Don't bring ketchup to this sauce show: Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs may get all the glory when it comes to competitive eating for its Fourth of July contest, but in order to get to New York City you'll have to out-eat your neighborhood at one of several qualifying events. (It's like "American Idol" for the stomach!)
Bragging rights come easier at one of many other events sponsored by the International Federation of Competitive Eating, like the Chinook Winds World Rib Eating Championship held in Oregon on July 13.
In rib-eating contests, contestants are judged by the amount of meat consumed in pounds when their pile of bones is accounted for. Nathan's defending champ Joey Chestnut will be there to strap on an industrial-sized bib. (Prepare yourself: He ate 8.4 pounds of meat at the contest in 2006).
Even if you don't win, you can still chow down at the Smokin' at the Ocean event at Chinook Winds all weekend. [Photo: donita-reason]]]>
· World's Easiest Event Registration Page [IFOCE]
· Smokin' at the Ocean Rib-Eating Championship Belt [Flickr]
· Nathan's Famous and More at Coney Island [Jaunted]