Joey Chestnut, the undisputed titan of competitive eating, has added yet another jaw-dropping accomplishment to his already legendary résumé. On September 6, 2025, at Sankofa Square in Toronto, the 41-year-old American demolished 26.5 pounds of poutine—equivalent to 53 half-pound boxes—in just 10 minutes to claim his fifth Smoke’s Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship (WPEC) title. The event was the centerpiece of Smoke-A-Palooza, an annual festival that celebrates Canadian culture with food, music, and charity.
Chestnut’s performance was nothing short of astonishing. He left the field in the dust, with Australian contender James Webb finishing a distant second at 19 pounds, and American Miki Sudo securing third place with 16 pounds. The contest, which featured a $6,000 total prize purse, saw Chestnut walk away with a cool $3,000 for his efforts. But for Chestnut, it’s about more than just the money. “This one felt special,” Chestnut said after the win. “Poutine’s a beast—the gravy, the cheese curds, the fries—but I came prepared, and Toronto always brings the energy.”
Poutine, for the uninitiated, is a Canadian comfort food classic. Born in rural Quebec in the 1950s, it features crispy French fries smothered in cheese curds and brown gravy. While it may be a beloved staple across Canada, it’s a notoriously heavy dish—one that few would dare to eat in bulk, let alone at the pace Chestnut managed. The annual WPEC, hosted by Smoke’s Poutinerie since 2009, has become a showcase for the world’s best eaters and a celebration of all things poutine.
Despite his victory, Chestnut fell just shy of his own world record. Back in 2019, he managed to consume a staggering 28 pounds of poutine in 10 minutes—a record that still stands. “I wanted to break it,” he admitted, “but I’ll take the win—53 boxes is nothing to complain about.” It’s a sentiment that speaks to the relentless drive of a man who has dominated his sport for nearly two decades.
Chestnut’s dominance isn’t limited to poutine. He’s perhaps best known for his exploits at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, where he has claimed 17 titles in 20 attempts. Just this summer, he reclaimed his crown by downing 70.5 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, a feat that—while short of his personal best of 76—still left fans in awe. His absence from the 2024 contest, due to a sponsorship dispute involving plant-based Impossible nuggets, only added to his mystique. Now, with his return and continued success, Chestnut’s legacy seems more secure than ever.
But what drives a man to such extremes? Chestnut himself acknowledges the toll. “I always need a recovery diet after an event like this,” he said, echoing concerns raised by medical professionals. Experts frequently warn about the dangers of competitive eating, including risks like choking, gastric rupture, and long-term digestive damage. Yet, for Chestnut and his fellow competitors, the thrill of the contest and the roar of the crowd seem to outweigh the risks—at least for now.
The WPEC is more than just a spectacle of excess. As part of the larger Smoke-A-Palooza festival, it helps raise funds for We Care, a nonprofit supporting children with disabilities. The event has generated nearly $1 million for charity since its inception, blending the outrageous with the altruistic. Alongside the main eating contest, the festival features live music, food battles, and the Ryan Smolkin Memorial CEO Challenge—a nod to the late founder of Smoke’s Poutinerie, whose vision helped turn poutine into a national obsession.
Of course, not everyone is thrilled by the sight of mountains of food being consumed in minutes. Critics argue that such contests are wasteful, especially amid growing concerns about food insecurity. Some Canadians also express mixed feelings about an American repeatedly dominating a competition centered on their national dish. Yet, the atmosphere at Sankofa Square was electric, with the Toronto crowd roaring in support as Chestnut hoisted the championship trophy. For many, the event is as much about celebrating Canadian culture and community as it is about the contest itself.
Chestnut’s haul of 26.5 pounds wasn’t just a personal triumph—it was a statement. He now boasts over 55 competitive eating world records, a tally that places him in the upper echelons of individual sports legends. His name is often mentioned in the same breath as chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen and tennis icon Novak Djokovic, a testament to his singular dominance in a truly unique field.
Looking ahead, Chestnut shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, he’s already setting his sights on new challenges. On September 12, 2025, he’s slated to attempt eating 99 Impossible chicken nuggets during the first nine innings of the Giants vs. Dodgers baseball game at Oracle Park in San Francisco. The event, which will see him joined by contest-winning fan Jayson Toweh and social media influencers Danny and Zach Guarino, promises yet another opportunity for Chestnut to make headlines—this time for his love of plant-based foods.
His foray into plant-based eating hasn’t been without controversy. Last year, his endorsement of Impossible nuggets led to a one-year suspension from the Nathan’s contest, sparking debate about sponsorships and tradition in the world of competitive eating. But if there’s one thing Chestnut has proven, it’s that he thrives on challenge and change. As he put it, “Every year, I push myself to find that extra box. Toronto knows I’ll be back.”
The 2025 World Poutine Eating Championship may be over, but the story of Joey Chestnut is far from finished. With his latest victory, he’s cemented his status as the king of competitive eating and left fans—and rivals—wondering just how much further he can push the limits of the sport. Whether it’s poutine, hot dogs, or plant-based nuggets, one thing’s for sure: wherever Joey Chestnut goes, history is never far behind.
