Pączki king retains his crown at QD's annual contest

THURSDAY, Feb. 13 — Akiem Harshman lives in Grand Rapids now, but the Lansing native still comes back for Quality Dairy donuts.

Today, he successfully defended his crown as Quality Dairy hosted the second annual Pączki Palooza at the REO Town Clubhouse restaurant. Four contestants competed for a $1,000 donation to a charity of their choice.

The event commemorated the start of the local chain’s pączki season. Beginning tomorrow, the Polish-inspired yeast donuts—pronounced PUHNCH-kee and weighing 500 to 600 calories each—will be available at all locations.

All 14 flavors, including the newest, churro, were on the table for competitors to eat. However, they all had to start with the traditional prune flavor.

Harshman ate three pączkis in three minutes. Though he fell short of last year’s four and a half, he still secured $1,000 for Judson Baptist Church, 531 Glendale Ave., Lansing. 

However, all contestants secured donations to their charities, which they said was a primary motivator for participation.

Runner-up Robert Howell won $600 for the Red Cedar chapter of Ducks Unlimited, the world’s largest wetland conservation nonprofit. Howell says he’s been working with Ducks Unlimited since 2000.

“I’ve got a bachelor’s degree in fish and wildlife management, so it’s an easy fit for me on the conservation side,” he said. “I wanted to raise some money for the ducks and have a little fun. Have a couple of good laughs.”

Third-place contestant John Mullin won $400 for Advent House Ministries. “They’ve helped me throughout the years,” he said, “and I just wanted to be able to give back to them in some sort of way.”

“I’ve always loved eating donuts,” he added. “I figured this was my calling.”

Shannon Spainhower, who earned $200 for the Capital Area Humane Society Spay and Neuter Clinic with her fourth-place performance, said the nonprofit “has helped us out so many times.” Spainhower does trap-neuter-release, a method for managing feral cat populations, and has frequently relied on the clinic on short notice.

“They’ve always worked well with us, and this is a way to give back.”

As for how she ended up behind a heaping plate of pączkis, Spainhower blamed her overzealous nature. “I opened my big mouth,” she said, “and here I am.”

Michael Wensel, Quality Dairy’s fresh food category manager, emceed the event, with guest appearances by Quality Dairy mascots Laffy the Cow and D’Licious Pączki. Co-sponsor Lansing Area Federal Credit Union contributed half of the prize.

Though he ate fewer than last year, Harshman feels confident he can hold onto the crown.

When asked to give advice to next year’s contestants, Harshman had choice words.

“Come hungry,” he said. “Hope I don’t show up.”