On July 4, 2007, Chestnut won the 92nd Annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest held at New York City. He defeated six-time defending champion Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi by consuming a world record 66 hot dogs and buns (HDB) in 12 minutes, after losing to Kobayashi in 2005 and 2006. Chestnut would go on to win eight consecutive titles from 2007 to 2014,[11] setting a Nathan's record of 69 HDB in 2013.[12]
Chestnut lost the 2015 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest to Matt Stonie.[13] On July 4, 2016, he regained the championship belt from Stonie by eating 70 HDB. Chestnut would win the title from 2016 to 2023, setting the current record in 2021 with 76 HDB.[14] Chestnut was banned from participating in the 2024 contest due to a competing sponsorship with Impossible Foods,[15][16] but returned to the competition in 2025, winning his 17th and current title by eating 70.5 HDB.[17]
Eating career
2005
Chestnut, a San Jose State University student,[18][19] entered the competitive eating scene in 2005 with a break-out performance in the deep-fried asparagus eating championship, where he beat high-ranked eater Rich LeFevre by eating 6.3 pounds (2.9kg) of asparagus in 11.5 minutes.[20] That same year, during Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, Chestnut ate 32 HDB, placing third behind Takeru Kobayashi and Sonya Thomas.[21]
On October 22, Chestnut set a new world record for downing 32.5 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes at the Arizona State Fair, as part of the GoldenPalace.net World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship circuit.[22]
Chestnut defeated Thomas in the Waffle House World Waffle Eating Championship[23] and placed second to Kobayashi in a Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship qualifier, eating 56 Krystal Burgers in eight minutes to his 67.[24]
2006
Chestnut qualified for the 2006 Nathan's Contest by eating 50 HDB. As July 4 approached, there was speculation that 2006 might be the year when Kobayashi would be beaten.[25] However, was not to be. Although Chestnut turned in a great performance, leading Takeru Kobayashi through most of the contest, the final tally put Chestnut at 52 and Kobayashi at 53+3⁄4 (a new world record).[26] Chestnut lost to Kobayashi in the Johnsonville World Bratwurst Eating Championship in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He ate 45 bratwurst sausages in 10 minutes while Kobayashi ate 58.[27]
In October, Chestnut placed second at the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship, eating 91 hamburgers in eight minutes to Kobayashi's 97.[28]
On July 4, Chestnut and Kobayashi battled the field in a record-setting hot dog eating battle in Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York, at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. He knocked off Kobayashi 66–63, leading to the latter's first defeat in the contest in six years.[31]
On October 28, between 2:33 and 2:41, Chestnut ate 103 Krystal burgers in the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This was Chestnut's personal best, and is the new world record.[32]
2008
Chestnut set two new world records in 2008. On February 1, he ate 241 wings in 30 minutes at the Wing Bowl XVI in Philadelphia.[33] However, this record was broken by Takeru Kobayashi at the Wing Bowl XX in 2011 with 337 wings.
On March 2, Chestnut ate 78 matzo balls during Kenny & Ziggy's World Matzoh Ball Eating Championship in Houston, Texas.[34]
On March 24, Chestnut set a new male record at The Big Texan Steak Ranch restaurant in Amarillo, Texas, by eating a meal of 4.5lb (2.04kg) ribeye steak, salad, baked potato, shrimp cocktail, and roll in just eight minutes and 52 seconds. Shortly afterwards, on his show on KKLA, previous record holder Frank Pastore congratulated Chestnut. (The overall human record is 4 minutes and 18 seconds, set by Molly Schuyler on April 19, 2015, on her first of three meals.)[35]
On July 4, Chestnut tied Takeru Kobayashi in the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Contest after eating 59 HDB in 10 minutes. The tie resulted in a 5 HDB eat-off, which Chestnut won by consuming all five HDBs before Kobayashi. The 59 is a new record in the competition based on the reduction from 12 minutes to 10 minutes. Chestnut weighed in at 102kg (225lb).[36]
On July 28, Chestnut lost to Takeru Kobayashi in Chicken Satay eating in the MLE Asia inaugural event. He consumed just over 4 kilograms (8.8lb) to Kobayashi's almost 5.5kg (12lb).[37]
On August 23, Chestnut defeated IFOCE's second highest-ranked competitive eater Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti in the second Gyoza Eating Championship in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California. He devoured 231 gyoza, setting a new world record;[38] he beat his previous record of 212, set at the inaugural event in 2006 when he narrowly defeated Sonya "Black Widow" Thomas (210).[39] Thomas did not attend the 2008 event due to budgetary and travel costs.
