Joey Chestnut can. Oh, and don’t forget the 76 buns — because he ate those, too. Today was the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Championship, held every 4th of July. When I wrote BIG MOUTH, a middle grade novel about a boy who aspires to be the world’s greatest competitive eater, the Nathan’s Famous contest record was 53-1/2 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes, by Takeru Kobayashi. Joey Chestnut’s accomplishment today trounces his own record, and makes him the astounding 14-time winner of the contest. Is there a limit??? I guess we’ll find out next year. Trust me, I’ll be watching.
