Pat Bertoletti sets Nisei Week gyoza record, Matt Stonie 2nd
update Aug 23 The Rafu Shimpo has a contest writeup reporting that Sonya Thomas believed that one of her plates was not counted.
update Aug 22 LA Weekly, Drink Eat Travel and Damon Wells have contest reports
update Aug 21 #2 Matt Stonie has a gallery.
update Aug 21 The contest facebook page has full results and a gallery.
ToraChibi, Two Hungry Pandas, Guzzle & Nosh and FJTeng have flickr galleries
9:13 Jaron has a twitpic gallery
5:44 Naader Reda has posted the top 5: update 7:08 The rest of the top 10
1) Pat Bertoletti 264
2) Matt Stonie 213
3) Sonya Thomas 209
4) Bob Shoudt 202
5) Stephanie Torres 172
6) Tim Gravy Brown 170
7) Damon Wells 169
8) Eric Denmark 129
9) Michelle Lesco 117
10) Yasir Salem 100
?) Naoyuki Namiya 62
5:43 Eat More Gyoza reports Pat Bertoletti set a new record with 264 gyoza.
5:32 the contest is under way. Lynn in LA has a picture of the field
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Anonymous said
August 20, 2011 @ 5:38 pm
Which contest?
Stallion Italian said (Registered August 27, 2010)
August 20, 2011 @ 5:49 pm
Which contest?, not air guitar, that is for sure. That is an amazing number for Bertoletti and Matt coming in second, even though many fewer than Pat, is also amazing, beating the top eaters. Stephanie Torres beat Eric the Red? Looking forward to more reports and numbers.
Anonymous said
August 20, 2011 @ 5:55 pm
What happened to Thomas and Shout?
OMG said
August 20, 2011 @ 5:57 pm
Matt is on fire!
Gastrodyne said (Registered July 17, 2011)
August 20, 2011 @ 7:12 pm
I already said on twitter, but i have to congrat Matt once again. Appart from beating top guys he does it with style. His eating style is “eassy on the eye”. And looks like pretty clean at the same time. Enough of this lame foodjob.
Same for Pat, i didn’t expect him setting a WR. Well done.
Gastrodyne said (Registered July 17, 2011)
August 20, 2011 @ 7:22 pm
And with all the buzz i forgot about steph. It’s eassy to tell i forgot her, kudos for you as well. She might be Sonya Thomas’ own Joey Chestnut in a short time. Keep the good work.
Larell Marie Mele said
August 20, 2011 @ 8:37 pm
Wow! Just wow! 🙂
Furious Pete's Manager said
August 20, 2011 @ 9:23 pm
You rock Matt. I love you. I want to make love to you.
Wrecking Ball said (Registered May 6, 2010)
August 20, 2011 @ 10:27 pm
Great job guys! This was a big event with a lot of great competitiors and everyone did awesome!
Mr Nice perks said
August 20, 2011 @ 11:22 pm
The beauty of this contest is Sonya and BOB never thought in a million years this new kid Matt Stonie could possibly beat them. I love it.
Anonymous said
August 20, 2011 @ 11:35 pm
WOW, just WOW, Stonie is on fire!
KevinRoss said
August 21, 2011 @ 3:31 am
Damn, those are all some great numbers. Adding extra prize money really stepped up the gyoza game.
Anonymous said
August 21, 2011 @ 3:49 am
Wrong. I think Sonya and Bob never doubted that Matts ability. They are not stupid.
