Bens Deli Matzo Ball Contest: Official Rules

1. Eligibility: Contest is open to all U.S. residents 18 years old or older.

2. To Enter: Read carefully this Official Contest Rules and Entry Form for the Ben’s Annual Charity Matzo Ball Eating Contest including the eligibility requirements and waiver of liability provisions. Complete and sign this document below and pay the $25 entry fee. (Contestant will receive a $15 Ben’s Weeknighter Gift Check and and the first 25 entrants at each of the 5 regional competitions will also receive 2 tickets to a NY Dragons arena football league game at the Nassau Coliseum). All entry forms become the property of Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen & Restaurant, Inc. All proceeds will go to the designated charity – The Interfaith Nutrition Network.

3. Contest Rules: Contestants will compete in a semi-final (regional) round to determine the winners in the 6 amateur categories and to determine who will reach the final round. The top individual semi-finalist from each of the 5 locations plus two wild card entries (with the next highest matzo balls eaten from among all semi-finalists) will compete against each other and the defending champion for first place in the finals competition. The 2004 semi-finals are scheduled from 5-7 p.m. as follows with the exception of Huntington, which will take place from 2 to 4 p.m.:

Wednesday, January 7th • 933 Atlantic Ave., Baldwin, NY • (516) 868-2072
Tuesday, January 13th • 140 Wheatley Plaza, Greenvale, NY • (516) 621-3340
Thursday, January 15th • 211-37 26th Ave., Bayside, NY • (718) 229-2367
Sunday, January 18th • Walt Whitman Mall, Huntington, NY • (631) 424-3569
Tuesday, January 20th • 209 West 38th St., Manhattan, NY • (212) 398-BENS

The final round is scheduled as follows:
FINALS: Tuesday, January 27th, 10 a.m., Ben’s in Manhattan, 209 W. 38th St. @ 7th Ave., (212) 398-BENS.

There are six amateur categories. Contestants may register to compete in any amateur category for which they qualify. The amateur categories are not open to any individual ranked by International Federation of Competitive Eating during the past 5 years. Amateur competitors may, however, win an amateur award by eating more matzo balls than anyone else competing in that category AND also meet the requirements (noted above) to compete in the finals competition. The amateur categories and qualifying criteria are as follows:

Women: female by birth; driver's license to verify gender
Grandma: female by birth; over 65 years old; proof of age required
Grandpa: male by birth, over 65 years old; proof of age required
College Student: proof of current enrollment required
Public School Teacher: proof of current employment status required
Lightweight: under 150 pounds based upon the on-site scale reading

The object is to eat as many Ben’s matzo balls as possible within the allotted time; 2 minutes 50 seconds in the semi-finals and 5 minutes 25 seconds in the finals. In the semi-final rounds, contestants will eat in turn either alone or with other contestants. Each contestant will begin the competition with 5 matzo balls in broth. Additional matzo balls will be provided if the contestant finishes the first 5 balls. Contestants may eat either sitting or standing in their designated area using hands, knife, fork and/or spoon. Contestants will be allowed one half liter of water during the competition. Contestants must complete one matzo ball before proceeding to the next ball. Contestants must wait for the starting signal to begin eating and may not touch any matzo balls or utensil prior to the starting signal. Contestants must stop eating at the ending signal. Contestants may not put additional matzo ball or portions of balls in their mouths after the ending signal, but will be allowed 15 seconds to swallow any matzo balls already in mouth. If a contestant vomits or regurgitates, he is disqualified. Judges will be on hand to assure adherence to contest rules, tally matzo balls eaten, monitor the no vomiting rule, and to disqualify contestants who fail to adhere to the rules. Winners will be determined by counting the number of matzo balls and parts of matzo balls eaten. In the event of a tie, after a brief interval, 1 minute and 25 second eat-offs will take place until a winner is selected. Grounds for disqualification include:

False or incomplete entry form
Starting prior to the start signal
Eating after the ending signal
Failure to completely finish a matzo ball prior to beginning another ball
Vomiting

4. Prize Awards: Prized will be awarded as follows:

FINALS GRAND PRIZE: $2,500 P.C. Richard & Son Gift Certificate & The Matzo Ball Trophy
Finals 2nd Place: An autographed NY Islanders jersey and 4 tickets to a NY Islanders home game
Finals 3rd Place: 2 tickets to a NY Islanders home game and $75 in Ben's Gift Certificates
Finals 4th-8th Places: $50 in Ben's Gift Certificates
6 Amateur Categories: A $50 Ben's Gift Certificate

Any contestant who qualifies for the finals will receive a $25 travel voucher from Ben’s. Ben’s reserves the right to substitute prizes of approximately equal value for any listed prize at its sole discretion. No transfer or prize substitution is allowed. All federal, state and local taxes are the sole responsibility of the winner. It is the responsibility of the winners to comply with all instructions as to the pick-up, receipt, arrangements for or use of any prize won and failure to do so on a timely basis may affect the winner’s right to claim or use the prize. All winners agree to the use of their name, voice, likeness, and city/town/village for advertising or trade purposes and to cooperate reasonably in any effort to promote or publicize the Ben’s restaurants or this contest.

5. Acknowledgement of Risks and Waiver of Liability: Contestant acknowledges that there are risks of personal injury, illness and possible loss of life, and risks of damage to or loss of personal property, which may result from participating in this contest. Contestant voluntarily enters Ben’s Annual Charity Matzo Ball Eating Contest and assumes all of these risks. Contestant, as a condition of entry, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen & Restaurant, Inc. and affiliated companies, their vendors, their advertising, promotion and public relations agencies, co-sponsoring companies and their affiliates and agencies, The Interfaith Nutrition Network and its affiliates, and all officers, directors, employees and agents of the aforesaid entities, from any and all claims and costs, including attorneys’ fees, arising from or in connection with participation in this contest or the receipt or use of any prize. In so doing, contestant releases and indemnifies the aforesaid entities and individuals from liability for injuries or damages of any kind arising from or in connection with participation in this contest or the receipt or use of any prize, except where such claims or costs arise out of the indemnified party’s gross negligence.

6. Final Authority: Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen & Restaurant, Inc. has final authority regarding all contest-related matters.

7. Certification and Signature: I certify that the information provided is correct and that I have carefully read, understand and accept the terms of the Ben’s Annual Charity Matzo Ball Eating Contest Official Contest Rules and Entry Form. As a condition of competing in the finals, I agree not to join, promote, support or publicize any competitive eating group or organization, other than the International Federation of Competitive Eating, for a minimum of 1 year. My signature indicates my understanding and assumption of the risks and my voluntary participation in this contest.

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ALL ATTENDEES COMING TO THE FINALS RECEIVE $25 TRAVEL VOUCHERS.

FINALS GRAND PRIZE: $2,500 P.C. Richard & Son Gift Certificate & The Matzo Ball Trophy

Finals 2nd Place: An autographed NY Islanders jersey and 4 tickets to a NY Islanders home game
Finals 3rd Place: $75 in Ben's Gift Certificates and 2 tickets to a NY Islanders home game
Finals 4th-8th Places: $50 in Ben's Gift Certificates and 2 tickets to a NY Islanders home game
6 Amateur Categories: A $50 Ben's Gift Certificate and 2 tickets to Forbidden City