NEW YORK (AP) — The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest is making its return, and Joey “Jaws” Chestnut is aiming for a triumphant 17th victory this Friday.
The 41-year-old from Westfield, Indiana, missed last year’s competition due to a contract disagreement related to a partnership he had with a rival brand, the plant-based meat company Impossible Foods. However, he is participating again this year, stating that the issues have been resolved.
Patrick Bertoletti, of Chicago, won the title in Chestnut’s absence and is the defending men’s champion.
In the women’s division, Miki Sudo, 39, from Tampa, Florida, who is the reigning champion, remains the frontrunner and is pursuing her 11th championship. Last year, she set a record by consuming 51 hot dogs.
The annual gastronomic battle, which dates back to 1972, is held in front of the original Nathan’s Famous’ restaurant at New York’s Coney Island and draws large crowds of fans, many in foam hot dog hats.
Competitors in the men’s and women’s categories chow down as many hot dogs as possible in 10 minutes. They are allowed to dunk the dogs in cups of water to soften them up, creating a stomach-churning spectacle.
The 15 men in the competition hail from across the U.S. and internationally, including Australia, Czech Republic, Canada, England and Brazil.
The 13 women competitors are all Americans.
Chestnut set the world record of eating 76 wieners and buns in 10 minutes on July 4, 2021. He has won a record 16 Mustard Belts. Instead of appearing in New York last year, Chestnut ate 57 dogs — in only five minutes — in an exhibition with soldiers, in El Paso, Texas.
Chestnut told The Associated Press last month that while he was happy to compete at that event, he was “really happy to be back at Coney Island.”
Chestnut said he had never appeared in any commercials for Impossible Foods’ vegan hot dogs and that Nathan’s is the only hot dog company he has worked with. But he acknowledged he “should have made that more clear with Nathan’s.”
