Legendary competitive eater Joey Chestnut has done it again. On September 6, 2025, at Sankofa Square in Toronto, the 41-year-old American devoured 26.5 pounds of poutine equivalent to 53 half-pound boxes in just 10 minutes, clinching his fifth Smoke’s Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship (WPEC) title and a $3,000 cash prize.
“This one felt special,”
Chestnut said after the win.
“Poutine’s a beast the gravy, the cheese curds, the fries but I came prepared, and Toronto always brings the energy.”
Chestnut wasn’t the only star on stage. Australian competitor James Webb finished second with 19 pounds, while Miki Sudo of the U.S. came in third with 16 pounds. The event carried a $6,000 total prize purse, with Chestnut taking home the lion’s share.
A tweet from X.
Despite the victory, Chestnut fell just short of his own 2019 WPEC world record of 28 pounds, a milestone he still holds.
“Wanted to break it,”
he admitted,
“but I’ll take the win 53 boxes is nothing to complain about.”
The WPEC is part of Smoke-A-Palooza, an annual festival hosted by Smoke’s Poutinerie, which began in 2009. Alongside the contest, the event features live music, food battles, and the Ryan Smolkin Memorial CEO Challenge all tied to charity, raising nearly $1 million for We Care, a nonprofit supporting children with disabilities.
Poutine, the star of the event, is a Canadian comfort food classic made with French fries, cheese curds, and brown gravy. Originating in rural Quebec in the 1950s, it has since become a national culinary icon.
Medical experts frequently raise alarms about the risks of competitive eating, citing potential dangers like choking, gastric rupture, and long-term digestive damage. Chestnut acknowledged the toll, saying,
“I always need a recovery diet after an event like this.”
The optics also spark debate. Critics argue such contests waste food amid rising food insecurity, while organizers counter that the championship promotes Canadian culture and contributes to charitable causes.
Some Canadians expressed mixed feelings about an American repeatedly dominating a Canadian food tradition, though the crowd in Toronto roared in support as Chestnut raised the trophy.
With 17 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest titles and over 55 competitive eating world records, Joey Chestnut remains the undisputed king of the sport. His Toronto win solidifies his standing but also fuels anticipation for whether he’ll surpass his 28-pound record in future WPEC events.
“Every year, I push myself to find that extra box. Toronto knows I’ll be back.”
Chestnut said.
