World record holder Joey Chestnut will not be competing in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest this year, but fans can look forward to watching him face off against his rival Takeru Kobayashi on Netflix on Labor Day. The two professional competitive eaters will be featured in a Netflix special titled “CHESTNUT VS. KOBAYASHI: UNFINISHED BEEF,” which promises to determine the ultimate hot dog eating champion. This announcement by Netflix comes just a day after Chestnut was banned from the Nathan’s contest for signing a deal with plant-based food company Impossible Foods.
Joey Chestnut has a remarkable track record in competitive eating, having won the “Mustard Yellow Belt” 16 times and setting a world record by eating 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes in 2021. He is reported to have earned hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars through his competitive eating career, with hot dogs being one of his specialties. His rival, Takeru Kobayashi, is also a legendary figure in the competitive eating world, having popularized the sport in 2001 by almost doubling the previous record for most hot dogs eaten in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Championship.
The upcoming Netflix special featuring Chestnut and Kobayashi will be a highly anticipated event for fans of competitive eating, as the two competitors have a long history of rivalry and close contests. In a press release, Kobayashi expressed his determination to defeat Chestnut “one last time” before retiring, indicating that the upcoming faceoff is of great significance to both men. The last time Chestnut and Kobayashi competed against each other was in 2009, with Chestnut emerging as the winner in a close battle.
Both Chestnut and Kobayashi have faced challenges in their competitive eating careers, with Kobayashi being banned from the Nathan’s competition in 2010 due to a contract dispute. Similarly, Chestnut’s recent ban from the event due to his association with a rival brand selling plant-based hot dogs has caused disappointment among fans. The Major League Eating organization, which oversees the Nathan’s event, expressed their disappointment in Chestnut’s decision in a statement released on Tuesday.
The upcoming Netflix special promises to be a thrilling and intense showdown between two of the greatest competitive eaters of all time. Fans can expect to witness a battle for supremacy in the world of hot dog eating, as Chestnut and Kobayashi compete for the title of ultimate champion. The rivalry between the two men adds an extra layer of excitement to the event, as they aim to settle unfinished business and determine who truly deserves the crown. Stay tuned for “CHESTNUT VS. KOBAYASHI: UNFINISHED BEEF” on Netflix this Labor Day.
