Florida Man Wins Stone Crab Eating Contest in the Florida Keys

Keys Fisheries Marathon Hosts 14th Annual Stone Crab Eating Contest

Florida Man Wins the 2025 Keys Fisheries Stone Crab Eating Contest

MARATHON, FL – November 2, 2025 — The Florida Keys kicked off stone crab season in spectacular fashion as Keys Fisheries hosted its 14th Annual Stone Crab Eating Contest, drawing 50 contestants and 10 two-person teams eager to claim bragging rights and celebrate the island’s favorite crustacean. The challenge: crack, clean, and consume 25 fresh stone crab claws faster than anyone else — leaving not a morsel behind.

The Winning Strategy: Go Big with the Spoon

This year’s standout performance came from Jonathan Martinescu of Fort Myers, who clinched victory with a record time of 9 minutes and 46 seconds. His secret weapon? A giant spoon.
“Two years ago, I used a smaller spoon,” Martinescu explained. “This year, the secret was a bigger one.”
Adding a touch of serendipity, his win coincided with his fourth wedding anniversary, making the victory all the sweeter.

Team Triumph and Community Spirit

In the team competition, Tom Zajac and Ryan Beckett of Marathon grabbed first place, finishing in 6 minutes and 15 seconds. Zajac’s win marked his third consecutive team title, solidifying his local legend status. Winners received commemorative awards and Florida Keys gift baskets, while entry fees benefitted the Florida Keys Hope Walk, ensuring the event gave back to the community as much as it celebrated it.

A Feast for the Eyes and the Heart

Beyond the competition, the event doubled as a celebration of Keys culture — complete with crab-themed costumes, flying shell fragments, and cheering crowds. Each year, the spectacle marks the arrival of stone crab season, which runs October 15 through May 1, when Keys Fisheries — Florida’s largest processor — gears up for months of claw-cracking festivity.

The Florida Keys produce about 40% of the state’s annual stone crab harvest, around 2 million pounds per year, making the region a cornerstone of sustainable seafood in the Sunshine State. With its lively mix of food, fun, and philanthropy, the Keys Fisheries Stone Crab Eating Contest remains a cherished reminder that in the Keys, seafood and celebration go hand in hand.

📸 Photo Credit: Natalie Danko / Florida Keys News Bureau