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Chester County Press

Mushroom Eating Championship returns to Kennett Square

08/07/2013 11:25AM ● By Randy

2012 Mushroom Eating Champion with Sponsors Buona Foods.

After the success of last year's inaugural National Fried Mushroom Eating Championship, the event will return to Kennett Square, the Mushroom Capital of the World, where 65 percent of the nation's mushroom production takes place. The Mushroom Festival will be the site of the second annual eating contest on Sept. 7.

All Pro Eating, the world's only independent competitive eating organization, will sanction the championship. In addition to awarding $1,400 in prize money in the main event, $200 will be awarded to the top amateur male and female participants.

The overall winner of the National Fried Mushroom Eating Championship will also chase the current national fried mushroom-eating record, which stands at 5.5 pounds eaten in eight minutes.

"Last year, the championship proved that the rightful home of an event like this that encourages the enjoyment of this phenomenal fungus can only be Kennett Square," said Todd Greenwald, chairman of All Pro Eating. "The Mushroom Festival National Fried Mushroom Eating Championship will again combine our love of golden brown breading that is strategically deep fried and centered with a succulent mushroom."

The two-day Mushroom Festival, on Sept. 7 and 8, is the most well-known mushroom celebration in the world.

All Pro Eating Promotions is expecting several professional competitive eaters at the event, including last year's National Fried Mushroom Eating Champion and number-one ranked independent professional competitive eater in the world, Jamie "The Bear" McDonald. Jamie will face competition from Molly Schuyler, who recently beat Jamie at The National Caribbean Food Eating Championships.

In addition to that contest, The Mushroom Festival National Fried Mushroom Eating Championship will see plenty of competitive eating action from last year's second place finisher, David Brunelli, and many more competitors. The event includes a field of local and amateur competitive eaters, and anyone over the age of 18 is encouraged to participate. To register, or for more information, visit the All Pro Eating website or contact Todd Greenwald at [email protected].

Additional information about the 2013 Mushroom Festival is available at www.mushroomfestival.org.