Chestnut, Stonie to meet in 2017 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest

Stonie (left) and Chestnut faced off in 2016 at the
Niko Niko's  World Gyro Eating Chontest in Houston.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography,
Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK (July 2, 2017) At precisely 12 noon EDT, a Fourth of July tradition that goes back over 100 years will occur at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Brooklyn, New York. Hot dog, and competitive eating fans) will gather at the historic landmark for the annual Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. The competition will pit two of the greatest eaters in history, Joey "Jaws" Chestnut and Matt "Megatoad" Stonie, against each other in their quest for the coveted Mustard Belt.

Chestnut has won 10 of the past 11 contests, establishing a new world record of 70 hot dogs consumed in 2016. Stonie took the title in 2015, consuming 62 hot dogs in the 10 minute conetst. In the female division, three-time champion Miko Sudo will look to retain the pink Pepto Belt. Other contestants include Badlands Booker, winner of the Charlotte, North Carolina qualifier with 24 dogs, Erik "The Red" Denmark (St Louis, MO qualifier, 28 dogs), and Geoffrey Esper (Boston, MA qualifier, 51 dogs). Fans can view the contest on ESPN and WatchESPN at 12 noon EDT on July 4.

Rematch of 2014 scheduled at World Gyro Eating Championship in Houston

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vocs Photography
Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May, 13, 2015) On Sunday, May 17, 2015 , Niko Niko's Greek & American Cafe will be hosting the World Gyro Eating Championship during Houston's Greek Festival which is held on the grounds of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Houston. The event is sponsored and sanctioned by Major League eating and will feature two of the world's leading eaters battling for gyro eating supremacy

In 2014, Matt Stonie (San Jose, California), who was the No. 2 ranked eater in the world, down No. 1 Joey Chestnut (San Jose, California) by eating 24 8-oz gyros in 10 minutes. The performance was a new world record, breaking Chestnut’s record of 22.5 gyros established in 2013.

The victory was the first for Stonie, who finished in second place in 2013 and 2014, and third place in 2011. Chestnut had previously won the title in 2010, 2011, and 2013. In 2013, Chestnut consumed 21 gyros for second place in 2014, while eating 21 in 2010, where he tied the record established by Pat Bertoletti in 2008.

“This event at Greek Fest highlights our summer. Matt definitely shocked everyone last year by not only beating Joey, but shattering his record,” stated Dimitri Fetokakis in the pre-event press release from Major League Eating. Fetokakis is the owner of Niko Niko’s Greek & American Café and further stated, “Our gyro sandwiches are no joke. We can’t wait to see what these two and all the competitors have in store this year.”

Other competitors eating for the Niko Niko’s Belt include No. 4 Miki Sudo (Las Vegas, Nevada) and No. 16 Steve Henley of Dixon California. Sudo placed fourth in 2014. Consuming 11.5 gyros in the 10 minute limit.

Major League Eating President Richard Shea was quoted in a prepared press release; “Joey’s loss last year to Stonie shook him to the core, and caused him to rethink his entire approach to gyro eating. He returns to Houston this year with his reputation on the line and a deep need to dominate Stonie.”

The event will kick off at 2 p.m. with tickets costing $3.00 each.

Stonie upsets Chestnut at 2014 World Gyro Eating Championship; Sets World Record

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By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 18, 2014) Jumping out to an early lead and holding on until the end, Matthew Stonie consumed 24 gyros to defeat No. 1 ranked Joey Chestnut and take home the title belt at the Niko Niko’s World Gyro Eating Championship at the Houston Greek Festival held at St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church on Sunday, May 18, 2014.

Stonie, the number two ranked eater in the world, was second to Chestnut in 2013, consuming 20 gyros for his second place finish.

Chestnut, which goes by the nickname of “Jaws,” came into this year’s championship as the world record holder, consuming 22.25 gyros in 2013.

It was a close match from the start, with Stonie establishing his lead from the first gyro and keeping a one to two gyro lead over Chestnut throughout the 10 minute contest.

Jaws ate 21 gyros for his second place finish, slightly behind his 2013 performance.

However, when it was all said, eaten and done; the day, the match, and the world champion performance belonged to Stonie.

“Megatoad” as he is known in eating circles, was looking to improve on is 2013 finish and have a good performance in Houston and when questioned about how he felt about the win, he responded:

“It felt amazing. I’ve done this contest, I think it’s my fourth year now and all I’ve been is second or third so it felt great.”

When asked about if he had set a goal to eat a set number of gyros or to beat Chestnut, he replied:

“I was always trying to beat Joey. A world record is nice but it’s always about first place. So I felt good this morning and it turned out good.”

Placing third in the contest was Adrian Morgan with 12.5 gyros, followed by Miki Sudo with 11.5, Juan Rodriguez with 9.5 and Steve Hendry with eight.

With the win, Stonie pocketed $2,500 and Chestnut took home $1,200.

The event was hosted by Niko Niko’s Greek and American Café in Houston who invited 12 of the top eaters to compete for the title belt.

Megatoad will next compete in the Pepperoni Roll Eating World Championships at the West Virginia Three Rivers Festival.

Following that, Stonie and Chestnut will face some of the top eaters in the world at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Championship on July 4 in New York City.

Bertoletti Edges Chestnut for World Gyro Title

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 24, 2008) Competitive eaters recently converged on Houston, Texas for the Niko Niko’s World Gyro Eating Championships, with Pat Bertoletti edging out Joey Chestnut to take the world title.

The contest was neck and neck, or should I say gyro for gyro, for most of the ten-minute contest. Bertoletti, from Chicago, Illinois, took the title by a single gyro (12-11) over Chestnut. Bertoletti took home the world gyro belt, along with $2000 in prize money while Chestnut received the $1000 second place prize. Chestnut hails from San Jose, California.

Humble Bob Shoudt (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) finished in third place (9.5 gyros-$700) with Nate Beller finishing in fourth place (6 gyros-$300).

The contest is in its fourth year; however this year it is an official tour stop on the Major League Eating Circuit and is associated with the International Federation of Competitive Eating.

The contest was held under the “no dunking” rule which does not allow dipping of the gyrosin water prior to eating. This rule is due to the high spiciness content of the gyros. Drinking of water was allowed once the gyro had been consumed. The contest allowed one addition minute after the ten-minute eating limit to allow each contestant to chew and swallow what is in their mouth. There were no disqualifications in the contest.

Each gyro was 12 ounces and was provide by the contest sponsor Niko Niko’s Greek American Restaurant in Houston.

Over 1000 people witnessed the event that was held in conjunction with the 13th Annual Festival of Greece at Saint Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church.

People who attended the contest were amazed by the event. “I came out to support the church and see the eating event. I am amazed at the organization. The MC did a good job of announcing the contest," stated Kosta Papasideris of Houston who came out to celebrate the culture of Greece.

Another spectator was happy to see the eaters he watches every year on ESPN’s coverage of Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Championships in New York on the Fourth of July. “I see Joey Chestnut and Pat Bertoletti eating on TV all the time. It was cool to see them in person,” said Bill Watson of Katy. “I do not know how they eat so much and stay so skinny.”

TexSport Publications will publish photos and video from the championships soon.