Joey Chestnut at the State Fair - Cheese Curds

THE CHAMP. @joeyjaws

Coming off 74 hot dogs on the 4th of July—The #1 ranked competitive eater in the world is in Milwaukee.

I introduced him to cheese curds today, tomorrow he’ll compete at the State Fair. @WISN12News pic.twitter.com/be0IIVVQtH

— Ben Hutchison (@WISNBennyHutch) August 11, 2018

At noon today at the Wisconsin State Fair, Joey Chestnut, competitive eater extraordinaire, takes on cheese curds.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

The competition will take place at noon Aug. 11 at the Associated Bank Amphitheater at State Fair Park.

Chestnut, of San Jose, California, is the 11-time winner of Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest.

..."Success will need to be earned at The Wisconsin State Fair Cheese Curd Eating Championship,” Major League Eating emcee Sam Barclay said in a statement. “Hand speed will be key, capacity will be a challenge — and every eater’s ability to overcome their dairy tolerance will be put to the ultimate test."

The competition will last 6 minutes. The total prize purse is $4,000.

From Major League Eating:

Major League Eating is proud to partner with Wisconsin State Fair to bring cheese enthusiasts the event of the summer – the inaugural Wisconsin State Fair World Cheese Curd Eating Championship. This event will mark the first time a world record in the cheese curd-eating discipline will be set. Fairgoers and curd nerds alike will rejoice in this gooey goodness, and Major League Eaters from near and far are encouraged to sign up to compete in this history-making event.

The 2018 Wisconsin State Fair, presented by U.S. Cellular, will take place Thursday, Aug. 2 – Sunday, Aug. 12. These 11 days will feature fair favorites like the Giant Slide, Original Cream Puffs, livestock shows in the Case IH Coliseum, flavored milk in the Bucks Milk House and so much more. Although these traditions are must-dos every year, make new traditions this summer with the unique experiences awaiting you at the 2018 Wisconsin State Fair – like the World Cheese Curd Eating Championship.

...Agriculture is not only the backbone of the Wisconsin State Fair, but a cherished tradition. The dairy industry is central in this great state, and this can be seen throughout the Wisconsin State Fair in agriculture exhibits, food products and competitions. Wisconsin cheese has been an agricultural and economic staple since the 1800s. As the #1 producer of cheese in the nation, the dairy industry is a highlight of the Wisconsin State Fair. Home to multiple dairy product competitions, as well as the nation’s largest junior dairy show, Wisconsin State Fair has it all. Whether beer-battered, shredded, grilled or deep-fried, America’s Dairyland is the perfect place for the Cheese Curd Eating Contest of the year. Seriously, no one knows cheese curds like a Wisconsinite.

Who will claim the Wisconsin State Fair World Cheese Curd Eating Championship? Who will walk away with $2,000? Will you be the first woman or man to set a world record in the cheese curd-eating discipline? This is the Wisconsin State Fair World Cheese Curd Eating Championship — at the table or in the crowd, you don’t want to miss it!

Joey Chestnut is ranked first in the world.

On the Fourth of July, he won his 11th title at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest by downing 74 hot dogs and buns in ten minutes.

How many cheese curds can Chestnut consume in six minutes?

From Food & Wine:

“It's going to be way more cheese than I've ever had,” Chestnut told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Apparently, though he’s eaten cheese curds as a part of a record-breaking poutine eating session, he’s never had the Wisconsin specialty in a competition on their own. He said that he’s been chowing down on chopped up mozzarella to practice.

Though the Major League Eating site has a laundry list of official eating records—including things like cheesecake, chili cheese fries, and Philly cheesesteaks—apparently little precedent for cheese curds exists. Still, Chestnut has his goal set: at least a pound of curds per minute. “If I could do eight pounds, I’d be happy,” he was quoted as saying. “Ten pounds would be really tough.”

Eight pounds?

Yikes!