No, Chestnut is not a vegan, but he signed a deal with Impossible Foods last year, which makes plant-based substitutions for food products that normally contain meat. Chestnut is back for the 2025 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, where he put down 62 beef hot dogs the last time he won the event in 2023.

The most notable potential disqualification at the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest came in 2007 when the competition's results were delayed due to a review of whether or not Takeru Kobayashi vomited down the stretch. It was ultimately ruled that he didn't upchuck, and was given the win.

“The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest stands as an enduring beacon of freedom for our nation and the world,” said Major League Eating Chair George Shea. “We look forward to watching the greatest eaters as they compete on a celebrated platform for international sports.”