Competitive diners return to Coney Island in Brooklyn for Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. The Independence Day contest returns to its original location on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues after being relocated due to the pandemic.
Joey Chestnut, 38, is looking to win his 15th title in the competition and break the record he set last year of 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.
Michelle Lesco, 38, won the women’s competition in 2021 after eating 30.75 hot dogs and buns, also in 10 minutes. He will defend his title against Miki Sudo, the world’s number 1 diner, who sat down last year because she had a baby. Mrs. Sudo, 36, has a personal best of 48.5.
Thousands of people are expected to flock to Nathan’s original location to watch the competition, which will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and ESPNEWS from 10:45 a.m. Eastern Time. The women’s competition starts at 11 a.m., while the men’s starts at 12:30 p.m.
The annual hot dog food contest has been held every year since 1916.
In 2020, the American show was held in a secret location and only open to the media to help curb the spread of Covid-19. Last year, spectators were welcomed again, but the event was purchased and held at Maimonides Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones, to also limit the number of attendees.
What is the maximum number of hot dogs a human can consume in 10 minutes? That’s 83, according to a study published in 2020 that was based on 39-year-old data from the contest.