Anonymous said
August 21, 2011 @ 3:55 am
Why is Pat allowed to have stuff all over him after each contest without a deduction. I would hate to be within several feet of him during any contest as he splashes his way to the finish. How can those standing next to him even concentrate? Maybe that’s part of the tactic. He drowns the competition.
just wait said
August 21, 2011 @ 10:52 am
Matter of time before certain eaters that love the spotlight will get tired of hearing about Stonie getting all this attention. Any guesses?
amazing said
August 21, 2011 @ 12:10 pm
As soon as Seiken posts the gallery of pics on his site , the copycat runs to Seiken site then runs back to Day Lee FB page hoping that it came from them and not Seiken
Anonymous said
August 21, 2011 @ 1:03 pm
Copycat? That’s a laugh. 🙂 🙂
Stallion Italian said (Registered August 27, 2010)
August 21, 2011 @ 1:04 pm
Please give it a huge break. Mr. S just loves to post here to keep his name in the spotlight for what? Let’s start with using copyrighted materials, breaking all kinds of rules including things which get him banned from YouTube…….this is really just more of the same shit. Stirring up trouble, matter of time before certain eaters etc. I am called a hater? How about let’s congratulate the eaters once again and let S do whatever he wants in his own sandbox.
CONGRATULATIONS MEGA MATT……No one doubted that you are a huge force but no one could have predicted the outcome. Delighted with your victory and your humility. BTW, you can buy a Zoro grill for about $75 from Target or Amazon but you are no doubt helping others and thinking of others before yourself. Stephanie Torres hanging right in with the top eaters, everyone deserves Congratulations for a great contest. From the photos, it looks as if all were having a terrific time, eaters, fans, sponsors, family, friends……..just the way it all should be. Those gyoza look mighty tasty too.
Cory said
August 21, 2011 @ 4:01 pm
Amazing numbers posted this year. Matt posted the 3rd highest total in history and lost by 2 lbs. I talked to the eaters before the contest and believe me they weren’t sleeping on him.
Kevin, we missed you this year, as you were the only one to have been in every contest. You kept coming even when there was barely any prize money, so thank you for always supporting Gyoza. Good luck with your future endeavors and you are always welcome at our event, even if you can’t compete.
Next year, I’m considering giving Pat his own quarantined area. Sonya deserved the competitive eating equivalent of a Purple Heart after that.
KevinRoss said
August 21, 2011 @ 4:37 pm
Thanks Cory for noticing that I have been to every gyoza event until now. Gyoza was my very first eating contest and I was planning on making it my last contest too (seemed fitting way to go out). But this chicken wing thing came up so I had to go for that, since it was on the same day and had a huge prize. I was definitely bummed I couldn’t make it to gyoza, even if just to watch my friends compete (especially because the chicken wing thing kinda blew up in my face).
Anonymous said
August 21, 2011 @ 5:50 pm
I ddon’t know how Sonya was able to eat at all standing in Bertoletti’s splash zone.
Matt "Mega Toad" Stonie said (Registered June 22, 2010)
August 21, 2011 @ 6:36 pm
Cory, just a tip for next year, get bigger cups, like the ones you see at nathans, the 32oz ones. I wasnt to bad yesterday, but i was spilling alot more frequently due to the smaller cups, i dunno why, but just a thought. I felt horrible for Sonya too, her right side was all red lol.
But either way, the contest was absolutly great. Gyoza wasnt burnt (gotta tell me your secret), and i loved the fact you made sick trophys for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd!!!!
Seriously cant wait for next years contest. Id put money that next years #’s will be even bigger and a new records gonna be set. I have a feeling Chestnut’s gonna wanna come back and reclaim his record and Pat’s gonna defend haha.
Just a side-note, for anyone looking to try Gyoza, Day-Lee is IMO the best out there. And no, IM NOT SUCKING UP OR GETTING ANYTHING FOR SAYING THIS lol. ive probably tried 10 brands in the past year and Day-Lee trump. (maybe a small advert. fee?) =]
Hmmmm said
August 21, 2011 @ 7:12 pm
Anonymous said
August 21, 2011 @ 5:50 pm
I ddon’t know how Sonya was able to eat at all standing in Bertoletti’s splash zone.
