Joey Chestnut, Takeru Kobayashi to compete in Netflix competition
CTV
Netflix announced a new hot dog-eating competition that will feature Joey Chestnut and his 'fiercest rival,' Takeru Kobayashi.
After organizers for Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog-eating contest said Joey Chestnut wouldn't compete this year because of a deal with a rival brand, Netflix swiftly announced a new hot dog-eating competition that will feature Chestnut and his "fiercest rival."
Chestnut, a 16-time hot dog-eating champion, will face off with his frequent Nathan's competitor, Takeru Kobayashi, in a live Netflix special on Sept. 2, the streamer announced Wednesday.
The contest, titled "Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef," will feature the two chowing down on all-beef hot dogs, likely in a nod to reports that Chestnut's rival brand deal is with Impossible Foods, which makes plant-based hot dogs.
Major League Eating, the organization that oversees the Nathan's contest, announced Tuesday that Chestnut's deal was an "exclusivity" issue, saying that it was his decision to step back from the competition he has participated in since 2005. "We love him. The fans love him," said George Shea, a Major League Eating event organizer, adding: "He made the choice."
Chestnut disputed that he made the choice, saying on the social platform X that Nathan's and Major League Eating made the decision, adding that it would "deprive fans of the holiday's usual joy and entertainment."
He also wrote that fans could "rest assured" that they would see him east again soon, adding: "STAY HUNGRY!"
Impossible Foods has not confirmed a formal relationship with Chestnut, but he said in a statement on Tuesday they support his choice to compete in any competition, adding "Meat eaters shouldn't have to be exclusive to just one wiener."
