Joey Chestnut, Takeru Kobayashi to compete in Netflix competition

LOS ANGELES (AP) — After organizers for Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest said Joey Chestnut wouldn’t compete this year due to a deal with a rival brand, Netflix swiftly announced a new hot dog-eating competition that will feature Chestnut and his “fiercest rival.” Chestnut, a 16-time hot dog-eating champion, will face off with his frequent Nathan’s competitor, Takeru Kobayashi, in a live Netflix special on Sept. 2, the streamer announced Wednesday. The contest, titled “Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef,” will feature the two chowing down on all-beef hot dogs, likely in a nod to reports that Chestnut’s rival brand deal is with Impossible Foods, which makes vegan hot dogs.