Joey Chestnut excluded from Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest for 2024 over vegan controversy
- Joey Chestnut, the renowned competitive eater, will not compete in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest this year.
- The exclusion stems from a dispute related to Chestnut's connection to a vegan hot dog company.
- Despite winning multiple titles, Chestnut's involvement with a plant-based brand led to his ban from the event.
Sixteen-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest champion Joey Chestnut will not participate in the July 4 competition this year, as he has chosen to be represented by a rival brand that sells vegan hot dogs. Major League Eating expressed disappointment over Chestnut's decision to partner with Impossible Foods, a plant-based hot dog brand, instead of competing in the traditional Nathan's hot dog contest. Chestnut, known for his dominance in the annual contest, has set multiple records over the years, including consuming a record 76 hot dogs in 2021. Despite efforts to accommodate Chestnut, including allowing him to compete in a rival unbranded hot dog eating contest on Labor Day, Major League Eating and Nathan's were unable to reach an agreement with the champion. Chestnut's absence from this year's competition opens up the field for other contenders, with Takeru Kobayashi also retiring from competitive eating. While Chestnut's decision to represent a rival brand has caused disappointment among fans and organizers, he remains a celebrated figure in the world of competitive eating, with numerous records to his name across various food challenges.