On October 12, Chestnut consumed 45 slices of pizza, winning the "Famous Famiglia World Pizza Eating Championship", which was held in Times Square in New York. This was beaten by Bertoletti with 47 slices a few weeks later.[40]
2009
On February 21, Chestnut consumed 10.5lb (4.8kg) of macaroni and cheese in seven minutes during halftime at the San Jose Stealthlacrosse game, beating out his contestants and adding another world record to his name.[41]
On June 21, Chestnut lost to Takeru Kobayashi in a Pizza Hut P'Zone competition at Sony Studios in Culver City, California. The competition aired on Spike TV that same day.[42]
On July 4, Chestnut topped his previous record of 59 HDB by consuming 68 HDB in the 2009 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.[43]
On September 27, Chestnut lost to Takeru Kobayashi in Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship. He ate 81 hamburgers while Kobayashi ate 93.[44]
On Man v. Food in San Jose, California, Chestnut ate Iguana's Burritozilla: a fivelb (2.3kg), 17-inch burrito in three minutes, ten seconds.[45]
2010
On May 8, Chestnut won Shrimp Wontons eating in Singapore. He ate 380 wontons in eight minutes to set a new world record.[46]
On July 4, Chestnut secured his fourth straight Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest, by consuming 54 HDB in what he described himself as a disappointing performance.[47]
On September 25, at the Phantom Gourmet Food Fest in Boston, Massachusetts, Chestnut won the Upper Crust Pizza Eating competition by eating 37 slices in 10 minutes. He beat Bob Shoudt by one slice.[48]
2011
On July 4, Chestnut secured his fifth straight Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest, by consuming 62 HDB.[49] Kobayashi, who could not participate in the contest because of his refusal to sign the required contract, ate 69 HDB at an off-site event with independent judges to establish a new world record.[50]
2012
On March 17, Chestnut set a new world record by eating 20 half-pound corned beef sandwiches in 10 minutes at the annual Toojay's Corned Beef Eating Competition in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti finished in second place.[51]
On July 4, Chestnut successfully defended his title at Nathan's 97th Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York. He tied his own world record by swallowing 68 HDB in 10 minutes, which earned Chestnut his sixth "mustard belt" for this competition.[52]
On July 16, Chestnut made a guest appearance on the 12th episode of Hell's Kitchen season 10, in which he participated in a wing-eating competition against a few of the contestants. He ended up winning the contest and earned $500.[53]
On August 27, Chestnut cursed at Hofmann Hot dog and Kobayashi, stating in a Twitter post, "Congrats to @FReeKobio704 for eating a bunch of nasty Hoffman crap dogs. He needed an ego boost after three years of dodging competition."[54][55]
Chestnut lifts the trophy at the 2012 World Poutine Eating Championship in Toronto, Ontario
On October 13, Chestnut won the Third Annual Smoke's Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championships in Toronto, Ontario, by consuming 19 boxes (9.5lb[4.3kg]) of poutine in 10 minutes.[57]
2013
On July 4, Chestnut successfully defended his title at Nathan's 98th Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York. He beat his own world record of 68 by consuming 69 HDB in 10 minutes, which earned Chestnut his seventh Mustard Belt for this competition.[12]
On July 25, Chestnut ate 179 wings in 10 minutes taking the title for the second year in a row at the Hooters World Wing-Eating Championship held in Clearwater, Florida.[58]
On September 22, Chestnut ate 70 bratwursts to set the world record and take his fourth straight title, at the Hillshire Farm Bratwurst Eating World Championship held at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio.[59]
2014
On July 4, Chestnut ate more hot dogs and buns than any of his opponents, narrowly defeating competitor Matt Stonie. Chestnut successfully ate 61 hot dogs and buns to Stonie's 56, making this his eighth consecutive win. Prior to the event, Chestnut proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Neslie Ricasa.[60]
2015
On July 4, Chestnut was defeated by Stonie. He successfully ate 60 hot dogs and buns, but Stonie improved since 2014 and consumed 62 hot dogs and buns, ending Chestnut's eight-year run as champion.[11]
After a Denver Outlaws lacrosse game on May 24, Chestnut set a World Record eating 14.25lb (6.46kg) of Illegal Pete's Burritos in 10 minutes, beating the previous record of 11.81 set in 2007 by Tim "Eater X" Janus.[61]
2016
On July 4, Chestnut redeemed himself with 70 hot dogs and buns with Stonie behind with 53 hot dogs and buns.
