The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating contest takes the idea of the traditional fourth of July barbecue to a new level. This year, the contest won't feel the same after 16-time champion Joey Chestnut has parted ways with organisers.
The Nathan’s hot dog contest, held at Coney Island in New York, pits America’s top competitive eaters against one another in a race against the clock. How many hot dogs and buns can a person eat in 10 minutes? You would be surprised – in 2021, Chestnut set a world record by eating 76, including the buns. It’s not pretty – but it’s pretty funny – to watch.
Competitors dip their buns and dogs in water to soften them up and then quite literally suck them down. Their cheeks bulge like chipmunks. Their faces anguish like marathon runners. The winner is the person who eats the most – and keeps it down. The contest isn’t just about speed.
The winner gets the coveted Mustard Belt, which looks a lot like a boxing championship belt… but with a hot dog and Uncle ..
