Video: ‘Best Bagger’ Andrew Borracchini readies for national-championship competition

If you shop at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) in Admiral, you’ve seen courtesy clerk Andrew Borracchini smiling at you from that banner outside the store, and signs inside, for a few months now, following his victory as Washington state’s Best Bagger (as reported here in October). And if he’s helped you with your groceries lately, you might have noticed his custom name badge:

This was Andrew’s last weekend of work before he and an entourage of supporters take off for Las Vegas, where he’ll compete in the national championship at the Mirage Hotel on February 13th, just eight days away.

We talked with Andrew on Saturday morning at the store, where he’s been working weekends for more than a year. In recent weeks, he’s been given an hour to practice during every shift he’s worked. There’s a lot at stake – a $10,000 prize (with cash prizes for 2nd-5th place too) – and he will have a bigtime cheering section: Not only are about 20 members of his family traveling with him for the big event – so are some high-profile supporters from Metropolitan Market, including store general manager Glen Hasstedt and MM ownership. On Saturday, the store allowed Andrew to show us his winning skills – while he explained the keys to good grocery-bagging:

Andrew, by the way, is a junior at O’Dea, and says his sister Angela, who preceded him in Metropolitan Market employment, is the one who taught him the ropes in the bagging world. Last year’s national champ was from the Northeast – will Andrew bring the Golden Grocery Bag Trophy home to the Northwest this year? We’ll find out a week from tomorrow.

ColesMom February 5, 2012 (9:18 pm)

I was at the “Met” this morning, and while checking out I was initially unaware of who was bagging my groceries. It was non other than Andrew. What first caught my attention was just how polite he was, which prompted me to look at his name tag. Before I could even process who he was he had those groceries packed in their recyclable tote & ready to be escorted out the front door to my car. When I got home and unpacked my purchase’s I couldn’t help but notice that everything was placed strategically in the bag so as to not bump or bruise any one item. It was done with precise and complete perfection! Andrew you rock! Best of luck to you in Vegas. You’ve got this one :)

Dano February 5, 2012 (10:15 pm)

… Andrew is just a terrific young man, far beyond his skill with the grocery loading. I know his family is very proud of him, as they are of the entire Borracchini clan….. A really wonderful family… Congratulations Andrew!

Aman February 5, 2012 (11:11 pm)

As a customer of Metropolitan Market and former ‘bagger’ I professionally appreciate Andrew’s skill-set as “first-rate.” Our family applauds his efforts and wishes him continued success.

Ann February 6, 2012 (5:05 am)

I have been to Metropolitan Market but the customer care is very nice. Thank you for the post

SudsyMaggie February 6, 2012 (6:05 am)

Best of luck, Andrew!

Patti February 6, 2012 (8:40 am)

Andrew, does an excellent job. He is very customer friendly, and just a nice guy! My son worked there when he was in High School, and it was a great first job for him.

LS February 6, 2012 (9:23 am)

We are regular customers at Metropolitan Market and Andrew is awesome! Best of luck in the next competition!

Cheryl February 6, 2012 (12:29 pm)

Grocery bagging is truly a lost “art” says this 40+ year old mom…
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Can’t attest to Andrew’s skills (he looks friendly, like the rest of Met Market’s employees), but I’ve had my share of crappy baggers at every market in West Seattle, Metropolitan included. In fact, I’d say the “spendier” the market, the more this is the case. Yes, I’m talking to you Thriftway, PCC and Metro.
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Bananas and tomatoes placed underneath canned goods, hard plastic containers or paper milk cartons smooshed in with the soft goods, like eggs or produce. And no matter how many times I look the bagger and/or checker dead in the eyes and tell them to NOT bag “the soft stuff with the hard stuff”, my pleas fall on deaf ears.
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Anyhoo, I’m still wishing lots of good luck to Andrew! $10K would be a nice prize to win indeed!

Lori February 6, 2012 (1:23 pm)

Good luck, Andy!!

laeti February 6, 2012 (3:31 pm)

Good luck!!!! Andrew bagged our groceries a few times, he is the best :)

duder February 6, 2012 (3:45 pm)

This kid has packed my groceries before and did a fine job at it. Most impressively was that the lady before me was nagging him about “making sure the hot stays separate from the cold” and “don’t put the eggs on the bottom” and the kid just smiled and took it. I would’ve told her to bag her own darn groceries personally.

Christen February 6, 2012 (3:56 pm)

I think this guy is great! On a busy day right before Christmas my sister and I had to park several blocks away. He bagged our groceries beautifully and insisted on helping us bring them to the car. Then, we we tried to tip him for the long trip, he refused the tip and gave us holiday chocolates instead! Great guy – hope he wins!