How Joey Chestnut Shattered His Popcorn-Eating Record in 2025
Precision-focused reporting, thorough analysis—let’s delve into Joey Chestnut’s latest popcorn conquest. On May 24, 2025, at the Los Angeles Popcorn Festival held in the LA Convention Center, Chestnut consumed an astonishing 13.5 pounds of buttered popcorn in six minutes, surpassing his own mark of 12.2 pounds set at the same event in 2024. Major League Eating (MLE) officially certified the feat, and video footage published by ESPN confirms each kernel inhaled in record time.
First, the numbers reveal Chestnut’s strategic improvements. His 13.5-pound haul equates to roughly 2.25 pounds per minute—an uptick of 0.17 pounds per minute from last year’s clip. In a post-event interview with AP News, Chestnut credited a refined chewing technique and a targeted salt-to-butter ratio that facilitates faster swallowing. He also noted temperature control: “Slightly cooler popcorn moves faster,” he explained, echoing insights shared on the MLE site.
Additionally, context matters. Chestnut has dominated competitive eating for over a decade, from Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island to international burrito face-offs. This popcorn record underscores his versatility. Unlike dense hot dogs, popcorn presents unique challenges: the volume-to-calorie ratio is high, while the airy texture demands rapid jaw movement. According to data from Food Science Quarterly, chewing frequency increases by 30 percent when contestants switch from solid to aerated foods. Chestnut’s adaptation highlights why top eaters cross-train with different textures.
Moreover, the 2025 Popcorn Festival introduced new rules—contestants had to use only one hand to scoop kernels and maintain a designated minimal chewing motion before each swallow. The intention, as stated by the festival’s organizer in an LA Times interview, was to level the playing field. Yet Chestnut still rose above, demonstrating his mastery of pace and technique.
In context of competitive eating trends, Chestnut’s record may signal a shift toward lighter, airborne snacks in major contests. As appetite research in Sports Nutrition Today suggests, future competitions could favor popcorn, chips, or even dehydrated fruit for their absorption rates and chewing demands. Stakeholders such as event sponsors and broadcast networks are already eyeing popcorn-themed programming following ESPN’s viral coverage of Chestnut’s victory.
Looking ahead, Chestnut’s next target remains unclear. He hinted at an autumn “chip-eating trial” in an interview with People Magazine, teasing potential cross-training with tortilla chips. Will he establish an all-texture grand slam in 2026? Keep an eye on Major League Eating’s calendar.
That concludes today’s analytical briefing—stay tuned for deeper insights as the competitive eating arena evolves.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and Major League Eating, ESPN, AP News, LA Times, Food Science Quarterly, People Magazine
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