Joey Chestnut, competitive eating legend, announced Monday that he is returning to the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest after a one-year hiatus from the annual Fourth of July event.
Chestnut, the 16-time champion, missed last year’s event because of a dispute with Major League Eating over his sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, a company that makes plant-based hot dogs.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest,” Chestnut wrote on X. “This event means the world to me. It’s a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life.”
