Location: Houston, TX
"He did the double -- and beat it." -Overheard at Houston's Greek Fest
Pat Bertoletti made good on his mission to complete the two-day, two-state double after a convincing win at the Niko Niko's World Gyro-Eating Championship at Houston's Greek Fest Sunday afternoon.
Bertoletti, who just a day prior ate 20 cheesesteaks in Pennsylvania, ate 18 Niko Niko's gyros to win the $2,000 first-place prize and coveted Gyro-Eating World Championship Belt. The win conjured up memories of 2009, the last time Bertoletti was victorious on the Niko Niko's stage.
In second place was the megatoad Matt Stonie. Many were circling this event as a likely breakthrough win for Stonie -- given Bertoletti's travel schedule. In the end though, the 15.5 gyros fell a few short and he'll have to wait til next year for another shot at the belt.
Baton Rouge's Adrian Morgan took third place with 12.5 gyros and newly signed MLE rookie Jake 'the Great' Larry out of Chicago took fourth place and $300 for his first MLE cash.
The crowd at Houston's Greek Fest was as raucous as ever cheering on the Major League Eaters as tzatziki sauce was flying though the air. Many left with a new respect for the craft, while Deep Dish left with the glory of yet another World Championship title.
FULL RESULTS 1-Pat Bertoletti - 18 Niko Niko's Gyros in 10 minutes ($2,000) 2-Matt Stonie - 15.5 ($1,000) 3-Adrian Morgan - 12.5 ($700) 4-Jake Larry - 9 ($300) 5-Nate Biller - 8.5 T6-Nick Bauer - 5.5 T6-Bam Martinez - 5.5 T6-Mark Preng - 5.5 T6-Brian Jackson - 5.5 10-Manny Pollos - 5 T11-Randy Harrison - 4.5 T11-Matt Monteglongo - 4.5 13-Renzo Heridia - 2.5
This contest took place on Sunday, May 20th at the Festival of Greece, 1100 Eldridge Parkway, Houston, TX 77077.
About the 2012 Houston Greek Fest The World Gyro Eating Championship is part of Houston’s Annual Greek Fest. Dimitri Fetokakis and his family have been long time supporters of the festival. Houston Greek Fest, now celebrating its 17th anniversary, is a four-day event that features fine homemade Greek food & deserts, Greek wine & beer, Greek folk dancing, Greek shops, vendor booths, children's food, and a large children’s play area. Part of the proceeds of the Festival are donated to local charities. For information, visit www.houstongreekfest.com and www.nikonikos.com.
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