Kobayashi Goes Rogue For Fourth of July Hot Dog Contest

Professional gurgitator Takeru Kobayashi doesn't need no stinking official hot dog eating contest: no, when the world's best competitive eaters gather in Coney Island on the Fourth of July for the Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest, Kobayashi will "compete" against them in an unofficial capacity at a rooftop bar in Manhattan.

Kobayashi — who was arrested at last year's Nathan's Famous competition for showing up despite having been banned — will stuff his face with as many hot dogs as possible alongside a giant TV airing the official competition live. And no matter how many he eats, he still gets paid: The owner of the bar, 230 Fifth, is paying Kobayashi to show up.

· Japanese Eating Champ Plans to Gobble on Fourth [WSJ]
· All Takeru Kobayashi Coverage on Eater [-E-]