Career Timeline of Joey Chestnut: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Joey Chestnut, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Joey Chestnut, an American competitive eater, holds the top rank globally in Major League Eating as of 2024. Renowned for his exceptional eating prowess, he has dominated the competitive eating scene for years, setting numerous world records in various food categories. Chestnut's achievements have earned him widespread recognition and cemented his status as a prominent figure in the world of competitive eating.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

October 22, 2005: Grilled Cheese Record

On October 22, 2005, Joey Chestnut set a new world record by eating 32.5 grilled cheese sandwiches in ten minutes at the Arizona State Fair.

2005: Competitive Eating Debut

In 2005, Joey Chestnut entered the competitive eating scene, winning the deep-fried asparagus eating championship and placing third in Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.

July 4, 2007: Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Win

On July 4, 2007, Joey Chestnut won the 92nd Annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, defeating Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi by eating a world record 66 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes.

October 28, 2007: Krystal Burger Record

On October 28, 2007, Joey Chestnut ate 103 Krystal burgers in eight minutes at the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship, setting a new world record and his personal best.

2007: Wing Bowl XV Win

In 2007, Joey Chestnut won the Wing Bowl XV in Philadelphia, eating 182 chicken wings in 30 minutes and becoming a champion and record holder.

March 2, 2008: Matzo Ball Championship

On March 2, 2008, Joey Chestnut ate 78 matzo balls at Kenny & Ziggy's World Matzoh Ball Eating Championship in Houston, Texas.

March 24, 2008: Big Texan Steak Ranch Record

On March 24, 2008, Joey Chestnut set a new male record at The Big Texan Steak Ranch by eating a 4.5 lb ribeye meal in eight minutes and 52 seconds.

July 4, 2008: Nathan's Hot Dog Contest Win

On July 4, 2008, Joey Chestnut tied and then defeated Takeru Kobayashi in the Nathan's Hot Dog Contest after eating 59 HDB in ten minutes.

August 23, 2008: Gyoza Eating Championship Win

On August 23, 2008, Joey Chestnut defeated Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti in the second Gyoza Eating Championship, devouring 231 gyoza and setting a new world record.

October 12, 2008: Pizza Eating Championship

On October 12, 2008, Joey Chestnut won the "Famous Famiglia World Pizza Eating Championship", consuming 45 slices of pizza in Times Square, New York.

2008: Wing Bowl XVI Record

In 2008, Joey Chestnut ate 241 wings in 30 minutes at the Wing Bowl XVI in Philadelphia, setting a new world record.

February 21, 2009: Macaroni and Cheese Record

On February 21, 2009, Joey Chestnut consumed 10.5 lb of macaroni and cheese in seven minutes at the San Jose Stealth lacrosse game, setting a new world record.

July 4, 2009: Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Win

On July 4, 2009, Joey Chestnut consumed 68 HDB in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, topping his previous record.

May 8, 2010: Shrimp Wonton Win

On May 8, 2010, Joey Chestnut won the Shrimp Wontons eating competition in Singapore, eating 380 wontons in eight minutes to set a new world record.

July 4, 2010: Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest Win

On July 4, 2010, Joey Chestnut secured his fourth straight Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest, consuming 54 HDB.

September 25, 2010: Upper Crust Pizza Eating competition Win

On September 25, 2010, at the Phantom Gourmet Food Fest in Boston, Massachusetts, Joey Chestnut won the Upper Crust Pizza Eating competition eating 37 slices.

July 4, 2011: Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest Win

On July 4, 2011, Joey Chestnut secured his fifth straight Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest, consuming 62 HDB.

2011: Wing Bowl XX

In 2011, Takeru Kobayashi broke Joey Chestnut's 2008 Wing Record with 337 wings at Wing Bowl XX.

March 17, 2012: Corned Beef Sandwich Record

On March 17, 2012, Joey Chestnut set a new world record by eating 20 half-pound corned beef sandwiches in ten minutes at the annual Toojay's Corned Beef Eating Competition.

July 4, 2012: Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Win

On July 4, 2012, Joey Chestnut won Nathan's 97th Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island, tying his own world record by swallowing 68 HDB in ten minutes.

September 2, 2012: National Buffalo Wing Festival Win

On September 2, 2012, Joey Chestnut consumed 191 wings in 12 minutes to win the National Buffalo Wing Festival in Buffalo, New York, defeating Sonya Thomas.

