Legendary competitive eater Patrick Bertoletti has earned a spot in the pantheon of greats due to his impressive ability to consume large amounts of food in record time.
Nicknamed ‘The Great Lakes Ghoul’, Bertoletti has become a household name in the competitive eating world, while simultaneously garnering strong support from a wide variety of food enthusiasts.
What sets Bertoletti apart from other professional eaters is his willingness to try virtually any type of food, no matter how exotic or obscure, and despite his size, twice defeating world-renowned eaters Takeru Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut.
In 2007 he made an impressive debut in the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island, New York, consuming 63 hot dogs and buns. As a result he moved up to 3rd place overall that year – a feat that only propelled his fame further and solidified his presence amongst his peers.
Since then he has worked towards expanding his palette even further. He regularly participates in a number of other eating challenges and competitions around the country, such as chili-eating competitions, chicken wing eating contests, and even quesadilla eating contests. He has even been known to compete in competitions involving less popular regional delicacies like deep fried oysters or kimchi balls.
Despite all this notoriety and success though, Bertoletti remains humbled and gracious for all the opportunities afforded to him. He puts on personal exhibitions throughout the year where he showcases his talents and entertains both crowds and fans alike.
It’s safe to say that Patrick Bertoletti’s appetite for adventure as well as all types of foods makes him one of the most versatile competitive eaters of this generation.
Patrick Bertoletti’s name is known far and wide for his incredible appetite. A competitive eater from Chicago, Bertoletti has taken his skills around the world in search of food challenges, setting records wherever he goes.
Originally from Chicago’s south side, Bertoletti first tasted fame when he won the 2007 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Since then, Bertoletti has gone on to break a variety of records by eating an impressive variety of foods. He once ate thirty-six sausages in ten minutes and twenty-one tacos in five minutes. He even holds the record for eating three pounds of pickles in under sixty seconds.
Aside from competitive eating, Bertoletti also participates as a judge in television shows such as Netflix’s The Great Food Truck Race and Harvest America, a show which introduces guests to unique farms and farmers throughout the United States. On Harvest America, Bertoletti serves as a “food ambassador” who suggests food pairings and advises people on proper culinary techniques.
Bertoletti also works with various organizations teaching people the importance of nutrition and proper dieting. In addition to his work with young adults, he tours around schools discussing how to be healthier without sacrificing flavor.
Bertoletti is an incredible example of dedication and commitment to whatever endeavor he chooses to pursue. His prowess as a professional eater is awe-inspiring and he truly shows us all that it’s possible to achieve anything with grit and determination.
