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'Squash this beef': NYC mayor grills hot dog contest to link up with champion Chestnut again
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Jun 12, 2024
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By
Giulia Heyward
Published Jun 12, 2024
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Mayor Eric Adams took a brief break from his day job on Wednesday to weigh in on the latest hot dog drama in New York City.
Adams posted on social media that it would be “impossible” for Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition to go on without the inclusion of world-famous competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut. The message comes one day after Major League Eating officials confirmed that Chestnut would not be participating in the famed Fourth of July competition on Coney Island.
“Let's find a way to squash this beef and bring back the champ for another 4th of July at Coney Island!” Adams posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
Chestnut is a repeat winner of the annual hot dog competition — taking home the yellow mustard belt 16 out of the 17 times he’s competed. He gobbled 62 franks during his most recent win last year — which still pales in comparison to his record of 76.
In his social media post, the plant-based mayor seemed to reference that Chestnut has recently signed a deal with Impossible Foods, which was reported by the New York Post.
“Stop being such weenies!” Adams wrote. “It would be 'impossible' to have this year's Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest without Joey Chestnut.”
MLE spokesperson George Shea said his organization was “devastated” to lose the prolific competitive eater. However, Chestnut’s absence could present an opportunity for other pro eaters, New York City competitive eater Crazy Legs Conti told Gothamist in a previous interview.
In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Chestnut wrote that he learned he was banned from the eating contest via stories in the media, saying, “They are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with.”
One day after the developments broke regarding Chestnut’s competing in the famous hot dog eating contest, it was announced that the reigning champion would reportedly face off against fellow competitor, Takeru Kobayashi, in a live hot dog competition on Labor Day. The contest will air live on Netflix on Sept. 2, the streaming service announced on Wednesday.
Chestnut and the mayor’s office did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.
Tagged
food
new york city
Politics
brooklyn
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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