4X Shortcake Eating Champ Set To Defend His Title At Mattituck Strawberry Festival Saturday

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NORTH FORK, NY — Four-time strawberry shortcake-eating champ Geoffrey Esper will return Saturday to defend his title at the Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Festival.

The fun-filled "Mattituck Lions Club World Strawberry Shortcake Eating Championship," which begins at 5 p.m. Saturday, brings together the nation's top competitive eaters, vying for the sweet title and $5,000 in prize money; the first-place winner takes home $2,500.

Oxford, MA native and world #3-ranked competitive eater Esper "faces stiff competition from a stacked field headlined by #4-ranked James Webb and #6-ranked Nick Wehry," the competition's organizers said.

(The 2023 competition. Lisa Finn / Patch)

Last year, the contestants competed to see who could down the most 1 lb. bowls of strawberry shortcake in 8 minutes — and Esper won the $5,000 first prize, eating 23 and 3/4 lbs. of strawberry deliciousness in 8 minutes.

It was a close race: "This was back and forth, back and forth," the emcee said. "It was too close to call until the very, very end."

Last year, so many of the best Major League talents turned out for the competition that the Mattituck Lions Club prepared an extra 100 plates of shortcake. But even that barely made a dent, the contestants ate more shortcake, in a shorter time, than ever before.

The competition was a nail biter, with some speculation that the competition might have to end earlier than 8 minutes, because the shortcake was running out. When the whipped cream settled, in the end, there were only 2 scant bowls left.

Esper has long remained the reigning champ: In 2023, Esper took home the title, consuming 21 bowls of strawberry goodness in the allotted time.

Esper was the 2022 winner, as well, coming in at 18.25 bowls. Esper also won the competition in 2019, eating 17.5 bowls in 8 minutes.

Here's a full schedule of events at this year's Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Festival still to come:

Friday, June 13

5 p.m.: Music

7:30 p.m.: Fever Band

10:30 p.m.: Fireworks

Saturday, June 14

12:30 p.m.: Aquacherry

4 p.m.: Strawberry Queen crowned

5 p.m.: World Strawberry Shortcake Eating Championship

7:30 p.m.: That 70s Band

10:30. p.m.: Fireworks

Sunday, June 15

12:30 p.m.: Mad Science

1:30 p.m.: Mean Machine

2 p.m.: Mad Science

3 p.m.: Mad Science

4:30 p.m.: Big Bucks Raffle Drawing.

The festival takes place from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

On Friday, admission costs $10 for adults and children 5 and up. Children under 5 are free. Ride bracelets are pay one price and cost $35.

On Saturday, admission from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for adults and children 5 and up costs $10. From 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., admission for adults and children 5 and up costs $20. Ride bracelets are pay one price and cost $40; they are valid from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Only ride tickets sold after 5 p.m.

Admission on Sunday costs $10 for adults and children ages 5 and up. Children under 5 are free. Dads are admitted free with a paid child for Father's Day. Ride Bracelets are pay one price and cost $35.

The festival's history has deep roots on the North Fork: According to the Mattituck Lions Club website, on April 1954, three charter members of the Mattituck Lions Club were in Florida to visit a friend. At his invitation, the four men went to the Plant City Strawberry Festival and the idea for the Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Festival was born. On June 16, 1955, the Mattituck Lions Club celebrated its first Strawberry Festival.

"The club archives tell the story of the first festival held on the third Saturday of June, Father’s Day weekend. For a total of six hours Ed Buchak, the first Strawberry Festival chairman and fellow club members entertained about 1,000 guests. Lions and their friends and families served food and beverages, which of course included local fresh strawberries and Strawberry Shortcake. Thanks to the generosity of the community, the 1st Strawberry Festival recorded a net profit of $787," the site says.

"In 1956, the club started baking cake in the school. It appears as though Hulling Night became a permanent fixture beginning in 1957. Many community volunteers still fondly recall gathering in what is now the headquarters for Kolb Mechanical Corp on Old Sound Avenue. In 1958, the late PDG Cliff Saunders, Jr., one of the most beloved Lions in New York State, was festival chairman and reported net profits of $1,638," the Mattituck Lions Club said. "Club records indicate as the number of activities and attractions increased, so did the number of guests coinciding with an increase in net proceeds."

The first Strawberry Festival Queen was crowned in 1956. "Many thanks are extended to previous festival chairmen who introduced other traditions including the craft show, carnival, midway, international food court, strawberry daiquiri’s, coloring contest, raffle, entertainment, fireworks, business vendors, LIRR excursion, media coverage, website, corporate sponsors, VIP seating, chocolate covered strawberries and the visual splendor of the Club’s tents and signs," the page reads.

Currently, dozens of organizations and groups benefit from the festival proceeds, in addition to individuals in need.

"Without the support of countless family, friends, the East End Lions and other community volunteers, there would be no Strawberry Festival," the page said. "The club recognizes the financial support of our sponsors. Other important assistance comes from the Office of the Southold Town supervisor, Southold Town police and public works, Riverhead Town police, Mattituck Fire Department and rescue squad and the Town of Southold Park District and Recreation Department."The club said it also wanted to recognize the police, public safety, EMS, public works, and health and parks departments of Suffolk County.

"The club’s gratitude also extends to the vendors, media and entertainers who have been so supportive. Most of all, the club appreciates our Strawberry Festival guests. Without them sharing their Father’s Day Weekend with us on the North Fork, the Mattituck Lions would not have been able to donate literally hundreds of thousands of dollars to those among us in need."