I wonder who left this comment? Not hard to figure huh? Smile in your face contest time then talk smack on the net the following day
beautifulbrian said
August 21, 2011 @ 7:20 pm
Stallion i will be in Buffalo on Sept 4. You claim you know more about me than i know about myself so why dont you take a drive out there and we can shoot the breeze. Like Ed Jarvis said a few weeks ago. Besides a handful of real names , do any of you pussies out there have the balls to leave your real name or are you just plain SCARED? I notice that if someone does come to my defense which is rare you back off like the whimp you truly are. Thats real sad cause if someone intimidates you on this site i could imagine how you go about your life in the real world . So far not ONE and i repeat not ONE Seiken hater has ever approached me in person or at an event and admitted who they are and i know for a fact that some of them are professional eaters
Stallion Italian said (Registered August 27, 2010)
August 21, 2011 @ 8:01 pm
Good Night S. Never backed away from a bully in my life. And I know for a fact that some eaters have approached you in person and asked you to stop causing trouble……oh never mind, why do I bother? There is no reasoning with you. Good luck in Buffalo (if you show). Have some gyoza why don’t you, makes a nice snack. Good Night All and CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GYOZA CONTESTANTS.
Anonymous said
August 21, 2011 @ 8:20 pm
Hmmmm said
August 21, 2011 @ 7:12 pm
“I wonder who left this comment? Not hard to figure huh? Smile in your face contest time then talk smack on the net the following day.”
Surprise butt head. I wasn’t even at the contest. Look at the pics and what Cory and Matt said if you don’t believe me. That’s what you get for assuming! Had I been at the contest I would have done something about it!!!! It happens contest after contest. People should refuse to eat next to him.
264 said
August 21, 2011 @ 10:14 pm
Is it really a new record with globs of gooey gyoza left?
anonymous said
August 21, 2011 @ 11:05 pm
anony 820 how dare you say anything negative about the great Pat Bertoletti . He is a legend in the sport has never ever made a mess and never cheats. So what if some shmutz happened to protrude from his mouth. Even if they made deductions it would be far less than what CLC leaves on his plate. He would still finish ahead of most of the eaters at the table.
Franklin Teng said (Registered August 22, 2011)
August 22, 2011 @ 12:30 am
Great meeting you all at the event. Photos are up on my Flickr page. Thanks for viewing and look forward to being there next year.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/franklinteng/sets/72157627482664706/
Crowd Face said
August 22, 2011 @ 3:36 am
Being a “legend” doesn’t excuse shenanigans. Besides, how much of a legend could he be with his messy game?
Cory said
August 22, 2011 @ 4:01 am
Matt I will make sure to get you some bigger cups for next year and hopefully a bigger table to give you more space. I can’t believe you all put up those numbers in that environment.
Pat had a lot of debris, but unfortunately that is par for the course with gyoza as the ends will constantly fall off for even the more civilized eaters. Joey had the same happen when he set the record, so we aren’t playing favorites. As long as they’re not dropping huge chunks of the meat filling, it’s considered a full gyoza. The bits are flying so fast, we’d still be counting gyoza if we decided to start making deductions for small pieces of skin.
Anonymous said
August 22, 2011 @ 5:18 am
Prospective new monikers are Count Patrick, Pat “Vampire” Bertoletti, Bloody Pat, Pat “Blood Bath” Bertoletti, and Pat the Blood Spitting Cobra. He really needs his own area of real estate when eating. He is by far the sloppiest eater in history.
Phil La'Mignon said
August 22, 2011 @ 5:33 am
Congratulations Pat on your swim to victory.
Stallion Italian said (Registered August 27, 2010)
August 22, 2011 @ 9:28 am
That’s Good Humor Phil, moniker included. Brevity is the soul of wit. WS. If Pat used only water, the results might be similar to many others. I think it is only because of the red color that his sprays are unusual.
anonymous said
August 22, 2011 @ 9:54 am
I guess Stallion took over for Rhonda Evans if they arent both one and the same, Good idea Rhonda this way you can still keep your word that you wouldnt post here anymore by substituting Rhonda with another moniker
Oh my Goyza! said
August 22, 2011 @ 12:49 pm
Pat proves he and Joey are on the elite level…
Matt (may just be approaching that elite level in the next year or so), Sonya and Bob what a tight race for 2nd, 3rd and 4th!
