Joey Chestnut, a 16-time winner of the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest (2007-2014 and 2016-2023), has begun a series of eating challenges at ballparks operated by Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), which manages more than 30 Minor League Baseball teams.[1][2]

The partnership was announced on June 27, 2024, allowing Chestnut to sample signature dishes from DBH-affiliated clubs during the 2024 season.[3]

On June 26, 2024, Chestnut visited Riverfront Stadium in Wichita, Kansas, home of the Double-A Wichita Wind Surge, where he ate chili buns-a Midwestern dish combining chili and cinnamon rolls-in a timed challenge.[3][4]

Upcoming stops include pierogies at PNC Field, home of the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders in Moosic, Pennsylvania; cider donuts with the High-A Hudson Valley Renegades in Wappingers Falls, New York; cheeseburger dogs at FirstEnergy Stadium for the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils in Reading, Pennsylvania; and a large burger at Regions Field for the Double-A Birmingham Barons in Birmingham, Alabama.[1][3]

Chestnut described minor league ballparks as having "great atmospheres" that have elevated food offerings across baseball levels.[1]

In a recent interview, Chestnut said he avoids raw oysters due to health risks and once rejected a challenge involving Rocky Mountain oysters-bull testicles-from a casino citing poor preparation standards. He noted challenges with popcorn, which causes chapped lips and bloating, and Twinkies, which lead to sugar headaches, but preparation helps.[1]

The tour follows Chestnut's indefinite suspension from Major League Eating events, including the July 4, 2024, Nathan's contest, over an exclusive deal with Impossible Foods.[2][5]

Sources

1. Fox News. "Joey Chestnut will eat almost anything. Here are the 2 foods that are off limits." July 3, 2024. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/joey-chestnut-will-eat-almost-anything-two-foods-off-limits
2. Major League Eating. "Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest - Past Winners." Accessed July 2024. https://www.majorleagueeating.com/contests/25
3. MiLB.com. "Joey Chestnut to visit DBH ballparks for food challenges." June 27, 2024. https://www.milb.com/news/joey-chestnut-to-visit-diamond-baseball-holdings-ballparks-for-food-challenges
4. MiLB.com Wichita Wind Surge. "Joey Chestnut eats chili buns at Riverfront Stadium." June 27, 2024. https://www.milb.com/wichita/news/wichita-wind-surge-hosts-joey-chestnut-for-chili-buns-challenge
5. ESPN. "Joey Chestnut banned by Major League Eating from Nathan's contest." June 18, 2024. https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/40345645/joey-chestnut-banned-nathan-hot-dog-eating-contest