Allan "The Shredder" Goldstein preparing for the cannoli eating contest that marks the start of the 85th Festival of San Gennaro in Little Italy.

Eaters grabbing a pile of Caffe Palermo cannolis for the eating contest.

One of the newest female competitive eaters, Maria "Edible," who declined to give her last name, at the start of the competition. 

Eric "Badlands" Booker, a staple of the competitive eating circuit.

Yasir Salem, 34, from the East Village. He had taken a break from competitive eating for about a year, but is back now.

Patrick Bertolli, 26, from Chicago and Eric "Badlands" Booker.

Spectators filled the block at Grand Street and Mott Street to watch the cannoli eating contest.

Patrick Bertoletti, the winner, posing for the cameras after his victory. He is No. 2 in the competitive eating world, just behind Joey Chestnut.

Cleaning up cannoli after the contest.

Mary Russo missed the contest, but was enjoying a cannoli at her own pace.