month, thousands of attendees who love many aspects of Jamaican culture, including the food, will be able to view the championship on main stage.

The 2015 defending champion is Joe Menchetti, but don't think the men have a monopoly on the title as past winners include Molly Schuyler. In previous years, the first person to finish eating a number of freshly baked beef patties was declared the winner. This year, however, the winner will be determined by the number of patties consumed in the regulated time of eight minutes.

"As the operator of a Jamaican restaurant and a concert promoter, I am very happy that we have been able to marry two exciting elements of Jamaican culture - the food and the music - and partner with Caribbean Food Delights to bring this patty-eating championship as an exciting addition to Groovin In The Park," Chris Roberts, CEO of Groovin, told Food.

The cash prizes and championship trophy is being provided by a leader in the patty manufacturing business in the United States Caribbean Foods Delight. In addition to the Jamaican Beef Patty Championship, the star-studded line-up at Groovin includes Peabo Bryson, Beres Hammond, Toots Hibbert, Brian McKnight, Regina Belle, Tessanne Chin, and Duane Stephenson.

- AP