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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Joey Chestnut Fires Back After Nathan's Hot Dog Ouster
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability subject to change. It's a Fourth of July tradition — the beach, fireworks, and Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. Except in 2024, things looked very different for 16-champion Joey Chestnut. The competitive eater was banned from the competition last year after he collaborated with the plant-based company, Impossible Foods. He wanted to promote their vegan hot dogs for "Meatless Mondays," but Major League Eating (MLE) didn't see it that way. Now, Chestnut is breaking his silence with The Blast. Advertisement 'I really didn't think my relationship with Impossible would affect anything with Nathan's,' Chestnut said. 'It didn't go against any of my previous agreements.' He also claimed that he "eats more meat than anybody," but still enjoys taking "a break on Mondays." He added, "And sometimes I still want something that tastes like meat, so that's where plant-based comes in.' Chestnut is open to returning to the world-famous competition in Coney Island, NY, and making sure there are no sponsor conflicts. Still, he admitted, "But honestly, I don't think they want to go down that route. And yeah, it's a bummer. I love that contest.' Instead of his beachside location in 2024, Chestnut headed to Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX, to battle members of the Army for their annual 'Pop Goes the Fort' celebration. The event raised $106,000 for Operation Homefront, a nonprofit that supports military families, according to NPR. Advertisement Of course, Chestnut also hit the big time with Netflix and his hot dog rival, Takeru Kobayashi, in September 2024's TV special, Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef. He was able to break his personal record with 83 dogs which "broke the world record for most eaten in 10 minutes, without dunking them in water, in the history of competitive eating," according to Tudum by Netflix. Patrick Bertoletti won the men's Mustard Belt at the 2024 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest after eating 58 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Related: Why Joey Chestnut Has Been Banned From the 2024 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Joey Chestnut Fires Back After Nathan's Hot Dog Ouster first appeared on Men's Journal on May 27, 2025
New York Post
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Joey Chestnut reveals if he expects to compete at Nathan's hot dog eating contest this summer
Joey Chestnut doesn't seem to think that the fence will be mended with Nathan's and Major League Eating in order for him to return to compete in the famed Fourth of July hot dog eating contest that takes place every year on the Coney Island boardwalk. Chestnut did not compete in last year's competition after an apparent issue that MLE and Nathan's had over a deal that the famed eater had with another hot dogs brand, Impossible Foods — the plant-based food company that makes vegan hot dogs. While Chestnut told The Blast he would want to come back, he doesn't expect to get a call to return to the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. Advertisement Joey Chestnut celebrates after eating 57 hotdogs in five minutes at the Pop Goes the Fort eating contest on Fort Bliss, Texas on July 4, 2024. Justin Hamel for the NY Post 'If they came back with similar terms we were talking about last year, I would definitely consider it,' he told the outlet. 'I'd work with them to make sure there weren't any conflicts with other sponsors. … But honestly, I don't think they want to go down that route. And yeah, it's a bummer. I love that contest.' The Post had exclusively broken the news last year that Chestnut would not be competing in the Nathan's contest due to the spat and that he had been offered $200,000 to compete in last year's contest, along with a $1.2 million, four-year contract going forward. Advertisement Chestnut also told The Blast that 'I still don't know exactly where our relationship stands' and that he was 'really surprised' about their reaction to his partnership with Impossible Foods. The partnership with Impossible Foods had been to promote 'Meatless Mondays,' an initiative that encourages people to try plant-based alternatives and is something that Chestnut said he takes part in. 'It was for Mondays, for people who aren't even eating meat,' he said about the partnership that ended up becoming an issue. Joey Chestnut is pictured at the Pop Goes the Fort in July 2024. Justin Hamel for the NY Post Advertisement Chestnut, who is a household name, had won the Nathan's hot dog eating contest 16 times, which included winning every year from 2016 until last year, when he did not compete. He holds the record for most dogs and buns eaten, with 76 during the 2021 contest.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Joey Chestnut reveals July 4 plans after bitter fallout with Nathan's over iconic hot dog contest
