Chestnut will return to the Hot Dog Eating Contest

(New York, NY/Minnesota News Network) — Joey Chestnut will once again compete in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest next month. His return comes one year after being banned from the event due to his endorsement deal with vegan food brand Impossible Foods. In a post on X, Chestnut said he’s grateful he and Nathan’s were able to find common ground and that he’s excited to be back on the Coney Island stage, doing what he lives to do. Chestnut has won the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest 16 times. He ate a world record 83 hot dogs in ten minutes when he faced off against his longtime rival Takeru Kobayashi in a Netflix special last year.