Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut Down 19 lbs., Wins World Pumkin Pie Eating Championship in Elk Grove

October 2, 2016 |    

They came, they ate, and they demolished several dozen pounds of pumpkin pie this afternoon at the World Pumpkin Pie Eating Championship at the Elk Grove Regional Park.

Sanctioned by Major League Eating, the pie eating contest is the centerpiece activity of the Cosumnes Community Services District's annual Great Pumpkin Festival.  

The field of 10 entrants included Chestnut, seven other professional eating competitors as well as amateurs Laguna High School football coach Dan Davis and Franklin High School football coach Marty Tomlinson, who competed for cash prizes on behalf of their respective schools. 

Taking center stage on the Strauss Island Stage, the competitors had eight minutes to consume as much pie as possible. Each plate weighed one pound and had four pieces of pie.

Relaxing after the contest were Steve Hendry (left), Mary

Bowers, and Miko Sudo. 

As soon as the clock started, the eaters hit the pies in a fast, furious, and frequently messy manner. As they progressed, they washed down the pie with a variety of beverages with some eaters bouncing up and down to help move the pies along.

After eight minutes of eating and judging by MLE master of ceremonies Mike Sullivan, Chestnut was judged to have won the championship. Chestnut consumed 19 pounds and won $2,500. 

Coming in second was Carmen Cincotti who consumed 16 pounds and earned $1,200 and Miki Sudo came in third who won $650 by eating 11 pounds.  

In the battle of Laguna Creek versus Franklin, Davis won that category by consuming three pounds. For his efforts, Davis' three pounds of pumpkin pie earned Laguna Creek High school $150.

After winning his cash and belt, a full and overjoyed Chestnut told a scrum of reporters how satisfied he was the win and that he enjoys coming to Elk Grove.

"I really enjoy food, and I love eating," he said. "And I really enjoy meeting new people."