Joey Chestnut would be open to competing in this year's Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest - though he doesn't expect to be asked back amid his ban from the competition last year. Chestnut, who's won the famous July 4 event 16 times, did not compete last year in Coney Island due to his partnership with Impossible Foods, a plant-based food company which sells vegan hot dogs. And while the legendary competitive eater would be happy to discuss a return to the competition, he's not holding his breath. 'If they came back with similar terms we were talking about last year, I would definitely consider it,' he told The Blast. 'I'd work with them to make sure there weren't any conflicts with other sponsors… But honestly, I don't think they want to go down that route. And yeah, it's a bummer. I love that contest.'' Chestnut added to the publication that he 'didn't think' his deal with Impossible would have any impact on his eligibility for the Nathan's contest, which he first won in 2007. He also said that his partnership with Impossible Foods was merely to promote 'Meatless Mondays,' when he skips eating meat. 'I still don't know exactly where our relationship stands,' he said. Nonetheless, Major League Eating said at the time that it was 'devastated' by Chestnut choosing his Impossible Foods partnership over competing in the Nathan's competition. 'MLE and Nathan's went to great lengths to accommodate Joey and his management team, agreeing to the appearance fee and allowing Joey to compete in a rival, unbranded hot dog eating contest on Labor Day,' they added in a statement. 'Joey Chestnut is an American hero. We would love nothing more than to have him at the Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest, which he has dominated for years. We hope that he returns when he is not representing a rival brand.' A source told the New York Post that Chestnut was paid $200,000 to appear at last year's contest, and was even offered a $1.2 million, four-year deal beginning this year. MLE's Richard Shea insisted to NBC News that there was 'no ban,' though that contradicted what Chestnut said himself last year. 'I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years Im banned from the Nathan's July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest,' Chestnut said in a post to X. 'I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th and I have been training to defend my title. 'To set the record straight, I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathans and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with. 'This is apparently the basis on which I'm being banned, and it doesn't impact the July 4th event. While Chestnut looks unlikely to be involved in this year's July 4 contest, he is attempting to set a popcorn eating record on Monday. He wrote on Instagram that he'll be attempting to eat 34 servings of popcorn in eight minutes, with each serving amounting to 24 ounces. Chestnut is doing the event from a Rural King supermarket location in Indiana.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Joey Chestnut Reveals Where He Stands With Nathan's Months After Shocking Ban
Joey Chestnut is speaking out once again on his shocking ban from the 2024 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, a decision that stunned fans and reshaped one of America's most iconic holiday traditions. In an exclusive interview with The Blast, the 16-time champion opened up about the dramatic fallout with Major League Eating (MLE), which occurred after Chestnut partnered with Impossible Foods, the plant-based brand behind a new vegan hot dog. Joey Chestnut Says He Was 'Surprised' Nathan's Took Offense To His Plant-Based Partnership 'I really didn't think my relationship with Impossible would affect anything with Nathan's,' Chestnut admitted. 'It didn't go against any of my previous agreements.' Advertisement Chestnut explained that his collaboration with Impossible was meant to promote Meatless Mondays, encouraging people who occasionally skip meat to explore plant-based alternatives. 'I eat more meat than anybody,' he said with a laugh. 'But even I take a break on Mondays. And sometimes I still want something that tastes like meat, so that's where plant-based comes in.' Despite the partnership having nothing to do with the annual Fourth of July competition directly, MLE took issue with the move, ultimately leading to Chestnut's exclusion from the contest he's headlined for over a decade. 'I was really surprised they took offense to that,' he said. 'It was for Mondays, for people who aren't even eating meat. I still don't know exactly where our relationship stands.' Joey Says He'd Consider Returning To Nathan's, But Doubts They'll Ask / MEGA As for whether he'd ever return to the Coney Island stage if invited back, Chestnut didn't rule it out. Advertisement 'If they came back with similar terms we were talking about last year, I would definitely consider it,' he said. 