Eatery stocks up on meatballs for contest

MIDLOTHIAN, Ill., July 17 (UPI) -- A suburban Chicago restaurant said workers are furiously whipping up batches of meatballs in preparation for the American Meatball Eating Championship.

Chris and Dominic Bartolini, brothers and co-owners of Bartolini's restaurant in Midlothian, Ill., said they are transforming 200 pounds of chuck plus bread crumbs, beaten eggs, parsley and Parmesan cheese into meat balls for Sunday's event, which will be held at St. Christopher Church in Midlothian, the Chicago Southtownstar reported Friday.

The Bartolinis said the annual event began four years ago as a publicity stunt for their restaurant, but it has gained affiliation with the Association of Independent Competitive Eaters, turning the small contest into a large-scale event complete with professional lights, a sound system and competitors traveling from across the country.

Bartolini said he is keeping an eye on one restaurant regular who recently downed a dozen of the meatballs in 1 minute and 4 seconds.

"I think he has a chance," Bartolini said. "He's been coming in three days a week and having 24 meatballs for lunch and eating them as fast as he can."