How The Man Behind Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Built an Empire
Digest
This episode of the Burdailey Show features an interview with George Shea, CEO of Major League Eating. They discuss the upcoming Coney Island hot dog eating contest, the absence of Joey Chestnut, and the future of competitive eating. Shea explains how Chestnut's absence will dramatically change the contest, making it more wide open than in the past 16 years. He highlights potential contenders like Patrick Bertoletti, James Webb, Jeffrey Esper, Nick Weary, and King Yamamoto of Japan. Shea also shares his insights on the best conditions for eating hot dogs, the possibility of breaking the record indoors, and the search for a new Joey Chestnut. They delve into the origins of Major League Eating, the importance of spectacle in competitive eating, and the ingredients of a good stunt. Shea discusses the global growth of competitive eating and the challenges of expanding the league internationally. He also shares his thoughts on why pizza doesn't have a marquee eating contest and the foods that he would never sanction a contest for. The episode concludes with Shea introducing Neil Freeman as a rising star in the MLE space, specializing in desserts but making the jump to hot dogs.
Outlines
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Introduction
This Chapter introduces the hosts, Neil Freeman and Toby Houth, and announces a special Independence Day episode featuring an interview with George Shea, CEO of Major League Eating.
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Interview with George Shea
This Chapter features an in-depth interview with George Shea, CEO of Major League Eating. They discuss the upcoming Coney Island hot dog eating contest, the absence of Joey Chestnut, and the future of competitive eating. Shea shares his insights on the best conditions for eating hot dogs, the possibility of breaking the record indoors, and the search for a new Joey Chestnut. They delve into the origins of Major League Eating, the importance of spectacle in competitive eating, and the ingredients of a good stunt. Shea discusses the global growth of competitive eating and the challenges of expanding the league internationally. He also shares his thoughts on why pizza doesn't have a marquee eating contest and the foods that he would never sanction a contest for.
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Neil Freeman's Introduction
This Chapter features George Shea introducing Neil Freeman as a rising star in the MLE space, specializing in desserts but making the jump to hot dogs. Shea delivers a dramatic and humorous introduction, highlighting Neil's potential as a competitive eater.
Keywords
Major League Eating
Major League Eating (MLE) is a professional competitive eating organization founded in 1997 by George Shea. It governs and sanctions competitive eating contests worldwide, including the iconic Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest held annually on Coney Island. MLE promotes competitive eating as a sport, with a focus on spectacle, entertainment, and athleticism. It has a ranking system for competitive eaters and hosts various events throughout the year, featuring different food categories.
Joey Chestnut
Joey Chestnut is a renowned American competitive eater and the current world record holder for hot dog eating. He has won the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest a record 15 times, demonstrating exceptional eating prowess and endurance. Chestnut's dominance in the sport has made him a household name and a symbol of competitive eating. His absence from the 2024 Coney Island contest due to his commitment to the military has sparked significant interest and speculation about the outcome of the event.
Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest
The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is an annual competitive eating event held on Coney Island, New York City, on the Fourth of July. It is one of the most famous and prestigious competitive eating contests in the world, attracting top-ranked eaters from around the globe. The contest involves consuming as many hot dogs and buns as possible within a 10-minute time limit. The event is a major tourist attraction and a symbol of American summer festivities.
Competitive Eating
Competitive eating is a sport that involves consuming large quantities of food in a short period of time. It is a niche sport with a dedicated following and a growing global presence. Competitive eaters train rigorously to develop their eating capacity, speed, and techniques. The sport is often associated with spectacle, entertainment, and a sense of absurdity. It has gained popularity through televised events, online platforms, and media coverage.
Spectacle
Spectacle refers to a public display or performance that is designed to be impressive, entertaining, and attention-grabbing. In the context of competitive eating, spectacle is a key element that contributes to the sport's popularity. It involves creating a dramatic and engaging atmosphere, with elements like colorful costumes, energetic hosts, and a sense of competition. Spectacle helps to draw in audiences and create a memorable experience.
Stunt
A stunt is a planned action or performance that is designed to create a sensation or attract attention. In competitive eating, stunts are often used to add excitement and entertainment value to events. They can involve unusual food challenges, themed contests, or creative presentations. Stunts help to create a buzz around events and generate media coverage.
