Location: Atlantic City, NJ
Showboat's Fat Tuesday celebration turned into "Pat" Tuesday after Pat Bertoletti was crowned the World King Cake Eating Champion for the third consecutive year.
Holding off a deep field of Major League Eaters, the world's #2-ranked eater consumed 10.5 king cakes (5.25 lbs) in 8 minutes to win the $2,000 first-place prize and take home his second victory in the young MLE 2012 season.
Finishing in second was Sonya "the Black Widow" Thomas, who narrowly edged out #7-ranked Adrian Morgan 8.6 to 8.3. The slim defeat to Thomas resembled that of last year's crawfish contest that saw the two in an overtime period to decide a winner.
Rounding out the money winners at Showboat AC were #5-ranked Bob "Notorious BOB" Shoudt (7.5 king cakes/$300) and Boston's Pete "Pretty Boy" Davekos (6.75 king cakes/$200).
Larell Marie Mele, who traveled with an entourage from Long Pond, PA, ate 4.25 king cakes.
FULL RESULTS 1-Pat Bertoletti - 10.5 1/2 lb King Cakes in 8 minutes ($2,000) 2-Sonya Thomas - 8.6 - ($1,000) 3-Adrian Morgan - 8.3 ($500) 4-Bob Shoudt - 7.5 - ($300) 5-Pete Davekos - 6.75 ($200) 6-Badlands Booker - 6.5 7-Micah Collins - 6 8-Sean Gordon - 5.5 9-Crazy Legs Conti - 5 10-Larell Marie Mele - 4.25 11-Yasir Salem - 4 12-Sam Mannera - 1.5
This contest was held at 3:00pm from outside the House of Blues within Showboat AC located at 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ.
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About Showboat, The Mardi Gras Casino: Showboat Atlantic City is a world-class entertainment destination that captures the spirit of Mardi Gras, 365 days a year. Home to “THE SHOW”, Atlantic City’s only FREE Las Vegas-style Mardi Gras production parade, the House of Blues which produce the best live shows on the planet, seven eateries and restaurants, a high-energy casino and extensive nightlife options. Showboat was voted “Best Theme” in Casino Player magazine’s 2008 Best of Gaming Survey. Showboat is located at 801 Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey. For more information, call 1-800-HARRAHS or visit www.showboatac.com.