America’s top professional eater, Joey Chestnut, will not be participating in New York City’s annual hotdog eating competition this year. The defending champion was excluded from the event after signing a deal with a plant-based meat company. Chestnut expressed his disappointment at being banned from the competition, which takes place every summer on Independence Day at Nathan’s Famous original hotdog outlet in Coney Island. Despite being “gutted” by the news, Chestnut remains hopeful that he can defend his title in the future.
Major League Eating (MLE), the governing body for competitive eating, expressed its devastation over Chestnut’s decision to represent a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs. While the door is still open for Chestnut to compete if he ends his new endorsement deal, MLE emphasized the importance of their long-standing relationship with the champion eater. The New York Post reported that Chestnut had partnered with Impossible Foods, a company known for its beef-substitute products that have lower greenhouse gas emissions than traditional meat.
With Chestnut out of the competition, the spotlight now falls on Geoffrey Esper, the second-ranked eater who finished behind Chestnut last year. Esper consumed 49 hotdogs in the 2021 contest, falling short of Chestnut’s record-breaking 76 franks and buns. The annual Nathan’s contest, televised on ESPN, has been a staple of Independence Day celebrations since 1980.
Despite the setback, Chestnut remains a fan favorite and a record-breaking champion in the world of competitive eating. His absence from this year’s event leaves fans wondering if a new contender will rise to the challenge and claim victory in July. As the hotdog-eating contest approaches, all eyes will be on the competitors as they vie for the coveted title of champion.
