National Spelling Bee Champ Arvind Mahankali Enjoys a Letter-Perfect Night at Matilda

New Yorkers had a rooting interest in the 2013 National Spelling Bee, as Arvind Mahankali, a 13-year-old from Queens, made the finals for the third year in a row. The middle schooler had placed third in the previous two Bees, but this year, he won the title by spelling “knaidel” (another word for matzoh ball) correctly. Five days later, on June 4, Arvind and his family headed to Broadway’s Shubert Theatre to take in a performance of the word-obsessed musical Matilda. After the show, the Mahankali family said hello to the hit musical's with the young cast members—who somehow left the final G off the word “spelling” during a photo op with the champion speller! Congrats, Arvind, and here’s hoping Cafe Edison invites you and your family back to the theater district for a bowl of knaidel soup!