Dog-Eat-Dog World //
Ten minutes. A record of 76 sausages to beat. Who will qualify for the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest U.S. final?
It’s 3PM on a Saturday afternoon, and a man who goes by the name “Hot Dogg Sanchez” takes to a stage at Seal Bay holiday resort in West Sussex – a vast complex of caravan parks, formerly known as Bunn Leisure. He finds his place at a long table, shoulder-length mullet and mirrored visor sunglasses glinting in the sunshine. Next to him is “the continental breakfast eating champion of the world”. In front of them are paper plates piled high with hot dogs.
Holidaymakers, YouTubers and Americanophiles have gathered here for an important reason: To see how many hot dogs these strong-stomached competitors can shove down their gullets in ten minutes. Last year, the most famous “eater” of the modern age, Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, earned his 16th title as hot dog-eating world champion. He also holds the world record at 76 hot dogs in ten minutes, which equates to roughly 22,800 calories. Today in Selsey, UK at the tip of the Manhood Peninsula, eleven contestants are attempting to get close to Joey’s illustrious sausage crown.
Made in collaboration with Vice and Journalist, Eloise Hendy.