When it comes to Las Vegas, the glitz and glamour of the strip usually come to mind. But when it comes to competitive eating, the spotlight is now shining on bagels.

On January 13, the World Bagel Eating Championship will return for the second year at Siegel’s Bagelmania in Sin City. The catch? A mouth-watering $10,000 prize and a side order of heartburn.

Last year, Geoff Esper emerged victorious after wolfing down a whopping 17.75 bagels in just eight minutes, complete with cream cheese. Following closely behind were Nick Wehry with 14.75 bagels and Miki Sudo with 12.75 bagels in the same time frame.

But 2024 brings a new twist. The legendary Joey Chestnut, renowned as the top competitive eater in the world, will be taking on the bagel challenge. Chestnut made a name for himself in 2007 by dominating the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest with a record-breaking 66 franks in 12 minutes. Talk about a champion at the top of his game.

In 2021, Chestnut outdid himself by chomping down a jaw-dropping 76 hot dogs, setting a world record that still stands today. Joining him in the bagel extravaganza will be Esper, Wehry, Sudo, as well as James Webb from Australia, Patrick Bertoletti from Chicago, and Las Vegas’ very own Derek Hendrickson.

According to Sam Barclay of Major League Eating, the organisation behind the contest, “Las Vegas is where all great competitors come to showcase their talents and become world champions. This year, we anticipate a new world record as our top eaters battle it out for the prestigious title of Bagel-Eating Champion.”

The World Bagel Eating Championship is set to kick off at Siegel’s Bagelmania on 252 Convention Center Drive at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 13. Good news for spectators – admission to watch the food-filled spectacle is free. However, contestants are required to have already registered to compete.

Get ready, Las Vegas. It’s going to be a bagel bonanza like never before.