Famous Food

Joey Chestnut and his longtime nemesis Takeru Kobayashi are going head-to-head in a hot dog eating contest once again -- but it won't be part of the usual Fourth of July event ... it's a Labor Day extravaganza!!

The showdown is 15 years in the making -- the two last went at it in 2009 at the traditional Nathan's competition in Coney Island ... when Jaws beat Kobayashi to defend his mustard belt.

The timing of the announcement is pretty interesting -- on Tuesday, Major League Eating announced Chestnut was OUT of the Independence Day contest due to an endorsement deal he inked with a rival food company.

Joey Chestnut's absence from the Nathan's Hot Dog Contest would have a major impact on whoever ends up winning the event this year ... so says 2023 runner-up Geoff Esper, who tells TMZ Sports the victory would be tainted if it's not over Jaws.

We caught up with the competitive eater -- and new favorite to win the Fourth of July event -- shortly after the news of Chestnut's status broke ... and while the 16-time mustard belt champion's omission helps his odds, he understands people wouldn't be nearly as impressed if Joey ain't there.

"100% there's gonna be a huge asterisk on that," he said. "Like two or three years ago, I said, 'Well, even if I do win it because Joey's not there, there's gonna be an asterisk.' I'll admit that to anybody."

Don't give up hope just yet, America -- there's still a chance Joey Chestnut could take the stage and devour dozens of hot dogs this Fourth of July ... with sources telling TMZ Sports event organizers are keeping the door open for the greatest eater of all time.

Here's the deal -- we're told Jaws did, in fact, ink an endorsement with a plant-based food company to promote its glizzy product ... which is a major no-no with Nathan's Famous and Major League Eating, as competitors are prohibited from partnering with rivals.

As it stands ... Chestnut cannot compete at the contest in Coney Island on Independence Day if he goes through with that sponsorship.

5:00 PM PT -- Joey Chestnut tweeted an hour ago reacting to the news, saying "I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years Im banned from the Nathan's July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest"

"I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th and I have been training to defend my title."

"To set the record straight, I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathans and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with. This is apparently the basis on which I’m being banned, and it doesn’t impact the July 4th event."

"Sadly, this is the decision Nathan's and Major League Eating are making, and it will deprive the great fans of the holiday’s usual joy and entertainment. To my fans, I love you and appreciate you.  Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon!! STAY HUNGRY!"

This is a doggone shame.

Joey Chestnut -- the world's greatest eater -- will not defend his mustard belt at the Nathan's Hot Dog contest this year ... and it's all the result of a sponsorship deal he inked with a rival company.

According to the NY Post, Chestnut recently joined forces with Impossible Foods to promote its new plant-based alternative to tube steaks ... which created major issues with organizers and the governing body -- Major League Eating.

Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny can't seem to stay away from one another -- 'cause they were spotted on an intimate dinner date amid rumors of a romantic reconciliation.

Check out this footage that's making the rounds online ... the model can be seen lovingly looking into the eyes of her Latin pop star boyfriend, this as they enjoy some quality time at Yoko Japanese Restaurant in Puerto Rico.

Though the clip is quick, BB can be seen chatting Kendall's ear off ... and KJ is giving the artist her undivided attention. Clearly, they're back on again ... and with a vengeance!

Khloe Kardashian went out to grab a bite with her ex, Tristan Thompson this weekend -- without any kids around -- and while some might've thought the spark was back ... it ain't.

KK and Tristan were photographed walking out of Nobu Malibu Sunday -- where they were clearly dining together ... even though they appeared to stagger their exits, and ended up leaving in separate cars.

There were lots of other people with them, but none of their children -- which raised alarms among some who thought they were back together ... but we're told that's just not the case.

Tyrese is looking calm, cool and collected amid a slew of legal woes ... but maybe that's because he just got some great advice from famed lawyer Ben Crump.

The actor/singer was all smiles Monday night at Catch LA, where Tyrese broke bread with the powerhouse civil rights attorney.

Remember, Tyrese is taking on Home Depot ... having filed a $1 million discrimination lawsuit against the corporation -- a case that would seem to be right up Crump's alley. Tyrese claims an HD staffer racially profiled him and 2 Latino men who were working with Tyrese.

Flavor Flav's not letting Red Lobster get lost at sea without a fight ... 'cause he's spending his hard-earned bucks mukbangin' their entire menu -- all in an effort to save 'em.

