Joey Chestnut, one of the best-known personalities in the realm of glutinous eating competitions, was barred from competing in the annual Nathan’s Fourth of July hot dog eating contest on Coney Island because he’s sponsored by a vegan sausage company, CNN reports.
Major League Eating–yes, that the governing body of these gorge-fests–passive-aggressively said in announcing Chestnut’s ban, “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.”
A 16-time winner of the “Mustard Yellow Belt” and currently the top competitor in MLE’s rankings, Chestnut represents plant-based meat product Impossible Brands. MLE noted Chestnut has competed in other hot-dog-based competitions that did not have a sausage-producing sponsor. Nathan’s, however, apparently did not want the Impossible brand represented on stage.