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In true Christmas style, dessert lovers have put themselves to the test to see how quickly they can eat a classic kiwi: pavlova.
The Blenheim Christmas Festival, held on Friday, followed last weekend’s festivities when the Christmas parade drew hundreds to the Blenheim CBD.
But it was Pavlova’s competition, now in its second year, that stood out for the crowd.
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The children of Blenheim fight for first place as those who eat pavlova the fastest.
There were eight competitors in the adult competition, all of whom had their hands behind their back as they went face down on the full-size pav, covered with lots of cream.
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A children’s contest was also held, featuring their own mini pavements, which was won by nine-year-old Zac Feather.
It didn’t take long for Zac to eat his pav, finishing it well before some of his competitors.
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Dylan Kirby, left, with Zac Feather, who won the children’s competition.
He said that he even surprised himself with how quickly he ate it.
“For some reason, I didn’t realize we couldn’t use our hands, so I was about to grab it and then I saw everyone start digging, and I was thinking ‘I’m going to lose this,'” Zac. said.
“So I started not even swallowing, like shoving myself in the face and the next thing I knew I got up and they told me I had won.
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Marcel Pinheiro pictured after winning the adult competition.
“I thought it was fun, but I was definitely surprised to win.”
Surprisingly, Marcel Pinheiro, the winner of the adult competition, didn’t take long to finish his pavlova either.
Pinheiro entered the competition last year and said he was close to clinching first place at the time, but ultimately did not eliminate him.
It was all to get the kids excited, Pinheiro said.
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The Christmas Festival followed last week’s Christmas parade in the Blenheim CBD.
“It was a good experience, it was fun, my kids are always pushing me to do it,” he said.
“It could have been faster than last year, just from experience, it could have gone a little bit faster.”
Fortunately, Pinheiro was a fan of pavlova, although he didn’t eat it very often, he said.
“I’ll probably have some for Christmas, but they will actually be topped with strawberries.”
Last year’s winner was Johnny Joseph, who credited his success simply to his love for the classic Kiwi Christmas present.
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Johnny Joseph, the winner of last year’s pavlova eating contest.
In addition to the “battle of the pav”, there is a Christmas fair, with music, food, entertainment and even snow.
Jazz dancer Hannah Gilhooly said she was “excited and nervous” about dancing in front of the crowd.
“It’s not the biggest crowd we’ve danced in front of, we’ve also performed at the ASB Theater,” Hannah said.