Global Growth
The global growth of competitive eating refers to the increasing popularity and expansion of the sport beyond its traditional origins in the United States. This growth is driven by factors like the internet, social media, and the rise of food challenges worldwide. Competitive eating events are now held in various countries, with a growing number of international eaters participating. This global expansion has contributed to the sport's diversity and international appeal.
Pizza
Pizza is a popular food item worldwide, consisting of a base of dough topped with tomato sauce, cheese, and various other ingredients. While pizza is a common food challenge, it is not considered a marquee competitive eating food. This is due to factors like the variability in slice size, the difficulty of consuming large quantities, and the lack of a clear benchmark for comparison. However, pizza contests are still held, with some success, but they often lack the same level of excitement and attention as other competitive eating events.
Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are a popular food item, especially in the United States, and are often associated with sporting events and social gatherings. They are considered a more suitable food for competitive eating than pizza due to their consistent size, ease of consumption, and the potential for high volume consumption. The National Buffalo Wing Fest, a major chicken wing festival, features a competitive eating contest, highlighting the sport's appeal for this food category.
Q&A
How will Joey Chestnut's absence from the Coney Island hot dog eating contest affect the competition?
George Shea explains that Chestnut's absence will dramatically change the contest, making it more wide open than in the past 16 years. He believes that the contest will be closer than usual, with several eaters vying for the top spot.
What are the best conditions for eating hot dogs in a competitive setting?
Shea believes that the Coney Island hot dog eating contest, despite the heat and humidity, is the best venue for the event. He acknowledges that indoor, temperature-controlled environments could potentially lead to higher scores, but the Coney Island contest remains the standard due to its tradition and intensity.
What are the characteristics of an elite competitive eater?
Shea emphasizes that elite competitive eaters are not just big eaters, but individuals who are committed to training and understanding the science of eating large quantities of food. They are willing to put in the time and effort to develop their eating capacity, speed, and techniques.
How does competitive eating affect George Shea's relationship with food?
Shea states that competitive eating has not changed his relationship with food. He still enjoys eating hot dogs and appreciates the opportunity to taste different regional foods. He views competitive eating as a form of entertainment and a spectacle, rather than something that affects his personal eating habits.
What are the ingredients of a good stunt in competitive eating?
Shea explains that a good stunt should be teasing, slightly misleading, and memorable. He shares examples of successful stunts from the past, highlighting the importance of creating a sense of wonder and amusement.
What are the areas of growth that George Shea is most excited about in competitive eating?
Shea is excited about the global growth of competitive eating, with more events and eaters emerging from countries around the world. He sees this as a sign of the sport's increasing popularity and international appeal.
Why doesn't pizza have a marquee eating contest?
Shea believes that pizza is not as compelling a food for competitive eating as hot dogs or chicken wings. He explains that the variability in slice size, the difficulty of consuming large quantities, and the lack of a clear benchmark for comparison make pizza contests less exciting and engaging.
What is the training like for competitive eaters?
Shea explains that competitive eaters train to develop their eating capacity, speed, and techniques. They learn to adapt to the flavor of food in volume, develop strategies for efficient consumption, and practice in controlled environments. They also study the science of eating different foods, understanding the best techniques for consuming specific items.
Show Notes
Episode 354: Neal and Toby chat with George Shea, the CEO of Major League Eating which is the organization behind the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. They address what happened with the contest’s biggest star, Joey Chestnut, and how George can compete with Netflix. George Shea shares the secret behind making virtually any event entertaining and how to pull off a good stunt. They also talk about the history of competitive eating and what the future holds for the sport.
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Time code :
00:00 - Intro
2:20 - What happened with Joey Chestnut?
7:20 - Netflix puts up its own eating contest
9:50 - Eating records that won’t be broken
10:30 - The art of spectacle
15:15 - Origins of Major League Eating
18:00 - How to pull off a good stunt
19:15 - Growth opportunities for competitive eating
25:15 - Which celebrities would George put up?
29:15 - Neal’s epic intro
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