Fat Tuesday came early this year, and with a lot more powdered sugar. At Bennison’s Bakery in downtown Evanston, crowds gathered to watch the 15th annual paczki-eating contest, where pairs of contestants raced against the clock to consume as many paczki — a Polish pastry similar to doughnuts — as they could in five minutes. Paczki, pronounced “pownch-key,” or “poonch-key” (both are acceptable according to the bakery’s website) are traditionally eaten on Mardi Gras, the final day of indulgence before the Christian season of Lent. Polish immigrants brought them to the Chicago area, where they have become a local favorite. Poles also eat the delectable treats on Fat Thursday, which always falls the Thursday before Mardi Gras. Bennison’s paczki always feature unique filling flavors – the fillings for this year’s contest included lemon cream, apricot, blueberry and chocolate custard. Greg Pressling and his teammate Tate Nudo, four-year competitors, said they came prepared for the race. “We brought our own milk, our own gloves, we’re ready to go,” Pressling said. Each team received a tray of 30 paczki and cups of water to help wash it down, with some teams opting for milk instead. Twelve teams competed for this year’s title, but Teddy Delacruz and Tim “Timmy” Brown took the crown. The race was Delacruz’s fourth year competing and second win. “We won, but we should have done better,” Delacruz remarked with a laugh. “Instead of worrying about [Timmy], I should have just kept eating. I slowed myself down.” Although Brown, Delacruz’s partner, became ill midway through the race, he stayed in the contest long enough to finish as part of the winning team. All participants paid $25 to enter the contest, but left with a free Bennison’s paczki contest t-shirt and a $25 bakery gift card. The winners received a $200 cash prize. Jory Downer, the owner of Bennison’s Bakery, said the eating contest originally began as a fundraiser to raise money for Haitian relief following Hurricane Tomas’ hit in 2010. Downer said this year’s competition is in honor of Steve “The King” Bartlebaugh, a close friend of the Downer family and the original emcee of the contest for many years, who’s tasked with donning the signature purple cape and golden crown to resemble the royal “King of Carnival,” who leads the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans. Bartlebaugh died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease last July. As a dedication to him, all proceeds from this year’s competition will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association. Bennison's Bakery owner Jory Downer readies the crowd and participants as the emcee for the 2026 paczki eating contest, Feb. 14, 2026. (Claire Murphy/Pioneer Press)Teams race against the 5-minute clock to consume the most paczki, Feb. 14, 2026. (Claire Murphy/Pioneer Press)Helene Shapiro holds a sign honoring her late husband, Steve "The King" Bartlebaugh, who died last July of Alzheimer’s disease. This year's contest proceeds will go towards the Alzheimer's Association in honor of Bartlebaugh, February 14, 2026. (Claire Murphy/Pioneer Press)An employee hands out paczki to the crowd after the race ends, Feb. 14, 2026. (Claire Murphy/Pioneer Press)Evanston residents Barbara Schechtman and Jean Kendrick enjoy paczki at Bennison's Bakery, Feb. 14, 2026. (Claire Murphy/Pioneer Press)Show Caption1 of 5Bennison's Bakery owner Jory Downer readies the crowd and participants as the emcee for the 2026 paczki eating contest, Feb. 14, 2026. (Claire Murphy/Pioneer Press)Expand “The [Downer family] helped us bring medicines to Steve, getting me things to bring to where he was; they were always helping,” said Helene Shapiro, Bartlebaugh’s wife. “So when he passed, they decided it should be the Alzheimer’s Association, honoring Steve. It’s kind of like a final goodbye,” or a “continuation of his memory,” Shapiro added. Downer, this year’s emcee, said that for every paczek sold in the last month, a dime has also been donated towards the Alzheimer’s Association. “It’s just a beautiful day. I think somebody looked down on us because we have done this in the negatives,” Shapiro said. “Long live the King,” family members of Bartlebaugh shouted in the crowd. ...read more read less