Chef's Restaurant hosts 'Media Meatball Eating Challenge'

Mary Beth and Lou Billittier Jr. are announcing the final list of competitors in the first ever "Chef's Restaurant Media Meatball Eating Challenge." This non-competitive food challenge is scheduled for noon on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at Chef's Italian Restaurant, 291 Seneca St. (at Chicago), in downtown Buffalo.

In addition to the "Media Meatball Eating Challenge," the Billittier family will announce plans for a major downtown event to celebrate the 90^th anniversary of Chef's Restaurant. The Billittier family has been recognized for its philanthropy in the Western New York community and for helping countless organizations for decades, while operating one of the most popular restaurants in Buffalo.

Mary Beth and Lou Billittier Jr. are continuing in the tradition of their late parents, Louis and Ann Billittier, who took ownership of the restaurant in the 1950s. Lou Sr. passed away in 2000, and Ann Billittier passed away in May of this year.

Media participants are competing for a "Meatball Trophy" and bragging rights. Those looking to eat more meatballs than their peers in 90 seconds include:

·Channel 2 WGRZ Michael Wooten

·Channel 4 WIVB Don Postles

·Channel 23 WNLO Matt Snyder

·Channel 7 WKBW Keith Radford

·Channel 7 WKBW Aaron Mentkowski

·Channel 7 WKBW Autumn Lewandowski

·Channel 7 Business First Elizabeth Carey

·Channel 67.1 WBBZ-TV Kim Piazza

·YNN TW Cable Jon Dougherty

·YNN TW Cable Scott Patterson

·WBEN 930 AM Tony Caligiuri

·WBEN 930 AM John Zach

·WBLK-FMDJ Heat

·WBLK-FMDJ Big Rob

·WKSE 98.5 FM Shy Guy Shawn

·WJYE 96.1 FM Laura Daniels

·WJYE 96.1 FM Brian Russell

·WJYE 96.1 FM Heather Davis

·WGRF 96.9 FM Carl Russo

·WGRF 96.9 FM DJ Jickster

·WEDG 103.3 FM Ted Shredd

·WYRK 106.5 FM Liz Mantel

•Drew Cerza, noted food marketing expert and creator of the popular "Wingfest" event in downtown Buffalo, will host the "Media Meatball" mayhem. His own culinary contest, the "Chicken Wing Eating Challenge," is scheduled for Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 at Coca-Cola Field.