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History
The first recorded pie eating contest took place in Toronto in 1878. It was organised as a charity fundraising event and won by Albert Piddington. It is not known how many pies were consumed. The prize was a ‘Handsomely Bound Book”. Following this, eating contests – particularly those involving pie – became popular across Canada and the United States, traditionally at county fairs.

There are some notable examples of early eating contestants such as that of Joe McCarthy who, in 1987, consumed 31 pies in a competition held at Charles Tanby’s Saloon. Frank Doltzer is also noteworthy after consuming “275 oysters, 8 & 1/8th pounds of steak, 12 rolls, and 3 large pies, all washed down with 11 cups of coffee” at an event organised by the Manhattan Fat Men’s Club in 1909.

The recent surge in the popularity of competitive eating is due in large part to the development of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, an annual holiday tradition that has been held on July 4 every year since 1916 at Coney Island. While the origins are debated, it is believed to have begun as a result of four immigrants who tried to eat as many hot dogs as possible to show off their patriotism.

The introduction of the Major League Eating organisation (MLE) in 1997 was also a key development in the increasing popularity. The organisation is responsible for between 80 and 100 eating contests per year across North America, most notable Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest which has aired on ESPN since 2003.

The most successful male competitor is Joey Chestnut who has won a total of thirteen time since 2007. He is the current champion as of 2020. Chestnut also holds the record for most hot dogs consumed in the contest with 75. The second most successful is Takeru Kobayashi winning six consecutive titles between 2001 and 2006. Both men hold multiple world records relating to eating with Kobayashi holding 5, and Chestnut holding 14.

In 2011, Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating contest introduced a female only tournament. The most successful competitor in this contest is Miki Sudo with seven consecutive wins since 2014. She is the reigning female champion as of 2020 and also holds the record for most hot dogs eating by a female contestant with 48.5.