Pie-eating champ Esther has taste for Pako

Andrew Mathieson
GOBBLING down meat pies one after the other is a tantalising memory for one glamorous Home and Away star.
However, it would probably raise eyebrows even higher among the TV show’s producers.
But about two decades ago, when waistlines counted for very little, a young Esther Anderson ate quicker than she could imagine at Pako Festa.
“I was only eight or nine then and it was both boys and girls when I took out the pie-eating title,” the Geelong 29-year-old revealed.
“I don’t remember how many I ate except that it was at least one more than the next guy.
“And he was quite a bit bigger than me.”
Ms Anderson will join other members of the Home and Away cast in a now-annual appearance at tomorrow’s Pako Festa.
The stars will appear among a host of activities and entertainment in Australia’s biggest multicultural festival, running from 8am to 9pm on Geelong West’s Pakington Street.
Ms Anderson, who plays eye-catching cop Charlie Buckton, said the Summer Bay crew was excited about returning to Pako Festa as special guests.
“To get to mix with the fans and have them be so receptive really blows us away,” she said.
Ms Anderson remembered spending many days in Pakington Street where an aunty and uncle lived. A best friend was just around the corner.
Perhaps the street, with its restaurants and cafes, had a lasting influence.
The love of food, albeit something of a more refined taste than pies, always left a yummy taste in Ms Anderson’s mouth.
“Our family can eat,” she insisted.
“I mean, my partner is close to 100 kilos, so is my mum’s, and we both eat pretty much the same on our plate that they do.
“So I’ve been training for pie-eating since I was a toddler.”