After signing a contract with a vegan company, competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut was informed he could not compete in America’s premier hot dog competition.
After accepting sponsorship from Impossible Foods, a vegan hot dog manufacturer that competes with Nathan’s brand, he was disqualified from the New York Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest scheduled for next month.
“We are devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to represent a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs rather than competing in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest,” MLE said on Tuesday.
Mr. Chestnut was welcome to return to the tournament, he stated, but only provided he gave up his vegan sponsorship.
America’s hero is Joey Chestnut. The statement read, “We would adore nothing more than to have him at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest.”
“We hope he returns when he is not representing a rival brand.”
Mr. Chestnut has won the US-televised Nathan’s competition sixteen times.
The competition, which draws over 40,000 spectators every year, mandates that contestants consume as many hot dogs (as well as buns) as they can in ten minutes.
At the 2021 competition, Mr. Chestnut, 40, gulped a whopping 76 hot dogs, setting a new world record.
In addition, he has broken numerous other eating records, such as consuming 141 hard-boiled eggs in eight minutes and 23 meat.
