In the race for the World Series, Tampa Bay leaders have won sausages and chips from Chicago and lobster and cream pie from Boston.

Now, local leaders are hungry for Philly cheesesteaks.

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard and Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio announced today a food challenge with Philadelphia's Mayor Michael A. Nutter.

If we lose the World Series, he gets a Florida Beach Picnic, including coconut shrimp from Cha Cha Coconuts at the Pier, stone crab claws from Clearwater's Frenchy's restaurant, Cuban sandwiches from the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, commemorative championship label Cuesta-Rey Centro Fino Cortez Cigars from the J.C. Newman Cigar Co. and key lime pie from the Fourth Street Shrimp Store in St. Petersburg.

If we win, we get Philadelphia cheesesteaks, Tastykakes, Philly soft pretzels, mac-n-cheese from Delilah's Southern Cafe and a Rocky statue.

Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

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