Joey Chestnut to face Takeru Kobayashi in hot dog eating munch-down

One day after Joey Chestnut was banned from competing in this year’s Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4, the former San Jose resident has found another venue to show off his unique skill of devouring wieners. 

On Wednesday, Netflix announced that the 16-time Nathan’s champion will participate in a one-on-one hot dog eating battle with rival Takeru Kobayashi.

The event – promoted as “CHESTNUT VS. KOBAYASHI: UNFINISHED BEEF” – will air live on the streaming platform on Labor Day, Sept. 2.

“Through all of my years in competitive eating, Kobayashi stands out as my fiercest rival,”  Chestnut said in a statement. “Competing against him pushed me to be so much better. I know that fans have waited a long time for another chapter of our rivalry, and I can’t wait for our massive showdown live on Netflix! It’s time to give the people what they want!”

Chestnut was barred from participating in this year’s July 4 competition after he agreed to endorse the plant-based food company Impossible Foods, a decision that made national headlines. 

“We are devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to represent a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs rather than competing in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest,” the organizing body of the July 4 event, Major League Eating, said in a statement posted Tuesday on X/Twitter.

Chestnut responded on the same social-media platform, saying he does not have an obligation to Major League Eating or Nathan’s. 

“I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathan’s and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with. This is apparently the basis on which I’m being banned,” he said in a tweet.

Impossible Foods said in a statement to the Bay Area News Group on Tuesday, “We love Joey and support him in any contest he chooses. It’s OK to experiment with a new dog. Meat eaters shouldn’t have to be exclusive to just one wiener.”

It is unclear if Chestnut and Kobayashi will eat plant-based or traditional hot dogs. It also is not known whether the Labor Day showdown was already agreed upon before Chestnut was banned from the July 4 stage.

A spokesperson for Impossible Foods did not immediately respond on Wednesday to a request for clarification.

Chestnut, a San Jose State graduate, is listed at the No. 1 competitor in the Major League Eating rankings. 

Kobayashi dominated the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in the early 2000s, winning the title six straight times from 2001-2006. In his first championship win in 2001, he ate a then-record of 50 hot dogs — shattering the then-record held by fellow Japanese competitor Kazutoyo Arai, who ate 25 ⅛.

A rivalry simmering for 15 years.

CHESTNUT VS. KOBAYASHI: UNFINISHED BEEF — the ultimate hot dog eating competition — will air LIVE on Netflix, Monday, September 2. pic.twitter.com/MeVQP1lQuS

— Netflix (@netflix) June 12, 2024

Kobayashi edged Chestnut in the Japanese star’s final two Nathan’s victories, but his run as the king of the hot dog eating contest was halted in 2007 when Chestnut devoured 66 wieners and buns in 10 minutes, sparking a historic run as champion.

Chestnut won 16 of 17 Nathan’s competitions starting with his triumph in 2007 and broke his own record of most hot dogs eaten when he gobbled 76 in 2021. 

Kobayashi was never the same after losing to Chestnut, and was similarly barred from the Nathan’s competition due to a contract dispute in 2010. 

The Japanese competitor is looking to finally beat his American rival after losing to Chestnut three straight times from 2007-2009.