Hot Dog Eating Champ Joey Chestnut Not in This Year’s Competition
Joey Chestnut has been the top dog in Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest for years. However, this year, Chestnut will not participate in the July 4 mainstay because of an sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, the New…
Joey Chestnut has been the top dog in Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest for years.
However, this year, Chestnut will not participate in the July 4 mainstay because of an sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, the New York Postfirst reported.
Impossible Foods is the top producer of meatless products and recently started producing a hot dog “made from plants.”
Chestnut has won the Mustard Belt 16 times — and every year since 2016.
“For nearly two decades we have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions. However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different brand over our long-time relationship,” Major League Eating, the organization which sanctions the contest, said in a statement.
MLE added Chestnut can return to the competition when he stops representing Impossible Foods