'Black hole of donuts' Joey Chestnut to take on Jack's Donuts holes in eat-off competition

INDIANAPOLIS – Joey Chestnut, the No. 1 ranked competitive eater in the world, has conquered hot dogs on Coney Island, deep-fried asparagus in California, grilled cheese sandwiches in Arizona and matzo balls in Texas.

It's time now for Chestnut to put in his sweet tooth and devour as many donut holes as he possibly can later this month in New Castle, Indiana.

Major League Eating, which dubs itself "the world governing body of all stomach-centric sports," announced Thursday the newest edition to its 2022 slate of sanctioned eating championships.

The 2022 Jack’s Donuts World Donut Hole Eating Championship will take place May 27.

For the food gods, it all makes perfect sense. Jack's was founded in New Castle in 1961 and since has expanded to more than 20 locations.

While this competition will give bragging rights to the best donut hole eater, it will also establish the first world record in the donut hole category.

Competitors will have eight minutes to consume as many donut holes as they can.  Chestnut already holds a world-record for eating 55 glazed donuts in eight minutes. That's approximately 14,795 calories.

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“Joey Chestnut is known as the black hole of donut holes," Major League Eating emcee Sam Barclay said in announcing the competition. "And many believe he will set an unapproachable world record."

On average, bakery gurus estimate there are about four donut holes in one donut. Do the math on his 55 glazed donuts and Chestnut should be able to take in about 220 donut holes in eight minutes.

But, Chestnut will have some fierce competition. Among the Major League Eating athletes tackling donut holes alongside him this month will be No. 2-ranked world eater Geoffrey Esper and top-ranked female eater Miki Sudo. 

The championship will be hosted by Downtown New Castle to kick off the summer's Fourth Friday events and celebrate Henry County, Indiana's bicentennial celebration.

Major League Eating conducts more than 80 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in Coney Island.

The competitive eating community is made up of more than 8,000 veteran and rookie athletes who travel the nation in search of food-eating titles.