Good luck, Andrew! Metropolitan Market’s state champ ‘Best Bagger’ off to Vegas

Metropolitan Market‘s Andrew Borracchini is off to Las Vegas for the second year in a row, representing our state in the National Grocers Association‘s Best Bagger Championship competition this Sunday. We photographed Andrew at the store (which is a WSB sponsor) yesterday as he practiced one more time. What’s new this year? we asked. For one, the baggers are using reusable bags – just like us Seattleites – paper and plastic are out.

Store director Glen Hasstedt told us that Andrew’s been practicing with a variety of items, since last year in his competition debut, they learned the baggers aren’t given any hints about what they’ll be bagging until the moment it all begins – the checkout-stand mockups have the items covered until it’s time to begin.

He says he’s ready – he won the state title back in October – and glad to have his entire family coming along. Sunday afternoon’s bagging battle is at The Mirage in Las Vegas; tonight, Andrew said, he and his dad are going to see a concert at the Vegas Hard Rock Café.

4:03 PM P.S. – Researching a commenter question, we learned the Grocers Association plans to stream the competition live – so at 2:45 pm Sunday, you should be able to watch it here.

6 Replies to "Good luck, Andrew! Metropolitan Market's state champ 'Best Bagger' off to Vegas"

  • squareeyes February 8, 2013 (3:33 pm)

    Will the bagging championship be televised or streamed? It would be cool to watch.
    Edit: after looking at some of the photos with all the sponsor product placement I see why it wouldn’t be televised…

    • WSB February 8, 2013 (4:01 pm)

      Hey SQ – glad you asked! I felt sure the answer would be “no”- last year I had trouble even getting relatively fast results – but I just checked the National Grocers Association Facebook page on a whim and guess what – 2:45 pm Sunday:
      .
      http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nga-s-best-bagger-annual-competition
      .
      (Adding to the story)

  • Rhonda Porter February 8, 2013 (4:08 pm)

    Go Andrew!!

  • Alki Resident February 8, 2013 (5:22 pm)

    Woohoo Andrew, what a way to represent West Seattle, two years in a row. Outstanding.

  • West Seattle Hipster February 8, 2013 (6:12 pm)

    O’Dea produces some great young men, and Andrew is one of them

  • James Walker February 9, 2013 (10:15 am)

    Andrew, I am confident you will represent the Metropolitan Market, West Seattle, and the O’Dea Irish well. Best of luck! Jim Walker

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