'I'd work with them to make sure there weren't any conflicts with other sponsors… But honestly, I don't think they want to go down that route. And yeah, it's a bummer. I love that contest.' Though his future with Nathan's remains uncertain, Chestnut continues to dominate the competitive eating scene, and fans haven't seen the last of him yet. Joey Chestnut Keeps Competitive Spirit Alive After Nathan's Ban / MEGA While his absence from the Coney Island stage marked a major shift in the holiday tradition, the reigning eating champ has kept his competitive edge sharp with a full plate of high-profile appearances and new challenges. Advertisement This past Independence Day, Chestnut went head-to-head with U.S. soldiers during the annual 'Pop Goes the Fort' celebration at Fort Bliss, bringing his signature intensity and crowd-pleasing energy to the patriotic showdown. Earlier in the year, he made waves at the Third Annual Siegel's Bagelmania World Bagel Eating Championship in Las Vegas, adding yet another quirky food feat to his growing list of accomplishments. Now, the 16-time Nathan's champion is preparing for his next big challenge: popcorn. Joey Chestnut Teams Up With Rural King For Popcorn World Record Attempt Teaming up with Rural King, Chestnut will attempt to set a new world record by devouring as much popcorn as possible in just eight minutes. The event celebrates the brand's nostalgic tradition of offering free in-store popcorn to customers, this time, with a competitive twist. Advertisement And for those wondering what happens when he's not competing, Joey Chestnut admits he still craves some good Mexican food, a juicy steak, or, if he's been sticking to his diet, a hearty plate of pasta, especially carbonara. "I've learned that I don't have to be married to one food," he told The Blast. The Undisputed King Of Competitive Eating With 55+ World Records And 16 Nathan's Titles / MEGA Joey Chestnut currently holds more than 55 world records in competitive eating, making him the most decorated eater in the sport's history. Chestnut gained national attention in 2007 when he defeated six-time champion Takeru Kobayashi at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, ending the Japanese competitor's reign and kicking off his own. Advertisement Since then, he's won the contest 16 times, setting and breaking his own records, most notably eating 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes in 2021. But his dominance doesn't stop there. Joey Chestnut's Record-Smashing Feats Prove He's More Than Just The Hot Dog King Chestnut has devoured 182 chicken wings in 30 minutes, 141 hard-boiled eggs in just 8 minutes, and 47 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes. He's also made waves with non-traditional challenges, like eating 32 servings of popcorn (each weighing 24 ounces) and smashing shrimp cocktail, bratwurst, and taco records. His unmatched ability to consume massive quantities of food across a wide range of categories has cemented his status as a living legend in the world of competitive eating.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Joey Chestnut returning to Knoxville to defend bologna eating title
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — World champion competitive eater Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut is returning to Knoxville to defend his title as the Bologna Eating Champion of the World in Knoxville next month. At noon on Saturday, May 10, some of the world's top competitive eaters will be facing off in Knoxville at the 2025 Ultimate Bologna Showdown presented by Dead End BBQ and Elm Hill Bologna. It's a competition where Major League Eating says things can get 'seriously meaty.' Rep. Harshbarger calls Black congressman 'boy' in interview The contest is slated to take place at the RecSports Field Complex on Sutherland in Knoxville, and there will be a combined $10,000 in prizes and the title of the Bologna Eating Champion of the World on the line. First place will take home $5,000, followed by second earning $2,750, and stair-stepping down to fifth, which will take home $300. Last year's contest was the first Ultimate Bologna Showdown. During the competition, competitors have eight minutes to eat as many slices of Elm Hill Bologna as possible. During the May 18, 2024 competition, Chestnut, the #1-ranked competitive eater in the world from Indianapolis, Indiana, took home the title and set a world record by eating 14 pounds of Elm Hill Bologna. He defeated #4-ranked eater James Webb from Sydney Australia who ate 11 pounds for second, and Geoffery Esper who at 10.75 pounds for third. At this year's competition, Chestnut will be facing Webb along with #2-ranked Patrick Bertoletti from Chicago, Illinois as well as #5-ranked Miki Sudo and #6-ranked eater Nick Wehry from Tampa, Florida. Last year, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs competed in the event, but this year, he is expected to be a special guest. Man killed, driver charged after crash on North Broadway 'This is the greatest field of talent ever assembled in the history of competitive bologna eating,' said Major League Eating Chair George Shea. 'The people of Knoxville will see history made as Chestnut defends his title against accomplished challengers.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
