(Podcast length 5:23 - transcript is below)
Nothing says “Happy Birthday America” like sitting on your couch watching people down 74 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
Transcript
1. In a tradition unlike any other, our nation will celebrate its birthday with the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. Like our country, the contest’s roots run deep. According to Nathan’s, legend has it that on July 4, 1916, four immigrants gathered at the very first Nathan’s Famous hot dog stand on Coney Island and made eating contest history. As the story goes, they were competing to see who was the most patriotic. The winner was determined with a hot dog eating contest. BUT OF COURSE
2. Due to COVID rules, only five competitors will compete this year and they will compete indoors. Usually the contest has 15 dog-downing competitors and the competition takes place amidst stifling humidity and a massive crowd right in front of the first Nathan’s Hot Dog Stand in Coney Island. The indoor environment might prove to be just what 12-time champion Joey Chestnut needs to beat his record of 74 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. BTW in case you’re wondering those 74 hot dogs equal 22,200 calories and 1,332 grams of fat. IRON STOMACH
3. Don’t worry this sport isn’t only for the boys. On the women’s side, Miki Sudo has won for six straight years. For comparison sake, in 2019 she ate 31 hot dogs as compared to Chestnut’s 71. In case you’re wondering she also holds the records for 8.5 pounds of Kimchi in six minutes and 14 pounds of wild rice hotdish in 8 minutes. For the record, Chestnut holds the record for the most hard boiled eggs eaten in 10 minutes at 151. THIS COULD BE A TALENT YOU NEVER KNEW YOU HAD
4. Let’s talk about what everyone is thinking about – vomiting. An eater who has "a Roman incident" or “reversal of fortune,” as it is so delightfully called, will be disqualified if the result of that incident touches the plate or table. After the contest is over, eaters can dispose of the food however they’d like, although some contests have a post-binge wait period. And in case you’re wondering, contestants can eat the bun and dog separately and dunk the bun in water to help it go down better. “Chipmunking” is also allowed. That’s when contestants stuff their mouths full of food as time runs out. They have 30 seconds to swallow the food to have it count. MAKE SURE NOT TO SIT IN THE SPLASH ZONE
5. This isn't college, the competitors don't show up just for the food. The winner takes home $10,000. And this year’s event will honor and raise money for those essential workers who take care of us when we’re down and out. If that’s not enough, Nathan’s will also donate 100,000 hot dogs to the Food Bank of New York. EATING FOR GOOD
You can catch the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at noon EST on July 4 on ESPN.
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