Steph, Gravy and Damon were even closer for that 5th spot… I think Steph should be more around 11-14 and Damon 15-17 the next time rankings come out (I guess his claim of being sick at Nathan’s wasn’t an excuse after all)…
Good show everybody, I wish I was there to witness!
Anonymous said
August 22, 2011 @ 1:13 pm
9:54 … Ya think?
Cory said
August 22, 2011 @ 1:42 pm
Pat “The Zombie” Bertoletti. If AMC ever sees these pictures and they’d cast him as an extra on “The Walking Dead” right now.
anonymous said
August 22, 2011 @ 1:44 pm
Seiken would have eaten 300 if he was there
Furthermore.... said
August 22, 2011 @ 3:23 pm
.300 IS MORE LIKE IT
Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)
August 22, 2011 @ 3:47 pm
Why continue to diss BB. The man has admitted of his own volition that he would have done around 100 or so, which is not bad.
And I am indeed not SI.
NIC said
August 22, 2011 @ 5:16 pm
lol, funny review, Damon… Good job to all, what a turn out!
anonymous said
August 22, 2011 @ 6:09 pm
I agree with Rhonda Evans If Seiken were shown some respect on this board the haters would back off . Its only because he gets shitted on that gives others the license to pile more shit on top of the first load
Cory said
August 23, 2011 @ 5:20 pm
I’ll jump on the controversy now before anyone can start calling foul. Every total was counted by a judge and double checked by an assistant. When Sonya asked for a recount (as did Pat and a couple other eaters, totally within reason at an event like this), they counted again and since the decision was worth $400 to her and Matt, another team counted just to make sure. So in reality, it was actually counted and verified SIX times. The plate issue was resolved quickly and my judge informed me the bigger dispute was over a single gyoza that had fallen on the floor. She had not seen it and questioned why her total was one short. The judge explained the deduction and Sonya accepted it without complaint after that. She has already let our committee know she had a great time and will be back.
This particular reporter with the Rafu has a tendency to cause trouble if it pleases him. Since we allow closer access for media, he was near the stage and heard her ask for a recount and ran with the controversy. Even after explaining the details, he decided to print it.
Anonymous said
August 23, 2011 @ 9:53 pm
I was there standing in the back, I heard the whole thing….
It was pretty clear she was disputing over Stonie’s plate count, and not her own…..
Cory said
August 24, 2011 @ 3:56 am
Right, since the article referenced her count, that’s the dispute that came to mind. From what I was told by our judge, the Stonie issue came up because we had to go to some reserve plates since they were eating so much and one ended up with Matt. These plates were smaller in size but still had 25 gyoza on each and that was why it was in question. Again, our judges double check and will recheck if requested by any of the eaters and I was assured that was the correct count.
Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)
August 24, 2011 @ 7:48 am
Cory, it’s really decent (and courageous) of you to comment on this board. Your insight helps preclude needless controversies and misunderstandings about contest-related happenings, especially judging, and it also helps quell rumors.
I’ve always maintained that one of the worst, most needless, yet most avoidable tragedies in life results from misunderstandings between/among people, all of which can be avoided via communication and openmindedness, both of which don’t cost one red cent.
Kudos to you for sharing your viewpoint! This is a much better blog because of it!
Thank you!
