Joey Chestnut: The Relentless Reign of a Competitive Eating Legend

On July 4th, 2025, the crowd at Coney Island erupted as Joey “Jaws” Chestnut returned to the famed Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest stage. Absent in 2024 due to a sponsorship controversy, the undisputed titan of competitive eating made a thunderous comeback—consuming 70.5 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to win his 17th Nathan’s title. He outpaced his nearest rivals, Patrick Bertoletti (46.5) and James Webb (45.5), once again asserting his dominance in the sport he redefined.

“It feels good to be back,” Chestnut said after reclaiming his mustard-yellow belt. “The crowd, the adrenaline, the pressure—this is what I train for. This is home.”

The Origin of the Jaw

Joey Chestnut was born on November 25, 1983, in Kentucky and raised in California. His competitive eating journey began in 2005 when he entered—and won—a deep-fried asparagus eating contest. That victory ignited a passion that would evolve into a storied career in the Major League Eating (MLE) circuit. In his early years, he quickly gained attention by dominating regional contests and showing an uncanny ability to push physical boundaries in pursuit of victory.

In just two years, Chestnut pulled off one of the biggest upsets in MLE history. In 2007, he defeated the six-time reigning champion Takeru Kobayashi with a record-setting 66 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes, a feat many thought was impossible. The moment was so shocking, ESPN replayed it for days. Chestnut had not only beaten a legend—he had taken over the sport.

Seventeen Titles: A Dynasty Forged in Buns

Chestnut’s career at the Nathan’s contest is a staggering record of consistency and domination:

• 17 total victories (2007–2014, 2016–2023, and 2025)
• Only 3 losses in 20 appearances
• World record of 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, set in 2021
• Regular performances in the 70+ HDB range year after year

Chestnut trains methodically. He fasts before contests, hydrates excessively, and practices with water-soaked buns to simulate contest conditions. His signature technique—breaking the dog in half, dunking it in water, and swallowing with a double-chew rhythm—is as efficient as it is iconic.

“You can’t coast,” he told NY1. “There’s always someone chasing you. You’ve got to stay hungry.”

More Than Hot Dogs: The Full Menu of Records

While Nathan’s gives Chestnut his annual spotlight, his domination spans far beyond hot dogs. As of 2025, he holds 55 world records, a feat unmatched in the history of competitive eating. A few of his most jaw-dropping records include:

• 182 chicken wings in 30 minutes
• 121 Twinkies in 6 minutes
• 141 hard-boiled eggs in 8 minutes
• 103 Krystal burgers in 8 minutes
• 21 lbs of shrimp cocktail in 8 minutes
• 15.75 lbs of bologna in 8 minutes (recorded May 2025)

He has also tackled tacos, pulled pork, deep-fried asparagus, and even apple pies—each with precision, speed, and an iron stomach. “It’s not about loving food,” he’s said. “It’s about beating it.”

2024: The Year of Controversy and Comeback

In 2024, Chestnut made headlines—not for a new record, but for being banned from Nathan’s. A contract dispute between Major League Eating and Chestnut’s new sponsor, Impossible Foods, led to his exclusion. Fans were stunned. Sponsors pulled ads. It was a PR nightmare for the contest organizers.

Unfazed, Chestnut hosted a military exhibition at Fort Bliss, scarfing down 57 hot dogs in 5 minutes for service members. Later that year, he starred in Netflix’s "Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef", a head-to-head showcase between the sport’s two icons. In that contest, Chestnut reportedly consumed an unofficial world record of 83 hot dogs in 10 minutes, proving that even offstage, he remains untouchable.

The 2025 Revival

Chestnut’s return in 2025 wasn’t just about redemption. It was about reminding the world who owns the sport. And he didn’t disappoint. Leading up to July 4, he smashed multiple records:

• May 10: 15.75 lbs of bologna in 8 minutes in Knoxville, TN
• May 26: 42 servings of popcorn in 8 minutes in Terre Haute, IN
• July 4: 70.5 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes at Nathan’s

At 41 years old, Chestnut is showing no signs of slowing down. His training is sharper, his endurance unwavering, and his mindset more focused than ever. "I’ve still got gas in the tank," he told reporters. "And a lot of food to conquer."

The Greatest to Ever Eat

Few athletes in any sport can claim the kind of dominance that Chestnut holds. Consider this:

• Over 20 years at the top of a growing international competition
• 55+ world records across vastly different food types
• Consistency: Averaging 70+ HDBs at Nathan’s every year since 2016
• Cultural impact: Featured on ESPN, Netflix, and in popular media worldwide

Chestnut has been called the Michael Jordan of eating, the Tom Brady of digestion, and the Usain Bolt of buns. Whether you find the sport amusing, gross, or awe-inspiring, there’s no denying that Chestnut is the GOAT of gulp.

Final Thoughts: Still Hungry

Chestnut’s career is not just about records—it’s about redefining limits. In an age where greatness is often measured in fleeting moments, Joey Chestnut’s legacy is long, strange, and incredibly enduring. He doesn’t just show up. He consumes expectations—and 70 hot dogs—along the way.

In the words of commentator George Shea: “He is the culmination of discipline and desire. He is the greatest eater in history.”

And as of July 4, 2025, Joey Chestnut is back on top. Hungrier than ever.