Laura
04-25-2010, 10:40 PM
from The NY Daily News:
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/04/23/2010-04-23_bakery_owner_wont_let_them_all_eat_cake_at_comp etition.html
Ivy Bakery owner Daniellan Louie levels the cupcake-eating contest field for novices
BY Mike Mclaughlin
DAILY NEWS WRITER
Friday, April 23rd 2010, 4:00 AM
http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2010/04/23/alg_cupcakes.jpg
Sunshine for News
Ivy Bakery owner Daniellan Louie is hosting a cupcake-eating competition on Saturday at her bakery in Bay Ridge.
This competitive eating contest is no cakewalk - for the pros.
A Bay Ridge baker has blocked professional binge eaters from entering her cupcake consuming battle and the big leaguers are good-naturedly crying foul that they won't have seats at the table.
"Sadly, we will not learn anything about humanity's ability to consume cupcakes, because it's not a sanctioned event," joked Major League Eating chairman George Shea. "This is like watching your Uncle Stan play football: It's amusing, but it has no bearing on the world of sports."
But Ivy Bakery owner Daniellan Louie wanted to keep the playing field level for novices, so she forbade champion chowhounds from entering Saturday's faceoff to celebrate the store's third anniversary.
"This is not about giant belts and gold trophies," said Louie. "This is just a community event."
Still, Louie caught a few ringers who wanted to win the $175 prize.
"Three or four pros tried to sign up. I Googled them and found out that they won eating contests," said Louie, who then bounced them from the friendly showdown.
"I don't want this to be one of those crazy Nathan's hot dogs contests," said Louie, who runs the entire business herself.
Her second annual competition is a far cry from the July 4 frankfurter-eating fest, organized by Shea, which draws thousands of spectators to Nathan's iconic hot dog stand in Coney Island.
But Louie's contest is growing. She's doubled the number of contestants from five to 10 and expects a larger audience on 87th St. this year. Proceeds from the entry fees and raffles will benefit the Food Bank for New York City.
The contest is simple. Ten hearty souls will race to scarf down 24 double chocolate cupcakes in less than 12 minutes. Participants can wash down the frosting and batter with water or milk.
The rookie eaters aren't intimidated by the gut-busting amount of calories and fat they must digest.
"It's not a big deal. It's not going to make me a cupcake addict," said Megan Daum, 28, of Greenwood Heights. "In fact, it could be helpful. It might push me off sweets for a while."
Daum, who does fund-raising for the Food Bank, is still taking the challenge seriously.
"I've been studying competitive eating videos to master my technique," she said. "Physically, it's totally possible. I'm just worried about getting sick of the flavor."
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/04/23/2010-04-23_bakery_owner_wont_let_them_all_eat_cake_at_comp etition.html#ixzz0m9NvD3AM
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/04/23/2010-04-23_bakery_owner_wont_let_them_all_eat_cake_at_comp etition.html
Ivy Bakery owner Daniellan Louie levels the cupcake-eating contest field for novices
BY Mike Mclaughlin
DAILY NEWS WRITER
Friday, April 23rd 2010, 4:00 AM
http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2010/04/23/alg_cupcakes.jpg
Sunshine for News
Ivy Bakery owner Daniellan Louie is hosting a cupcake-eating competition on Saturday at her bakery in Bay Ridge.
This competitive eating contest is no cakewalk - for the pros.
A Bay Ridge baker has blocked professional binge eaters from entering her cupcake consuming battle and the big leaguers are good-naturedly crying foul that they won't have seats at the table.
"Sadly, we will not learn anything about humanity's ability to consume cupcakes, because it's not a sanctioned event," joked Major League Eating chairman George Shea. "This is like watching your Uncle Stan play football: It's amusing, but it has no bearing on the world of sports."
But Ivy Bakery owner Daniellan Louie wanted to keep the playing field level for novices, so she forbade champion chowhounds from entering Saturday's faceoff to celebrate the store's third anniversary.
"This is not about giant belts and gold trophies," said Louie. "This is just a community event."
Still, Louie caught a few ringers who wanted to win the $175 prize.
"Three or four pros tried to sign up. I Googled them and found out that they won eating contests," said Louie, who then bounced them from the friendly showdown.
"I don't want this to be one of those crazy Nathan's hot dogs contests," said Louie, who runs the entire business herself.
Her second annual competition is a far cry from the July 4 frankfurter-eating fest, organized by Shea, which draws thousands of spectators to Nathan's iconic hot dog stand in Coney Island.
But Louie's contest is growing. She's doubled the number of contestants from five to 10 and expects a larger audience on 87th St. this year. Proceeds from the entry fees and raffles will benefit the Food Bank for New York City.
The contest is simple. Ten hearty souls will race to scarf down 24 double chocolate cupcakes in less than 12 minutes. Participants can wash down the frosting and batter with water or milk.
The rookie eaters aren't intimidated by the gut-busting amount of calories and fat they must digest.
"It's not a big deal. It's not going to make me a cupcake addict," said Megan Daum, 28, of Greenwood Heights. "In fact, it could be helpful. It might push me off sweets for a while."
Daum, who does fund-raising for the Food Bank, is still taking the challenge seriously.
"I've been studying competitive eating videos to master my technique," she said. "Physically, it's totally possible. I'm just worried about getting sick of the flavor."
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/04/23/2010-04-23_bakery_owner_wont_let_them_all_eat_cake_at_comp etition.html#ixzz0m9NvD3AM