On September 4, Chestnut won his third consecutive title at the United States Chicken Wing Eating Championships in Buffalo, New York, by eating 188 wings in 12 minutes.[62]
2017
On July 4, Chestnut defended his title and ate 72 hot dogs and buns. This was his 10th title and once again set a new Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest record. Carmen Cincotti was the closest competitor with 60.[63]
2018
In 2018, Chestnut competed in The Amazing Race 30 alongside fellow competitive eater Tim Janus, where they finished in 8th place out of 11 teams.[64] On July 4, Chestnut won his 11th title at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest with a new record of 74 hot dogs and buns.[65]
2019
On July 4, Chestnut won his 12th title at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, eating 71 hot dogs and buns.
On October 19, Chestnut won the 2019 World Poutine Eating Championship in Toronto, Canada, after eating 28 pounds of poutine in 10 minutes and set a new world record.[66]
2020
On July 4, Chestnut won his 13th title at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, eating a record-breaking 75 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. The event was held indoors, with fewer competitors and without spectators due to COVID-19.[67]
On August 1, Chestnut ate nine pounds (4.1kg) of pizza in 32 minutes and 14 seconds in a MrBeast YouTube video in Greenville, North Carolina.[68]
2021
On July 4, Chestnut won his 14th title at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, eating 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, a new record.[14]
On October 10, Chestnut won the 2021 Destination Outlets World Pumpkin Pie Eating Championship in Jeffersonville, Ohio, consuming 16.75lb (7.60kg) of pumpkin pie in eight minutes.[69]
2022
On July 4, Chestnut captured his 15th Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest title by eating 63 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.[70] The contest was interrupted by a protestor, whom Chestnut placed in a chokehold.[71]
2023
On April 6 (National Burrito Day), Chestnut won the first-ever Qdoba World Burrito Eating Championship in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, consuming 14.5 burritos in 10 minutes.[72]
On July 4, Chestnut consumed 62 hot dogs and won his 16th Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest title.[73] The contest was nearly canceled due to thunderstorms, but ended up starting after a two-hour delay. Chestnut reportedly played a “significant role” in reversing the previously announced decision to cancel.[74]
2024
On June 11, Chestnut was banned from participating in the 2024 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating contest due to Chestnut accepting sponsorship from Impossible Foods, a Nathan's competitor.[15] He responded by saying a rule change regarding sponsors was the basis for his ban. MLE clarified that Chestnut could still appear at the annual contest.[16] He instead agreed to attend Fort Bliss' Pop Goes the Fort celebration and compete in a 4-versus-1 eating competition with a five-minute time limit.[75][76] Chestnut ate 57 hot dogs in five minutes, nearly tying Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest champion Patrick Bertoletti's count of 58 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Chestnut won the contest, as the four Army soldiers ate 49 hot dogs all together, with Impossible Foods donating $106,000 to Operation Homefront as a result.[77]
Chestnut during the 2025 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
On July 4, Chestnut made his return to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest by consuming 70.5 HDB to reclaim the title, his 17th overall.[80] The next closest competitor was defending champion Patrick Bertoletti with 46.5 HDB.[17]
Training
Chestnut trains by fasting and by stretching his stomach with milk, water, and protein supplements. He prefers milk from mountain goats that reside in the Andes Mountains due to its high calcium content.[81] Since the start of his competitive eating career, Chestnut's competition weight has varied from 225–240 pounds (102–109kg). After winning his sixth consecutive hot dog eating contest in 2012 by eating 68 hot dogs, Chestnut stated, "I will not stop until I reach 70. This sport isn't about eating. It's about drive and dedication, and at the end of the day, hot dog eating challenges both my body and my mind."[82]
Chestnut says that he trains for hot dog eating competitions by cooking hot dogs at his house and then eating them in a simulated competition style. Chestnut starts with 40 hot dogs and then works his way up until he is in game shape. Chestnut compared it to running or lifting weights for athletes.[83]
Chestnut proposed to his longtime girlfriend Neslie Ricasa[85] just before defending his title in the 2014 Nathan's competition.[86] They split up in early 2015, prior to their scheduled wedding date.
