Today Paul Stoker, local resident, hosted the very first Ponte a Serraglio meatball competition.

There were 14 competitors and three worthy judges.

This is the trophy awaiting the lucky winner.

Here is Paul registering the competitors.

Each competitor was given a numbered plate on which 2 meatballs would be presented to the judges. Here is the criteria for the judges…serious stuff.

The meatballs were heated in the kitchen and placed on the plates and taken to the judges…not by the competitors, it was all anonymous.

Here are the judges setting to their work.

The competitors and other guests waited patiently for the judges to complete their task.

Then it was time to eat the meatballs.

Finally it was time to announce the winners. Third prize, I am happy to say, came to me. Teri came second and the winner…Paul Stoker.

This may seem a little unusual, but Paul’s meatballs were delicious and the judges had no idea who made them.

It was a fun afternoon…and we will all be practising to beat Paul next year.