WHO: Buona Foods is the proud sponsor of the National Fried Mushroom Eating Contest and supplies and prepares the delicious Pennsylvania mushrooms for the unique competition for professional and amateur contestants from across the country. For the fifth year, Buona Foods’ original fried mushrooms will once again be the Festival’s signature championship focus. With over 100,000 guests visiting the National Mushroom Festival, The National Fried Mushroom Eating Contest has become the most visited event during the weekend. Buona Foods prides itself in its three generations of family commitment to farming fresh mushrooms.
WHAT: Buona Food’s original breaded fried mushrooms are a Festival favorite every year at the Mushroom Festival! But only a few have the opportunity to eat unlimited amounts of the crunchy, mouth watering goodness during the National Fried Mushroom Eating Championship. Competitive eating pros and aspiring amateurs will compete together in an event which will test their gastronomical boundaries, as well as create an electric atmosphere for the contest attendees. This year at the 31st Annual Mushroom Festival, professional and amateur contestants are competing to beat the World Record of eating more than 11.5 pounds of fried mushrooms in just 8 minutes! The Kennett Square Mushroom Festival spans more than a mile and features culinary events, growing exhibits, many contests, children’s entertainment, and nearly 250 vendors. Proceeds from the Mushroom Festival benefit local non-profit organizations.
Overall Champion (Pros Permitted)
1st Place: $1000
2nd Place: $500
3rd Place: $300
Local Champion (Amateurs Only – Within 15 mile radius of Kennett Square)
1st Place: $200
Runner-Up: $100
WHAT’S NEW: This year’s contest will also feature a new, high-energy emcee, Kennett Square’s own Monty “Moe Train” Wiradilaga. Wiradilaga, a competitive eater and show host, is a former amateur National Fried Mushroom Eating Champion. Monty is also filming and hosting Moe Train Eats:, a show based on his experiences in food, drink, travel, and life. The first episodes are titled Moe Train Eats: Kennett Square, where he will visit Kennett Square’s finest restaurants, breweries, and businesses in one of the “best small towns in America.” Also, for the first time since the contest’s inception, there will be a Local Champion crowned, as well as an Overall Champion.
WHEN & WHERE: Contest begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, 2016, at the Special Events Tent in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
MUSHROOM FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:
Friday, September 9, 2016: Community Parade with Dining and Dancing in the Streets. Admission is $3 for everyone 12 and up. All proceeds benefit local and regional non-profit organizations through the Mushroom Festival Grant program.
Saturday, September 10, 2016: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, September 11, 2016: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
ABOUT BUONA FOODS: Buona Foods produces and ships a variety of mushrooms including: white and brown mushrooms, portabellas, shiitake, oyster, maitake and other specialty varieties. They merge the traditions that have made them great with advanced farming practices to bring families the best mushroom products to the market today. Once again, Buona Foods will offer its popular NEW food item, “The Blend,” a delicious, nutritious, tasty combination of beef and diced mushrooms served as a “Blended Mushroom Burger”, at its Mushroom Festival Food Booth.
PENNSYLVANIA MUSHROOM FACTS: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania has long been known as “The Mushroom Capital of the World,” with more mushroom growing operations concentrated in the Southern Chester County area than any other area in the United States. Over 65 percent of the mushrooms consumed in the United States are grown there! Mushroom agriculture has been producing mushrooms in the Commonwealth for more than 120 years. In 2015, the 68 mushroom farms in the state produced 63 percent of all U.S. white mushrooms, valued at $554.4 million.