TRENTON - Can you manage to get down 43 pork roll sandwiches in 10 minutes? Joey Chestnut can.
On Saturday, the native Californian somehow ate 43 of the beloved New Jersey sandwiches in a matter of minutes, and came away grinning, sweaty and with an extra $2,000 in his pocket.
"I feel great," Chestnut, a nationally award-winning competitive eater said, adding that he's been busy and wasn't up to his normal standard for competitive eating, despite coming in first.
Chestnut, who won the same competition last year as well, was one of 13 competitors on Saturday in the second annual pork roll eating competition. Like last year, the competition was sanctioned by Major League Eating and held at Trenton's Arm and Hammer Park Saturday for a bevy of supporters. Competitors were challenged to eat as many Case Pork Roll sandwiches - with one and a half slices of pork roll each - as they could within the ten-minute slot.
Last year, Chestnut won by eating 32 sandwiches, a record both he and his competitor and friend, Carmen Cincotti, broke Saturday.
Cincotti came in second - not far behind Chestnut - with 40 sandwiches under his belt.
Chestnut spoke about his friendly rival, Cincotti, a New Jersey native, with admiration Saturday.
"He's local, he's used to the taste," Chestnut said, laughing. He added that he would have to watch out for Cincotti next year. "We love each other. I respect him for pushing me," Chestnut said.
The competition started out Saturday with admirers and onlookers filling the stands, some calling out Chestnut's name and asking for autographs. As workers threw t-shirts into the crowd, an announcer claimed the competition was a "battle of the titans."
For Case Pork Roll CEO Tom Grieb, the event was a good way to honor the beloved New Jersey food.
"To do it in Trenton - it's excellent," he added.
Jeff Hurley, General Manager of Arm and Hammer Park, said they hope to continue the tradition - still new in only its second year - in the future.
"It's been great to be able to build on it," he said.
Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman.