On September 26, Joey Chestnut set a world record at the World Pancake Eating Championship in Williamsburg, Virginia, by demolishing 40 pancakes in 10 minutes. The achievement marked his first pancake eating contest and his first appearance in Virginia during his 21-year competitive eating career.
Chestnut broke the pancake record at the contest, surpassing the previous mark of 35 pancakes set by Geoff Esper during the inaugural event in 2025, according to Major League Eating. Chestnut said before the contest that finding “that perfect rhythm of breathing and biting, chewing and swallowing” would be key to setting a new record.
Chestnut’s Record Run
In a feat of gluttony, Chestnut consumed 40 pancakes in 10 minutes. The previous mark stood at 35, and he surpassed it with ease. Before this contest, he already held 55 world records in competitive feasting, adding pancakes to the vast heap of foods he has overcome.
His victory brought in $2,500, a share of the $5,000 prize money, from the second edition of the Williamsburg Pancake Festival.
The Field Behind Him
Nick Wehry placed third with 27 pancakes, while Max Stanford came in second with 28. Oji and Sudo completed the top five, weighing in at 23¼ lbs and 20¾ lbs respectively.
The Week Before
One week prior, Chestnut secured victory at the World Poutine Eating Championship held in Toronto by finishing 21¼ pounds in just 10 minutes.
Career Context
For over twenty years, Chestnut has competed, building a career that spans dozens of records across several food categories. His 21-year run is marked by repeated success in a wide range of eating contests.
Until recently, pancakes had never been attempted before. The very first record was set just two years ago, and it was done by Geoff Esper.
Finding the Rhythm
WYDaily spoke with Chestnut, who said timing made all the difference. He pointed to the rhythm of breathing and biting, chewing and swallowing as the line between success and failure.
“That perfect rhythm of breathing and biting, chewing and swallowing.”
He found it in Williamsburg. He found it in 10 minutes.
Prize Money
The total amount set aside for the event reached $5,000, and Chestnut collected $2,500 after winning it.
The festival was the second annual Williamsburg Pancake Festival.
The Numbers
- 40 pancakes — the new world record, set by Chestnut
- 35 pancakes — the old record, set by Geoff Esper in 2025
- 28 pancakes — Max Stanford’s second-place finish
- 27 pancakes — Nick Wehry’s third-place finish
- 23¼ lbs — Oji’s fifth-place finish
- 20¾ lbs — Sudo’s fifth-place finish
- 21¼ pounds — the poutine record he set in Toronto
- $2,500 — his share of the $5,000 prize purse
- 21 years — his competitive eating career
- 55 world records — his total entering the pancake contest
What This Means
In his very first pancake competition, Chestnut broke a two-year-old record by five pancakes, and he did so while competing against Max Stanford and Nick Wehry. The time between two contests — poutine in Toronto, pancakes in Williamsburg — reveals a competitor who can adjust to nearly any challenge placed before him.
See the a run of 43 images at Dexerto.
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