Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Pat Guggisberg (left), Matt Tjernagel (center) and Jeff Tjernagel (right) dig into Hy-Vee apple pies in hopes of being this year’s pie eating champion.

NEW ULM — Jeff Tjernagel is still the reigning champion of the annual Hy-Vee annual Pie Eating Contest.

This is the second year in a row Hy-Vee has held a pie eating contest and it is the second time Tjernagel won. After being declared the winner, Tjernagel described the experience as “delicious.”

This year’s pie eating contest, featuring apple pies, was different from last year. In 2018, the pies were 12 inches in diameter and contestants had 10 minutes to eat as much as possible. This year the pies were six inches in diameter and the time allotted was 5 minutes.

Tjernagel said it was less difficult this year because of it easier to maintain eating stamina over five minutes.

The size of the pies also allowed contestants to pick up the entire pie in a single hand and eat it like a hamburger.

In five minutes Tjernagel was able to finish 2.5 apple pies. All contestants received a $5 gift card. Tjernagel received a $50 card.

Asked what his winning secret was, Tjernagel said “There is no secret. Just eat fast.”