Strawberry shortcake: a delightful confection that whispers of summer days, picnics in the park, and the sweet joy of berry season. But on Long Island, this innocent dessert becomes the heavyweight champion of a decadent battle royale: The 69th Long Island Strawberry Shortcake Eating Contest held by the Mattituck Lions Club.
The eating competition is a highlight of the summer season, where the air is as sweet as the confections on the table. This event is not just about indulging in the delicious layers of cake, cream, and strawberries, the festival itself is a celebration of local agriculture and community.
The contest saw Geoff Esper, of Oxford, MA–the #2nd ranked competitive eater in the world — set a new world record by devouring an astonishing 23.75 pounds of strawberry shortcake in just eight minutes, raising the bar for all future competitors. As a point of comparison, and just to show you that even a champion can improve with practice, in 2019 Esper “only” ate 17 pounds of Strawberry shortcake.
It’s a day when families and friends gather, cheer on the contestants, and enjoy the festivities that include rides, games, and of course, plenty of strawberry shortcakes. The Mattituck Lions Club, with over a century of service, has been organizing this event to bring people together and support various charitable causes. It’s a day that’s marked by laughter, cheers, and the occasional strawberry-stained smile, making it a cherished tradition for many. The kind of event that functions as the glue that holds communities together.
Geoff Esper, the reigning champ, is a sight to behold, his technique a well-oiled machine of consumption. The competitors may not have Esper’s laser-focused precision or his seemingly endless capacity for dessert, but they don’t give up without a fight.
The judges watch like hawks, ensuring no crumb goes uncounted, no strawberry left behind. When the buzzer sounds, signaling the end of the gastronomic gladiator match, the contestants step back, faces smeared with cream, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and elation.
I wonder though, do they really enjoy all that strawberry shortcake? And do they ever crave it on any other occasion?
The winner is announced, and no surprise, it’s Esper again. He took home the title for the third consecutive year and won the $5,000 first prize, eating 23 and 3/4 lbs. of strawberry deliciousness in 8 minutes.
