Biography
Who is Joey Chestnut?
Early life and education
Joey Chestnut was born in Fulton County, Kentucky. He grew up in Vallejo, California, and currently lives in Westfield, Indiana.
He attended Vallejo High School before moving on to higher education. He earned a degree in engineering and construction management from San Jose State University.
Competitive eating career
Joey entered the professional eating scene in 2005. During his first year, he competed in a deep fried asparagus championship and placed third in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. That same year, he set a world record for eating 32.5 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes at the Arizona State Fair.
In 2007, he won the Wing Bowl XV in Philadelphia by consuming 182 chicken wings. He also won his first Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island by eating 66 hot dogs and buns. This victory ended the streak of Takeru Kobayashi.
Between 2007 and 2014, Joey Chestnut won eight consecutive Nathan's titles. He set a new contest record in 2013 by consuming 69 hot dogs and buns. Although he lost to Matt Stonie in 2015, he regained the championship in 2016 by eating 70 hot dogs and buns.
World records and achievements
Joey Chestnut holds 55 world records across 55 different disciplines. He has won the Mustard Yellow Belt 18 times. In 2021, he set a contest record by eating 76 hot dogs and buns during the Nathan's competition.
In September 2024, he participated in a Netflix event called Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef. During this match, he set a new world record by eating 83 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. He returned to the Nathan's contest in 2025 to win his 17th title and won his 18th title in 2026.
Other well-known feats include eating 231 gyoza in 2008 and consuming 380 shrimp wontons in 2010. He also set a record by eating 103 Krystal burgers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 2007.
Birthday and age
Joey Chestnut was born on November 25, 1983, which makes Joey 42 years old today. That birthday falls under the Sagittarius sign. Joey shares the date with 22 other famous people.
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