THUNDER BAY -- When it comes to competitive spaghetti eating, Danica Jones knows how to crush all other challengers.
“I just kind of went for it,” said the 19-year-old. “I tried to eat as fast as I could and somehow it worked.”
Jones devoured more than a pound of spaghetti Monday afternoon in under before nine other participants could finish their plate, winning the spaghetti competition and taking home the grand $20 prize on day two of Festa Italiana.
“I was nervous,” Jones said after finishing her plate in under three minutes. “I thought the guys were getting pretty close but (the master of ceremonies) started cheering me on and I ended up winning.”
She added that it felt great to win, but beating her boyfriend, Connor Watson, was a bigger win for her.
Jones has never entered an eating contest before and didn’t think she was going to win the competition, but not only did Jones take first place during the spaghetti competition she took first place minutes later during the watermelon eating competition as well.
“I don’t know how I did it,” she said.
“I haven’t eaten all day. I’ve been waiting and saving my food till now.”
With two wins under her belt, Jones hopes to keep the streak going and participate in other food eating contest in the future.
Festival chairman Benny Melchiorre said the eating contest is a big attraction every year.
“We have a big crowd,” Melchiorre said.” All the people from the back move forward just to watch them eat the spaghetti especially the youth it’s a lot of fun.”
He added that there was a gentlemen one year who finished the plate of spaghetti in about 45 seconds and nobody has yet to break that record.
The spaghetti is prepared without any spices and organizers make sure the food is not hot “we don’t want anybody go get hurt.”
Monday evening will close with fireworks around 11 p.m.
