Details For KSO VI Opening Ceremony and Chattanooga Qualifier

The spotlight will be on Patrick Bertoletti this Friday and Saturday as Krystal Square Off VI kicks off in Chattanooga

Let the games begin! The qualifying tour for the Krystal Square Off VI World Hamburger Eating Championship is finally here, and it is bigger than ever with the introduction of Big Angus Burger Points and a new “No Dunking” rule.

Set to kick off tomorrow, the Opening Ceremony will feature the annual “Running of the Krystal Square Off Grill,” a new-rules eating exhibition by the number two-ranked eater in the world Patrick Bertoletti, and an eight-minute qualifying contest on Saturday that puts amateur hopefuls chosen on the spot against some of competitive eating’s best.

Announced today, the following eaters will join the great Patrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti at the Chattanooga Qualifier to battle it out for a seat at the final table on Sept. 27:

• Bill Myers of Breinigsville, PA
• Paul Barlow of Kennesaw, GA
• Mike Nafziger of Chattanooga, TN
• Rick Petralia of Ooltewah, TN
• Tom Knopp of Signal Mountain, TN
• Brian Smith of Chattanooga, TN
• Kevin Lewis of Chattanooga, TN

It’s a match up you won’t want to miss. To view the full KSO weekend schedule, see below. And remember, all Krystal Square Off Events are open to the public and free for anyone to attend, so there’s no excuse not to join in the celebration and cheer on your favorite eater. We’ll see you at the Square Off!

OPENING CEREMONY ACTIVITIES – Friday, Aug. 21

1:00 p.m. – Lighting and Running of the Krystal Square Off Grill
Krystal Headquarters at 1 Union Square

2:00 p.m. – Media Square Off
Chattanooga Riverfront

2:20 p.m. – Eating Exhibition by Pat Bertoletti
Chattanooga Riverfront

KRYSTAL SQUARE OFF QUALIFIER – Saturday, Aug. 22

2:00 p.m. – Open Registration for Five Amateurs Spots
Chattanooga Riverfront – Main Stage at Southern Brewers Festival

3:00 p.m. – Chattanooga Qualifier
Chattanooga Riverfront – Main Stage at Southern Brewers Festival

Five Amateurs Picked On The Spot to Go Against Patrick Bertoletti

Who will join Bertoletti at the Chattanooga Qualifier to battle it out for a seat at the final table?

Patrick Bertoletti is most well known for being the second-ranked competitive eater in the world, but even he had to start somewhere. And, with the new Big Angus Points and No-Dunking rule, Bertoletti won’t necessarily be starting over at the Chattanooga Qualifier, but he’ll definitely be rethinking his eating strategy. It might just be the best year yet for amateur hopefuls to come steal a spot at the championship table in downtown Chattanooga on Sept. 27. Step aside “Pros” and welcome “Average Joes.”

Open registration for Five Amateur Spots at the Chattanooga Qualifier will begin at 2 p.m. at the Main Stage of the Southern Brewers Festival on the Chattanooga Riverfront. It’s your chance to be one of the five people selected “on-the-spot” to compete in the eight-minute event and earn a seat at the finals next to the world’s number one ranked eater Joey Chestnut. But have no fear, if you don’t end up winning the Chattanooga Qualifier, all hope is not lost. You still have a shot to win one of the coveted wild card spots based on the number of burgers you consume.

So, start planning your path to the final table now and be the first amateur in Krystal Square Off History to beat out one of the competitive eating pros at this year’s Chattanooga Qualifier. And remember, you must be 18 years or over to compete. Good Luck!

Patrick Bertoletti Set For Kick Off Krystal Square Off Qualifier

Speed eater Patrick Bertoletti will get the rock star treatment when he appears this Aug. 22 in Chattanooga for the kick off KSO VI qualifier.

The second-ranked competitive eater in the world, Patrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, will be the first to step up to the table at this year’s Krystal Square Off VI and take on both the famous Krystal hamburger and Krystal’s new Big Angus Burgers while adhering to the new “No Dunking” rule (for the new rules, watch this video).

Bertoletti, who finished second to Joey Chestnut at the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship last year, will be the main attraction at the first 8-minute qualifying event set for Saturday, August 22 in Chattanooga, Tenn. The contest begins at 3:00 pm EST and will be held on the Main Stage at the Southern Brewers Festival.

On this year’s event and new rules, Bertoletti told KrystalSquareOff.com:

“I am really exited that it’s Krystal season. I can almost taste the steamed-in onions now, and I can’t wait to taste the all-angus beef of the Big Angus Burgers. I think the new rule shows how willing Krystal is to evolve and create the best contest in eating, making it fair for all.

The speed demons like myself, Joey (Chestnut), and Bob (Shoudt) are really going to have to push the pace to separate ourselves.  This really will be the most exiting Krystal Square Off ever.”

As the marquee speed eater at the kick off qualifier, Bertoletti will take part in the Krystal Square Off VI opening festivities including the annual “Running of the Krystal Square Off Grill” in downtown Chattanooga on Friday, Aug. 21. Stay tuned here for more details on the kick off qualifier and all Krystal Square Off VI news.

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