Hayley Reynolds of Chicago of Bennison’s Bakery is picture perfect carrying paczkis before the 8th annual Paczki Eating Contest. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/for Chronicle Media)
 

For fans of paczki (pronounced POONCH-key), a Polish pastry, many folks celebrate Fat Tuesday by not counting their calories or donuts, or worrying about correct pronunciation while they chipmunk chew.

At the 8th annual Paczki Eating Contest at Bennison’s Bakery in Evanston on Feb. 25, 10 teams of two contestants each wolfed down as many paczkis as possible during a five-minute weekend outdoor eating challenge.

“It’s a pretty good turnout,” said Jory Downer of Wilmette, owner of Bennison’s Bakery.

“I enjoy it very much,” added Downer, of the paczki seasonal tradition.

Downer spoke of all things paczki, which brings in countless bakery customers who buy an assortment of paczkis with flavors ranging from iced raspberry to custard filled. Refrigerated treats include whipped cream varieties.

Kyle Trzaskus (from left), 13, a Nichols Middle School of Evanston seventh-grader, his father Jeff Trzaskus of Evanston, and Jc Sonne of Evanston compete. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/for Chronicle Media)

“I think our paczkis are special because we use such good fillings,” Downer said, talking one hour before the contest from his location in the kitchen of the bakery at 1000 Davis St.

Paczkis are a Polish tradition enjoyed worldwide before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.

During Lent, Christians typically abstain from overindulgence until Easter Sunday. Thus paczkis add punch and flavor until Easter, with the Easter holiday this year falling on April 16.

Paczki Day at Bennison’s Bakery was Fat Tuesday, Feb. 28.

“Since the time we’ve opened until now, it’s been non-stop,” said Hayley Reynolds of Chicago, server extraordinaire at Bennison’s Bakery.

Reynolds replenished front showroom cases with a tray of chocolate-iced custard paczki, a customer flavor favorite.

Folks clamor for free paczkis immediately after the 8th annual Paczki Eating Contest. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/for Chronicle Media)

Paczki flavors costing $1.62 include prune, apricot, cheese, raspberry, custard, apple and lemon curd.

The fresh strawberry with whipped cream, praline chocolate mousse, fresh banana cream and German chocolate run $2.49 each.

New this year are the German chocolate and lemon curd flavors.

On that Saturday shortly after 2 p.m. the 20 contestants were given a tray of 25 smaller, competition-sized paczkis of five flavors featuring raspberry, apricot, lemon, apple and custard with less filling.

“We did not use prune,” Downer told contestants and the audience, causing laughter.

The contest of 10 teams took place on the sidewalk in front of the bakery.

Laura Jok of Evanston competes during the five-minute eating challenge. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/for Chronicle Media)

Light snow fell on a 26-degree day with a crowd of spectators cheering on competitors during the challenge.

“It’s a little chilly,” said contestant Peter Madjarov of Buffalo Grove.

After the competition, folks could try free paczkis. Before then, they could have complimentary hot chocolate.

“We are very nervous,” Rick Jok of Novi, Mich. who competed with his daughter Laura Jok of Evanston.

“We’re really hungry,” Laura said.

“It’s game day,” added her father.

“It’s just a fun thing to do,” said Jc Sonne of Evanston, a perpetual competitor.

“It’s local, it’s community,” Sonne said.

Mikey Fleming of Chicago competes during the five-minute eating challenge. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/for Chronicle Media)

Jeff Trzaskus, of Evanston, a return competitor with his son Kyle Trzaskus, 13, a seventh-grader at Nichols Middle School in Evanston, downed his paczkis, softening them first by dipping them in a liquid-filled cup.

Jeff Trzaskus had shared of a Polish heritage, which included memories of his grandfather, John Trzaskus, buying paczkis and distributing them on Fat Tuesday.

“Mmm, eat ’em,” Jeff Trzaskus mumbled to Kyle, as Kyle’s dad was about to chew before placing another donut portion into his mouth.

The Paczki King (Downer) made his purple-crowned and caped appearance. A professional judge determined the final count.

Stuffing one’s stomach was for a good cause, Downer said.

Jory Downer of Wilmette is the Paczki King at the 8th annual Paczki Eating Contest. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/for Chronicle Media)

Downer said an estimated $1,500 would be donated to Phil’s Friends, a cancer support organization.

Participants received gift certificates to Bennison’s. The winners earned a larger gift amount and bragging rights with their names on a store plaque.

Hands-down winners (fingers cleaned up with a warm moist towel) were Mikey Fleming and Robert Henderson, both of Chicago.

Henderson and Fleming downed 14 donuts in a close match that required a focused judge’s count.

Henderson wore his event purple T-shirt with arms exposed in alleged non T-shirt weather. Both Fleming and Henderson raised their arms in jubilation after being named the first-place finishers.

Mikey Fleming (left) and Robert Henderson, both of Chicago, celebrate their victory. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/for Chronicle Media)

“It feels like victory, is what it feels like,” Henderson said.

Visit http://www.bennisonscakes.com.