 It is a 4th of July tradition, Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island. But for the first time, 16-time champion Joey Chestnut will not be part of the competition after signing a deal with a plant-based meat company. But he has another gig. Ever the showman, Joey Jaws Chestnut will still be in a hot dog eating contest today, attempting to out-devour four soldiers at Fort Bliss in El Paso. The live stream of that event is being sponsored by Impossible Foods, which will have banner-towing planes over Los Angeles and Miami to promote the alternative competition.