Returning to this year’s Cook-off, the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), now known as Major League Eating (MLE), the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, will host the fourth annual Best in the West Nugget World Rib Eating Championships at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, at the Main Stage area.

The country’s best competitive eaters will vie for $5,000 and the title of World Champion. The IFOCE conducts more than 90 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY. It’s estimated the top competitors will consume nine-plus pounds of meat during the 12-minute competition. Three-time winner, prolific gurgitator Joey Chestnut, is expected to attend, along with more than a dozen other top-flight athletes. Last year the legendary world No.1-ranked eater consumed 9.8 lbs. of rib meat in 12 minutes to set a new world record!

2009 Prize Payouts:
1st - $2,500
2nd - $1,000
3rd - $750
4th - $500
5th - $250

Read the latest press releases here.

View the video press release of the 2007 Rib Eating Championships here.

Check out MLE's main Web site for more information on competitive eating and eater profiles.