A ramen eating contest is coming to New Jersey, with an $1,000 cash prize

Dear millennials: If you spent the past 12 months crying because Dan Kennedy temporarily depleted the state's supply of ramen, now's the time to give him a piece of your mind.

That's right, noodle-lovers — on Tuesday, Oct. 8, Ani Ramen will host another iteration of its annual ramen eating contest (and you can bet good money that last year's champion will be devouring noods once again).

So, if you'd love to see Kennedy in the flesh, or take a shot at the $1,750 cash prize purse yourself, read on.

Here's how you can get paid big bucks for eating noodles.

The ultimate noodle showdown

Competitive eaters and local college students alike will be lining up at the sleek, wooden tables of one of Jersey's hottest restaurant chains to see who can down the most wheat-based calories from a plastic bowl.

Whether you use your hands (or a utensil) is up to you, but, otherwise, the rules are simple: finish 10 bowls before the eight-minute timer rings (or get as close as you can), and pick up what you drop.

"Get your chopsticks ready and head to Ani Ramen's Maplewood location to participate in the 7th Annual Ramen Eating Competition," the restaurant team said online. "From 6 to 8 p.m., contestants will race to devour bowls in a fast-paced, slurp-filled showdown while spectators cheer them on and enjoy the festivities from the sidelines."

To be hosted at 149 Maplewood Ave., the event will have multiple seatings, with elite eaters competing last. Cash awards for the winners include a first place prize of $1,000 (plus a pair of golden chopsticks), $500 for second and $250 for third. Second and third will also receive $250 and $100 Ani Ramen gift cards, respectively.

Losers are still promised a good time, though, as the music and giveaways are always great, and swag bags are included as a participation bonus.

Spectators, however, will probably have the most fun, because competitors have to sign a waiver. And if there's anything I know from being an endurance athlete? Waivers usually mean pain.

Spectating or slurping, though, the event will be — in the restaurant's words — "an evening you won't want to miss."

Ready to eat?

If you think you're ready to show gluten who's boss, you can register for Ani Ramen's 7th Annual Ramen Eating Contest at aniramen.com/store/event/7th-annual-ramen-eating-competition . The cost to participate is $25.

And, because I'm sure you're all wondering, Kennedy's official score from last year was 10 bowls in just over four minutes.

So, for now, that's looking like the number to beat.

Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats , join our NorthJerseyEats Facebook group , and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter .

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: A ramen eating contest is coming to New Jersey, with an $1,000 cash prize