Andrew Borracchini photo courtesy of Mike Gatty/Washington Food Industry Association
A Seattle teenager who won the title of the nation’s best grocery bagger will appear on the Late Show with David Letterman Monday night (March 25).
Metropolitan Market employee Andrew Borracchini, a senior at O’Dea High School, won $10,000 and a “Golden Grocery Bag” trophy in the competition last month in Las Vegas. He’s worked for the company for two years, and is at the Admiral branch in West Seattle. Contestants were judged on “speed, bagging technique, and great customer service.”
The Washington Food Industry Association said in a press release that the 18-year-old is from the family who owns the landmark Borracchini’s Bakery. He had already won the statewide qualifying competition two years in a row. (“Great job Andrew! I always appreciate your kindness and skill when checking out at the Met Market,” one fan wrote him in the comments on a West Seattle Blog post.)
Think you know what it takes to be a champion bagger? Here’s a video of Borracchini demonstrating the proper technique — cans on bottom, eggs on top, and a smile all around.