How to Win a Hot Dog Eating Contest

Competitive eating, like any extreme sport, takes training and endurance if you wish to win. Hot dog eating contests are an old tradition, and perhaps more popular today than ever. A few steps can help you win a hot dog eating contest.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Find a contest near you. Competitive hot dog eating contests are generally held at fairs, festivals and occasionally are sponsored by a hot dog manufacturer. The largest hot dog eating contest in the world is sponsored by Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs in Coney Island every July 4th.
2. Train yourself to hold a large amount of food. Competitive eaters are required to eat massive amounts of food in a short time. In the case of Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs, the 2007 winner ate 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes. You must progressively eat larger amounts of food to stretch your stomach and train your muscles to hold the food down.
3. Perfect your eating technique. Whether you're eating wings or hot dogs, you must find a method that works for you. Some competitive hot dog eaters eat the bun and dog separately, along with a large glass of water to soften the food and make it go down easier. Find a method that works quickly and suits you.
4. Give yourself a set period, preferably the same amount of time you would be given at a hot dog eating contest. See how much you can eat. Work on your form and technique for several months or weeks to improve your time.
5. Practice with the brand of hot dog you'll use at the contest, because different brands have varying tastes and textures. Differences in richness and ingredients can throw you off your game if you're not accustomed to them.