The Public Enemy MC made good on his promise to help the drowning seafood chain after it recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy -- posting a pic inside one of the restaurants (that's still open) where he ordered every last nibble they had left.

Flav's team tells us he and his daughter had a grand time fine dining on RL and nearly finished the entire spread ... returning home with only two boxes, which angered his son. 😂

A wild food fight broke out at a Northern California Chipotle when 3 female customers tried to fight a cashier, turning the place into a burrito battleground ... all on camera, of course.

This whole ordeal went down Friday -- and, as you can see, one furious woman dressed all in black leaps onto a table, screaming at the cashier ... while her other 2 pals also unleash chaos, undeterred by a man trying to play referee and stop them.

The women completely ignored horrified onlookers, with the table-topper and her ground-level sidekick flinging items to the ground. All this, despite no one knowing what kicked off the brawl in the first place ... in any case, it was definitely on once they started chucking crap.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard seems to be realizing fame ain't all it's cracked up to be -- and is eyeing up a move to the average everyday 9-5 grind ... including one at the Golden Arches.

As you know, GRB's been in the media crosshairs for a while now due to her tragic story, but her celeb status really took off after her December release from prison. Now, all that attention has her re-evaluating her future plans.

Gypsy's taking stock of her life right now and what lies ahead, saying "Everything's been hyped up, and I've had some great opportunities, but I don't see them lasting. There comes a time when I have to make a choice."

Before this brown-eyed boy turned into a social media star, he was a big-time tennis player ... and part-time clown ... growing up in Illinois and made his way to the West Coast to kick off his viral stardom right after high school graduation.

He definitely rose to fame back in the Vine days, but his popularity on YouTube propelled him into the Hollywood scene. Possibly you've heard of the "Vlog Squad," but if you haven't ... maybe you can stop by his pizza shop on Sunset Blvd, and he can tell you all about it!

Marvel chief Kevin Feige promised a "crude and rude" popcorn bucket for "Deadpool & Wolverine" ... and, boy, did they deliver.

Ryan Reynolds revealed the new buckets on X Thursday, posting a suggestive video of a hand caressing the item ... which is shaped like Wolverine's head with its mouth wide open.

At one point, butter dribbled down the face of the popcorn bucket ... which may be too suggestive to even spell out.

Jennifer Lopez may know what "orange drink" is, but no one else does ... so, the singer had to finally explain it to the world ... capping off a viral trend about her old bodega order.

J Lo set the record straight in a new interview with Harper's Bazaar, in which she confessed she doesn't have a brand name for the now-viral drink -- which she mysteriously referenced a full year ago in a Vogue interview -- but she described it in extensive detail.

Jen says ... "It’s just a plain orange drink. It came in a little plastic container with a little bit of aluminum foil over it. And it wasn’t called anything except orange drink or grape drink or whatever. There was an orange, a grape, and a fruit punch."

Jason and Kylie Kelce are not only welcome in Margate, NJ ... but they've also been invited to have a free meal on the mayor's dime -- this after an out-of-control fan threatened the couple wouldn't be allowed inside town limits after turning down a photo request!

Mayor Michael Collins hit up X on Wednesday to address the controversy just hours after the uncomfortable interaction went viral online ... where a woman was seen arguing with the Kelces, all because Jason and Kylie wanted to enjoy a night out without interruption.

"On behalf of the City of Margate, I'd like to formally apologize to Jason & Kylie Kelce for the experience they had in Margate City over the holiday weekend," Collins wrote.

The 108th Indianapolis 500 is goin' down this weekend ... which means someone will be dousing themselves in cow juice to celebrate winning the whole thing -- and a former champ is giving TMZ Sports the lowdown on the best milk for the job!!

One of the coolest parts about the iconic race is the post-race festivities ... when the big winner chugs from a massive jug of dairy to commemorate the milestone.

The Indiana Dairy Association works alongside the race organizers to keep the tradition alive ... with three options to choose from -- whole, 2% and skim.

Bad Bunny and Kendall Jenner appear to be going strong again ... 'cause we just caught them coming out of a private dinner in Florida.

Bunny and Kendall were out and about Friday night in Miami after Bunny performed at the Kaseya Center. Following the gig, the two made a late-night pit stop to fill their bellies at Gekko Japanese Steakhouse.

We're told they walked inside together, and staff promptly escorted them to a VIP room, where they dined for about an hour and 20 minutes before leaving after midnight.