Chestnut tops record, downs 69 hot dogs
Joey Chestnut downed 69 franks and devoured his own record in the men’s Fourth of July hot dog eating contest at New York’s Coney Island while Sonya Thomas defended her title in the women’s competition.
The San Jose, Calif., man known as Jaws ate one more wiener than his previous record to capture the mustard-yellow champion’s belt. He said afterward that he was motivated by the prestige, not the $10,000 prize money. “I’d do this for nothing,” he said.
Thomas, a 100-pound dynamo known as the “Black Widow” of competitive eating, wolfed down nearly 37 wieners to narrowly eke out her own victory and the $5,000 women’s prize.
Now in its 98th year, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest draws crowds of thousands to marvel at contestants cramming frankfurters down their throats. The hot dog contest took place despite concerns about a swaying, shuttered observation tower at Coney Island that spurred the closure of parts of the nearby amusement park.
Washington marries football player
Actress Kerry Washington is a newlywed. The star of TV’s “Scandal” married professional football player Nnamdi Asomugha last week in Hailey, Idaho.
E! reported the nuptials Wednesday and posted a copy of the couple’s marriage license online. The 36-year-old actress and 31-year-old athlete were married June 24. Washington’s parents served as official witnesses, while one of Asomugha’s relatives performed the ceremony.
Besides starring in the ABC political thriller, Washington’s other recent credits include the films “Peeples” and “Django Unchained.” Asomugha is a cornerback with the San Francisco 49ers.
Young chefs to visit the White House
Junior chefs from across the nation touting their best recipes will meet at the White House next week for the second kids’ “state dinner.”
Michelle Obama will welcome 54 children to the executive mansion Tuesday for creating winning recipes as part of a healthy lunch contest. The youngsters will dine on some of the top dishes at their “state dinner” luncheon and tour the White House vegetable garden. “The X Factor” alum singer Rachel Crow will also perform.
Some of the winning recipes include sushi salad, sweet potato turkey sliders, hidden veggie lasagna, salmon fried rice, garden stir-fry, chicken masala wraps and confetti spring rolls.
The birthday bunch
Actress Katherine Helmond is 84. Actress Shirley Knight is 77. Singer-musician Robbie Robertson is 70. Singer Huey Lewis is 63. Actress Edie Falco is 50. Actress Kathryn Erbe is 48. Country musician Dave Haywood (Lady Antebellum) is 31.