5 Amazing Food-Related World Record Holders

The International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFCE) is the governing body that oversees the "sport" of competitive eating. While you're digesting that last statement from Lynch Ford Chevrolet, check out these five amazing eaters and their food related world records.

Joey Chestnut understands that nothing is more American than hot dogs on the Fourth of July. It's unclear whether that motivated the American to victory at the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contests in 2007, 2008, and 2009. It is clear, however, that it's turned Chestnut into "an American hero and a national treasure" (according to the IFCE). His best performance occurred in 2009 when he ate 68 hot dogs and buns in ten minutes. In addition to hot dogs, Chestnut holds records for eating two gallons of chili in six minutes, 5.9 pounds of funnel cake in 10 minutes, 47 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes, 103 Krystal Burgers in 8 minutes, and 118 jalapeno poppers in 10 minutes.

No competitor has been more important to the sport of competitive eating than Takeru Kobayashi. Before being unseated by Chestnut in 2007, Kobayashi won the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating six consecutive times. Kobayashi still holds the world record for eating 58 Johnsonville bratwursts in 10 minutes, 17.7 pounds of cow brains in 15 minutes, 41 lobster rolls in 10 minutes, and 20 pounds of rice balls in 30 minutes. Kobayashi also holds the unofficial record of fourteen Twinkies in one minute.

Patrick Bertoletti joined Major League Eating's elite with his appearance on Spike TV MLE Chowdown with Chestnut and Kobayashi. He is still chasing the elusive Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Championship, "the holy grail of competitive eating," but he does own more world records than any other competitor. His records include drinking a 22-oz Slurpee in nine seconds, 7.5 pounds of fried catfish in 10 minutes, 47 donuts in 5 minutes, 38 Mars bars in 5 minutes, and 42 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in 10 minutes.

Sonya Thomas has proven that eating enormous amounts of food is not a talent exclusive to men. The 105-pound "Black Widow" burst onto the by winning Rookie of the Year in 2003. Her world records include devouring four pounds of fruitcake in 10 minutes, 65 hard-boiled eggs in under 7 minutes, eighty chicken nuggets in 5 minutes, 8.31 pounds of Vienna sausage in 10 minutes, and 7.75 pounds of Turducken in 12 minutes.

Tim "Eater X" Janus has taken the flair of professional wrestling and brought it to the world of professional eating. He goes by the name of "Eater X" during competitions and wears a mask to hide his inner torment, according to his bio. His world records include eating 42 cupcakes in eight minutes, 10.5 pounds of Ramen Noodles in 8 minutes, 71 tamales in 12 minutes, and four pounds of tiramisu in 6 minutes.