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MAKING ROOM FOR PIZZA, PIZZA AND MORE PIZZA
By Jo Ann La Russo
 | | --Photos By Jo Ann La Russo Visitors flocked to the Pizza Pasta Pastry Festival in downtown Toms River, where more than a few slices of pizza were consumed. |
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OCEAN COUNTY - Hope you're hungry.
During a pizza eating contest last week at the Pizza Pasta Pastry Festival, Caitlin Skulitz of Toms River said that her father eats a lot at home, "but not this much."
She said this while dad, John Skulitz, made his way through his fifth pizza slice, just one stop on his journey towards the seven slices he ate. That was enough to beat out a dozen other contestants and win him a $50 gift certificate to Palumbo's Restaurant, Toms River.
When asked if he would eat pizza again, the winner declared, "no, not today."
A glutton for punishment, however, Skulitz took position for the cannoli eating contest shortly thereafter and scarfed down 10 of the ricotta filled pastries in seven minutes, winning a gift certificate to La Scala's Bakery.
Andre Rosales, 15, was at the Washington Street, Toms River food festival for one reason, said his mom, Terri, as her son waited patiently for one of the two pizza eating contests to begin.
"He's the pizza eater in the family. This is his contest," she said.
Rosales didn't win, but he didn't care? "I still love pizza," said the teenager.
Food was the festival's theme and everywhere you looked, there was plenty of it.
A pasta-making demonstration was one of the many highlights at the festival. Visitors also enjoyed the sand art, shark tooth booth, jewelry by Julie Harris of Brick and items of clothing for sale.
Mile high plates of thin French fries were quickly devoured by visitors, pizza slices were dispersed by the dozen and visitors were drawn in by the aroma of food sizzling on the grill.
The festival echoed sights and sounds of New York's Mulberry Street as the Metropolitan Festival Italian Band strolled along Washington Street in costume, singing Italian songs. Singer Tomardo picked up the beat with hits from Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin that had some couples dancing in the street.
With a backdrop of the Ocean County Library's Book Fest, face painters in the crowd and lots and lots of balloons, families said they were glad to be there.
Gina, with daughter, Victoria, 8, met up with friends. "We saw the magician, the fire truck and I won a prize," said the third grade student.
"We love Italian music," said visitors Lynn and Norma, of West New York, who visited the festival with fellow senior citizens from Hudson County. "It's nice to hear it again."
Megan Laddner, 9, couldn't wait to play on the inflatable amusements, said her mom, Patty Schenk. "She loves them."
Kimberly Ruschell, owner of Main Street Café, said the food eating contests are a way to bring out more people to the festival, "and the kids love it," she said, hinting that future events will include more eating contests.
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