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Six declared pie-eating champs in Taste of Marianas
Winners of the first and second heats of the pie eating contest show off their certificates. (Contributed photo)
Sixteen individuals signed up to chomp down on full-sized custard pies in the no-hands, using-only-your-mouth, pie-eating competition last Saturday as the 2014 Taste of Marianas entered its second week.
In the end, only six emerged victorious in the two-heat competition.
The first heat started out with eight competitors vying for the first three places.
Emerging victorious with faces full of pie were John Umbay, Armen Karapetyan, and Jun Kitagawa.
The second heat included eight competitors as well. Finishing first was an on-the-spot male participant whose name was not registered. In second place was Kaykay Reyes, the first female winner; and third was Jayson Camacho.
Both competitions had prizes for first place, which was $50 worth of Taste of Marianas tokens, $30 for second, and $20 for third. The organizing Marianas Visitors Authority said the tokens could either be exchanged for tokens or cash.
Other tourists that joined the competition enjoyed the pies and were cheering on their friends.
Karapetyan’s sister, Anna, was happy to see her brother finish second.
“He likes eating [so] it was no surprise he would win,” Anna said.
The turnout last Saturday was a lot bigger than the first day of the Taste of the Marianas. More tourists and community members filled the grounds of the American Memorial Park, with nearly no parking spaces left.
Booths also had different decorations this time. A representative of Sierra’s Pearl Shakes and Treats said they would be changing their booth decorations every Saturday.
She said their pandanas are painted with the color of the pearl shakes that are being shaved. She also noted that the pandanas will not be taken down and is the only decoration they will not change.
Entertainment was different as well with more people crowding the stage area than the first day of the monthlong food and entertainment extravaganza.
