“In a flurry of chocolate cream and crumby debris, the yoga teacher crammed her last cupcake – No. 17 – winning the contest, and defeating her closest competitor by just one of the sweet treats.

Ivy Bakery held its first cupcake-eating contest outside of the shop on 87th St. in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The five competitors were given five minutes to inhale as many chocolate cupcakes as possible. The winner took home $75 and dubious bragging rights.”

One of the perks of working at a bar is the presents.  By presents I am talking gifts of food, wonderful, glorious food.  My favorite patron of this tradition is Belgian Paul (we call him that to distinct him from English Paul).  Paul works at Cannelle Patisserie in Jackson Heights, Queens, and often brings fresh made treats home to Brooklyn with him.

This time, he brought me a dark chocolate Easter bunny, hollow, and highlighted with a white-chocolate nose and paws.  Now, I remember chocolate bunnies from my days of frilly pale pink dresses, Sunday church services, and the hunt for tiny chocolate eggs around my house when I woke up in the morning.  While all of this was fun and I wouldn’t trade it for the world, I recall never being impressed with the cheap, milk chocolate rabbit with candy eyes that always graced my Easter basket.  In fact, I would try and swap my bunny for all my sister’s tasty solid chocolate-foiled wrapped eggs, which worked until she got wise to my scheme.  Mom, Dad, thanks for those memories, but Paul, this bunny rocked my Easter basket this year.  So much in fact, I let my roommate eat all the little chocolate eggs.

Read some thoughts people have on Easter Bunnies (via Serious Eats).