2003 WINNER
ERIC "BADLANDS" BOOKER

Hometown: Copiague, NY
Occupation: Subway Conductor
Height: 6' 5"    Weight: 395 lbs.
Final No. Matzo Balls Eaten: 21

The 2003 Regional Champs knew they were going to be in for some stiff competition at the Matzo Ball Finals when Eric "Badlands" Booker took the top spot at the Baldwin Regional after consuming 15-1/2 Matzo Balls in 2 minutes 50 seconds. But they knew they were in even BIGGER trouble when Booker continued to eat after the whistle blew until he could eat no more! When did he finally stop?... 22 Matzo Balls!

At the Finals, Eric claimed his title after powering down 21 Matzo Balls in 5 minutes 25 seconds, easily breaking the previous record of 16-1/4 held by last year's 2002 Champ Oleg "The Russian" Zohornotsky.

Ranked #3 in the world, according to the International Federation of Competitive Eating, Booker is a storied champion with four other world records to his name: hard boiled eggs, burritios, corned beef hash and glazed donuts... a whopping 49 in 8 minutes!

2001 WINNER
"HUNGRY" CHARLES HARDY

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Occupation: New York City Correction Officer
Height: 5' 11"    Weight: 325 lbs.
Final No. Matzo Balls Eaten: 13 plus 2 1/2 at the "eat off"

Hardy holds the distinction of being the first non-Jewish winner. Past competitive eating titles include the American hot-dog eating championship and sushi championship in Tokyo, Japan. He says, "Although I'm up against some good competition, I will win again. Also, look for a record breaker this year, at least 16 and nothing else." He also has made guest appearances on "To Tell the Truth" and "The Tonight Show."

2000 WINNER
DON "MOSES" LERMAN

Hometown: Levittown, NY
Occupation: Retired Grocery Store Owner
Height: 5' 8"    Weight: 146 lbs.
Final No. Matzo Balls Eaten: 12

Lerman, who was crowned matzo ball champion by Mayor Giuliani, is the reigning Grandma Willy's Garage "Cloud Burger" Champ. He spent last summer traveling the country on the competitive hot dog eating circuit. Lerman aims to win back his matzo ball title this year. He says, "I'm going to go through those matzo balls like Grant went through Richmond." Don made a guest appearance on "The Daily Show."

1999 WINNER
RUSSEL "MAD DOG" MACHOVER

Hometown: Jericho, NY
Occupation: Investment Banker
Height: 6' 1/2"    Weight: 185 lbs.
Final No. Matzo Balls Eaten: 11-1/8 plus 5-1/2 at the "eat off"

At a 1999 semi-final qualifying contest, Russell's wife, Peggy, joined the action, downing three matzo balls to Russell's nine. Russell's infamous "Roman Method" moment at the 1999 finals led to the institution of the "No Vomiting" rule. Mad Dog (aka Mr. Personality) says, "When I eat a matzo ball, I get into a zone and don't know what I'm doing."

1998 WINNER
BRUCE "BUBBA" STOCK

Hometown: Howard Beach, NY
Occupation: Postal Worker
Height: 5' 10"    Weight: 195 lbs.
Final No. Matzo Balls Eaten: 13

The world's first matzo ball eating champion, Bruce made a name for himself in the world of competitive eating by winning two consectutive championship titles in the Ronzoni Spaghetti Contest held at Queens College in the 1970s. His prize? A bottle of wine and a "Saturday Night Fever" album.

HONORABLE MENTION
ED "COOKIE" JARVIS

Hometown: Nesconset, NY
Occupation: Realtor
Height: 6' 6"    Weight: 400 lbs.
No. Matzo Balls Eaten at 2001 Final: 13 plus 1 in the "eat off"

Cookie made it to the finals in 2001 and hopes to be a contender again. He certainly has been practicing! In 2001 alone, he won both the Belmont Racetrack Pizza Eating Championship, the Feast of Mother Cabrini Zeppole Eating Championship and made it to the finals for the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. Cookie has also entered sandwich, steak and pomme frites eating contests and won the "Max & Mina Ice Cream Open" by consuming 6 lbs. 14 ozs. of hard ice cream in just 12 minutes!

HONORABLE MENTION
"CRAZY KEVIN" LIPSITZ

Hometown: Staten Island, NY
Occupation: Self-Employed
Height: 6'   Weight: 215 lbs.
No. Matzo Balls Eaten at 2001 Final: 7-1/2

"Crazy Kevin" has been a matzo ball hopeful since the first contest, making it to the finals the last three years. He's the reigning Carnegie Deli Pickle Eating Champ and has made it to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest finals for four years running (winning three regional titles). Asked about his training method Kevin replied, "When I go for a workout I don't go to a gym, I go to a buffet."

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