Evan Harlan from the Redmond Ridge QFC won first place at the Washington Food Industry’s Best Bagger Contest last Thursday at the Doubletree Hotel Seattle Airport.

Each contestant is graded on speed, technique and weight distribution.

Harlan won $500 first-prize money and an an all-expenses paid trip to participate in the National Best Bagger competition in Las Vegas in February 2009 during the annual convention for the National Grocers Association.

Harlan advanced to the national competition last year and placed seventh.