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Mike
Poppe, a wrestler at Richmond High School, consumed six paczkis Tuesday to
capture first place in the third annual paczki-eating contest at the Meijer
store in Chesterfield Township. |
A
veteran, Hamtramck-born paczki eater was pitted against a young and focused
defending champion in the third annual paczki-eating contest at the Meijer
store on 23 Mile Road and Gratiot in Chesterfield Township.
In the end, the younger binge eater pigged out better than his older
counterpart.
Mike Poppe, 18, ate six paczkis in two minutes to beat Rich Piekarski and
six others to win or tie for first in his third straight contest.
In front of about 40 catcalling onlookers, the Richmond High School senior
stuffed his cheeks with the balls of grease, dough and jelly, then used his
fingers to push the mud-like substance down his throat.
"I learned the technique the first year and stuck with it," Poppe said
afterward.
Piekarski, 52, who grew up eating paczkis at the famous Hamtramck bakeries
and donned a sweatshirt with "Paczki kid" on the back, came in second. He
methodically stuffed and chewed, consuming nearly five of the fat-laden
treats.
"I took some Malox this morning so I could stuff 'em down my throat," he
said. "But I had to chew them. My dad could eat 'em whole."
Piekarski, the assistant director of the Chesterfield Township Parks and
Recreation, was cheered on by his wife, son, and Chesterfield Treasurer
Elise Miller and Clerk Connie Bowles.
"I've seen him eat a lot of paczkis," although never this many at one
sitting, Brenda said as her husband purchased three boxes of them to take to
work.
"He needed to stuff his cheeks; that's what the winner did," Miller said.
Poppe was encouraged by fellow members of the Richmond wrestling team who
cheered his gluttonous talent.
After the victory, he returned to the high school where he played floor
hockey in gym class.
"I've got the stomach for this kind of thing from years of training," he
said.
Poppe, 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, wasn't concerned about adding weight for the
wrestling district competitions this week.
"I'm under weight so I could gain some weight," he said. "I'll probably put
down a couple more of 'em today."
Poppe was chosen to participate two years ago by a teacher "because of my
size and I can eat a lot. My favorite food is buffalo wings."
Poppe won $1,000 to donate to his favorite nonprofit group, the Richmond
wrestling team.
"It'll pay for the trip to districts and awards and stuff," he said. |
Jim Hanus
www.AllAboutRichmond.com
email:
list@allaboutrichmond.com
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