See you in 2025
June 23, 2005
Fairview – (June 23) – The champion donut and hot chicken wings eater is now well on his way to adding Italian subs to his trophy case. David “Coon Dog” O’Karma, one of the leading competitive eaters in the world, flew all the way in from his home in Akron, Ohio in order to compete in the second qualifier for the Quick Chek Original Toasted Italian Sub Eating Contest held in Fairview on Thursday. His trip was worth it as “Coon Dog” wolfed down 4 ½ of Quick Chek’s Original Toasted Italian six-inch subs in the 10 minute contest time period to defeat 10 other competitors and earn an automatic berth in the championship that will be held July 30 at the Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning at Solberg Airport in Readington, NJ.
Fellow competitive eater Chris “The American” Schlesinger was second, eating 3 7/8 Italian subs and hometown amateur Pedro Montes of Fairview was close on his heels with 3 2/3 subs finished.
The top three finishers automatically qualified for the championship. They will be joined by Gentleman Joe Menchetti who won the first qualifier at Bridgewater June 16, eating five subs, Dominic “The Doginator” Cardo who was second and amateur Jeremy Moloughney of Sayreville came third with 2 ¾.
“The competition will get real serious when we get to the championship at the Quick Chek Festival of Ballooning,” said Coon Dog as he brushed meat from his teeth at the conclusion of the competition. “I’m ready for Gentleman Joe Menchetti and everyone else that qualifies.”
The third and final qualifier to determine the field for the final will be held on Thursday, July 7 at 2 pm at the Quick Chek location on RT 36 in Hazlet .
The Quick Chek Original Toasted Italian Sub Eating Contest is sanctioned by The Association of Independent Competitive Eaters (A.I.C.E.). It is an affiliation of Independent Competitive Eaters and talented contributors who have organized for their mutual benefit. Known as AICE, the organization seeks to create opportunities for its individual Eaters to participate in competitive eating venues in order to promote events, products and charitable causes.
The Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, In Association With PNC Bank (July 29-31), is North America’s largest summertime family-oriented celebration of the magic of ballooning, featuring scores of rides and attractions for kids, parents and festivalgoer of all ages. Hot air balloon ascensions with up to 125 sport and special-shape balloons are also scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. wind and weather permitting.
Advance-sale tickets, for Festival admission, costing $17 for adults, and $7 for children 54 inches and under, are available through July 28. Children three years old and under are admitted free. Tickets are available at all Quick Chek Food Stores in New Jersey . Festival and Blue Sky Club tickets can also be obtained by calling toll free 800-HOT-AIR-9 (800-468-2479) or online at www.balloonfestival.com. Festival hours are from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.