Nathan's hot-dog eating contest bans Joey Chestnut over Impossible deal
ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:
The country's reigning hot dog-eating champion will not compete for the Mustard Belt this Fourth of July for the first time in nearly two decades. Joey Chestnut was banned from the contest after - gasp - endorsing a rival company's plant-based franks. NPR's Rachel Treisman reports.
RACHEL TREISMAN, BYLINE: Joey Chestnut first won the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog-Eating Contest on Coney Island in 2005 (ph).
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UNIDENTIFIED ANNOUNCER: In first place, with 66 hot dogs and buns - Joey Chestnut.
TREISMAN: The now 40-year-old has won every year since, minus one upset in 2015.
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GEORGE SHEA: Look on his works, ye mighty, and despair, for he has surpassed the kings of Egypt.
TREISMAN: That's emcee George Shea crowning Chestnut again at last year's event.
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SHEA: For his 16th win, I give you the No. 1-ranked eater in the world - Joey Chestnut.
TREISMAN: Aside from his top ranking by Major League Eating, Chestnut also holds over 50 Guinness World Records for scarfing down various foods in under 10 minutes. That includes 76 hot dogs and buns in 2021.
JAMIE LOFTUS: At this point, Joey Chestnut is the household name. The contest isn't the household name.
TREISMAN: That's Jamie Loftus, a comedian and author who wrote the book "Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs."
LOFTUS: They need him more than he needs them.
TREISMAN: But this year, Chestnut won't be onstage to defend his title. Major League Eating, which helps run the event, said Tuesday that Chestnut isn't eligible. That's because he signed an endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, which hopes to win over meat lovers with its plant-based products.
LOFTUS: He peaked in 2021. I was there. It was amazing. Seventy-six hot dogs and buns - that is going to be really, really difficult to top. And it's possible that he might be like, I'm going to cut my losses and start my own thing.
TREISMAN: Loftus says that doesn't mean this year's spectacle isn't worth watching.
LOFTUS: I would be curious how they are going to almost, you know, uncontestedly (ph), turn Joey into a vegan villain.
TREISMAN: Chestnut said on social media that he was gutted to learn of his ban, but promised fans they'll see him eat again soon. Whether that happens on Coney Island is unclear, but Major League Eating says it will welcome him back if he decides to change course.
Rachel Treisman, NPR News.
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