What has become an annual Independence Day Weekend tradition – The 6th Annual Little Italy Pasta Eating Competition – will be held this year on Saturday, July 5, at 4:00 PM in front of Sal Anthony’s S.P.Q.R. Restaurant, 133 Mulberry Street (between Hester and Grand Streets), in the heart of New York City’s historic Little Italy.

The event is presented by the Little Italy Merchants Association (LIMA) as part of its annual Summer in Little Italy weekend festival which continues through Labor Day. Last year the eating competition – in which employees of eight to ten local restaurants and cafes in Little Italy – vie for the title, ‘The Biggest Pasta Eater in Little Italy.’

Each year the crowds grow larger and larger as spectators come from all over the tri-state area and beyond to watch Little Italy’s biggest eaters down pounds and pounds of freshly prepared pasta. This year the pasta competition will feature ingredients from three new sponsors – Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Pasta, sauce made with Carmelina…’e San Marzano® Tomatoes, ‘The Official Tomato of NYC’s Little Italy,’ and topped with cheeses provided by Gabriella™ of Little Italy, ‘The Official Artisan Cheeses of NYC’s Little Italy.’

Last year, the competition won by Augustino Capodicasa, a long-time waiter at Puglia Restaurant on Hester Street, and a veteran of the pasta eating wars, who downed three-and-half pounds of spaghetti in eight minutes. Jesus Morales, a sales employee at Mulberry Street’s Accessories by Regali, and a first-time pasta eating competitor, finished in the runner-up spot be eating three pounds of spaghetti. James Bosanac of Positano Restaurant finished third.

Capodicasa and Morales are expected to enter the competition again this year and they will be joined by pasta lovers from other restaurants and cafes, including Original Vincent’s, Umberto’s Clam House, Il Cortile, Grotta Azzurra, Buona Notte, Positano, Caffe Napoli, Giovanna’s, La Mela and possibly some others.

They will try to match, or best, the Little Italy Pasta Eating record, which was established in 2006 by Victor Hugo Quintuna, a waiter at Caffe Sorrento, when he devoured a record 4 ¼ pounds of cooked pasta in eight minutes to upset a strong field of competitors.

This year’s competitors will be competing for bragging rights, a handsome trophy and $250 cash prize that are awarded to the winner. The first runner-up wins a $100 cash prize.

Summer in Little Italy is supported by new sponsors, including Pepsi Cola/Schweppes/7-Up, Colavita Extra Virgin Oil and Pasta, Gabriella of Little Italy artisan cheeses, Carmelina…’e San Marzano® Tomatoes, ‘The Official Tomato of NYC’s Little Italy,’ Gabriella™ of Italy, ‘The Official artisan cheeses of NYC’s Little Italy,’ and returning sponsors Bolla Wines, ‘The Official Wine of NYC’s Little Italy,’ Peroni Beer, ‘The Official Beer of NYC’s Little Italy,’ and The Italian Tribune.