As the fourth annual "Food Trucks Wars" food battle returns to the Cloverdale Fairgrounds April 11-13, new this year will be a hot dog eating contest.
The Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival announced March 3 they are “challenging competitive eaters” across the Lower Mainland to come out to their first ever “Street Dogs Hot Dog Eating Contest.” Whoever packs back the most dogs will win $500 cash.
"We're always looking for exciting ways to engage our community and add entertainment value to Food Truck Wars," Jason Faria, Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival owner, said in a press release. “The hot dog eating contest brings a fun, competitive element that showcases the passion our region has for food in a whole new way.”
Faria said he included a cash prize to encourage registration, but noted the contest is more about merriment than moolah.
“Ultimately our goal is for people to enjoy what we're doing by creating a fun, inclusive atmosphere within their community."
The contest will be about speed and not pace as hot dog eaters will try to down as many dogs as possible in a set time limit. Though Faria did not say what the time limit for the Street Dogs Hot Dog Eating Contest would be, the 10-minute world record belongs to none other than the top hot-dogger himself, Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, who crushed 83 during a Netflix special, “Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef,” in 2024 (breaking his own world record of 76).
Faria expects competitors to run the gamut from amateurs right up to seasoned competitive eaters. But there is a catch, prospective food-sport entrants will have to apply to be in the contest.
Wanna-be competitors must make a 30- to 45-second video explaining why they think they should be picked for the competition. Videos must then be posted to social media, tagging @gvfoodtruckfest, or emailed to media@greatervanfoodtruckfest.com by March 28.
The Street Dogs Hot Dog Eating Contest is being sponsored by local concession leader Next Gen Concessions. The ravenous race will take place April 12 (Saturday) at 2 p.m. on the main stage during Food Truck Wars weekend on the Cloverdale Fairgrounds.
The festival is a three-day event featuring more than 35 food trucks, a large artisan marketplace with local vendors, live entertainment, a dedicated Kid Zone with family-friendly activities, and a beer garden featuring local craft breweries.
Food Truck Wars will roll onto the Cloverdale Fairgrounds on Friday, April 11, and run until Sunday, April 13. Hours: April 11, 3 - 9 p.m., April 12, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., and April 13, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Advanced tickets are available by donation, with partial proceeds being given to the organization's 2025 charity partner.
Visit foodtruckwars.co and greatervanfoodtruckfest.com to get some tickets or to find out more info.
