Hot Springs corned beef preview
The IFOCE circuit resumes today after a six week hiatus in Hot Springs, Arkansas (hometown of former president Bill Clinton) with a corned beef sandwich eating contest. Sonya Thomas and Joey Chestnut are expected to resume their rivalry. Ms. Thomas has a two contest winning streak, but the expected 2005 rookie of the year, Joey Chestnut, had a two contest winning streak before that. The top contenders for 2005 rookie of the year runner up, Pat Bertoletti and Chip Simpson, are also expected to compete.
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Wayne's Mom said
January 14, 2006 @ 2:18 pm
Until my husband got transferred to Hot Springs three years ago, I thought Arkansas was mostly about huntin’ and fishin’ and the wonderful outdoor life. But that’s only the beginning! Now there’s a Corned Beef Eating Contest!
We’ve also pleasantly surprised by the wealth of cultural gems here in our new home town. For example, as professional cellist who used to live only three hours away, I was shocked to learn of the first-rate Hot Springs Music Festival, an annual event that attracts 200 pre-professional classical and jazz musicians from around the world.
(Note: Although I am a travel writer and public relations professional, I am not paid to promote our city nor any of the properties or events I’ve listed. These are just our personal favorites!)
Ours is a unique demographic here in Hot Springs, where the median age is 42. A healthy percentage of us have incomes of $100K or more, and we support 12 championship golf courses and 27 non-profit organizations directly related to the visual and performing arts. Because the dowtown Historic District has hosted Art Gallery Walks the first Friday of each month for nearly 16 years, Hot Springs was recently named #4 Art Town in America. The 200th Gallery Walk Celebration will be held Feb 3-4, 2006.
There are definitely other great things to do in addition to the Hot Springs Music Festival, held the first two weeks of June each year. Early September brings the annual Bluesfest and Hot Springs Jazzfest.
By late October, the city swells with nearly 20,000 people for the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, one of four preliminary sites for the Academy Awards in the documentary category.
From January through April, hotels and restaurants are booming with racing fans at Oaklawn Jockey Club, a 102-year-old thoroughbred racetrack.
Cradled by the Ouachita Mountains, three pristine lakes lure the likes of FLW Bass Fishing Championships. a breathtaking bounty of botanical beauty known as Garvan Woodland Gardens. is located on a 210-acre peninsula of Lake Hamilton.
Our particularly outstanding accommodations include Lookout Point Lakeside Inn, one of only three Arkansas inns listed on the Select Registry. Many folks enjoy the convenience of Embassy Suites Hot Springs, an all suite hotel adjacent to Summit Arena, was ranked #1 Embassy Suites worldwide for 2004. You’ll find adult locals politely congregating in the atrium around the piano bar during happy hour.
Looking for lunch? For eclectic urban cuisine, check out the award-winning Cafe 1217, recently featured as one of the best deli’s in the country on The Food Network!
Best of all, Hot Springs is packed with people who understand hospitality. Sure, we have attractions. But without the people who live here, we’d be a ghost town instead of a resort town.
Local people. Local events. Hot Springs’ REAL attraction.
Come see us!
Rebecca McCormick, Executive Editor, Hot Springs Life & Home and Wayne’s Mom
Lucky Chestnut said
January 14, 2006 @ 6:02 pm
Hot Springs Corned Beef Results:
First Place: Patrick Bertoletti (from out of nowhere)
Second Place: Joey “JAWS” Chestnut
Third Place: Sonya “the Black Widow” Thomas
Larry McNeil said
January 14, 2006 @ 8:09 pm
Way to go Pat!!!
Bubba said (Registered January 8, 2006)
January 14, 2006 @ 10:24 pm
Pat you are the man!!!!!!!!!!!!!
beautifulbrian said
January 15, 2006 @ 12:15 am
In the last five years only three eaters have pulled major upsets of this magnitude. Myself(pickles) Dale Boone (Beans) & Pat in corned beef. The only difference is I was never able to put it together after that . Boone’s victory was filled with controversy even though he knocked off the big names. Pat is a proven pro . He is not a phenom coming out of nowhere. We know he can win and win big on any occasion (watermelon, grilled cheese, Krystals as examples) Great great job Pat . Continue the great work.
Pat Bertoletti said
January 15, 2006 @ 10:13 pm
Thanks for all the kind words. I don’t know how it happened, hopefully this isn’t my peak. It had to be the closest contest ever.
Wayne's Mom said
January 16, 2006 @ 4:37 pm
I’m in South Arkansas for a few days, playing with the South Arkansas Symphony, but wanted to check on the winner. Congratulations!