The hot dog eating world has a new champion, and his name is Patrick Bertoletti. This year’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest saw a change in the tide after Joey Chestnut’s departure from the event. The 16-time winner had a falling out with Major League Eating, the organizers of the competition, leading to a more wide open field for competitors like Bertoletti to rise to the occasion. Bertoletti, a 39-year-old from Illinois, devoured an impressive 58 hot dogs in the 10-minute event, claiming the coveted Mustard Yellow Belt in the men’s category. On the women’s side, Miki Sudo set a new record by consuming 51 wieners.
The beef between Joey Chestnut and Major League Eating stemmed from a rule that prohibited participants from striking endorsement deals with competitors of Nathan’s, the hot dog maker. MLE announced their split with Chestnut last month, alleging that he had partnered with a plant-based meat alternative company, which violated their exclusivity provisions. Chestnut, also known as “Jaws,” expressed his disappointment in a statement, claiming he did not have a contract with MLE or Nathan’s. The 40-year-old defended his actions, stating that the endorsement ban was a departure from past rules and expressed his love for the event and his fans.
Despite the strained relationship between Chestnut and MLE, the organization still acknowledges his accomplishments and contributions to the sport of competitive eating. Chestnut, who holds eating records in 55 categories, is hailed as an “American hero” by the MLE, and they have expressed their desire for him to return in the future, as long as he is not representing a Nathan’s competitor. While the future of Chestnut’s involvement in the hot dog eating world remains uncertain, his fans can still catch him in action during a livestreamed event for charity at the Fort Bliss army base in Texas.
ESPN’s broadcast of the 2024 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest made several references to Joey Chestnut and the impact of his absence from the competition. The channel likened Chestnut to the “Warren Buffett of the buffet,” highlighting his dominance in the sport. Despite the controversy surrounding his departure, Chestnut’s legacy as a competitive eater and his cultural significance during events like the 4th of July Nathan’s contest remain undeniable.
The 2024 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest marked a new era for the sport with Patrick Bertoletti emerging as the new champion. While the absence of Joey Chestnut created controversy and conflict, it also paved the way for new competitors to showcase their skills and talents on the grand stage. As the hot dog eating world continues to evolve, the legacy of champions like Chestnut and the rise of newcomers like Bertoletti add excitement and intrigue to the competitive eating scene.