Food Competition Serves as National Qualifier April 28

It only seems appropriate that if Vegas was part of a competitive eating contest, it would take place on the Brooklyn Bridge at New York-New York. For the 15th straight year, competitors will vie for the title of Nevada Hot Dog Eating Champion on April 28 with a shot at competing in the 97th Annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y.

This year, the competition starts with an employee contest at 1 p.m., a heroes contest for charity pitting folks from Nellis Air Force Base and Clark County Fire at 2:30 p.m and the main event at 3 p.m. The male and female winners will go on to rep Vegas in New York.

The Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest has taken place every July 4th in Coney Island since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. Joey Chestnut of San Jose, Calif., holds the world record for eating 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, and he will seek his sixth straight title this year. Sonya Thomas of Alexandria, Va., will defend her title as well. She consumed 40 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes last year.

Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event. 

The competition is free and open to the public. [EaterWire]
New York-New York [Photo: MGM Resorts]