Bennison’s Bakery held its fifteenth annual Paczki Eating Contest on Saturday, raising money for the Alzheimer’s Association.
About 20 contestants, working in teams of two, had five minutes to eat as many paczki, traditional Polish donuts, as possible.
The Downer family, owners of Bennison’s, donate the proceeds from the event to a different cause every year. This year’s cause was personal: The family decided on the beneficiary after Steve Bartlebaugh, one of the first emcees for the contest, who passed away from Alzheimer’s in July.
Before he passed, Bartlebaugh and his wife, Helene Shapiro, created Team Steve and Helene to fundraise for the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Team Steve and Helene, along with the Alzheimer’s Association, will receive all the proceeds from this year’s contest.
“I’m overwhelmed that my friends are here and that the community collected money,” Shapiro said. “It’s the ongoing tradition and remembrance of my husband.”
Bakery owner Jory Downer said he was proud to honor Bartlebaugh, who he said represented an integral part of the annual event.
After seven years as its host, Bartlebaugh became known as “the King” of the eating contest, announcing each contestant while dressed in a purple cape and crown, according to Downer.
“I was touched by him being a partner,” said Downer, who, wearing the same purple cape, announced his attempt to fill the very large shoes Bartlebaugh left behind.
The crowd chanted, “Long live the king,” as the competition commenced.
Over the chanting, Shapiro thanked attendees for their presence and support, adding the event was a community effort.
Bennison’s employee Zoe Rodgers designed the contestants’ shirts, which featured the phrase “Long Live the King.”
Rodgers said the Downer family was appreciative of her design and that the whole event reflects the bakery’s culture.
“It’s been really nice working for a small family,” Rodgers said. “The bakery really is very community-oriented.”
The contest raised $1,000 from entry fees alone, according to Shapiro. The bakery expects to receive additional funds from donations and a portion of the bakery’s sales from the day.
The winners of the contest, Teddy Delacruz and Tim Brown, ate 22 paczki in five minutes. Delacruz, who was also on the winning team in 2024, said he’s proud of the win and to be contributing to a worthy cause.
Team Steve and Helene will have additional fundraising events throughout the year, the largest of which will be the 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, taking place in North Shore, Illinois on Sept. 19.
Shapiro said she is “filled with joy” in the wake of an event that brought so many together to remember her husband and their shared cause.
“This is just the beginning,” Shapiro said. “But this is a wonderful start.”
Email: [email protected]
Related Stories:
— Best Bakery: Bennison’s Bakery continues its winning streak
— Bennison’s Bakery hosts 13th annual paczki eating contest
— Northwestern’s Youth Movement Against Alzheimer’s infuses positivity into Alzheimer’s advocacy
