Chestnut and Kobayashi Reunite for Epic Eating Showdown on Netflix This Labor Day

The absence of competitive eating titans Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi from this year's Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest left a palpable void in the Fourth of July festivities, a day traditionally marked by excitement and excess. While the iconic Coney Island contest serves as a hallmark of American holiday celebrations, this year, it was notably overshadowed by the absence of the two most formidable contestants in the game. Joey Chestnut, the reigning champion and a household name in competitive eating, has been a staple of the Nathan’s contest since 2007, securing his title nearly every year since then. However, this year, he chose to sign a contract with Impossible Foods, a brand that positions itself as a competitor to Nathan's Famous, thus opting out of the annual event. On the other hand, Takeru Kobayashi, the first star of competitive eating and a past champion from 2001 to 2006, has not graced the Nathan’s stage since 2009 due to a longstanding feud with Major League Eating over contract disputes. The dramatic backdrop of their rivalry has paved the way for a special Netflix event titled "Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef," which will stream on Labor Day, September 2, at 3 p.m. ET. This event promises to be a spectacle for fans of competitive eating and curious onlookers alike, as it emphasizes the playful nature of the sport while pitting the two giants against each other for the first time in years. This unique contest will run for 10 minutes, mirroring the length of the traditional Nathan's competition, but with notable rule changes. There will be no dunking of hot dogs in water—a tactic often employed in Coney Island—and the hot dogs and buns cannot be separated, making for a slightly different challenge than what fans are accustomed to. The format is straightforward: the competitor who consumes the most hot dogs and buns in the allotted time will be declared the winner. Betting odds for this unconventional showdown suggest that Chestnut is the favorite, with odds hovering around -1000, while Kobayashi is listed at +550. The history between the two lends itself to the perception that Chestnut holds the upper hand; he dominated their encounters during the late 2000s before Kobayashi stepped back from the event. In fact, Chestnut nearly shattered records during his tenure, with a staggering 76 hot dogs and buns consumed in 2021, though his numbers have dipped slightly in subsequent years, with 63 in 2022 and 62 in 2023. Kobayashi's track record indicates he is more than capable of pulling off an upset, as he has surpassed the over/under set at 49.5 hot dogs on three occasions in his competitive career. While questions loom over whether the 46-year-old is past his prime, the competitive nature of eating contests means that surprises are always possible. For those who enjoy the quirky, kitschy nature of the Nathan's event, this Netflix rivalry may offer an entertaining alternative. It's a reminder that even in the unusual world of competitive eating, there are stories worth following—whether for the culinary feats or the drama that unfolds. As the event draws closer, fans are left to ponder not only the outcome but the entertaining spectacle that these two icons of the sport will surely deliver.