Recap: Katz’s Pastrami Eating Contest at DayLife Festival [VIDEO]
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The on-again-off-again DayLife Festival returned to Orchard Steeet yesterday, buoyed by a high-profile birthday celebration for Katz’s Deli. To help commemorate the big 125, the venerable Lower East Side institution held the Katz’s Deli World Pastrami Eating Championship outside the old Leather Gallery.
Preceded by a pickle-bobbing primer, the pastrami eating contest was essentially the marquee event for the micro-foodie fair, now in its second year. Press muscled to the front of the temporary stage, leaving little room for spectators to view the gluttonous display. Basically an enormous publicity stunt. Current Katz’s owner Jake Dell helped usher in the festivities; even mayoral hopeful Sal Albanese said a few words.
The contest itself had participants scarf down as many 7-ounce half-sandwiches as they could in ten minutes. Competitive eater Joey Chestnut won the championship trophy (and $7,500 prize money) after putting away 25 sandwiches. Runners up were Matt Stonie (21 sandwiches), Notorious B.O.B. (18.5 sandwiches), and Eater X (16 sandwiches).
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