The Spun has an interview with Takeru Kobayashi about his competitive eating career and his new partnership with Heinz on the "Hot Dogs are not a Contest" campaign. He closes the interview declaring himself the greatest competitive eater of all time.

July 6, 2023 at 8:33 am by ojrifkin · More posts about:Kobayashi (小林尊), Merchandise | Permalink * Comments (12)

12 Comments »

  1. Anonymous said

    July 6, 2023 @ 11:32 am

    This is great–that’s awesome that Heinz is offering anyone that was in Nathan’s finals $10K to send them a video of he/she eating a hot dog picnic style with Heinz condiment on it (except for Mike or Joey). MLE would lose their SH*T if someone actually does this–as basically it goes against their entire appeal/marketing strategy–which is “Eat food competitively/fast” (not neat/slow) and “Joey rules the world” (not Koby). If someone actually sends them a video for Heinz to use, it would likely result in a ban from MLE for lifetime. But if I finished in like 13th place, I probably would do it for a quick $10K haha. Would be the biggest drama in competitive eating in quite a while if this were to occur.

    Heinz on Instagram:
    We’re offering all Hot Dog Eating Contest runners-up $10K! See below.

    How to enter:
    1. Film yourself eating a hot dog with at least one (1) Heinz condiment included. (Make sure to show off that Heinz bottle in the video!)
    2. DM the video to @heinz on Instagram
    3. The first video received from a qualifying participant who follows Step 1 will be deemed the winner.

    Abbr Rules:
    NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to 50 U.S. (D.C.), and other countries where not prohibited, 18+, members of MLE/IFOCE, and who participated as finalists but did not win the hot dog eating contest on July 4, 2023. Entry period ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on 7/14/23. Subject to full Official Rules: see link in bio. Sponsor: Kraft Heinz Foods Company, 200 E. Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60601.

  2. Anonymous said

    July 6, 2023 @ 11:49 am

    Wonder how Geoffrey Esper feels about this . Esper has been near the top of Competitive Eating for half a decade . But I don’t think he has any sponsorship with and company . Is Heinz a German company ?

  3. Anonymous said

    July 6, 2023 @ 12:50 pm

    Yeah, right.

  4. Anonymous said

    July 6, 2023 @ 5:06 pm

    In other news Scarf Face has been uploaded on YouTube. I believe it captures some eaters true personalities which are disgusting in their own evil ways.

  5. Reality's voice said

    July 6, 2023 @ 8:50 pm

    Jesus Kobi, get over yourself: you’re a has-been, and have been one since 2007. To be the best, you need to beat the best. And you can’t, so you are not. Just disappear and do the world a favor.

  6. Anonymous said

    July 7, 2023 @ 10:56 am

    The Heinz contest reminds me a little bit of how they decided who gets into the glutton bowl except for the prize money

  7. Anonymous said

    July 7, 2023 @ 11:37 am

    To be fair , most people who enjoy competitive eaters aren’t the smartest people . There Marks …
    Even if Kobi hasn’t competed in a while , even if others are better , If Kobi says he’s still the best , the Kobi Fans and Marks will believe it .

  8. Anonymous said

    July 8, 2023 @ 3:34 am

    Maybe Heinz will be the future and not MLE

  9. ojrifkin said (Registered July 27, 2005)

    July 8, 2023 @ 8:33 am

    In 2007, activist investor Nelson Peltz bought a share of Heinz, got a seat on the board, and then had the company co-sponsor Nathan’s

    https://eatfeats.com/brandweek-on-heinz-ketchup-2007-marketing.html

    https://eatfeats.com/200k-to-become-official-nathans-condiments-sponsor.html

    https://eatfeats.com/heinz-official-ketchup-of-nathans.html

  10. Anonymous said

    July 10, 2023 @ 12:13 pm

    Kobiyashi should meet Joel’s Brother

  11. Anonymous said

    July 25, 2023 @ 4:08 pm

    How about a match between kobi and chestnut also Molly and Miki money could be raised to rid homelessness in America? This would be a doorway to a major sponsorship and finally rid of Nathan’s and their contract with the brothers Shea.

  12. Anonymous said

    July 26, 2023 @ 6:36 am

    Joey hinted at a non-MLE event that involves a contest of him versus Kobi in an interview posted on this site about a month ago. That wouldn’t be until 2024 based on the interview. There most definitely will not be a Miki vs. Molly event any time soon. Def not something the Shea’s would allow. And “raising money to rid homelessness”?? Are you serious? not gonna happen, MLE doesn’t care about actual good causes…

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