Metropolitan Market’s Andrew Borracchini is America’s Best Bagger, on the 2nd try

(Photo by Mike Gatty, substituted Monday for previously used UStream screengrab)
Just in from Las Vegas, via the Metropolitan Market Twitter feed – The Admiral store’s Andrew Borracchini won the Best Bagger National Championship at the National Grocers Association’s Las Vegas convention a short time ago. We checked in with Andrew earlier this week just before he and his family left for Vegas. Andrew has won the Washington State championship the past two years, and this was his second trip to Vegas to compete in nationals.

ADDED 5:39 PM: Rhonda Porter (WSB sponsor) notes in comments and here that Metropolitan Market shoppers got the news over the PA system when Andrew won. Store director Glen Hasstedt says the national champ is likely to be back at work next weekend.

P.S. Per a comment, Andrew is expected to be on “The Late Show with David Letterman” Monday night!

MONDAY MORNING UPDATE, 8:43 AM: A National Grocers Association spokesperson tells WSB that actually the plan for that is still in the works, “likely in a couple days.” Watch here for updates.

MONDAY 9:20 AM: The official news release from the Washington Food Industry Association:

On Sunday February 10th Andrew Borracchini, an 18 year old grocery bagger from Metropolitan Market in West Seattle, took home the ultimate prize at the National Grocers Association sponsored Best Bagger contest. The contest featured the best-of-the-best from 23 states for the coveted $10,000 grand prize, “Golden Grocery Bag” trophy and the “Best Bagger Golden Lane,” a special checkout stand that will be installed in his home store in West Seattle’s Admiral District.

Andrew Borracchini has already won the statewide qualifying Best Bagger competition for 2 consecutive years. Today he returns to Washington triumphant after flying to New York to schedule an appearance on the David Letterman show. When asked about his performance this year compared to last, he said he “just worked harder and tried to remain less stressed.” Andrew’s Store Manager Glen Hasstedt, who has also previously trained Andrew’s brother and sister at Metropolitan Market urged Andrew to “stay grounded, stay focused on your job, and not get overwhelmed,” practiced with him 4 days per week (including weekends) for months, and every day in the weeks leading up to the nationals.

The Borracchini family, longtime members of Seattle’s grocery industry who own local favorite Borracchini Bakery, were able to attend the contest in Las Vegas to cheer Andrew on for his big win.

Metropolitan Market stores are led by Store President Terry Halverson, a member of the Board of directors of the Washington Food Industry Association —the non-profit organization that annually hosts the Washington State Best Bagger Competition and represents members of the independent, local food industry.

Andrew adds that he would like to thank his co-workers, friends, family and the WFIA for all of their support.

34 Replies to "Metropolitan Market's Andrew Borracchini is America's Best Bagger, on the 2nd try"

  • mookie February 10, 2013 (4:15 pm)

    Whoo hooo! Congratulations, Andrew!

  • Ray West February 10, 2013 (4:20 pm)

    Good going Andrew!!!

  • Alki Resident February 10, 2013 (4:21 pm)

    That is impressive, wow, way to represent Andrew.

  • JanS February 10, 2013 (4:25 pm)

    YAY!!!!!

  • West Seattle Hipster February 10, 2013 (4:27 pm)

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!

  • D February 10, 2013 (4:42 pm)

    Great job! Congratulations! From: Julia.

  • Tmetcalf February 10, 2013 (4:44 pm)

    That’s my nephew! Way to go Andy, bringing home the win!!

  • kristea February 10, 2013 (4:49 pm)

    Just one more reason to love and be proud of my favorite neighborhood grocery store!

  • PDH February 10, 2013 (4:51 pm)

    Congrats!!

  • bestbets February 10, 2013 (5:05 pm)

    Congratulations Andrew, way to represent the West Side!

  • Rhonda Porter February 10, 2013 (5:08 pm)

    I was at Met Market when it was announced. Everyone stopped to cheer and applaud Andrew. Very cool!

  • Mike February 10, 2013 (5:23 pm)

    Cool, Congrats!

  • Stephanie February 10, 2013 (5:53 pm)

    Way to go Andrew!!

  • David February 10, 2013 (6:43 pm)

    You made us proud, Andrew – great job!!!

  • MercyMoi February 10, 2013 (7:11 pm)

    Incredible!! What an experience. He has worked very hard for this…well done!

  • James Walker February 10, 2013 (7:23 pm)

    Congratulations Andrew wonderful job!

  • Rves February 10, 2013 (7:46 pm)

    Great work, Andrew!!!

  • Met family February 10, 2013 (7:59 pm)

    Andrew, we all knew you could do it! Way to focus your eyes on the prize! You rock!! Super proud of you! Congrats

  • LS February 10, 2013 (8:15 pm)

    Congrats Andrew! Just got back from MM and they said Andrew is flying to New York tonight and will be on Letterman Monday night!

  • Struggling February 10, 2013 (9:16 pm)

    What great news…. And a very fine young man as well! I’m proud of you Andrew!!

  • Diner February 10, 2013 (9:49 pm)

    A great guy and a great bagger! Thanks, Andrew, for doing West Seattle and its Met Market proud!

  • PDH February 10, 2013 (9:51 pm)

    Looking forward to see him on Letterman!!

  • LivesInWS February 11, 2013 (4:10 am)

    Congratulations!

  • rick February 11, 2013 (7:00 am)

    Yes! Letterman. I’ll even stay up late!

    • WSB February 11, 2013 (8:40 am)

      Update – His segment apparently will not AIR tonight, according to the National Grocers Association PR folks – I had just pinged them to ask permission to republish photos from yesterday. “Likely in a couple days.” We’ll update as we find out more … TR

  • JoAnne February 11, 2013 (9:24 am)

    Congratulations Andrew!

  • TW February 11, 2013 (10:47 am)

    So great! Congratulations. Just awesome.

  • lyndab February 11, 2013 (11:10 am)

    What great news!

  • k February 12, 2013 (6:37 am)

    Congratulations champ!
    So happy for you Andrew! Well deserved win!

  • Rhonda Porter February 12, 2013 (10:55 pm)

    I missed David Letterman last night – was Andrew on the show?

    • WSB February 12, 2013 (11:42 pm)

      Rhonda – it turned out that he was being interviewed for a potential appearance. Haven’t heard from Met Market/Grocers’ Association how it turned out – the PR person told me that IF it worked out, it would be at least a few days. I do know he’s due back at the store this weekend, per his boss, so everyone can go congratulate him :) – TR

  • Pibal February 13, 2013 (7:07 am)

    Congrats Andrew!

    But now I’m curious… How do they run the contest? Is it simply timed bagging, or is it most skillful arrangement, least cubic space used for the items, or something else? Enquiring minds…

  • Carol O. February 14, 2013 (3:41 pm)

    So happy for you, congratulations.

  • Jan Gee February 20, 2013 (2:35 pm)

    Bagging skills are judged on speed, weight distribution between the bags, bag structure meaning proper placement of products so the bags will stand up straight and the final criteria is the baggers appearance and friendliness. Andrew aced them all!

Sorry, comment time is over.