While the rest of America celebrated the Fourth of July with parades, hot dogs and fireworks, Key West celebrated the only way it knows how… by diving face-first into Key lime pie.
Twenty-four fearless competitors squared off Saturday at the Southernmost Beach Café in Key West for the annual Key Lime Pie Eating Championship. The rules? No hands. No forks. Just whipped cream, determination… and absolutely no dignity!
One by one, contestants disappeared into 9-inch Key lime pies as more than a hundred cheering spectators watched the whipped cream fly. Goggles were allowed. Table manners were not.
Key lime pie is the island’s signature slice, tied to Key West lore and defended on menus all over town. Florida made it the official state pie in 2006. So yes, this counts as history. Sticky history, but history.
“Key lime pie was originated in Key West. And so, every year we pay homage to our ancestors by shoving our faces in 9-inch Key lime pies to see who can eat them the fastest,” said Liz Love, event co-manager.
Love said the event also offers its own answer to the summer heat.
“So, this heat wave on the East Coast. We have figured it out. Down here in Key West, we just slam our faces into cold Key lime pies. It’s very refreshing. And it’s so good for the complexion,” Love said.
When the last bite landed, Kevin “The Key Lime Forkless Wonder” Renly of Summerland Key, in the Florida Keys, took the title in 59.60 seconds. Fast, but not the fastest. That title belongs to Trey Bergman. In 2017, the Houston attorney took the title in just 51:92 seconds.
Renly, who moved to the Florida Keys from San Diego and operates Southernmost Bees, was making his third run at the title. Third time? Charm.
Past Key Lime Pie Eating champions have come from Key West, Venice, Seattle, Iowa, Honduras and Houston, turning a local dessert into a very specific hall of fame.
So, what’s the winning strategy?
“My advice is to dive right in. Eliminate the whipped cream. Mix up the crumb with the pie and start sipping it up,” said Renly.
Now in its 14th year, this tart and tasty Florida Keys tradition is the centerpiece of the annual Key Lime Festival, which runs five days July 1-5.
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