Indianapolis is heating up, and it’s not just because of the Big Ten Championship game.
The St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail Eating Championship returns to downtown Indy Dec. 7, bringing the horseradish-fueled spectacle back to the city’s heart. Leading the charge is the world’s top-ranked competitive eater and a Westfield, Indiana resident, Joey Chestnut, who is determined to reclaim his crown after two years of defeat.
“I’m nervous. I’m excited,” Chestnut told the Indianapolis Recorder. “It’s my hometown contest, and I really want to get this win. There’s a little bit of pressure, but I like pressure.”
The contest, known for its iconic shrimp cocktail drenched in fiery horseradish sauce, presents a challenge even for seasoned competitors like Chestnut. Unlike the famed Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, where buns are soaked in water, the shrimp cocktail’s intense flavors and textures push contestants differently.
“The horseradish is intense,” Chestnut said. “It’s almost painful. It makes you cry ,and it’s a feeling you don’t get with hot dogs. But it’s one of the easier contests to recover from because shrimp is pretty clean and healthy.”
Chestnut said he prepares for eating competitions by performing a cleanse days before the event partnered with light snacking and a mostly liquid diet.
This year’s lineup is stacked, with Patrick ‘Pat’ Bertoletti, the world’s second-ranked competitive eater, joining the competition for the first time.
Bertoletti’s presence sets the stage for quite the clash of the titans.
“I love competition,” Chestnut told the Indianapolis Recorder. “(Bertoletti) hasn’t beaten me in a long time, but we’ll see what happens.”
Football, Food, Fans & Joey Chestnut
The championship isn’t just about the shrimp — it’s part of the festive atmosphere surrounding Big Ten Championship weekend in Indianapolis. Chestnut, a college football fan, expressed his excitement for the game, which takes place later that evening.
“This year’s Big Ten matchup is wild,” Chestnut said. “It’s great to see teams like Oregon and Penn State bringing their energy to Indianapolis. It’s going to be a fantastic experience for fans coming to the city for the first time.”
Chestnut highlighted how the weekend combines two American traditions: food and football. Before the primary contest, fans from rival schools compete in their shrimp cocktail-eating showdown, adding another layer of excitement to the day.
“This contest has everything,” Chestnut said. “It has great energy, amazing food and passionate fans. It’s one of the best eating contests in the world.”
For Chestnut, who has built a legacy as the face of competitive eating, this weekend is a chance to compete, connect with his roots and share the stage with fans and fellow competitors.
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“Indianapolis has always been special to me,” Chestnut said. “I fell in love with this city the first time I came here, and it’s great to see others experiencing Hoosier hospitality.”
With a $3,000 prize and ‘eternal shrimp glory’ on the line, Chestnut and his competitors will surely deliver a thrilling show. Whether you’re a fan of competitive eating, college football or just good food, Big Ten Championship Weekend promises something for everyone.
The St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail Eating Championship occurs at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 at Big Ten Tailgate Town on South Street in Indianapolis. The Big Ten Championship game follows later that evening at 8 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Contact multi-media & senior sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7856 or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on X @3Noral.