October 13, 2012: Poutine Eating Championship Win

On October 13, 2012, Joey Chestnut won the Third Annual Smoke's Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championships in Toronto, Ontario, consuming 19 boxes of poutine in ten minutes.

2012: Sixth Consecutive Hot Dog Eating Contest Win

In 2012, After winning his sixth consecutive hot dog eating contest by eating 68 hot dogs, Joey Chestnut stated he would not stop until he reached 70, further explaining his dedication to competitive eating.

July 4, 2013: Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Win

On July 4, 2013, Joey Chestnut won Nathan's 98th Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest, setting a new world record by consuming 69 HDB in ten minutes.

July 25, 2013: Hooters World Wing-Eating Championship

On July 25, 2013, Joey Chestnut ate 179 wings in ten minutes taking the title for the second year in a row at the Hooters World Wing-Eating Championship held in Clearwater, Florida.

September 22, 2013: Bratwurst Eating World Championship

On September 22, 2013, Joey Chestnut ate 70 bratwursts to set the world record and take his fourth straight title, at the Hillshire Farm Bratwurst Eating World Championship held at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio.

2013: Nathan's Record

In 2013, Joey Chestnut set a Nathan's record of 69 HDB.

July 4, 2014: Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Win and Proposal

On July 4, 2014, Joey Chestnut won his eighth consecutive Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, eating 61 hot dogs and buns, and also proposed to his girlfriend, Neslie Ricasa.

July 4, 2016: Regained Championship

On July 4, 2016, Joey Chestnut regained the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest championship belt from Matt Stonie by eating 70 hot dogs.

September 4, 2016: Chicken Wing Eating Championship

On September 4, 2016, Joey Chestnut won his third consecutive title at the United States Chicken Wing Eating Championships in Buffalo, New York, by eating 188 wings in 12 minutes.

July 4, 2017: Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Win

On July 4, 2017, Joey Chestnut defended his Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest title, consuming 72 hot dogs and buns, setting a new record and winning his 10th title.

July 4, 2019: Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Win

On July 4, 2019, Joey Chestnut won his 12th title at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, eating 71 hot dogs and buns.

October 19, 2019: World Poutine Eating Championship

On October 19, 2019, Joey Chestnut won the 2019 World Poutine Eating Championship in Toronto, Canada, after eating 28 pounds of poutine in 10 minutes and set a new world record.

July 4, 2020: Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Win

On July 4, 2020, Joey Chestnut won his 13th title at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, eating a record-breaking 75 hot dogs and buns in ten minutes.

July 4, 2021: 14th Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Title

On July 4, 2021, Joey Chestnut secured his 14th title at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, setting a new record by consuming 76 hot dogs and buns in just 10 minutes.

October 10, 2021: The 2021 Destination Outlets World Pumpkin Pie Eating Championship

On October 10, 2021, Joey Chestnut won The 2021 Destination Outlets World Pumpkin Pie Eating Championship in Jeffersonville, Ohio, consuming 16 lbs 12 oz of pumpkin pie in 8 minutes.

2021: Hot Dog Record

In 2021, Joey Chestnut set the current record in hot dog eating, with 76 HDB.

July 4, 2022: 15th Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Title

On July 4, 2022, Joey Chestnut won his 15th Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest title by eating 63 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. The contest was interrupted by a protestor, whom Chestnut placed in a chokehold.

April 6, 2023: Qdoba World Burrito Eating Championship

On April 6, 2023, Joey Chestnut won the first-ever Qdoba World Burrito Eating Championship in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, consuming 14.5 burritos in 10 minutes.

July 4, 2023: 16th Nathan's Title

On July 4, 2023, Joey Chestnut captured his 16th Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest title by eating 62 HDB.

June 11, 2024: Banned from Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest and Wins Alternative Competition

On June 11, 2024, Joey Chestnut was banned from the 2024 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating contest due to a sponsorship conflict. He then participated in a 4-versus-1 eating competition at Fort Bliss, eating 57 hot dogs in five minutes and winning the contest.

September 2024: Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef

In September 2024, Joey Chestnut competed against Takeru Kobayashi in a live-streamed Netflix event titled Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef, winning by eating 83 hot dogs and buns to Kobayashi's 66.