Patrick Bertoletti, Geoffrey Esper and other contestants compete in the Nathan's Famous 2024 Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island in New York City, U.S., on July 4, 2024.
Jeenah Moon | Reuters
There is a new leader in the world of sausage food.
Patrick Bertoletti has won the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, the annual competition held on July 4, marking the end of an era after 16-time winner Joey Chestnut fell out with the event's organizer, Major League Eating.
Bertoletti, 39, of Illinois, consumed 58 sausages in this year's 10-minute event, earning him the mustard yellow belt in the men's category. Miki Sudo set a new record in the women's division with 51 sausages devoured. After the Chestnut-MLE showdown, the competition was considered much more open than in recent years.
Last month, MLE announced it was parting ways with Chestnut, citing a rule stating that contestants cannot strike sponsorship deals with rivals of hot dog maker Nathan's. MLE alleged at the time that Chestnut had partnered with a plant-based meat alternatives company. Chestnut, also known as “Jaws,” has recently begun posting images on Instagram featuring Impossible Foods.
“For nearly two decades we have operated under the same basic terms of hot dog exclusivity,” MLE said in a statement in June. “However, it appears that Joey and his representatives have prioritized a new partnership with a different hot dog brand over our long-term relationship.”
Miki Sudo reacts after winning the women's division of the 2024 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island in New York City, U.S., July 4, 2024.
Jeenah Moon | Reuters
Chestnut responded in a statement at the time that he was “heartbroken to learn from the media” of his banishment after 19 years. The 40-year-old claimed he was not under contract with MLE or Nathan’s, and said the sponsorship ban was a change from the organization’s rules around partnerships in previous years.
“I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans across this great country on the Fourth of July and I've been training to defend my title,” she said last month.
Although the relationship appears to be on the rocks for now, MLE called Chestnut an “American hero” and said it would “love” to have him return when he's not representing a Nathan's competitor. Chestnut holds food records in 55 categories, including eggs, chicken wings and apple pies, MLE told NBC News.
Nathan's website also continues to praise Chestnut. In a section announcing his 2023 win, the New York-based company wrote that “we have no doubt who the king is.”
People wear hot dog costumes as they attend the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July 2024 International Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island in New York City, U.S., July 4, 2024.
By Kent J. Edwards | Reuters
During ESPN's broadcast of the 2024 contest, the network made several mentions of Chestnut and what the competition looks like without him. In one reference, Chestnut was referred to as the “Warren Buffett of the buffet.”
Chestnut fans will still be able to see him in action this holiday season.
According to a recent Instagram post, he's livestreaming a hot dog eating contest from Fort Bliss military base in Texas to raise money for a charity. The show starts at 5 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday.
“The 4th of July wouldn't be the same if I didn't celebrate by eating a bunch of all-beef hot dogs,” she wrote.