Chestnut's mother, Alicia, died in 2022, just days before he won his 15th Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest title.[88] Chestnut resides in Westfield, Indiana.[89]
Business endeavors
In 2010, Chestnut accepted an offer from Pepto-Bismol to promote and participate in four competitive eating contests, paying him $10,000 for each event.[90]
In 2018, Chestnut launched his first company featuring a line of condiments which includes two mustards (Deli Style Picnic Mustard and Spicy Brown Firecracker Mustard) and ketchup called Classic Boardwalk Coney Sauce.[91][92]
In 2024, Chestnut signed a sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, a plant-based food company, to promote their new vegan hot dog ahead of the summer.[95] As a result of the partnership, he was banned from that year's Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.[96]
Contest victories
2005
The Stockton Asparagus Festival – World Deep-Fried Asparagus Eating Championship: 6.3 Pounds in 11.5 Minutes Including Overtime (April 23, 2005)[97]
The Stockton Asparagus Festival – World Deep-Fried Asparagus Eating Championship: 6.25 Pounds in 10 Minutes (WR), and Over 1 Pound in Overtime (April 22, 2006)[105]
The Western Days Festival – World Tamale Eating Championship: 93 (2oz) Tamales in 10 Minutes (September 26, 2020)[299]
The World Famous St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail Eating Challenge: Chestnut teamed up with Miki Sudo to consume 100 Bowls of Shrimp Cocktail in 20 Minutes (December 19, 2020)[300]
2021
The West Virginia Three Rivers Festival – 33 (3.25oz) Pepperoni Rolls in 10 Minutes (May 29, 2021)[301]
Kolaches: 56 sausage and cheese kolaches in eight minutes (Houston, Texas, on September 14, 2007) at the Kolache Factory World Kolache Eating Championship
Twinkies: 121 Twinkies in six minutes (Bally's Casino Tunica in Tunica Resorts, Mississippi, on October 26, 2013) at The World Twinkie Eating Championship At Bally's Casino – Tunica
2014
Deep-fried asparagus: 12.8lb (5.8kg) of deep-fried asparagus in 10 minutes (Stockton, California, April 26, 2014) at Stockton Asparagus Festival
Pulled porksliders: 62 sliders in 10 minutes (Atmore, Alabama, on March 28, 2014) at the Pork Slider Eating Contest at Wind Creek's Throw Down
Turkey (whole): 9.35lb (4.24kg) of whole turkey in 10 minutes (Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut, on November 22, 2014) at the Foxwoods World Turkey-Eating Championship
2015
Gumbo: 15 bowls (1.875 gallons) in eight minutes (Larose, Louisiana, on November 7, 2015) at the World Record Gumbo Eating Championship
White Hut cheeseburgers: 52 Cheeseburgers in 10 minutes (West Springfield, Massachusetts, on September 23, 2017) at The White Hut World Cheeseburg Eating Championship At The Big E
2018
Hostess Donettes: 257 Hostess Donettes in 6 minutes (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 1, 2018) at The World Hostess Donettes Eating Championship
Ice cream sandwiches: 25.5 sandwiches in six minutes (Petco Park in San Diego, California, on June 3, 2018) at The Baked Bear World Ice-Cream Sandwich Eating Championship
San Pedro Fish Market shrimp: 7lb (3.2kg) of shrimp in eight minutes (San Pedro, California, on May 28, 2018) at The San Pedro Fish Market World Famous Shrimp Eating Championship presented by The Kings of Fi$h on the USS Iowa
Shrimp cocktail: 18lb 9.6oz (8.44kg) of St. Elmo shrimp cocktail in eight minutes (Indianapolis, Indiana, on December 1, 2018) at The World Famous St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail Eating Championship
Pepperoni rolls: 43 pepperoni rolls in 10 minutes (Fairmont, West Virginia, on May 25, 2019) at The West Virginia Three Rivers Festival Pepperoni Roll Eating World Championship
Pizza (2-foot slices): 6.5 slices in 10 minutes (Metairie, Louisiana, on August 25, 2019) at The 2019 Fat Boy's Pizza Eating Championship
Pork roll sandwiches (4oz[110g]): 61.5 sandwiches in 10 minutes (Trenton, New Jersey, on September 21, 2019) at River Fest Featuring the Trenton Thunder World Famous Case's Pork Roll Eating Championship
Poutine: 28lb (13kg) of poutine in 10 minutes (Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on October 19, 2019) at the 10th Annual Smoke's Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship
Big Macs: 32 Big Macs in 38 minutes 15 seconds on March 5, 2020[323]
Ramen noodles (short form) – 10 cups in 1 minute and 50 seconds (On April 22, 2020) at the Major League Eating Quarantine Challenge Finals
Red Beans and Rice: 39.5 bowls (24 lbs and 11 ounces or ~36,268 calories) in eight minutes in the city of New Orleans for the Blue Runner Red Beans and Rice Major League Eating Contest
1 2 3 Dickie, George (July 4, 2022). "Chestnut Goes for 14th Title in Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest". The Miami Herald. p.9T. FULL NAME: Joseph Christian Chestnut; BIRTH DATE: Nov. 25, 1983; BIRTHPLACE: Fulton Co., Ken.
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