UNFINISHED BEEF
I photographed the art for Netflix for the Chestnut Vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef, Live event coming to Netflix on 9/2
A few weeks ago, I traveled to LA to photograph the world’s greatest competitive eaters for Netflix. I was thrilled. Having attended the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest for years, along with several other competitive eating events, this opportunity felt like it was made for me. Years ago, I even competed in a much smaller hot dog eating contest (see below) in Washington, DC, so to say this was in my wheelhouse is an understatement.
I’m excited to finally be able to tell people to tune in—I just saw the event advertised on the network! One week from today, on September 2, legends Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi will compete live on Netflix. It’s going to be epic. I fully expect the current world record to be shattered. I’m not sure about the exact rules of this showdown, but I can guarantee a ridiculous number of hot dogs are going to be eaten.
Both of these competitors are exceptional, and I was thrilled to have the chance to work with them. For the uninitiated, here’s what you need to know:
Kobayashi is 46 and listed at 160 lbs. He’s only this weight now because he’s jacked. He became legendary for being both the smallest and fiercest competitor, winning the Nathan’s contest six years in a row until Chestnut dethroned him in 2007. In 2010, he was banned from the Nathan’s contest due to a contract dispute.
Chestnut, now 40, is listed at 230 lbs. He won Nathan’s eight years in a row before being defeated in 2015. He came back strong in 2016 and has remained undefeated since. In recent years, no one else at the Nathan’s competition has even come close. Like Kobayashi, he wasn’t allowed to compete in this year’s Nathan’s contest due to a contract dispute.
When I spoke with Chestnut, he expressed a lot of respect for Kobayashi, acknowledging him as his greatest rival. However, when Chestnut first defeated him, he reportedly made some unkind remarks, leading to real bad blood between the two champions. now, the two greatest competitive eaters of all time will finally face off again. While Chestnut seems unstoppable, Kobayashi has a history of pulling off miracles, and now he has something to prove. It could go either way, but no matter the outcome, it will be impressive. I’ll be tuned in at home with 3 nice hot and delicious hot dogs of my own, but unlike the champs, I wont be a hurry.
Once the show airs, I can’t wait to share more photos I took. There are so many great ones.
This is me competing in a hot dog eating contest at the sideshow bar Palace of Wonders in Washington, DC. Yes I am wearing a unicorn puppet for a hat and my golden eagle medallion.
I’ll end this post with a few of their competitive eating records. Let this soak in while you get ready to watch them go at it again.
Kobayashi has world records in 3 categories.
Cow Brains - 57 (17.7 lbs) / 15 minutes
Rice Balls - 20 lbs / 30 minutes
Lobster Rolls - 41 Lobster Rolls / 10 minutes
Chestnut has a ton of records, these are 3 of my favorites.
Bologna Slices - 14lbs / 8 minutes
Gyoza - 384 / 10 minutes
Twinkies - 121 / 6 minutes
