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S.J. hosts qualifying match for international hot-dog eating contest
This week, South Jersey will play host to the only preliminary match of the 2008 International Hot Dog Eating Contest in the entire state.
A new Nathan’s Famous hot dog restaurant opened its doors in Camden at the end of last year, and as part of its grand opening extravaganza, the restaurant will host the qualifying match for the hot dog eating contest on June 28 at 1:15 p.m.
The afternoon’s festivities will also feature food, live music, giveaways and an antique car show starting at noon.
Twenty other preliminary competitions have already taken place in various locations and Nathan’s Restaurants across the United States, including matches in Philadelphia and West Chester, Pa.
The Camden contest is one of the final preliminary events before the actual contest takes place on July 4.
The winner of Sunday’s contest will go on to compete in the annual event at Coney Island, which will be televised on ESPN.
This year’s potential participants will face some tough competition at the international level: the winner of last year’s contest, Joey Chestnut, ate a record-breaking 66 Nathan’s Hot Dogs and buns in 12 minutes. Runner-up and past winner Takeru Kobayashi downed 62 hot dogs.
At the hot dog competition in Camden, eaters will see if they have the stomach to match these feats.
Mike Munoz, the proprietor for the restaurant, said that he was glad to bring an event of such stature to Camden and South Jersey that will be recognized throughout the state.
“We want to highlight the renaissance of Camden,” said Felipe Alvarez, general manager of Nathan’s Famous Restaurant in Camden. “We’re proud and glad to be able to do it in Camden.”
Although most of the spots in the contest are reserved for professional competitive eaters, since the International Federation of Competitive Eating sanctions the contest, Alvarez said that a few openings are available for local entrants to test their skill against the competitors.
For more information about contest openings, or for any information about the festivities and activities of the afternoon, call 267-968-8888.
A new Nathan’s Famous hot dog restaurant opened its doors in Camden at the end of last year, and as part of its grand opening extravaganza, the restaurant will host the qualifying match for the hot dog eating contest on June 28 at 1:15 p.m.
The afternoon’s festivities will also feature food, live music, giveaways and an antique car show starting at noon.
Twenty other preliminary competitions have already taken place in various locations and Nathan’s Restaurants across the United States, including matches in Philadelphia and West Chester, Pa.
The Camden contest is one of the final preliminary events before the actual contest takes place on July 4.
The winner of Sunday’s contest will go on to compete in the annual event at Coney Island, which will be televised on ESPN.
This year’s potential participants will face some tough competition at the international level: the winner of last year’s contest, Joey Chestnut, ate a record-breaking 66 Nathan’s Hot Dogs and buns in 12 minutes. Runner-up and past winner Takeru Kobayashi downed 62 hot dogs.
At the hot dog competition in Camden, eaters will see if they have the stomach to match these feats.
Mike Munoz, the proprietor for the restaurant, said that he was glad to bring an event of such stature to Camden and South Jersey that will be recognized throughout the state.
“We want to highlight the renaissance of Camden,” said Felipe Alvarez, general manager of Nathan’s Famous Restaurant in Camden. “We’re proud and glad to be able to do it in Camden.”
Although most of the spots in the contest are reserved for professional competitive eaters, since the International Federation of Competitive Eating sanctions the contest, Alvarez said that a few openings are available for local entrants to test their skill against the competitors.
For more information about contest openings, or for any information about the festivities and activities of the afternoon, call 267-968-8888.