Stallion Italian said (Registered August 27, 2010)
August 24, 2011 @ 9:15 am
I agree with everything Rhonda has said above. It is incredibly refreshing to find information on the real ins and outs of a contest and also to see how things easily become misconstrued and incorrect. You have gone way above and beyond to explain, assure, re-assure everyone about the contest happenings and results. This is the way to run a wonderful contest and continue to be an example for all other contests.
beautifulbrian said
August 24, 2011 @ 10:25 am
Rhonda Evans is one of the few that actually steps up to the plate to take my side while others just sit back and get pure enjoyment out of watching me get slammed. Rhonda, all this time i read you wrong and my biggest mistake was never bite the hand that feeds. You have always been a devout follower and of my website including the internet shows and that means alot. Some of the other mean spirited people that never actually spent time on my site basically form one narrow minded opinion about me just because someone else passed the word. Im judged based upon the negative instead of the positive . Just cause i expressed my opinion in the past about a few competitive eaters whom in my opinion are basically assholes , shouldnt give anyone the right to pass judgement on my website as being third grade level with misinformed lies and misconstrued info. OJ Rifkin continues to derive info from my site and assume credit for that info without crediting the proper or original source which is me. Most of Rifkin supporters will turn around with the usual copout. “How do you know he didnt find the link from another source” ? Maybe someone sent it to him” The hater will never give the “hatee” the benefit of the doubt. Why should they? Im in hostile territory to begin with . I have no right to accuse anyone of anything even though im 100% in the right . Roll that around your mouth OJ Rifkin . I wasnt born yesterday. I know what youre trying to do and you realize you have the backing of a few assholes that will chop me down whenever i cite an injustice. Yeah yeah let the crazy dude rant but the crazy dude speaks nothing but the TRUTH ,
Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)
August 24, 2011 @ 2:16 pm
Thanks for the kind words BB. I have always believed that the way folks treat others is reciprocated in that same spirit and intent. Every person has something good about him or her, and I simply try to do what I can to fan that flame, though, admittedly, I fail often enough.
Cory said
August 24, 2011 @ 2:21 pm
No problem. We want our contest to grow into the the top event on the West Coast, and MLE’s #2 contest. We’ve worked tirelessly to go from a tiny, self-funded Joey-centric event to what we are now and I’ll be damned if I let some pain-in-the-ass community journalist make us look like a 2nd rate sideshow (like the one that just screwed Kevin). We’ll never be #1 in the media (hot dogs on 4th of July is as American as it gets), but we can still be #1 with the fans and eaters. Since a lot of that crowd posts here, this is the best place to make sure we retain your support and transparency is always the best way to do that.
We have some proposals on the table that if they go through will really blow this thing up. It will especially help us make it easier on the East Coast eaters to get here so guys like Booker and Brian (and nearly Bob) won’t have to back out. We’re coming out bigger and better next year, so stay tuned and thanks for the support.
anonymous said
August 24, 2011 @ 2:35 pm
Here we go i knew Sonya would bitch about something . Let Pat and Matt have their day in the sun. Check her site it gives one the impression she is holding back something even though there is nothing in writing
Anonymous said
August 24, 2011 @ 3:57 pm
ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME
Phil La'Mignon said
August 24, 2011 @ 5:29 pm
Not sure what a; 235 is talking about. You appear foolish.
Anonymous said
August 24, 2011 @ 5:59 pm
I checked her site. She doesn’t seem to be too devastated.
Anonymous said
August 24, 2011 @ 6:39 pm
You people are cold. She reads this.
Anonymous said
August 24, 2011 @ 6:43 pm
“Here we go i knew Sonya would bitch about something . Let Pat and Matt have their day in the sun. Check her site it gives one the impression she is holding back something even though there is nothing in writing”
So you are admitting to literally making something out of nothing?
Anonymous said
August 24, 2011 @ 7:20 pm
Rifkin does not do any favors by mentioning her name all the time. Seiken is right.
Larell Marie Mele said
August 24, 2011 @ 9:23 pm
What great posts. Nice to see intelligent, informative, conversations going on – refreshing 🙂
colin Gardiner said
September 9, 2011 @ 1:03 pm
Cory, watch the video Kevin didn’t get screwed. He got beat by a amateur eater. Its a joke when people loose at something and just want to blame the loss on someone other than themselfs. A true Champion gets better and goes and kicks butt next time around. Yours truley the four time Battle of the CHAMP!!!!